Rebuild A Starter

Instead of shelling out a few hundred dollars for a rebuilt starter and installation from a mechanic, you can actually rebuild the starter yourself. Exact details may differ slightly depending on the year and model of your car, so check your owner's manual or installation guide. In general, however, you should be able to do the majority of the work on your own with some basic knowledge, as the process requires mostly cleaning.

Instructions

Remove the Starter and Copper Contacts

1. Disconnect the negative cable from the battery. You can also disconnect the battery entirely, so you don't injure yourself as you remove the starter, but always remove the negative cable first.

2. Remove the starter. This may be the most difficult part of the process. Depending on the type of car you have, you may need to remove other parts to get to the starter. In some vehicles, you may need to work around (bend, remove) the brake line. Usually a heat shield covers the starter and is held in place by a 10 mm bolt.

3. Separate the field frame and armature from the starter housing. Generally you want to remove the 2 long bolts holding the 2 pieces of your starter together. Pull the frame up and off of the starter. The armature may actually come up with this, so be careful as you separate the pieces.

4. Remove the 3 screws holding the magnetic end cap onto terminal C of the starter. The screws will be in a triangular pattern. Take off the cap, revealing the plunger and copper contacts.

5. Pull the plunger straight out. There is a small spring on the end of the plunger that you should not lose.

6. Clean the plunger using a wire brush or sandpaper to smooth the underside of the copper ring on the top of the plunger. You may also replace the part if you wish.

7. Remove the nuts, washer and insulators that hold the L-shaped contacts in place. The contacts should be housed on either side of the hole where the plunger sits. If the contacts are merely corroded, you may be able to clean or sand the part, but in most cases you will need new copper contacts for your starter. The contacts come in a starter rebuild kit if you purchased one.

Install the Contacts and Starter

8. Install the new copper L-shaped contacts in the opposite manner from which you removed them. Basically, you should place one contact on each side of the starter and then use an insulator, washer and bolt to attach.

9. Put the cleaned or new plunger back into the cylinder. Don't forget the spring, which must be installed first. Basically, the plunger pushes against the spring to cause resistance.

10. Replace the cover, using the 3 bolts to secure.

Clean the Brushes and Replace the Starter

11. Remove the 2 screws or bolts holding the cap onto the field frame, which houses the brush holders. While terminal C had 3 bolts in a triangular pattern, this section only has 2 bolts. If you have already cleaned your contacts and plunger, this cap should be off and the armature may have come off when you removed the cap.

12. Clean the armature with a wire brush. The armature is a long, cylindrical piece that fits into the field frame. It may have a long rod coming from one end.

13. Look for the brush holder, which should be fairly easy to spot. The brushes do not look like an actual brush, but rather a block of carbon or other metal material. You should remove the brushes (some cars have 2 while others have 4) from the holder. You may need to use a screwdriver to release the spring clips.

14. Check that the brushes are long enough to connect to the armature. They should be a minimum of 10 mm. Use fine sandpaper or a wire brush to clean any grime from the brushes.

15. Replace the brushes in the holders.

16. Insert the armature into the field frame with the small coil facing the brushes. You may need to apply some fresh grease to the bearing surface, so that the armature turns freely.

17.Place the field frame cap over the brush holder and replace the 2 screws you removed earlier.

18. Turn the whole field frame assembly over and apply fresh grease to the bearing on that side of the armature. Install the field frame back into the starter housing.

19. Connect terminal C to the field house if you had to separate the 2 pieces and tighten any bolts. Place the starter back into the car.

Tags: field frame, back into, wire brush, bolts holding, brush holder, fresh grease, fresh grease bearing

Reinstall Microsoft Office After An Upgrade To Windows 7

Microsoft Office is a common suite of programs that enables you to edit documents, create and edit spreadsheets and create and view PowerPoints, among many other uses. If you've recently made the upgrade from an earlier version of the Microsoft Windows operating system to Windows 7, you may have noticed that your copy of Office is no longer installed on the computer. Reinstalling Microsoft Office after an upgrade to Windows 7 is a straightforward process for any user.

Instructions

1. Insert your Microsoft Office disc into your CD/DVD-ROM drive. If you were not given a disc for Office, visit Microsoft.com to download Microsoft Office again.

2. Click "Run" after inserting the disc, or double-click the setup executable you downloaded from Microsoft.com.

3. Type in the product key for your copy of Microsoft Office. This can be found either in the purchase confirmation email or on the back of the cover that the CD came in.

4. Click "Continue."

5. Read the Microsoft Software License Terms and then check the "I Accept the Terms of This Agreement" box. Click "Continue."

6. Click "Install Now" to begin reinstalling Microsoft Office after your upgrade to Windows 7.

7. Wait for the installation process to complete, and then click "Close" after the installer tells you that Microsoft Office has been successfully installed.

8. Click "Start," "All Programs," "Microsoft Office" and then select a Microsoft Office program to open.

9. Click the "I Want to Activate the Software over the Internet (Recommended)" button and then click "Next" to begin activating Office. Activation must be completed before you are able to use the program again. Click "Close" to complete the process.

Tags: Microsoft Office, again Click, Click Continue, Microsoft Office after, Office after

Homeowners Insurance Information & Roof Damage

Some roofing companies provide services as a go-between with the homeowner and insurance company

Insurance companies consider storm damage to roofs as one of the most often claimed coverage, and they employ adjusters who have undergone special training to work with homeowners. Does this Spark an idea?

Projected Damage

Hail strikes show up as discolored smudges, often oval in shape and slightly dimpled. Evidence of dimpled hail damage can also be seen on metal vents and guttering, and often the soffit and siding.

Missing roof shingles is the easiest and best way to prove wind damage, but even without that it is possible to show a need for repair. Lifting up one shingle and having four or five lift up around it shows that at some time the wind lifted the area up and broke the bond with the roof.

Opening a Claim

The insurance company will want to know when the damage occurred and the specific damage. It normally is willing to provide reimbursement for damages up to two years after an incident happens.

Other questions it will ask concern the age of the home, the length of ownership, any previous claims and the size of the home. It will provide a claim number, and set up an appointment with the adjuster.

Inspection

The insurance adjuster will do a walk around on the roof. Usually for hail damage there must be eight to 10 distinct strikes within a 100-square foot section of the roof. He will also look for wind damage.

There is no penalty to the homeowner if the adjuster finds no damage. The insurance company considers that the homeowner is merely protecting his interest in the property without trying to defraud the insurance company.

The homeowner can appeal and ask for a new adjuster to come out at this point.

If the adjuster finds partial damage, the company may issue a check to cover a percentage of the damage. Again, the homeowner can appeal this decision and request a review.

The third option is that the adjuster finds full damage and the insurance company will cover the cost of a new roof and any other damage.

Partial check

With full damage, the insurance company normally writes an initial check for approximately 30 percent to 40 percent of what it considers a fair cost for a new roof. This may be issued the same day, or it may take several days depending upon the insurance company's policies.

Contractor

With that check in hand, the homeowner can now find a roofing company that will do the work for the same cost as the insurance proceeds.

The usual procedure is for the homeowner to pay the roofing company the same amount as the initial check when the agreement is signed. This allows the company to pay for the material and labor in advance.

Balanced Paid

After the work is completed and certified to the insurance company by the roofing company, it may have its own inspector look over the roof.

It will issue a check for the balance of the money, less the deductible if any, along with any supplemental checks. This check goes to pay the balance of the money due to the roofing company.

Tags: insurance company, roofing company, adjuster finds, damage insurance, damage insurance company

Fix A Broken Fan Pull Chain Switch (With Photos)

Fix a Broken Fan Pull Chain Switch (with Photos)

Your ceiling fan pull chain has just broken off inside of the fan, or you pull on the chain but can no longer change the fan speed. In both cases, what you will need to do is replace the pull chain switch. At first, the task might seem intimidating, but with a little guidance, replacing a fan pull chain switch can be a breeze. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Locate your fuse box, and flip the switch that will cut power to your fan. If you do not know which circuit your fan is on, then you will have to turn off everything.

2. Unscrew the screws that are holing the round, central casing onto your fan. You should be able to find the correct screws on the outside rim or "lip" of the casing. If these are not enough, unscrew more screws until the casing comes off. Do not worry about the casing falling to the floor; it will still be attached to the fan by a central cord (see photo).

3. Detach the casing from your fan by "unplugging" the cord that is still connecting the casing to the main body of the fan (see photo above). If the cord connection is tight, you might need to wear rubber gloves in order to get a good grip, and then wiggle the plug back and forth as you pull. If you cannot detach the casing from the fan, you could always work with it hanging from the fan; however, if this is your first fan repair, it will be best if you can find someone who can detach it for you.

4. With the fan casing detached from the main body of the fan, it will be much easier to work on replacing the pull chain switch. Locate the switch inside of the casing (the switch is green in the photo), and unscrew the round metal piece where your chain normally comes out (located on the outside of the fan casing).

5. Before you detach the wires from your old fan pull switch, make a diagram that matches the colors of the different wires with their corresponding holes, which are numbered (see photo). When you install the new switch, you will need to know which colors go with which numbers.

6. Now, you will need to detach the wires from your old fan pull switch. Uncoil the end of a large paperclip, forming a straight metal "pin." If you hold a flashlight up to each hole where the wires are coming out of the switch, you should see a metal "clip" (visible in the photo). Push the end of the paperclip into the hole and press on the spring-loaded clip until it releases the wire and you can pull it out. Try using one hand to push the pin into the hole, while you use the other to pull the wire out. You can also try to do both with the same hand.

7. Using your diagram from STEP 5, match the colored wires with their corresponding numbers on your new switch. Then, simply push each wire into its proper hole. The clip will hold it in place; lightly tug on the wires to make sure that they are secure.

8. Push your new fan switch through the hole in the casing and screw on the metal piece mentioned in STEP 4 (initially, you will have to unscrew it from the new switch before sliding the switch through the hole). Refer to the photo; the casing is now ready to be reattached to the main fan body.

9. Plug the fan casing back into the main fan body. Before you replace the screws, turn the power on and test the fan. If the switch does not work correctly, make sure you have accurately matched the colored wires with their numbers (refer to your diagram from STEP 5). If this is correct, then you do not have the correct switch.

10. If the new switch is working properly, replace and tighten the screws from STEP 2. If you want, reattach the piece of your old pull chain (that originally broke off) by pressing the ball of one half into the clip of the other (see photo). The job is done!

Tags: main body, from STEP, from your, pull chain, pull chain, will need

Reset A Kindle 3g

Reset a Kindle 3G

Amazon.com's Kindle is a device used for reading ebooks. The Amazon website touts the product as their best seller and as the most-wished-for and most-gifted item. It also has the most five-star ratings of any product available on the website. The Kindle 3G stores up to 3,500 books and has a battery life of up to one month. In addition, it has built-in Wi-Fi, which allows users to download new material in less than a minute.

Instructions

Frozen Screen or Unresponsive Kindle

1. Unplug the Kindle.

2. Move the power button to the right and release. You should see a green LED light for two seconds.

3. Move the power button to the right and hold for five seconds. The green light should blink three times and then the screen will go blank. Release the power button after it does.

4. Turn the device back on by sliding the power button to the right and releasing it.

Perform a Hard Reset

5. Perform a hard reset if the previous steps are unsuccessful or if the Kindle screen is showing lines.

6. Slide the power button to the right.

7. Hold for 15 seconds.

8. Recharge the battery if the device continues to be unresponsive.

9. Restart the Kindle after charging.

Restart a Kindle

10. Press the "Home" button.

11. Select "Menu."

12. Choose "Settings."

13. Pick "Menu."

14. Opt for "Restart."

Reset the Password

15. Turn the Kindle on.

16. Place the cursor in the password field and type "resetmykindle."

17.Press "Enter."

18. Wait for the device to restart.

Tags: power button, button right, power button right, green light, Move power, Move power button

Move Existing Manufactured Homes

Moving a mobile home is easy.

If you want to move a manufactured home, you can hire a moving service. If you have access to someone with a Class A driver's license, you can rent a truck and move the home yourself. You can save a lot of money by moving your manufactured home instead of selling it, moving your possessions and buying a new home for a new lot. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Organize the inside of your home to prepare for the move. Remove any glass fixtures or glassware in cabinets and place these items in a safe area, such as in a secured box or on the carpet. Seal the cabinets so that they cannot open during the move and send their contents flying. Remove ceiling and wall fixtures so they don't fall during transit.

Make sure that all furniture is on the floor so it cannot shift during the move. Secure electronics so they cannot move and be damaged. Pad larger, harder items with softer items such as linens, couch cushions, pillows and blankets.

2. Remove the skirting on the house. Turn off the utility main lines before disconnecting them from the house, so as not to cause a gas or water leak. Once you can get under your house, check where the axle and tongues are removed so the house can be hooked to the truck.

Remove any tie-down straps that connect your house to the ground; these are generally wrapped around the frame of the house and buried deep in the ground. To remove them, simply use metal shears to cut through the straps and then pull them out. It is safer to use new straps each time you set up your manufactured home.

3. Move any blocks that you may have under your home. Blocks keep the home level on the ground, but they do not allow it to slope naturally when attached to the truck and will drag under your home and damage it if you don't remove them. Perform a last visual check of your home for any accessories such as satellite dishes, stairs, air conditioners, phone lines or anything else that is not part of the home itself. Remove any remaining accessories.

Finally, hook up your home to the truck and move it to its new location. Once it's in place, unpack and reattach everything, including blocks and new straps.

Tags: your home, manufactured home, under your, during move, moving your, remove them

Defrost Plastic Pipes

One way to prevent frozen pipes is to open the faucet to allow water to trickle out.

Sadly, pipes are susceptible to freezing when exposed to colder temperatures, and plastic pipes are no different. Unlike copper pipes, which freeze and then expand to stretch their fittings, plastic pipes are flexible enough to resist warping, and therefore prevent leaks around fittings. Unfortunately, plastic pipes are not completely fail-proof. They can freeze and break under extreme cold weather conditions. The good thing about plastic pipes is that they defrost with the same techniques applied to copper pipes. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Shut the valve to the plastic pipes that are frozen. In case of a broken pipe, this prevents water from leaking onto nearby surfaces.

2. Open the spigots to the frozen plastic pipes. This allows water to flow through the pipes, flushing small bits of ice. It also lets you know when the pipes are thawed.

3. Fold a sheet of aluminum foil to create a thick buffer between your heat source and the wall near the frozen plastic pipes. Place the foil behind the pipes. Staple the foil into place, or use durable tape to secure the foil.

4. Heat the plastic pipes with a heat gun or hair dryer. Slowly move the heat source up and down the length of the frozen plastic pipe. You may also use a heat lamp or portable space heater if you cannot access the plastic pipes directly.

Tags: plastic pipes, frozen plastic, copper pipes, frozen plastic pipes, heat source, pipes that, plastic pipes

Claim A Casualty Or Theft Deduction

Claim a Casualty or Theft Deduction

You can take an itemized deduction on your income taxes for losses due to casualty or theft. This can save you in taxes, but there are limitations on the deduction.

Instructions

1. Verify that the loss is personal and not business-related.

2. Verify that the loss is from a casualty or a theft. A casualty is a sudden, unexpected and unusual event causing the loss or damage of property. A theft is an illegal taking of money or property.

3. Determine the amount of loss. To do this, calculate the adjusted basis of the property (which is usually the cost plus improvements minus depreciation) and calculate the decrease in fair market value of the property (which is usually done by an appraisal). The smaller of the adjusted basis or the decrease in fair market value is your loss.

4. Subtract from your loss any reimbursement from insurance or a disaster fund. Do not subtract any personal gift anyone has given you to help you out.

5. Subtract $100 from your loss for any single event. You may have multiple losses from a single event, but subtract only $100 per event.

6. Subtract 10 percent of your adjusted gross income from the total of all losses from casualties or thefts.

7. Fill out Form 4684 and Schedule A with this information.

Tags: your loss, adjusted basis, Casualty Theft Deduction, Claim Casualty, Claim Casualty Theft, decrease fair, decrease fair market

Homemade Dvd Cleaner

Homemade DVD Cleaner

There are few things more frustrating than a skipping DVD. The problem is usually a scratched or dirty disc, which prevents you from fully enjoying at least a part of your movie or music. If there are scratches or dirt on the bottom of your compact disc or DVD, you can probably fix the problem with simple home remedies.

Home Remedies for Scratches

Make use of substances that you have right in your home to help you fix your CDs and DVDs by yourself. One home remedy to fix scratches is toothpaste. Another remedy is Vaseline or even hair gel. Whichever your choice, spread a liberal amount of the substance over the scratch and rub it with a very soft rag. Do not use a washcloth or a paper towel--these will further scratch your CD or DVD and render the disc entirely unusable. Ultra-soft polyvinyl cloths work particularly well, as do the cloths that come with shoe polish.

Cleaning Solutions

You can clean a DVD with white vinegar. Vinegar is naturally acidic, but not overpowering. The natural properties of this liquid allow it to be an effective and natural combatant against grime, soap scum, oils and other elements. Vinegar will clean oil from fingerprints off of a DVD in addition to dirt. Using pure undiluted vinegar on a soft cloth, rubbing clockwise, may help your skipping DVD become like new.

Homemade DVD Player Cleaner

White vinegar can be used to clean the lens of a DVD player. However, when cleaning the lens of the actual player, the vinegar should be mixed slightly with some water to dilute it. Lemon juice will work the same way as vinegar because it is similarly acidic. The natural components of each have the ability to effectively and efficiently clean the lens of the DVD player. To keep your DVD player in top shape, a thorough cleaning should be performed once every four to six weeks.

Recopy

Once you've tried every remedy in the book, you may find that your disc is still unusable. Do not worry--there's a third option that will sometimes take care of your disc problem. You may be able to copy your DVD onto a CD-R or a DVD-R. Blank discs are available for purchase at most stores. If your computer has a CD or DVD writer, these discs can sometimes be recopied and will retain all of the information of the original disc. For scratches that are not too severe, recopying the disc often works wonders. Of course, there is always the chance that your disc is scratched beyond repair. While there are some hopeless cases, don't give up until you are sure no repair option will work.

Tags: your disc, clean lens, clean lens player, help your, Homemade Cleaner, lens player

Claim Storm Damage To A Roof

If your home suffers roof damage, you may be able to take a tax deduction.

If your roof is damaged from a storm, you may be eligible to claim a tax deduction. The IRS permits two ways to claim this deduction. If you live in a presidentially declared disaster area, you can claim the deduction without having to itemize your deductions, or subtract 10 percent of your adjusted gross income from your deduction amount. If you are not in a disaster area but itemize your deductions, you still can claim the loss but you will have to forgo the standard deduction. If you have insurance, you must file a timely claim and reduce your loss by the amount of reimbursement you receive from your insurer. If you have a policy but do not file a claim, you cannot claim the deduction.

Instructions

1. Determine whether you live in a presidentially declared disaster area. If so, you can claim the deduction using Schedule L and not itemize your deductions. See resources for a list of federal disaster declarations.

2. Complete section A of Form 4684. Stop at line 18 if you are in a presidentially declared disaster area. Complete the entire form and skip to step 4 if you are not. Lines 20 and 21 will adjust your deduction value, taking into consideration the subtraction of 10 percent of your adjusted gross income from the amount you can deduct.

3. Copy the amount of your deduction from line 18 of Form 4684 to line 6 of Schedule L if you are in a disaster area. Transfer the total to either line 40a if you file your taxes with Form 1040 or line 24a if using Form 1040A once you have added the amounts for other deductions allowed on Schedule L.

4. Transfer the amount from line 22 of Form 4684 to line 20 of your Schedule A, which lists itemized deductions. Be aware that if you claim this, or any other itemized deductions, you cannot claim the standard deduction.

Tags: disaster area, claim deduction, declared disaster, declared disaster area, Form 4684, itemize your, itemize your deductions

Clean A Trampoline

A clean trampoline provides enjoyment for kids and adults.

A trampoline provides both enjoyment and physical activity for children and adults alike. Because a trampoline is generally an outdoor structure, it is bound to collect leaves, dirt, twigs and even animal droppings. Cleaning your trampoline at least once a month prevents damage such as rust and structure breakdown and helps ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for years to come. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Sweep leaves and dirt from the trampoline mat.

Sweep leaves and dirt off the trampoline mat and springs, using a long handled-broom.

2. Pre-soak the trampoline.

Pre-soak the trampoline with a garden hose. Include the main jumping mat, springs and metal legs of the trampoline.

3. Use a bucket of warm, soapy water to wash the trampoline.

Make a solution of one part dish soap to three parts warm water and wash the trampoline, including the jumping mat, springs and legs. Use a towel or brush for the jumping mat and a toothbrush to get in between the springs.

4. Rinse the trampoline with a garden hose. Use a high-power sprayer hose attachment for thorough rinsing.

5. Towel-dry the metal parts of the trampoline.

Towel-dry the springs and legs of the trampoline; this will help prevent rust from forming. The mat of the trampoline can dry naturally in the sun.

Tags: leaves dirt, garden hose, jumping springs, legs trampoline, Pre-soak trampoline, springs legs, Sweep leaves

Kenmore Appliance Repair

Kenmore appliances are sold exclusively at Sears.

Kenmore is the name of a brand of household appliances available for purchase at Sears. Since 1927, the name has been attached to various products, including sewing machines, refrigerators, stoves and washing machines. These products are primarily manufactured by Whirlpool. Does this Spark an idea?

Appliance Repair Hot Line

Customers can schedule an appointment to have their stove repaired.

Sears operates an appliance repair hot line that customers may call to schedule an appointment to have their Kenmore appliance serviced: (800) 4-MY-HOME. At that number, customers can also purchase a Sears Protection Agreement, which provides insurance coverage for Kenmore products.

Purchasing Parts

Parts can be ordered over the telephone.

Customers who choose to troubleshoot their Kenmore appliances can order parts directly from Sears. Call (800) 366-PART and a representative will assist you.

Product Manuals

Instruction manuals can be ordered over the telephone.

An instruction manual comes with each Kenmore appliance when purchased. Customers can order additional or replacement manuals by dialing (800) 366-PART.

Customer Service

Customer service representatives are available to help you.

Sears provides a hot line for customers to ask general questions about Kenmore appliances. Customer service representatives answer customer calls at (866) KENMORE.

Online Service

Service can be handled online.

In addition to telephone service, troubleshooting Kenmore appliance problems can be handled online. Kenmore.com allows customers to purchase manuals and parts, schedule repairs and learn about products over the Internet.

Tags: Kenmore appliance, Kenmore appliances, appointment have, appointment have their, Customer service

Alternatives To Assisted Living

Longer life and a desire to remain independent have created needs for alternatives for the elderly beyond moving to an assisted-living facility. Modern medicine and better nutrition and exercise have contributed to many seniors living longer and more active lives. Extended life spans have created challenges on help these seniors live active and productive lives, while making it possible for them to remain in the lifestyle and environment to which they are accustomed.

Need for Viable Options

A realistic fear, as seniors grow older, is losing their independence and ability to live on their own. Most want to remain in their own homes and care for themselves, not wanting to become a burden to family members. As baby boomers age, more of the population is reaching those golden years and beyond, creating an even greater need. More options are necessary to help them manage meals, cleaning, cooking and personal care without moving to an assisted-living facility. It is a major ongoing concern for seniors, their families and caretakers, as well as local and federal governments.

Remaining at Home

Most elderly people who need some assistance want to stay in their own home. With the help of such organizations as Meals on Wheels, shopping and cleaning services and home-care providers, more of the elderly, including those in poor health or disabled, are able to continue living in their home.

Senior Communities

While moving in with grown children or other family members is a choice, it often creates stress on all concerned. Sometimes just moving closer to loved ones can afford seniors their dignity, self respect and autonomy, while providing more security. Likewise, some have no family to rely on, and other avenues must be explored.

Some turn to individual apartments within a senior 55+ community with diversified resources. Within these communities, meals, activities and help are provided for various levels of need. Many state and federal programs offer subsidized senior housing for the elderly. These facilities offer help with meals, laundry and shopping while allowing them to continue to live independently and in their own space. These programs make it feasible for those with even a modest income to live on their own.

Exploring Nontraditional Care

A nontraditional alternative for assisted living is seniors living on cruise ships. Meals, activities, cleaning and staff members readily are available, and there is even a physician on the ship for emergencies. Opportunities to travel and remain socially active on board is a great asset. It has been referred to as "cruise care." When comparing the cost of year-long cruising to a year's stay at an assisted-living facility, it amounts to only a fraction more. Changes in the industry and broader perceptions need to occur for this to be viable alternative for seniors in the future. However, for those with retirement savings and good health, it is an exciting alternative for their remaining years.

Seniors and Independence

Wherever a senior decides to spend those remaining years, it is generally dictated by such factors as health, finances and mobility. The most important requirement is that they find a safe, secure atmosphere where they can maintain the most independence for the longest time and where they can continue to feel like a valuable, productive part of society.

Tags: assisted-living facility, family members, have created, live their, moving assisted-living

Organizations That Assist Seniors With House Repairs

For the elderly, home repair projects can become unmanageable and costly.

Many senior citizens have a desire to stay in their homes for as long as possible, according to the National Council on Aging. As seniors age, however, it gets more and more difficult to manage day-to-day household tasks, including home repairs. Hiring a contractor to make repairs can be costly, and these expenses can be overwhelming. Fortunately, there are nonprofits throughout the nation that assist seniors in making critical home repairs.

Rebuilding Together

Rebuilding Together is a nonprofit organization in that joins community volunteers to rehabilitate homes owned by senior citizens and low-income citizens. Rebuilding Together has more than 200 affiliates throughout the United States, according to the organization, and making repairs to individuals' homes and ensuring that homeowners maintain safe living conditions are the primary goals. The list of the organization's affiliates and contact information can be found online.

Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit organization that supports low-income families and senior citizens throughout the United States and the world. The organization builds affordable houses for needy families to reside, and many of these homes that are energy-efficient and sustainable, according to Habitat for Humanity. Although the nonprofit primarily serves low-income individuals, the organization also supports senior citizens by revitalizing and repairing homes. Although not every Habitat for Humanity affiliate has a program that assists senior citizens, many affiliates do. Check online for availability in your area.

Housing Opportunities and Maintenance for the Elderly

The Housing Opportunities and Maintenance for the Elderly (HOME) is an organization that supports low-income senior citizens living in Chicago. HOME assists in weatherizing senior's homes and helps accomplish household tasks, including painting projects, repairs and upkeep projects. Senior citizens who receive HOME's assistance receive the labor aspect of the projects for free, but the seniors are asked to pay for parts and supplies, according to HOME.

Tags: Habitat Humanity, senior citizens, organization that, Rebuilding Together, home repairs, household tasks

Grants For Emergency Heating

Low-income households can receive emergency funds to help pay heating bills or to repair broken equipment.

For low-income families who cannot afford their heating bill, winters can be long and rough. However, assistance is available from individual states to help these families pay heating bills or help them with other costs related to heating their homes. While the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services federally administers these programs, it is the responsibility of individual states to hand out the funds. Does this Spark an idea?

Pennsylvania Heating Assistance/LIHEAP

The Pennsylvania Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program provides emergency funds to low-income individuals and families so they can pay heating bills. To qualify for the grant, a family of four must have an income at or below $33,075 but does not need to be in the Cash Assistance program. Individuals and families can request funds even if they have not missed a heating bill payment. Under this same program, residents may also qualify for Crisis Grants, which are given to families who are at risk of not being able to heat their homes. Emergency situations can include not having fuel or being at risk of running out of fuel; utility services being or in danger of being cut off, and non-operable heating equipment or leaking fuel lines.

Department of Public Welfare

P.O. Box 2675

Harrisburg PA 17105-2675

717-787-4592

dpw.state.pa.us

Wisconsin WHEAP Program

The Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program provides low-income individuals and families a one-time grant during the heating season, which runs from October 1 through May 15. These funds may be used for electric or heating costs or emergency situations. Grant amounts will vary based on the size of the household, heating/electric costs and household income, and the payments will generally be made directly to the energy company. For electricity, only a portion of costs will be paid. Crisis payments are given to households whose heat has been cut off, whose heat is in danger of being cut off, or who are out of or nearly out of fuel.

Home Energy +

P.O. Box 7868

Madison, Wisconsin 53707-7868

608-267-3680

homeenergyplus.wi.gov

New York State HEAP Program

The New York State Home Energy Assistance Program is for low-income households to assist with yearly heating costs and to provide emergency funds to families who have either lost or are in danger of losing their heating source due to termination by the utility company or loss of fuel. The program also gives out funds to assist families in replacing furnaces or other broken heating equipment. Under the HEAP umbrella, the state also offers funds to low-income households that need air conditioners installed for the summer.

New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance

40 North Pearl Street

Albany, New York 12243

518-473-1090

otda.ny.gov

Tags: Home Energy, Assistance Program, emergency funds, Energy Assistance, Energy Assistance Program, heating bills

Start A Mobile Car Wash Business

Start a Mobile Car Wash Business

Several factors work in your favor to make a mobile car wash a good business opportunity. Service stations with instant car washes are rapidly disappearing across the country. Many people just don't have time to spend twenty to thirty minutes weekly at the drive-through car wash. However, if you make it convenient for people to keep their car clean, your mobile business may become a household name in your service area.

Instructions

1. Contact your city and state government to obtain the licenses and permits that you need for a mobile business. Even though you may not need an office outside your home, you should make sure that you are aware of any regulations that apply to your service. Find out if you need special insurance.

2. Decide what days, times, and neighborhoods you will work. Estimate your costs for supplies and transportation to your customers, including maintenance of your primary vehicle.

3. Arrange to have your business phone calls answered while you are washing cars. It will be difficult to efficiently complete your work and take phone calls.

4. Draft a marketing plan that identifies your potential customers and their locations. Figure out the best way to let them know about your services. Choose one or two marketing methods. You can begin by passing out business cards and flyers, using direct mail or start knocking on doors.

5. Consider contacting business and residential customers. If the businesses in your area don't have vehicle fleets, the owner and employees may be potential customers. You will have several repeat customer cars in one location that you can easily schedule in one time block.

6. Purchase supplies and equipment for your car wash. Select an insurance carrier, if needed and purchase coverage.

7. Establish a base of repeat customers. Offer them discounts for referrals. Continue using the most effective advertising method on a regular schedule. Your customers are mobile too. They move and change jobs. Be prepared to expand your business if demand is greater than anticipated.

Tags: mobile business, Mobile Wash, Mobile Wash Business, phone calls, potential customers

Repair A Dented Car Fender

The fender of a car is easily damaged in any type of collision because of the fender's location and thin material. The sheet metal on a fender is usually very thin and can easily accumulate dents and dings. A collision repair center will charge several hundred dollars to repair a dented car fender, but with a few tools and following some instructions, you can learn repair a dented car fender in your own driveway.

Instructions

1. Drill small holes in the dent, starting with one in the center and a few around the center. Place the screw tip of the dent puller into the center hole and rotate it several times so that the screw is firmly in the hole. Slide the handle of the dent puller up and down several times to pull the dent out. Remove the dent puller and insert the screw tip into the other holes, alternating as you slowly pull the dent out. Only pull the dent until it is moderately straightened, but not rising above the surrounding surface of the fender. The dent should still be the lowest area of the fender's surface.

2. Sand the entire dented area and up to two or three inches surrounding the dent with 180 grit sandpaper. Sand until all of the paint is removed from the surface and you only see the bare metal. Use the plastic squeegee to apply body filler to the area that has been sanded. Use enough filler so that it fills the dent and is higher than the fender's surface. Allow the filler to dry for two hours. Once it has hardened, sand it smooth with 220 grit sandpaper. Sand until the filler is smooth and level with the surface of the fender.

3. Place masking tape and paper around the repaired area. Wipe the area down with wax and grease remover using a microfiber towel. Spray a thick coat of primer over the reparied area. Allow thirty minutes for the primer to dry. Once dried, sand it smooth with 300 grit sandpaper. Wipe the area again with wax and grease remover.

4. Spray three thin coats of paint over the area, holding the can six to eight inches from the surface. Make slow, even horizontal strokes, overlapping each stroke slightly. Allow each coat fifteen minutes to dry. Apply three coats of clear coat paint in the same manner that the paint was applied. Remove the masking tape and paper. Wait a full day before handling the repaired area.

Tags: dent puller, grit sandpaper, pull dent, with grit, with grit sandpaper, dented fender, fender surface

Replace A Sofa Tcushion

When you replace the cushions of a sofa, you can extend its life.

One of the first parts of a sofa to wear out is the cushions. Your old sofa may still have several years of structural life in it, but flat and lumpy cushions can make the whole piece look shabby. By replacing the foam in the cushions, you can extend the life of your sofa and make it comfortable once again. Replace a sofa T-cushion easily by purchasing new foam to use inside the cushion cover. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Remove the cover from the T-cushion and set it aside. Remove the batting and netting that surrounds the old cushion. Reuse the original netting on the new cushion, if possible.

2. Place the new foam cushion on a flat surface and position the old cushion on top of it. Hold the layers firmly so they do not shift and trace around the old cushion on the new foam to make an exact outline of the old cushion. Make sure you trace accurately around the curved edges of the T-shaped cushion.

3. Use the electric knife to cut along the lines on the new foam cushion. Go very slowly with the knife to make sure you stay on the line, especially where it curves. Keep the angle of the knife so it cuts straight through the foam, making right-angled corners where the top and bottom edges meet the side edges.

4. Place the batting onto a flat work surface, and position the new T-cushion onto the batting. Wrap the batting securely around the cushion, covering the cushion from the back, around the top, around the front and along the back of the cushion. Cut the batting after you wrap it once around the cushion and trim the batting to make it even along the edges of the cushion.

5. Fit the netting over the batting and the cushion to hold the batting securely in place around the cushion. The netting is stretchy and will conform snugly to the cushion.

6. Insert the new cushion back into the cushion cover. To make the cushion look attractive inside the cover, the cover must fit tightly over the cushion. Maneuver the cushion into the cover and adjust the corners and sides of the cushion inside the cover. Zip up the cover to finish.

Tags: around cushion, batting securely, cover cover, cushion cover, cushion netting

Build And Install A Window Screen

Window Screen

Are you kidding me? My tenants go on vacation for a couple of weeks, and somebody steals all of the window screens off the windows? How I wish it were a joke. Apparently there is value in the aluminum edges. Thirty-two cents a pound to be exact, which means these crooks made off with about $3 worth of recyclable aluminum, that cost me much, much more. Sign of the times, I guess.

No need to worry. I've got everything under control. I'm going to show you how I built, installed, and replaced those window screens, right now.

You'll learn measure and cut the frame, attach the corner clips, roll on the fiberglass screen, and secure it with spline. Let's get started! Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Drive to your local Home Depot. If you don't have a local Home Depot in your area, you may have a Lowe's, or some other building supply store. If not, you can order your materials online. I went to Home Depot, and a nice young man named Jason, helped me understand how easy it would be to build window screens. He was right.

2. Once you're at the location of the missing window screen, gather your materials, and lay them out. (You should also have aluminum frame pieces, but they are not shown in this picture).

3. Using your tape measure, (I am using a yardstick, which is much more difficult by the way), measure the bottom of the window, where the screen will rest. You should see a little lip, that keeps the screen from slipping off. My window bottom measured 34 ½".

4. Go to your materials, and pick up one aluminum frame piece and one frame corner. (The aluminum frame piece is shown in this picture).

5. Insert one end of the frame corner, into the end of the frame piece.

6. Push the frame corner into the frame piece until it cannot go in any further. This will become the corner of the window screen.

7. Line up the tip of your tape measure, with the tip of the inserted corner (you can't see it in the picture, because the frame piece is extremely long). Place the other frame corner on top of the frame piece as if it were inserted, and mark the piece at 34 ½" using the frame corner's edge as a guide. This means that if the clips are 5/8", then you would cut the aluminum frame piece 33 ¼". (34 ½ - 1 ¼" = 33 ¼").

8. Get your hacksaw. Place the blade end closest to your hand, on the frame piece. With a slow light pull motion, cut a mark into the frame piece. This sets a channel, or groove for the blade, and it will keep your saw from missing the mark. Continue cutting the frame piece to size, for the bottom of the window screen.

9. Next, you want to cut the other frame piece the same as the first. You should now have two 33 ¼" frame pieces, with corner clips inserted into the ends.

10. Measure the height distance from the bottom of the window lip to the top of the window lip. The top should have a lip like the bottom, only a little deeper. My height distance was 19 ½", which means I need to cut two frame pieces 18 ¼". (19 ½ - 1 ¼ = 18 ¼").

11. Cut two metal frames for the sides, and insert the corner clips. You should have your entire frame, (all four sides), completely connected with the four corner clips.

12. Each of your four corners, should look like the picture.

13. Now it's time to roll on the screen. Make sure the screen you use, extends at least an inch and a half, over all edges as show.

14. Get your spline, it's the rubbery rope type material. Using your Screen Tool, roll the spline into the groove of the frame, making sure to pull the screen tight. Continue this until all four sides of the frame, have been secured with spline.

15. Use your utility knife to cut away the excess fiberglass screen.

16. You have now built a window screen! Wasn't that easy?

17.Now, let's install it. At an angle, insert the top of the finished screen into the top lip of the window. Push up as far as it will go, but not so hard as to bend the aluminum.

18. Gently push in the bottom of the screen.

19. Thumbs up!

20. Determine if it is worth doing it yourself, or hiring a professional to do the work. DIY Do It Yourself or Not, has a detailed article which explains the costs associated with replacing window screens. This is helpful information if you're trying to determine whether the savings are worth the effort. Their link is listed in the Resources section below this article.

Tags: frame piece, frame corner, aluminum frame, corner clips, window screen, window screens, aluminum frame piece

Refinish A Log Home

Refinish a Log Home

Refinishing your log home is a crucial part of ownership. Depending on the environment the home is located in, the wood can be liable to decay. Proper refinishing should be done once a year. It will not only make you home more aesthetically pleasing, but it will prevent rotting. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

Refinishing

1. Locate the areas on the exterior of the log home which have mold or mildew. Mold and mildew over time will cause substantial rotting.

2. Use a pressure washer to clean away the mold and mildew. Use a pressure washer with a psi of 1,000 to 2,500. Start washing at a safe distance of 18 inches from the logs. Move closer if needed to remove the mold and mildew. Be careful to not chip away wood.

3. Use a log cleaning agent to remove the old stain. Apply the cleaning agent to a dry rag and rub out the old stain.

4. Use sandpaper or a power sander to remove any remaining stain and to smooth rough areas.

5. Wait for the home to completely dry. If you apply sealant before the logs have dried it will trap moisture inside.

6. Apply a single layer of stain-sealant to the logs with a large brush. To darken the wood additional layers can be added. You do not need to wait for the first layer to dry entirely to seal additional layers. Make sure you seal every area of exposed wood.

7. Wipe off all of the excess stain-sealant with a cloth.

Tags: additional layers, cleaning agent, mold mildew, pressure washer, Refinish Home

Troubleshoot A Craftsman Garage Door

Troubleshoot a Craftsman Garage Door

There are a variety of things that could go wrong with your Craftsman garage door. Your door may open but not close. Your door opener lights might not turn on or off. Your garage door belt may sag. What follows are some tips on troubleshooting some of the potential problems you may experience. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

Troubleshoot a Craftsman Garage Door

1. If you are having problems with the door opening but not closing, and the opener light is blinking, check the safety reversing sensor. If the opener lights do not blink, check the down force. If the forces are set too light, the ability of the door to go down may be interrupted. 260 degrees is the maximum force adjustment range.

2. If the garage door does not open from either the door control or the remote, check to see if the door has electric power. This can be checked by plugging something else into the outlet and seeing if it works. If that is not the problem, check to see if you have disabled all of the door locks. Another option is to check to see if the garage door spring is broken or if there is ice outside that is causing the door to freeze to the ground. If these do not work, wait 15 minutes and try again. Repetitive tries may have tripped the motor's overload protector.

3. If your remote control is working, but not your door control, check to see if the door control is lit. If it is not, you'll need to remove the bell wire from the opener terminal screws. Touch both terminals at the same time with a piece of wire to short the red and white terminals. If the opener begins to work, check to see if you can find a faulty wire connection at the door control. There may also be a short under the staples or a broken wire. If this does not work, check to see if the wiring connections are correct. You can learn do this by reviewing your product manual (see Resources below to locate your product's manual).

4. If your garage door opens from your door control, but not the remote, check to see if any door push buttons are flashing. If your Craftsman garage door model has the lock feature, ensure that the lock is turned off. Your garage door opener will need to re-learn a code for the remote control. Refer to your model's owner's manual for instructions on do this (see Resources below). You will then need to program the receiver to match the remote control code.

5. If your garage door belt is drooping, remember that it is normal to see some sag when the door is in the closed position. Pull on the manual release rope and handle to disconnect's the door's trolley. If you do not see any sag when the outer trolley is released, you do not need to make any adjustments.

6. If you find that your garage door is opening and closing by itself, first make sure that all of the remote control buttons are turned off. Once you ensure that they are off, remove the bell wire from the door control and use only the remote control. If this solution works, then your door control either has a intermittent short between itself and the opener, or the door control needs to be replaced.

7. If your garage door opener lights won't turn on, replace the bulbs (use no more than 75 watts). If your regular bulb burns out, use a standard neck garage door opener bulb. If your lights will not turn off, check to see if the door's Light feature is on. If it is, make sure to turn it off.

8. If your garage door opener hums briefly and then will not work, your springs are broken. Close your door and use the emergency release to disconnect the trolley. You will need to call a professional at this point to repair the springs. Until the springs are repaired, open and close the door manually.

9. If your door does not open completely, check to see if something may be hindering the door. If the door has suddenly stopped opening all the way, after working properly, increase the up force. The travel limits may need to be increased if the door opens at least 5 feet (See Resources to locate your product's manual on do this).

Tags: door control, door opener, remote control, your garage door, check door, garage door opener, your door

Weatherize Your Home For Low Income Families In Wisconsin

Cold winter temperatures put homeowners with improperly weatherized homes at risk of developing health problems related to cold temperatures.

Making sure your Wisconson home is properly weatherized is important during the winter months. Improperly prepared homes can run up expensive heating and electric bills, allow cold air in and may even become uninhabitable if temperatures drop below a certain point during snowy weather conditions. Weatherizing a home can be expensive, but fortunately there are programs and monies available to help low-income families prepare their homes for winter. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Apply to a weatherization assistance program.

Apply for weatherization assistance. There are several different programs that provide weatherization assistance to qualifying Wisconsin households. Contact the Wisconsin Division of Energy Services for assistance with paying for home weatherization.

2. Make your own door draft with a towel.

Block door drafts. Door drafts allow warm air to escape from rooms and cool air to enter. You can buy specially designed items to fit under your doors or you can make them using towels or other fabric. To make a door draft from a towel, slide the long edge of the towel under the door, roll up the towel ends on either side of the door and press the towel roll against the bottom of the door to secure. You may have to re-roll the towel ends if someone opens the door. If your windows are letting in a draft, seal them by either replacing the windows or blocking the draft by installing caulk or even a plastic barrier over the area where the draft is entering.

3. Change out your furnace filter to allow air to continue to flow through the furnace properly. A permanent filter may cost more initially, but can save money in the long run because it will not need to be replaced again and will typically be more efficient than cheap, one-time use filters.

4. Problems in your heating system can cost you money.

Have your heating system serviced and maintained properly by a qualified technician. Problems in your heating system can cost you money, waste energy and cause a general lack of effectiveness. Make sure your heating system is working at optimum strength to provide heat to your home at the lowest cost possible. If necessary, replacing heating components with those that are designed to save energy and may enable you to receive an extra tax deduction.

5. Turn down your thermostat and put on a sweater.

Adjust your thermostat. Keeping temperatures cooler when you are not at home, or simply putting on a sweater, can noticeably cut down on heating costs over the length of a winter.

6. Add insulation to your home. Extra insulation will help keep your home warmer and more energy efficient.

Tags: heating system, your heating, your heating system, weatherization assistance, Apply weatherization

Create Professional Craigslist Ads For Free

Professional Craigslist ads

Craigslist can be an effective way to sell items, post job listings and sell real estate. But given the large amount of listings on the regional sites at any given time, it's important to make your listing stand out as much as possible. In addition to adding as much valuable information and images to your posting as possible, one way to make your ad stand out is by using a professional ad template. Many of these templates are available for free on the Internet.

Instructions

1. Determine precisely what the ad is for. To do this, ask yourself what the key features of the product or service are. You'll want to hit upon these key features in the ad to increase the response rate from your customer base.

2. Find photographs you can use to increase the relevance and professionalism of the ad. If you don't currently have any photos, take a few high-quality images on your camera and upload them to your computer.

3. Select a free professional Craigslist template from one of the many online template providers. A few websites that offer free templates include FreeCraigslistAds.com, Adjaz.com and CraigsFlyer.com.

4. Select a template that matches the theme of your ad and fill out the relevant fields. This includes a posting description, price, images and links to outside resources.

5. Preview the ad to make sure you're happy with the layout, content and overall look of the ad. Try different templates or make changes to the images and content as necessary until you're satisfied with the ad.

6. Copy the HTML code for the professional ad you created. You will paste this code into the "Posting Details" box of the Craiglist ad to publish your professional ad on the website.

Tags: images your, make your

Restore Destructive System Recovery On An Hp

Although many computer problems can be fixed without reinstalling the operating system, some cannot. If a severe error, file system corruption or a virus has rendered your system completely inoperable, Destructive System Recovery can restore your computer to the exact state that it was in the day you brought it home. Use Destructive System Recovery to clear all data from the system and reinstall Windows if your HP computer has a problem that cannot be fixed through standard troubleshooting.

Instructions

1. Turn the HP computer completely off.

2. Turn the computer back on, and immediately begin to repeatedly tap the "F10" key on the keyboard.

3. Choose the "Advanced" option on the recovery menu, then select "Destructive System Recovery." Choose "Next."

4. Choose "Yes" to confirm that you wish to perform a Destructive System Recovery. This process will utilize data stored on a hidden hard drive partition to reinstall Windows, along with all of the HP software that was originally included with the computer.

5. Use the Windows Update website to download operating system patches and updates after the recovery is complete. Then reinstall your backed up programs and files.

Tags: Destructive System, Destructive System Recovery, System Recovery, operating system, reinstall Windows, Turn computer, your computer

Major Dent Removal

Major dents are removed from cars in several ways.

Major dents in cars can be repaired in several ways, including the paintless dent removal process. All sorts of dents can be repaired in such a way that they are rendered nearly or completely invisible.

Traditional Body Repair

Mechanics often remove major dents by hammering out the dent and then removing the damaged door skins, gluing or welding on new ones. In this process, sandpaper and paint are often necessary to reduce the visibility of the area where the dent was.

Paintless Dent Repair

Paintless dent repair is a method that removes dents without using paint, sanding or body filler. Dents are pushed back into place using special tools. As the dent is slowly massaged into its original position, it blends in with the car's paint and disappears. This is often a same-day service that costs less than traditional methods of dent removal.

DIY Dent Removal

Dry ice can be rubbed over a dent until it is invisible. Blowing hot and then cold air on a dent may remove it entirely. You may be able to bang out the dent by placing a wood block on the surface and hammering it out from inside the car. A household or dent plunger may also be used to pull out some dents.

Tags: Major dents, several ways

Help With Funeral Payments For Lowincome Families In Michigan

Prepaid funeral plans are not counted as part of a family's assets under Medicaid.

Depending on a family's circumstances and the type of service its members favor, several state, federal and private organizations may be able to help with reducing or helping to pay funeral costs for low-income families in Michigan. In addition to these resources, a family's church, synagogue, mosque or other religious institution may help such families shoulder the burden.

Department of Human Services

The Michigan Department of Human Services State Emergency Relief program provides help to families in emergency circumstances. In addition to short-term assistance for heat and utilities, relocation assistance and emergency home repairs, it includes burial services. To qualify, applicants must fill out the Application for State Emergency Relief and include financial information on household members. The Department of Human Services does not provide general guidelines on qualifications but states that local specialists will make determinations "due to many variables."

Social Security

When someone dies, the United States Social Security Administration must be notified. The funeral director will typically handle this automatically. The administration can provide a one-time benefit of $225 to the surviving spouse or an eligible child. While this will not cover the entire funeral cost, it can be helpful to low-income families -- especially if combined with additional assistance. Additionally, the surviving spouse of a Social Security recipient may be entitled to ongoing Social Security payments on behalf of the deceased.

Veterans

For U.S. military veterans and their families, in Michigan and throughout the country, the National Cemetery Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs provides considerable assistance. For burial in any of 131 national cemeteries, the department provides opening and closing of the grave, a headstone, presidential memorial certificate and a burial flag at no cost to the family. For burial in a private cemetery, the department will provide a headstone, burial flag and memorial certificate at no cost.

Funeral Consumer Information Society

The Funeral Consumer Information Society's Michigan Branch is one place to start, particularly for a low-income family. The Michigan society is part of a national organization that can provide information on resources available to help cover funeral costs. The organization can also provide information on ways to save money on funeral homes, caskets and plots and provide information on the prices a family can expect to pay them as well as answering other questions that may come up.

Tags: Social Security, Department Human, Department Human Services, Human Services, provide information

Install An Aluminium Window

Homeowners with some carpentry skills can install new aluminum windows themselves.

When installing an aluminum window yourself, there are several steps that need to be followed so that the window will operate properly. This is not a novice do-it-yourself job. You should have some understanding of carpentry, such as checking for square and plumb, reading a tape measure, measuring a rough opening and using shims. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Inspect the window. Make sure it is the right size and shape. A quick check with a tape measure will confirm the size marked on the packaging is the size the window actually is. Check for damage such as cracks, gaps or twisted framing. Bent corners can usually be bent back into shape with pliers. Inspect the nailing fin to make sure it is secure to the window unit. This is the main fastening component of the window.

2. Make sure your window is square. To confirm square, measure the window diagonally both ways, like an X. If these dimensions are not equal, the window is not square and should not be installed.

3. Remove packaging material from the window unit and clean the frame with a cotton cloth. Check the lock to make sure it functions properly. Leave the unit in the locked position for installation.

4. Use a weather seal silicone caulk on any gaps in the framework, making sure you are not sealing the working portion of the window.

5. Check the manual for your window to see if it requires spray adhesive. Apply a thin coating of spray adhesive to the rough opening of the window frame. Make sure not to spray the glass on your window. Once the spray adhesive is on, apply a 3-inch-by-3-inch piece of self-adhesive flashing to each upper frame corner.

6. Prepare the sill pan. The sill pan diverts water away from the window to the outside and helps avoid water damage. It is three-sided and made out of sheet metal. The window should sit in the sill pan on the rough opening. Follow the manufacturer's instructions to properly cut, bend and size your sill pan. There should be an extra inch for flashing on the outside of the rough opening.

7. Prepare the rough opening. It's the studded framework that the window sits in, which should be ½- to ¾-inch wider and taller than the window frame. Check the rough opening for square as you did the window. Using a bubble level, check the opening for level and plumb. Level is the horizontal dimension and plumb is the vertical. None of these measurements should exceed 1/16 inch for every two feet of rough opening and this should never exceed 1/8 inch. The rough opening has double studs for reinforcement. If there is building wrap around the rough opening, peel back 3 inches from the rough opening.

8. Install the sill pan. Apply adhesive spray 3 inches from the edge of the sill pan and 6 inches along the sides of the rough opening adjacent to the sill pan. Seal the corners of the sill pan using self-adhesive flashing. Cut the flashing to the size of your sill pan, attach it to the pan and apply the plastic drain screen if provided.

9. Check your window and position it with its right side up and right side out. Check the location of the weep holes. If your window is positioned correctly, the weep holes will be facing outward.

10. Fit the window into the rough opening. Check for square and plumb. If the window is not square or out of plumb, adjust the position using wooden shims to compensate. Attach the window to the rough opening by driving a nail through the nailing fin 3 to 7 inches from the corner. Leave some play so you can adjust the shims again before completely nailing down. Check the shims again for square and plumb. Once you are sure the window is in the proper position, run a bead of sealant around the shims.

11. Test your window to make sure it will open and close and its lock works before completely securing the frame. Secure nails and apply sealant to all of the seams and the window unit.

12. Install the drip cap on the header, maintaining a 1/8-inch overhang on both sides. Nail the cap to the header and seal the nail fin completely with spray adhesive. Exercise care with spray adhesive so you do not spray it on the glass. Apply the self-adhesive flashing around the outside of the window frame and pull the building wrap over the flashing.

Check the weep holes to ensure they have not become blocked. Take a step back to look over the entire window. If there are no loose ends, your installation is finished.

Tags: rough opening, your window, spray adhesive, square plumb, inches from

Roof Replacement Grants

Grants might help some homeowners replace their roofs.

Depending on materials, the home's square footage and the roof's pitch, replacing a roof can cost from a couple of thousand dollars to tens of thousands. Those who need assistance with repairs can turn to several government grants. Does this Spark an idea?

Department of Human Services

Your local Department of Human Services might be able to provide assistance in replacing your home's roof. Applicants for financial aid up to $1,500 must be permanent residents of the home by being owners or purchasers. The home must not be up for sale or at risk of being lost by the owner. Repairs are only approved if they are essential to make the home livable. A Department of Human Services specialist can determine your eligibility for the program at your local office.

Neighborhood Stabilization Program

Under the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008's Neighborhood Stabilization Program, more than 360 communities across the nation were awarded $5.85 billion to buy and fix foreclosed or abandoned homes and redevelop demolished or vacant properties. Home buyers might receive money from recipients of Neighborhood Stabilization Program funds, but not directly from the department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

USDA Rural Development Grant

Low-income homeowners 62 years old and older in rural areas may apply for a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant to repair their homes. Funding, up to $7,500, may only be used to make a dwelling habitable or to provide access to a member of the household with disabilities. If the property is sold in less than three years, grant funds might be seized.

Tags: Department Human, Department Human Services, Human Services, Neighborhood Stabilization, Neighborhood Stabilization Program

Donate Old Furniture

Donate Old Furniture

Sure, you might be sick of looking at that same old avocado-green couch, but it could actually be a blessing to someone who needs it. In addition, by donating your old furniture, you'll be able to get a tax break for your contribution. It's a clear win-win; why not clear out some space and invite some good karma? Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Check your yellow pages under "Associations," "Health Service" or "Social and Human Services for Individuals and Families" to find local charitable organizations that may accept furniture donations. Also check under "Thrift Shops," as these places almost always accept such donations.

2. Contact Goodwill (800-664-6577) or the Salvation Army (800-SAL-ARMY).

3. Call your local high school's drama department or a community theater to see if they can use your furniture for sets.

4. Arrange for the pickup of the furniture. Most charities will send someone to pick up your furniture if you donate it, but be sure to ask about this, especially if delivering the furniture yourself isn't an option.

5. Get a receipt when the items are picked up by the charity. Once you get the receipt, itemize the items you gave to charity and list them with their fair market value. Attach this list to the receipt. See the Related eHow, "Figure Fair Market Value for Donations of Property to Charities."

6. Save your receipt and list for tax purposes.

Tags: your furniture, Donate Furniture

Mitigate Radon On Slabs

Mitigating radon through basement floors is important for your family's health.

Radon is a naturally occurring gas that is produced by the decay of uranium. What makes it dangerous is that it is undetectable by the human senses and is considered a carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. It has been linked to lung cancer among non-smokers in numerous case studies performed around the world. Protecting your home from Radon gas is important for the health of the occupants. One of the most important steps is to mitigate the flow of Radon gas through your concrete floor slab. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Open windows to ventilate the house. The quickest way to remove Radon gas from a building is to provide fresh air. This is only a temporary step because leaving your windows open all the time is not a long term solution.

2. Patch any cracks or holes in the concrete slab surface with the epoxy crack sealer. This will reduce the infiltration of Radon gas by sealing the easiest paths into the building envelope.

3. Seal the entire concrete pad with concrete floor sealer designed for radon gas reduction. These are typically applied by rolling them on similar to paint or spraying them on with a compression style sprayer. A uniform coat will provide the best protection.

4. Contact a local Radon gas mitigation company to install a Radon gas vent pipe. A pipe is installed through the floor slab drawing air from underneath and venting it above the home. By creating a low air pressure zone under the slab, the Radon will be more incline to pass up the vent pipe rather than through the floor.

Tags: concrete floor, floor slab, through floor, vent pipe

Fix Kenmore Sewing Machines

Sewing machine repairs are usually easy.

Kenmore sewing machines have been favorites in the American household for years and have carried the Sears reputation for quality. The Kenmore name first appeared in the 1913 catalog. Sears dropped the name in 1919 and reintroduced it in 1934, according to the Sears Archives website. Kenmore electric sewing machines have been in constant production since that time, and in recent years, Kenmore has added electronic machines. Most sewing machine repairs can be done by the owner. The common problems are needles, threading, shuttle, feeding, tension and sluggishness, according to Kenmore literature from 1975. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Locate the manual for the Kenmore sewing machine you need to fix. If you do not have the manual, look at the Home Appliance Manuals Online website and see if the manual is available. Unplug the sewing machine to work on it.

2. Use a new needle to fix a sewing machine.

Clean the Kenmore sewing machine by removing the bobbin, bobbin case and shuttle as well as the sole plate, needle, and any removable parts at the needle. Clean with a toothbrush to remove lint and dust. Replace the needle with a new one and place the shuttle and sole plate back in the machine. Be sure the flat part of the needle is in the correct position according to the manual. A new needle often fixes skipped stitches or broken thread. Plug the sewing machine in and turn it on.

3. The bobbin case fits in the shuttle.

Wind a bobbin for the sewing machine and place it in the bobbin case and into the machine. Use the same spool of thread to thread the Kenmore sewing machine, using the manual as needed. Make a few stitches in a piece of fabric to see if it sews. Check the top stitches and the back of the fabric for loops and loose tension. Decrease loose stitches on the top of the fabric by adjusting the screw on the bobbin case. Decrease loose stitches on the bottom of the fabric by adjusting the tension wheel on the front at the thread guide. Correct tension should lock the threads in the center of the fabric, not on top or on the bottom.

4. Fix sluggishness by oiling the Kenmore with sewing machine oil only, and according to instructions in the manual. Sew a few feet with scrap fabric to distribute the oil.

5. Feed dogs are the teeth below the presser foot.

Repair improper feeding of the fabric by adjusting presser foot pressure at the top left of the machine. Check stitch length and make sure the feed dog adjustment (lower right) is in the up position. Open the top lid on a cam machine and remove any plastic cams. Make sure that the metal cam is in place and the dial is set at the same color as the stitch dial on the front of the Kenmore machine. Close the top lid, thread the machine and sew another seam.

6. Get help at Sears Home Services if your machine has a broken part or still will not sew correctly.

Tags: sewing machine, bobbin case, sewing machine, fabric adjusting, Kenmore sewing, Kenmore sewing machine, Decrease loose

Build A Poor Man'S Storm Shelter

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security offers practical advice about storm shelters.

A storm shelter is an area where you go to protect yourself against torrential weather conditions. Underground bunkers are strong structures for people to seek refuge during these times, often kitted out with rations. However, without such resources at your disposal, you may consider a poor man's substitute. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security provides free advice about do-it-yourself ways of protection. You can build your own cost-effective storm shelter simply by reinforcing your basement. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Arrange an appointment with a builder to review the current condition of your basement. Check with him to make sure your basement is structurally sound before you make any adaptations.

2. Review the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's website for information and advice about building a storm shelter. The site provides a number of alternatives, including a wood-frame safe room and a basement lean-to safe room. These designs provide instructions for modifying existing spaces without needing to dig underground.

3. Choose a solution that fits your budget and accommodation type. Review the information provided by the builder, and then consider what facilities you already have in place that can be changed to meet these needs. If you have a concrete basement, sturdy outbuilding or scrap metal sheeting could be adopted in your plan.

4. Create an initial building plan. Use cheaper materials such as scrap corrugated metal or leftover wooden timbers from a builder's yard, for example, to keep your expenses at a minimum. Draw a map of your basement and add features recommended by the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), such as ventilation, fans or steel walls.

5. Speak with FEMA to see if you qualify for funding. A number of funding programs are available to help communities, and this could save you money. Check to see if there is a local safe room you could use, instead of building your own or see if you could initiate a building plan for one and obtain funding that way.

6. Consult a builder and obtain a quote for the building work. To ensure that the storm shelter is safe---unless you are a professional---it is recommended that you seek help, otherwise your storm shelter might not work in an emergency.

7. Make final modifications on the building design, and then employ a builder to help you build the shelter. Find a family friend to help you, as he might be able to help at a discounted rate. Plus, save costs by offering your own labor so the builder doesn't have to employ another person.

8. Strengthen the basement by affixing steel sheeting on the walls using steel bolts. Add a vent so that you have air circulation during a storm. Consider including a box of rations and storing them in a corner.

Tags: storm shelter, your basement, advice about, Department Homeland, Department Homeland Security

Repair Plumbing Under A Foundation

Jackhammers are great outdoors, but you don't want one in your house.

Anyone who has experienced a broken water or sewer line under his foundation will tell you that it was a nightmare to fix. Before advancements in leak location, the only way to find and repair a broken plumbing pipe was to guess the location of the leak and start jack hammering the concrete floor of the house. This barbaric approach would often destroy a home. Homeowners and insurance companies sing the praises of modern leak detection, location and repair equipment. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Locate the pipe that is leaking under the slab with sonar- or sonic-leak detection equipment. These latest technological advances in leak location allow you to see down through the concrete foundation. These machines are expensive and should be operated by a trained professional.

2. Tunnel under the house, following the sewer or main water service. For safety reasons, make the tunnel twice as big as it is deep. Tunneling under a home's foundation is usually a job performed in regions where the soil is soft and sandy. In clay and rocky soils, the job would be more costly than breaking the foundation itself.

3. Repair the plumbing problem. Generally, the only reason to go though the expense of a tunneling repair job is to replace all the sewer, drain and water lines under a home.

4. Inject a slurry mixture of water and sand back into the tunnel to fill it. This task will require a specialized pumping truck designed specifically for the injection of slurry and concrete.

5. Refinish any concrete removed during the back-fill process. In some cases, the back-fill materials are injected through small openings in the concrete foundation; this process is performed to reach every corner of the slab.

Tags: concrete foundation, leak location, under home

How Much Does An Automotive Technician Make Per Hour

The automotive industry struggles constantly to find competent, professional automotive technicians to service increasingly more complicated vehicles. Because of the specialized knowledge that an automotive technician must have, the salaries of these positions are being adjusted appropriately. Many factors affect an automotive technician's hourly rate, which varies considerably depending on a technician's skill level and by the locality where the technician works.

Basic Hourly Rate

According to the U.S. .Department of Labor, the median salary for an automotive technician was $17.03 per hour as of 2009. The middle 50 percent of automotive technicians were paid a salary of between $12.49 and $22.71 per hour. The industry has a considerable range in salaries, with the lowest 10 percent of technicians making up to $9.54 an hour, and the top 10 percent making $28.81 or more per hour.

Industries By Number Of Technicians Employed

Among the multiple industries that employ automotive technicians, independent repair facilities employ the most technicians, with a mean hourly wage of $16.74 per hour. Automotive dealerships employ the second highest number of technicians, with a much higher average wage, $20.75 per hour. Auto parts and tire stores often have their own installation facilities, and they pay their technicians an average of $16.13 per hour, with gas stations employing the next highest number of technicians, paying $16.27 on average per hour. Local governments employ the fewest technicians of these listed industries, but pay the highest average hourly wage at $21.45 per hour.

Top Paying Regions

The hourly wages for an automotive technician vary widely depending on the area of the country. The state with the highest mean hourly wage is Alaska, where the average technician makes $23.74 per hour. Next is the District of Columbia, with an average hourly wage of $21.56, but it also has the lowest rate of employed auto technicians per 1,000 workers of any of the high paying regions. Connecticut pays an average of $20.53 per hour. Texarkana, Texas is the highest paying metropolitan area, with technicians enjoying an average hourly wage of $26.34.

Technician Pay Plans

Many automotive technicians are paid on a flat rate pay plan that is determined by a labor time guide for various types of repairs. In such cases, a technician is paid for a certain number of hours to complete a particular repair job, regardless of the actual time that the technician spends on that repair. For example, if a technician works 10 hours on a repair and his hourly rate is $20.00 per hour, but he completes work that the labor time guide says should take 15 hours, he is paid for 15 hours, or $300.00. This makes his effective rate -- the amount of pay per actual hour spent on that repair -- $30.00 per hour. The use of flat rate pay plans varies throughout the industry, and is most prevalent in new car dealerships.

Tags: hourly wage, automotive technician, automotive technicians, average hour, average hourly, average hourly wage