Replace The Belt On A Swamp Cooler

Replace the Belt on a Swamp Cooler

Swamp cooler is a slang term for evaporator cooler. Swamp coolers work best in hot dry climates by adding moisture to dry outside air that provides a cooling effect when it evaporates inside the house. They use about one third the electricity used by an air-conditioner, according to the New Mexico Water Use and Conservation Bureau. During operation, swamp coolers introduce fresh air into the house and expel stale air. They require regular maintenance which consists of adjusting or replacing individual components as they wear out. A swamp cooler is simply constructed and requires little technical knowledge to repair. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Turn off the cooler switch inside the house and place a strip of tape over the switch to remind everyone to leave it off while it is being repaired.

2. Swamp coolers are generally located on the roof or on a ground pad at the side of the house. A ladder may be required to reach it if it is in a second story window. Remove the filter pad holder on the side of the swamp cooler nearest the fan motor by lifting it straight up and swinging it up and out when the bottom clears the frame of the cooler.

3. Unplug the electric motor and turn off the pump switch, which is located at the top of the cooler, while the belt is being replaced.

4. Use a crescent wrench to loosen the bolts on the slide mount that holds the motor in place and allow the motor to slide down in the mount so the belt can be removed.

5. Remove the belt by wearing gloves to pull on the belt where it connects to the fan axle pulley while turning the belt manually until it slides off the pulley. Take care to turn the belt slowly to avoid pinching fingers between the belt and the pulley wheel. Another method is to place a screwdriver between the belt and the fan axle pulley and pry the belt up and off to the side as it is turned manually.

6. Determine the size of belt needed by locating the part number on the underside of the belt. If the number cannot be located, take the belt to the hardware store to match it up with the replacement. The old belt will have been stretched during use and this must be taken into account when matching up the new belt.

7. Install the new fan belt by placing it over the electric motor pulley and then draping it halfway over the fan axle pulley. At the bottom of the pulley, place a screwdriver between the belt and the fan axle pulley and guide the belt onto the pulley with the screwdriver while turning the belt manually.

8. Slide the motor up into the slide mount and then use the pry-bar to push it up more snugly and to hold it in place while the mounting bolts are tightened to secure the motor. The tension on the belt should be tight enough so that the fan blades turn freely but not so tight that the belt screeches during operation. Generally, when the tension is correct, the belt should have about an inch of play when it is pressed down on with a finger.

9. Turn on the water pump switch, plug in the electric motor and use a cell phone to have someone in the house turn on the cooler switch. Stand back a safe distance from the cooler so as not to get caught in the moving fan belt or pulley wheels. Check the operation of the belt while it is running to be certain the tension is adequate to turn the fan blades properly. Replace the filter pad holder.

Tags: axle pulley, between belt, electric motor, belt axle, belt axle pulley, belt manually

Obtain A Pro Bono Lawyer When You'Re Incarcerated

get out of jail free?

Well- take notes. If you have need of this information, chances are you will not have access to a computer. If you are incarcerated and find yourself short of funds and in need of free legal help- chances are you are looking for a pro bono criminal defense attorney. They don't allow laptops in the big house, so remember these tips.

Instructions

1. If you are arrested and subsequently incarcerated, chances are the matter pending is a criminal matter. That is- someone thinks you have committed a crime. (In a civil matter- someone might be suing you or you would be suing someone else) In a criminal matter, the government- local, state, or federal- is charging you with a crime. It may be drunk driving, burglary, assault, tax evasion etc. When the government says you have committed a crime- particularly if you are in jail, you are in hot water and should consider an attorney. So ask yourself- Am I in jail? Do I need an attorney?

2. The bright side? Yes there is a bright side. The sixth amendment to the constitution indicates that every person charged with a crime is entitled to have counsel (an attorney) at his or her defense. Thus, states do provide free defense attorneys (pro bono legal representation) in criminal matters to those defendants who cannot afford them.

As you can imagine- like many free services, attorneys providing pro-bono legal representation are busy, overworked with a high number of clients who may not all be 'friendly.' That being said, if you can afford an attorney- you should probably retain one. If you think you might need one and are not yet incarcerated- get referrals from friends and colleagues now and commit their phone numbers to memory or leave in an obvious place so that when you get your one phone call from jail, your friend or loved one is able to find the number to call your attorney.

3. If you cannot afford an attorney and are charged with a crime and arrested, you will be arraigned in a few days. That is, a hearing will be made for bail. Between the time you are arrested and your bail hearing, simply tell every one you talk to that you would like a public defender or pro bono attorney appointed to you. Let them know you cannot afford one and will need one appointed to you. Say this loud, say it clear and repeat it until one appears on the other side of the glass. It is your constitutional right.

4. How does the process work- how does a body appear on the other side of the glass when you have No Money? It varies by state, district and type of case. Essentially, one of a few ways:

1)Assigned Counsel- where the state or local government pays attorneys who volunteer from private firms on a rotating or case by case basis. Fees depend on type of case and hours required.

2) Contract Counsel- where the state or local government contracts with a private agency to provide services for a specified amount of time. 3)Public Defender Systems- public defense attorneys are employed full-time through a nonprofit organization that manages criminal defense cases for the poor in a certain area.

4) There is also a Mixed system where a mixed public defense system is used with another system- needed during special circumstances.

5. Now, it is possible to obtain a pro bono attorney through other avenues if you are resourceful. It is best now to identify a trusted friend.

6. Once the friend has been identified, then have them start researching potential attorneys. Explain the situation to friends or friends of friends what is needed to see what contacts you actually have. Most law firms do take some pro bono cases. If you can match your case with a law firm's skills or if a friend of a friend is an attorney who owes your friend a favor then you may be in business. This is tedious work, and your new advocate will need to be very committed and a gifted salesperson. He or she will need to cold call attorneys and warm them up to your case and then explain your lack of funds. You may also do this from prison say from death row via letter. The sympathy vote may find you an earnest worker bee of an attorney. Slightly kidding, but you get my meaning. Now is not the time to come off as aloof or distant. Sell yourself.

7. That did not work, and you are not sure your public defender knows your name? There are still options. Have your friend or loved one contact the Legal Aid society in your area, call 211 for the national social services directory currently available in 70% of the nation, or contact local law schools. Law schools often have access to free/low cost law clinics and may have valuable resources for you.

Tags: cannot afford, will need, with crime, your friend, bono attorney

Plant Sod Grass In Austin Texas

Install your sod before it gets hot in Austin.

Landscaping in Texas' capital, Austin, is a joy. The subtropical weather, with its hot summers and relatively dry, mild winters affords residents plenty of opportunities to get out in the garden. Planting sod provides an instant lawn to serve as the forefront or backdrop for many of the spectacular plants that can be grown in Austin. The best time to plant sod in Austin is in late fall or early spring. The earlier you plant it, the more time it will have to become established before the onset of the hot Austin summer. St. Augustine grass is best for shady areas in Austin yards, while Buffalograss will work for those seeking a low-maintenance lawn. For additional recommendations, contact your county office of Texas A&M University's Cooperative Extension. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Draw a diagram of the area in which you wish to plant the sod. Measure the area and include the measurements on the diagram. Turf scientists at Texas A&M University recommend that you include in your diagram the dimensions of other structures within or around the planting area, such as sidewalks, driveways and plant beds. Take the diagram with you when you purchase the sod and allow the nursery specialists to help you determine the amount of sod you will need.

2. Deliver a soil sample to your county Texas A&M Cooperative Extension office for analysis. The price is quite reasonable, $10 in 2010, and the information you will receive will be of immense help when planting the sod.

3. Purchase any soil amendments recommended by the soil analysis.

4. Rake the planting area to remove any debris and vegetation.

5. Apply a non-selective herbicide to the planting area and allow it to remain for 2 weeks. Rake the area again to remove any additional dead vegetation.

6. Rototil the area to a depth of 4 inches. Add the soil amendments at the rate recommended and til those into the soil to the same depth.

7. Pack the soil with the lawn roller. It should be flat, with no peaks or valleys, and 1 inch below the sidewalk level.

8. Lay the first pieces of sod along a straight line, such as the driveway or sidewalk. Stagger subsequent patches of sod in a brick-like pattern, pushing them tightly together. Cut the sod with a knife to fit around corners. If you end up with gaps between any of the pieces, fill them with sand.

9. Roll the sod with the lawn roller.

10. Water the newly-planted sod immediately, to a depth of 4 inches, and water everyday to ensure the soil remains evenly moist. You may need to pull up a piece of sod and check the soil beneath it to make sure you are giving it enough water. As the weather warms in Austin, water deeper, but less frequently.

Tags: planting area, Cooperative Extension, depth inches, lawn roller, soil amendments, Texas University

Clean Bird Droppings From A Trampoline

Excessive bird droppings where children often play can cause health problems.

Trampolines provide hours of entertainment for children (and adults, too). Kids are getting exercise, burning excess energy and having a grand time doing it. But of course, due to their size, trampolines are normally kept outdoors and are exposed to the elements all year long. Very quickly, the trampoline mat can become dirty. Along with the leaves and dust, rain and snow, birds can also contribute to the soiling of a trampoline. Fortunately, their droppings are simple to remove without causing damage to the trampoline mat. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Spray the trampoline surface with the hose or pressure washer to dampen the droppings. While the health risks are slight, they are possible, and wearing a respirator and gloves is recommended. Dampening the droppings first will prevent any possible diseased spores from becoming airborne.

2. Add the detergent to the water in the bucket, stirring to create suds. Using sponges, scrub the surface of the trampoline with the soapy mixture until all traces of bird droppings are gone.

3. Spray the trampoline down with the pressure washer or hose, thoroughly removing all traces of soapy water. Rinse completely, making sure that soap doesn't remain in the springs of the trampoline.

4. Wipe excess water from the trampoline with the towels. If the day is warm, the sun will dry the remaining water. Do not jump on the trampoline while it is still wet.

Tags: pressure washer, Spray trampoline, trampoline with

An Electrical Outlet From An Existing Light Switch

Add an outlet from an existing light switch power supply.

You can add a new electrical outlet by tapping into an existing light switch's electrical supply. You can install the new outlet anywhere along the wall you choose, providing you can pull the wire from the existing switch. Because of your wall stud locations, you might prefer to add the electrical outlet directly beneath the existing light switch. Adding the outlet at this location can make pulling the wire more convenient, eliminating the need to go through a wall stud or up into the attic with your wire and back down the wall. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Turn off the breaker at the main circuit panel to disconnect the electricity from the existing light switch.

2. Remove the cover from the existing light switch, exposing the wiring and the electrical switch box. Set a multimeter dial on the 250 alternating current (AC) setting. Touch one probe to one black wire on the side of the light switch and the other probe to any metal on the switch or electrical switch box. The needle on the multimeter should remain at zero if you have properly disconnected the electricity. Repeat this test for the remaining black wire on the side of the switch.

3. Take out the screws holding the existing light switch into the electrical box and gently pull the switch from the box. Loosen the screws on the side of the switch holding the black wires. Remove the black wire from beneath the two screws and set the light switch aside.

4. Unscrew the wire connectors holding the two white wires and the two bare copper wires inside the existing electrical switch box. Pull apart the two sets of wires.

5. Mark the location of your new outlet below your existing light switch at a location that is convenient for you. Trace around the template that was provided with the remodel outlet box. Carefully cut along the trace line with the drywall saw to remove the wall board from the outlet location.

6. Pull a length of 12/2 nonmetallic (NM) electrical cable from the existing electrical switch box to the new outlet location. Push the electrical cable through a knockout at the back of the remodel outlet box. Push the box into the opening cut in the wall board and twist the screws at the top and the bottom of the box clockwise to clamp the outlet box securely to the wall board.

7. Strip the outer insulation from the 12/2 NM cable with a dual NM wire cutter/stripper to expose the black, white and bare copper wires at both the existing light switch location and the new outlet location. Remove at least 3/4-inch of insulation from both the black and white wires.

8. Wrap the black wire around the copper screw on the right side of the outlet and the white wire around the silver screw on the left side of the outlet. Wrap the bare copper wire around the green ground screw located towards the bottom of the outlet. Tighten all three screws and gently push the outlet and the wires into the remodel outlet box.

9. Attach the outlet to the top and the bottom of the remodel box using the screws provided with the outlet. Cover the outlet, wiring and electrical box with an outlet cover plate.

10. Twist a red wire connector onto the two original white wires inside the existing electrical switch box along with the white wire from the new outlet, connecting all three white wires together. Repeat this connection for the two original bare copper wires inside the electrical switch box along with the bare copper wire from the outlet.

11. Cut a 6-inch piece of 12-gauge thermoplastic high heat nylon solid black wire and strip 3/4-inch of insulation off both ends, creating a 6-inch black pigtail. Twist a red wire connector onto the black wire from the outlet, the black power supply wire that runs back to the breaker and the black pigtail wire, connecting all three together.

12. Wrap the black pigtail wire around one of the screws on the right side of the existing light switch you set aside earlier. Wrap the remaining black wire around the remaining screw on the right side of the light switch. Gently push the two sets of both black and bare copper wires into the back of the electrical switch box and reconnect the switch to the top and the bottom of the box. Replace the switch cover onto the light switch, covering the electrical switch box and the wiring.

13. Turn on the breaker at the main circuit panel to connect the electricity to the existing light switch and the new outlet.

Tags: light switch, existing light switch, existing light, electrical switch, black wire, bare copper, wire around

Ideas For An Andy Griffith Theme Party

"The Andy Griffith Show" ran for eight years, beginning in 1960. Set in the fictional town of Mayberry, North Carolina, the show told the story of Sheriff Andy Taylor, a single father. To create an Andy Griffith theme party, re-create the ambiance of the era in which the show is set. Does this Spark an idea?

Food

Your menu should consist of traditional Southern favorites, just like Aunt Bee might have made. Sweet tea and lemonade are classic Southern beverages, and for dessert, you might choose peach cobbler topped with ice cream. You also include a bit of Chinese food, because the show's characters often talked about going to neighboring "Mt. Pilot" for Chinese food. You can find inspiration in several Mayberry cookbooks or small-town Southern cookbooks from that era.

Entertainment

Consider asking someone to play acoustic guitar and sing, just as Andy did on those evenings on the front porch swing, or, if you have a big budget, you could hire a bluegrass band or a barbershop quartet. You might arrange for a square-dance demonstration or lesson or plan a hay ride, all traditional Southern activities. Weather permitting, you could bob for apples or pitch horseshoes. Have a contest to see who can whistle the theme show song best, or perhaps have a checkers tournament. Have a competition to see who can complete or remember the most quotes from the show or answer the most trivia questions.

Favors

Use brown paper bags or lunch pails as containers for the favors. While show DVDs and music would be good to include, you also could consider classic candies from the 1960s or Mayberry's Finest canned goods. Books, such as Mayberry cookbooks or show trivia collections, would make good favors or door prizes. Replicas of Goober's beanie can also be purchased. "Remember When ..." booklets provide information about the era and make nice favors.

Tags: Andy Griffith, Chinese food, Mayberry cookbooks, traditional Southern

Television Repair Dangers

When your television begins to have problems, ranging from distorted picture quality to a burning smell to a totally non-functional set, you might be tempted to repair the television yourself. The good news is that many television repairs can be easily completed by knowledgeable consumers with the proper tools. Unfortunately, as with any electronic repair, poking around inside of your TV can be dangerous. You might exacerbate the problem, create a new problem or seriously injure yourself.

Diagnose the Problem

The problem that many do-it-yourself repair enthusiasts make is instantly opening and poking around inside of their television sets at the first sign of a malfunction. It's important to have some basic knowledge first, to properly diagnose the issue and consider your options. In a projection TV, distorted images are typically due to bad convergence chips, a repair that might cost only $70 with a parts kit you can purchase online. Burning smells or TVs that just won't turn on are often due to a faulty power supply.

Basic Safety Rules

While working on your television, keep in mind that you're working with dangerous electricity. Power off the TV and unplug it from the wall. From here, you might think it's safe to start tinkering. However, electrical voltage is still circulating through the television, and it could take hours for this power to completely dissipate. To stay safe, wear rubber-soled shoes and be sure that the TV is resting on a carpeted or rubber surface.

Your Body Is a Circuit

Any remaining electricity in the television will attempt to find the path of least resistance. The goal is to avoid this path ending up being your body. This means that performing a repair with two hands is simply not an option. If you touch something with an electrical charge with both hands, the current will travel straight through your body, including your heart, with potentially fatal consequences. To avoid the temptation of using both hands, work with your dominant hand, and keep the other firmly planted in your pants pocket.

Problem Areas

Two parts inside your television are particularly dangerous. These are the switched mode power supply and the line output stage. Both of these should be clearly marked with warning labels and protective coverings, but some older sets will not include these safety measures. If you aren't absolutely confident of the locations of these parts, consult the diagrams for the TV included in the user manual. Never touch these parts under any circumstances.

Considerations

Even if you consider yourself an electronics repair expert, have somebody with you as you attempt a repair. This way, if something does go awry, that person can contact emergency services and assist you in case of injury.

Tags: your television, around inside, both hands, inside your, poking around, poking around inside, power supply

Insulate An Attic With Spray Insulation

Use spray foam insulation to keep the cold out in your attic.

Spray foam insulation is used in buildings, docks, ships, roofs and aircraft wings. The main ingredient is polyurethane foam that expands after being sprayed onto a surface. Using a spray insulation for your attic will keep it warm during the winter and cool when the temperature starts to get hot. Spray foam is non-toxic and often carries a lifetime guarantee, making it a preferred insulation solution. However, this is a very labor intensive DIY task, and this must be considered before attempting to do this job yourself. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Remove all items from the attic before spraying. Cover any items you cannot move with plastic sheets.

2. Practice on a test area before covering the entire attic with insulation. Get used to the power of the spray nozzle and how much pressure to apply. Also note that the foam expands to 100 times its initial volume, so plan accordingly.

3. Spray the foam evenly between the framing studs on the backside of the exterior sheathing. Allow it to expand and work its way into all gaps, form and set.

4. Shave away any foam that extends past the wall studs, using a handsaw blade, if you are going to be installing drywall. The insulation should be flush with the wall so that drywall can properly be installed on top.

Tags: Spray foam, foam insulation, foam that, insulation used, your attic

Mississippi Home Grants

Mississippi home grants can help first-time homeowners with closing costs.

The state of Mississippi has various grant programs that are available to residents who are purchasing or remodeling a home. There are various requirements for the grant programs. The grants are offered through the state and federal government. There are also grants available through non-profit organizations to qualified applicants.

Federal Emergency Management Agency Individual Assistance Program

Offering grants up to $26,000, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, Individual Assistance program helps residents of Mississippi with disaster-related housing expenses. The FEMA housing grant can cover repairing a damaged home, purchasing a replacement home or constructing a new home. In order to qualify for the grant, an applicant must live in an area that has been declared a disaster by the president. There are additional qualifications a person must meet to apply for the grant program. An application for assistance can be completed online or by contacting FEMA directly.

Federal Emergency Management Agency

P.O. Box 10055

Hyattsville, MD 20782-7055

fema.gov

800-745-0243

Mississippi Homeowner Assistance Grant Program

The Mississippi Homeowner Assistance Grant Program is designed to help residents whose homes were damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Families who lived in a single-family residence, manufactured home or an owner-occupied duplex at the time of the hurricane qualify for the program. The program is available in phases. Contact the Homeowner Call Center or visit the official website to apply.

Homeowner Assistance Program Service Center

3068 Longfellow Drive

Building 6A

Bay St. Louis, MS 39520

mshomehelp.gov

866-369-6302

Home of Your Own Project

The Home of Your Own Project provides up to $15,000 in grants to individuals with disabilities. To qualify, an applicant must have a secured home loan with a fixed interest rate and fall within certain income requirements. The grant can be used to purchase an existing home or to construct a new home. The grant can also be used towards retrofitting a home. A home must be certified as acceptable according to the guidelines set forth by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Mississippi Housing Corporation

P.O. Box 23369

Jackson, MS 39225-3369

mshomecorp.com

601-718-4636

Housing Assistance for Teachers Program

The Housing Assistance for Teachers Program provides a grant to teachers who need assistance with covering the down payment or closing costs on a home. Teachers who qualify for the program are required to teach in a rural district that has a critical need for teachers. The grant covers up to $6,000 in some cases. The program is also sponsored by the Mississippi Housing Corporation.

Mississippi Housing Corporation

P.O. Box 23369

Jackson, MS 39225-3369

mshomecorp.com

601-718-4668

Down Payment Assistance Program

Sponsored by the Mississippi Housing Corporation, the Down Payment Assistance Program offers up to 3 percent of the loan amount of a pre-approved or approved loan for a home. You must be a first-time home buyer to qualify for the program. You also have to meet certain income and credit requirements to qualify for the assistance program. The program requires participants to attend a homebuyer education class.

Mississippi Housing Corporation

P.O. Box 23369

Jackson, MS 39225-3369

mshomecorp.com

601-718-4628

Tags: Housing Corporation, Mississippi Housing, Mississippi Housing Corporation, 23369 Jackson, 23369 Jackson 39225-3369, 39225-3369 mshomecorp, Assistance Program

Troubleshoot An Lcd Flat Screen

Troubleshooting an LCD screen is largely an issue of calibration.

Repairing an LCD screen is mostly a calibration issue. Any issues that require actual repairs, such as a damaged screen or broken lights, are usually too expensive to repair. In these cases it is less expensive to purchase a new screen. However, in a few cases calibrating the screen to show different picture settings will be enough to transform the look of the screen and help it to last for many additional years.

Instructions

1. Turn on the screen and inspect it for signs of damage. If the screen is actually broken, or if it has colored lines, lights that are out or strange color blotches, the screen cannot be repaired and will have to be replaced. There is no way to fix a screen damaged in this way without it costing more than a new screen.

2. Check for the age of the screen. Most LCD screens have a life of between five and seven years. Some may last longer, and some may go out sooner. If your screen is damaged and between five and seven years old, you will probably have to replace it.

3. Clean the screen with screen cleaning wipes to remove dirt and oil from the surface of the screen. In some cases this will brighten the screen enough to repair some minor damages and nicks on the surface of the screen.

4. Calibrate your screen for a better viewing experience. Adjust the backlight of the screen so that black images on the screen actually look black rather than gray. The setting that you choose will largely depend on personal preference, but new LCD screens almost always have too high levels of brightness.

5. Adjust the contrast on the screen so that the colors appear natural, rather than looking overly bright or the colors bleed into one another. The picture should look as natural as possible.

6. Adjust the sharpness level to prevent images from bleeding into one another or from appearing as if each object were cut out and pasted onto the screen. The sharpness helps keep a balance between objects, and adjusting the sharpness levels will change the way the screen looks.

7. Adjust color levels. Usually the color can be adjusted for blue, red and yellow tints. Add or subtract each color until the picture appears natural. Choose an image you are familiar with to use while adjusting the color to find the most natural picture color settings.

Tags: between five, between five seven, five seven, five seven years, into another, rather than, screen actually

Troubleshoot A Remotecontrolled Ceiling Fan

Keep your ceiling fan's remote operational.

Ceiling fans can help with energy costs by cooling the air in the warm months and by helping to circulate heated air more efficiently. Newer models of ceiling fans are available with remote controls that allow you to adjust the fan speed without getting out of your easy chair or bed. Unfortunately, like anything electronic, a remote control fan can sometimes have problems. The good news is you can easily troubleshoot most ceiling fan problems. Does this Spark an idea?

The Remote

Try the obvious solution first. Make sure the fan is on when you press the power button for the remote controlled fan. If that doesn't work, change the batteries in the ceiling fan remote. Make sure you orient them in the proper direction. As you swap out the old batteries, make sure the battery contacts inside the remote control are clean and that the old batteries haven't left any corroded material. Check that the battery contacts aren't broken.

Use a cleaner specifically for electronics to clean the remote. Sometimes a thorough cleaning frees the buttons and allows them to function as they should. If you detect a damaged button, you may need to replace the remote to solve the problem with the ceiling fan.

Check that the ceiling fan problems aren't from a weak or non-existent infrared (IR) signal in the remote. You can purchase an IR detection device, or some digital cameras pick up an IR signal when you point the remote at them.

Adjust the dip switches on the remote control. For the remote controlled fan to operate properly, you must set the transmitter in the ceiling fan and the remote the same. The dip switch is the tool that allows you to do that. You can either expose the dip switch in the ceiling mount of the fan and the remote control to match dip switch settings. Another option is to switch a dip switch setting on the remote one at a time until you find the right one to match the dip switch setting in the fan's motor. Start with all the switches in the on position and try the remote. Next turn position #1 off and try it, then position #2 and so on until you have tried all the combinations possible on the dip switch. Typically these dip switches remain at their factory presets, but if you have more than one fan in the room, the installer may change the presets so one remote can operate both fans.

Tags: remote control, ceiling remote, battery contacts, ceiling problems, Check that

Use Calibre With Kindle For Pc

Calibre and Kindle for PC make managing your e-library simple.

Calibre is free software that organizes your library of e-books and converts e-book files from one file format to another. Kindle for PC allows you to read e-books in the AZW, TXT, PDF, PRC and MOBI formats. By using the file converter in Calibre, it is possible to read e-books in the Kindle for PC program that were originally published in formats that are not supported by Kindle. Some settings in Calibre must be modified for the two programs to work together well.

Instructions

1. Open the Calibre software. Click the "Preferences" box on the toolbar at the top of the program window.

2. Click "Behavior" in the "Interface" section of the preferences window.

3. Select "MOBI" as the preferred output format.

4. Remove the check marks next to the MOBI, AZW and PRC file formats in the "Use internal viewer for:" pane in the preferences window. Click on "Apply" at the top of the window. The preferences window will close, and the program returns to the main window.

5. Click the title of the book you wish to convert in the library pane of the main program window. Select "Convert Books" from the toolbar. Select "MOBI" for the output format from the drop-down box in the upper right-hand corner of the conversion window. Click "OK" in the window's bottom right-hand corner to begin conversion.

6. Highlight the book title by clicking on it when the conversion process is complete. Click the triangle next to "Save to disk" on the toolbar. Select "Save only MOBI format to disk in a single directory" from the drop-down menu. Navigate to the "My Documents\My Kindle Content" directory under your user name when you are presented with the explorer window. Click the "Select Folder" button to save the file.

7. Open the Kindle for PC software. The book will appear in the library portion of the window and is ready for use.

Tags: window Click, preferences window, from drop-down, output format, program window

Decide On A Foundation Repair Company

A solid foundation makes everyone happy.

The Foundation Repair Network advises homeowners with foundation problems to get bids from at least three companies before hiring a foundation repair contractor. To find the names of repair contractors, ask friends and family for recommendations first. Next, call your insurance agent, local builders and landscapers to ask for names. Call the Better Business Bureau or visit its website to find out if any contractors have positive or negative BBB press. As a last resort, look in the phone book or online. Always hire someone local, if possible. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Contact each licensed contractor by phone or in person. Ask the following questions: What are your licensing credentials? How long have you been in business? Do you subcontract any part of the work? Do you work with qualified engineers for big jobs? What materials and methods do you use, and why? Can I see any current or finished foundation repair jobs? What are your policies regarding existing landscaping? What are your foundation repair warranties? Take notes on all the answers.

2. Get each contractor out to do an inspection and written proposal. It's important to get foundation repair proposals in writing so there are no mistakes with the final repair job.

3. Get a list of subcontractors and contact each one to ask about the main foundation repair company. You can learn a lot about big companies by asking questions of their subcontractors.

4. Compare your notes. Don't make a final decision on hiring a foundation repair contractor based solely on price, because everything must be taken into consideration.

Tags: foundation repair, foundation repair, What your, foundation repair contractor, hiring foundation, hiring foundation repair

Put A Lien On A House In Ontario

A lien on a house can help recover money owed in Ontario.

Putting a lien on a house in Ontario is a way to stake a legal claim when a dispute involving payment arises. Members of the general public and contractors or suppliers of work have protections under the Construction Lien Act and other regulations. It can be thought of as a "hold" on the house so that it acts as a form of collateral against funds or services that are owed to the person who files the claim. Any property that carries a lien can be forced into sale by the lender if, for example, the loan is in default.

Instructions

1. Do a property title or lien search on the house on a website such as www.ppsa.ca. Find out if there are any other claims on the property and the nature of these claims. This information might influence the strategy or amount of your claim.

2. Make sure the owner of the house is the individual that you want to issue the claim against. The search will provide you with the necessary information to include in your claim.

3. Use Small Claims Court of Ontario to file your lien claim if the amount is $25,000 or less. If the claim is greater than $25,000, consult a lawyer or legal aid.

4. Pay any necessary fees required with the filing online with a major credit card. The cost is $8 per year or $500 for a perpetual period. Websites might charge an additional fee for processing.

5. Create or complete the claims forms. File them with the court either through a website, by mail or in person. You can file this at a local office or by using a website such as www.easycourtpro.ca.

6. Make sure to complete all details of the form, including owner's full name, date of birth and current address. The courts are very particular about information on legal documents. Take the time to provide all relevant information and rationale about why you are filing the lien.

7. Serve the forms to the owner of the house, who is the defendant, by registered mail. This creates the need for the defendant to file a defense in a reasonable time frame, or you can apply to the court for judgment.

8. Wait for the defense to determine your next course of action. If the dispute does not seem to be heading down a path of resolution, seek legal advice from a lawyer who can assist with enforcing a judgment.

Tags: lien house, Make sure, owner house, website such, your claim

Find A Obama Approved Government Grants For Women

Find a Obama Approved Government Grants For Women

Getting an Obama approved government grant is easy if you are a women. There is money available to you so that you can start your own business or go back to school and get your degree. Many women are unaware that there is free money that they can apply for that can help them out when they need it.

Instructions

1. First you need to understand that there are available government grants for women if you are looking to buy a new home, start your own business or maybe you are looking at going back to school and either getting a degree or furthering your education. In this tough economy this free money can come in handy.

2. Next you need to apply and looking online is a great way to start. Remember that there are a lot of grants that are available for an assortment of things but you need to look for grants that will help you. There are specific grants that are aimed for women and these are the ones you can apply for and get approved.

3. If you are finding it hard to get ahead then maybe you need to consider going back to school and getting a degree in another more lucrative career so that you can have a job with more opportunity. You may have come to the point in your life where you want to start your own business such as daycare and getting money to get your started may be your best bet.

4. Finally you need to take action and not wait any longer. There is money that goes unused each year and this is mainly due to the fact that a lot of woman are unaware that they can apply for free grants. Get the money now and you can be on your way to fulfilling your dreams.

Tags: back school, grants that, start your, start your business, that there, your business, Approved Government Grants

Change The Wallpaper On Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit

The wallpaper is the background image used for your desktop.

One of the personalization features of Windows is the option to change the background wallpaper of the desktop. If you would like to select a custom wallpaper, you can do so through the personalization menu.

Instructions

1. Click the "Start" button and select the "Control Panel" menu option.

2. Select "Appearance and Personalization," "Personalization" and then "Desktop Background."

3. Select a picture from the list to use as your desktop wallpaper. If you can't find one in the image list, you can select other groups of wallpapers from the "Picture Location" box, or click "Browse" to select one from your hard drive.

4. Select your desired positioning setting from the "Picture Position" list. Windows can adjust the image in various ways if it's not the correct shape or size for your desktop.

5. Click the "Save Changes" button to save your settings.

Tags: your desktop, from Picture

Get A Free Hernia Surgery

No surgery money? No problem.

Your hernia is killing you, at least figuratively, but you have no money to get it fixed. Instead of lying down in bed and waiting to die, you can get free hernia surgery with a lot of confidence and some gumption.

Instructions

1. Find a volunteer. Several doctors and surgeons offer their services free of charge to people who honestly cannot afford it. You may have to be eligible by being below the national poverty guidelines, a fact you can check at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. A non-profit group called Health Care Volunteer will help you find a health care provider in your area if you qualify and set up a free account with them.

2. Call your county health department. Some counties have low-cost or no-cost programs in place for people who need health care, or can direct you to an organization that does.

3. Make the hospital rounds. Find out if any area hospitals know of free surgery programs or can direct you on a path to finding one. They may know of certain grants that were given to organizations for free surgery options.

4. Search for a charity (see Resources). Thousands of charities exist throughout the United States, many that offer health costs. An online search at Charity Navigator may help you find the answer you are looking for.

5. Use the barter system. Maybe you don’t have much money but you could have an important skill or connection that you could use to barter for free surgery. Call area doctors, surgeons and hospitals and offer your pitch to see what you come up with.

Tags: free surgery, doctors surgeons, health care, help find

Concrete Slab Foundation Repair With Piers

Repairing sunken foundations can be a tricky job.

If they are built on loose soil or expansive clay, concrete slab foundations can potentially sink into the earth and eventually start to crack or fail. Builders have different approaches they use to tackle this problem, but one common technique involves the use of steel piers to restore the building and its foundation to their original elevation. Does this Spark an idea?

Problems

Changes in moisture can cause some soils to swell or contract to a significant extent. If the soil beneath a foundation is unstable, it may cause the concrete atop it to move. These problems occur not only with slab foundations but also with pier and beam types as well. Inevitably, some parts of the soil change or shift more than others, and this so-called differential settling can sometimes damage the foundation badly.

Benefits

Piers are only one of the techniques builders use to fix sunken foundations, but they have a number of advantages. They don't require destroying the yard or dragging in heavy equipment, nor do you need to cease using the building. The necessary equipment is relatively light and can be installed even while the building remains in use. Piers are also cheap when compared with the cost of replacing the foundation altogether.

Types

There are two types of pier systems: push piers and helical piers. A push pier has multiple sections that are driven down through the soil by a hydraulic ram. Helical piers, by contrast, feature a helical section with a steel shaft attached. The helical pier is forced into the ground by turning it with a hydraulic torque motor. Both types are driven downward until they encounter rock that can serve as a support.

Function

When builders repair a foundation, they insert multiple piers that reach down to the rock layer below the soil. These piers provide a firm support for hydraulic jacks, which raise the foundation upward until it reaches the original level. At this point, the builders can attach the piers directly to wall brackets and thereby lock the building in place so it will not sink back into the soil again.

Tags: slab foundations, sunken foundations

Amount Of Oil To Use In House Furnace Per Hour

If you have an oil-driven furnace, you may be interested in just how much oil it consumes. The oil usage of your furnace can not be easily translated into units of time and federal and state standards concern BTUs, not oil. Does this Spark an idea?

Standards

There are national energy efficiency standards that apply to the heat output of residential furnaces and boilers. The first act, the National Appliance Energy Conservation Act, was passed in 1987. The content and coverage of this initial legislation has been expanded upon and modified since with new publications issued in 2004 and 2006.

Conversion

The standards do not directly address the hourly use of oil; instead, they address the heat input rate which is measured in BTUs. It is relatively easy to convert the BTUs into the amount of your oil per gallon. BTUs per gallon of oil is around 140,000. The national energy standard for residential furnaces is no more than 225, 000 BTUs per hour making your oil usage per hour approximately 1.6 gallons.

Considerations

Remember that your furnace should never run for a full hour nonstop; it comes on intermittently as the internal temperatures are relayed from the thermostats in your house. Their reports can be affected by the space in different rooms as well as the positions of thermostats themselves. As a result, amount of oil per hour is not an entirely accurate reflection of heating function or cost.

Tags: national energy, residential furnaces, your furnace

Repair A Wall On A Mobile Home

Repair a Wall on a Mobile Home

If you need to repair a wall in your mobile home, replacing paneling or sheetrock can create problems. Most mobile homes are not designed for the weight of commercially sold sheetrock. Also, most commercial sheetrock is sold in textured or vinyl-covered patterns that are constantly kept up-to date. If your walls are more than a few years old, it may be impossible to find special mobile home paneling to match the rest of your home. Instead, you can use commercial paneling and sheet rock, provided you lighten the weight on the studs of your home. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Cut wood paneling in thirds.

2. Attach these 1/3-sized panels to the bottom of your walls to create wainscoting to hide damage in the lower sections of your home.

3. Purchase commercial drywall manufactured for stationary homes.

4. Cut this drywall to fit the upper portion of your wall that is not covered by paneling.

5. Attach drywall to the top sections of your walls using drywall screws. Cover screws with drywall mud, and seams with drywall tape. The reduced size of your paneling and drywall will be less heavy and reduce the weight strain on your mobile home studs.

6. Paint your drywall.

7. Cover the seam between the drywall and paneling by installing wooden trim.

Tags: your home, your walls, mobile home, Repair Wall, Repair Wall Mobile, sections your

Replace Trampoline Springs

You need to replace trampoline springs when they show the slightest amount of wear. If a spring breaks when a person jumps it can result in injury or death to the jumper. Luckily, trampoline springs are inexpensive and easy to replace.

Instructions

1. Determine how many trampoline springs you need to replace. Inspect the springs. You will need to immediately replace any springs that show a slight amount of wear to prevent injury to jumpers.

2. Measure the trampoline springs to determine the size that you need. You will need the wire diameter, which you can measure from the hook, as it is just the width of the piece of metal. Measure The outside diameter as the actual width of the whole coil. Measure the length from hook to hook.

3. Purchase replacement trampoline springs. You can purchase these at a sporting goods store or online. The TrampSprings website sells trampoline springs in individual springs or packs at a reasonable price.

4. Gather a couple of people to help you replace the trampoline springs. Have everyone distribute evenly around the trampoline. It is best to replace the springs that are opposite each other at the same time to keep the trampoline taut.

5. Wear gloves to prevent injury from snagging yourself on the spring. Use channel locks to pull and hook the spring to the frame. Inspect all the springs to make sure you replaced them correctly.

Tags: trampoline springs, trampoline springs, amount wear, from hook, Inspect springs, need replace, prevent injury

Calculate Interest Rate On A Compensating Balance & Installment Loan

Calculate Interest Rate on a Compensating Balance & Installment Loan

A compensating balance is an account balance that a bank can use to offset an unpaid loan. Installment loans featuring a compensating balance requirement will have a higher effective interest rate than loans without this feature. Calculating the interest rate on a compensating balance and installment loan will help you understand the true cost of the debt. If your loan is "discounted," this means that the lender will require interest up front instead of at the end of the period. Those who have a discounted loan have one extra step necessary to complete their effective interest calculation.

Instructions

Typical Installment Loan with Compensating Balance

1. Look at your loan paperwork to determine the principal amount of the loan, the compensating balance required, and the stated interest rate. The compensating balance is typically expressed as a percentage of the principal of the loan, but some lenders may state a flat dollar value.

2. Calculate the nominal interest. This is done by taking the stated interest rate and multiplying it by the principal value. For instance, if you had a $100,000 loan with a 10 percent interest rate and a 5 percent compensating balance, your nominal interest would be $10,000 ($100,000 x 10 percent).

3. Calculate the compensating balance required. If you have a stated dollar amount for your compensating balance, this step is already completed for you. If you have a required compensating balance of a certain percentage, take that percent and multiply it by the stated principal. Using the same example from above, your required compensating balance would be $5,000 ($100,000 x 5 percent).

4. Calculate the available principal. This is done by subtracting the compensating balance required from the principal value stated in the loan. Using the same example, the available principal would be $95,000 ($100,000 - $5,000)

5. Divide the nominal interest by the available principal. This is your effective interest rate, and the true cost of the debt. In this example, the effective interest rate comes out to 10.53% ($10,000/$95,000).

Discount Installment Loan with Compensating Balance

6. Follow steps one through three from the Typical Installment Loan with Compensating Balance section.

7. Calculate the available principal. This is done by taking the full principal amount and subtracting the nominal interest and the compensating balance. Using the same example above, the available principal would work out to be $85,000. ($100,000 - $10,000 - $5,000)

8. Divide the nominal interest by the available principal. In this example, the effective interest rate works out to be 11.76 percent ($10,000/$85,000).

Tags: available principal, compensating balance, effective interest, interest rate, nominal interest, compensating balance

Donate A Refrigerator To Charity

Donate a Refrigerator to Charity

If you're looking to donate a used refrigerator, you may find it to be a bit of a challenge. Not only are refrigerators bulky to move yourself, but many charities are interested in its intrinsic value as a recycled unit, not in the refrigerator itself. However, you can use the power of the Internet to find your old refrigerator a good home.

Instructions

1. Call the Salvation Army (see Resources below). They will accept appliances, including refrigerators, air conditioners, stoves and so forth. Their site also includes a guide to the potential tax values you can claim for the donation.

2. Try Habitat for Humanity (see Resources below). As an organization dedicated to providing housing at low cost, used appliances are always welcome, as long as they're in good working order. Their site includes local chapter information so that you can contact your local group to see what appliance needs they have.

3. Watch for a local "ecycle" event. Many charitable organizations run ecycle events to rid the local community of used electronics and appliances that might otherwise end in a landfill. The money raised by stripping copper wiring and the like is typically split between the ecycle organizer and the charitable organization that supplies the labor at pick up. These funds are then used by the organization for their charitable efforts.

4. Check out ARCA. The Appliance Recycling Centers of America is a service dedicated to environmentally responsible recycling of old appliances. Typically, they work with your local utility to recycle old appliances. Their website includes a list of territories where these services are offered (see Resources below).

5. Check out the Freecycle Network. This grassroots organization operates by connecting those who have with those who need. Use the link in Resources below to find a group close to your home. Once you've found the group, you can subscribe to their Yahoo! email group, post the refrigerator as available and wait to be contacted for a pickup. Be aware that this donation may not go to a charity group, though, as you're posting to all those who subscribe, which includes individuals as well as nonprofits.

Tags: Resources below, Donate Refrigerator, Donate Refrigerator Charity, Refrigerator Charity, Their site, your local

Grants For Homes In Philadelphia

Some residences in Philadelphia benefit from grants for the preservation of historic buildings.

Philadelphia is among America's oldest cities, so it is not surprising that some grants available to Philadelphia homeowners are connected to the historic value of the property and the funders' desire to preserve historic city properties. Other grants are targeted toward low-income homeowners and first-time buyers.

Grant for Historic Home Repairs

The Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia, or PAGP, gives grants to low- to middle-income homeowners who cannot afford to make needed repairs on their historic properties. As of 2010, PAGP had administered nearly $1.5 million in city funds in its Historic Properties Repair Program. The grant money must go toward historically correct exterior repairs. Eligible homeowners must meet income requirements, and own and occupy the property to be repaired. The home must qualify as an official historic property or exist within one of Philadelphia's 70 historic districts. Grant amounts range from $1,500 to $20,000, and are intended to pay for the difference in cost between a standard repair, such as replacing a crumbling handrail with modern cast iron, and an historically accurate repair, such as having an authentically designed wooden replacement installed.

Grants for First-Time Home Purchases

Philadelphia's Office of Housing and Commercial Development distributes settlement-assistance grants for first-time home buyers. The $500 grants can go toward closing costs for your first home purchase. A couple applying for a settlement grant must have a combined annual income of less than $50,150 and must complete a home ownership counseling course, as of 2010.

The agency also funds the American Dream Downpayment Initiative, which provides a down payment grant of 6 percent or up to $10,000 -- whichever amount is less -- to first-time home buyers. If you live in your ADDI-funded residence for more than 15 years or sell the home to a qualifying low- to moderate-income-earning buyer, you do not have to repay the grant money.

Grants for Low-Income Homeowners

The Philadelphia Housing Development Corporation funds a Basic Systems Repair Program that pays for electric, plumbing, heating and, in some cases, roofing repairs of owner-occupied Philadelphia homes. The income limit for a couple to be eligible for a repair grant is $1,821 per month. The total repair grant amounts range from $4,000 to $17,500, depending on the income level of the recipients.

The Senior Housing Assistance Repair Program funds specific home repairs for seniors, such as replacement of exterior doors and locksets, with special consideration given to low-income Philadelphians over 75 years of age who live by themselves.

Weatherization Grants

In November 2009, Philadelphia received nearly $30 million from the federal government's American Recovery and Reinvestment Act designated for a weatherization-assistance program for Philadelphia homeowners. To qualify for a weatherization grant, your home must be a high energy consumer and your income must fall below 200 percent of the federal poverty level, or $2,518 per month for a couple, as of 2010. Weatherization funds can be used to replace ill-fitting windows and doors; wrap water heaters, pipes, and heating ducts with insulation; and air-seal the structure to prevent heat loss.

Tags: Repair Program, amounts range, amounts range from, first-time home, first-time home buyers, grant money, home buyers

Oklahoma Housing Grants

Some Oklahoma first-time home buyers qualify for grant assistance.

Potential home owners or developers in Oklahoma have several financing options. Grants are available to homeowners who need help with down payments and closing costs. Grants are also available to help owners, developers and builders pay for repairs and the rebuilding of residential structures. Does this Spark an idea?

1st Gold

1st Gold is a grant program available to all Oklahoma residents. It provides assistance with down payments and closing costs. Based on census data, the state has designated Targeted and Non-Targeted areas that determine resident eligibility. People living in Non-Targeted areas must be first-time home buyers in order to qualify for the 1st Gold grant. Residents in Targeted areas don't have to meet that requirement.

Only certain mortgage lenders in Oklahoma participate in the 1st Gold grant program. Interested residents must still meet credit and income requirements for a particular lender. Eligibility for the 1st Gold grant doesn't guarantee procurement of a mortgage.

Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency

100 N. W. 63rd St.

Suite 200

Oklahoma City, OK 73116

800-254-1489

OHFA.org

Repair and Rehabilitation Grants

The U.S. Department of Agriculture makes grants available for Oklahoma residents who are at least 62 years old and cannot repay a Repair and Rehabilitation Loan.

To qualify, the homeowner's income must be 50 percent or less of average income for the area. The grant can only be used to make repairs deemed necessary for health or safety reasons, or so that disabled members of the household can access the home.

The grant amount is limited to $7,500 over the lifetime of the grantee.

If the applicant is deemed able to repay a portion of the funds, a combination loan/grant may be offered, with the loan interest rate not exceeding one percent.

Farm Labor Housing Loan and Grant Program

This program, also offered through the U.S.D.A., aims to help build and maintain housing for farm workers. Individuals, corporations and associations can apply. The money must be used to purchase, build or repair facilities for use as residential homes, day care or community centers specifically for people employed in agriculture and aquaculture. Furnishings can also be purchased with grant funds.

Grants are awarded for up to 90 percent of the proposed costs.

Housing Preservation Grants

Yet another U.S.D.A.-sponsored program is the Housing Preservation Grant. This grant is offered to organizations intent on rebuilding or fixing housing occupied by people deemed to be in the low- or very-low income brackets. Grants can be used for co-ops, single-family and rental properties in towns with populations of 20,000 or less.

For more information about these last three grants, contact:

Tommy Earls, Program Director

100 USDA, Suite 108

Stillwater, OK 74074

405-742-1070

Tags: Gold grant, available Oklahoma, available Oklahoma residents, closing costs, down payments, down payments closing

What Deduct From My Taxes For Remodeling

What Can I Deduct From My Taxes for Remodeling?

The Internal Revenue Service does not typically allow taxpayers to deduct the costs of home remodeling from their income taxes. However, the cost of the home improvements can be added to the taxpayer's basis in the home which will reduce the taxes owed on the sale of the home.

Considerations

The IRS treats home repairs differently than home improvements. Home repairs refer to replacing broken or worn out parts, such as a broken window, and cannot be deducted and do not increase your basis in the home. Home improvements increase the value of your home, such as a new kitchen or bathroom.

Features

You can deduct the interest you pay on a loan to improve your home, subject to the same limits as mortgage interest. For example, if you take out a home equity loan for your home improvements, you can deduct the interest on the first $1 million ($500,000 if you are married filing separately) of the loan.

Exception

If you remodel your home for medical reasons, such as a wheelchair ramp for a disabled person, you can include the cost as part of your medical expenses deduction. This deduction allows you to claim a deduction equal to your medical expenses that exceed 7.5 percent of your adjusted gross income but you must itemize your deductions in order to claim it.

Tags: your home, your medical expenses, basis home, Deduct From, Deduct From Taxes, deduct interest, From Taxes

Get A Housing Grant In Chicago

The city of Chicago offers housing grants.

If you live in the city of Chicago, Illinois, and are searching for housing, you may be able to get a grant from the City of Chicago government to pay for some or all of your housing costs. Grants are not loans, but free funding issued by the government to low and moderate income individuals and families. Grants do not accrue interest and do not need to be repaid. There is a simple method that you can use to obtain a housing grant from the city of Chicago.

Instructions

1. Analyze your situation. You are far more likely to receive grants if you make a relatively low amount of income, if you are a teacher, police officer, paramedic or firefighter, or if your employer is providing housing assistance.

2. Research what grants are available. The City of Chicago's website lists available housing grants that are available to individuals and families. Read the description of the grants to find out if you qualify and learn apply.

3. Apply for a grant. You can find information on apply for housing grants on the City of Chicago website. Some grants have a simple application process, while others require you to submit additional information such as mortgage approval documents, bank account statements or proof of income.

Tags: housing grants, Chicago website, City Chicago, city Chicago, City Chicago website

Repair An Outdoor Deck

Outdoor wooden decks can become worn and damaged over time. Improper care of an outdoor deck can cause it to rot, crack or splinter and become unsafe for use. By knowing repair your deck you can make your outdoor space a fun and usable oasis for summertime barbecues and outdoor gatherings. A few simple steps will help you on your way to deck repair. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Sweep the deck. Make sure the deck is free from debris and dirt.

2. Use a screwdriver to check wood slats and beams for dry rot. Dry rot is caused by fungus and moisture. The wood will become soft. Use a screwdriver to carefully test the hardness of the wood. If the wood is very soft, it probably has dry rot and will need to be replaced.

3. Remove screws or nails from boards with dry rot. Carefully move the board, trying to avoid it touching and infecting any other boards on the deck. A pry bar may be needed to remove infected boards.

4. Sink in or replace popped up nails. While it is possible to just sink in any old nails that have popped, it is better to replace them. Nails that are longer than the current nail will have a better chance of staying in the boards without popping.

5. Inspect the deck for any other problems. If there are water drainage issues, these will need to be addressed. All posts, beams and boards should be securely fixed in place.

6. Use a deck cleaner to clean the deck. Deck cleaners can be purchased at a local hardware store. It is important to follow the manufacturer directions for the cleaner.

7. Check for rough areas on the deck. Use a small piece of sandpaper to sand down any rough areas. Railings should also be inspected for signs of wood splinters or cracks.

8. Apply a deck stain and/or sealer. This will help to seal the deck from future moisture and UV radiation discoloration. Manufacturer directions will need to be followed for both stains and sealers.

Tags: will need, rough areas, will help, your deck

West Virginia Medicaid Benefits

West Virginia Medicaid covers health care services for some low-income children.

West Virginia Medicaid benefits provide health insurance coverage for some people with low incomes so that they can receive the medical care they need. Not all people with low incomes qualify, but the program benefits many. In West Virginia, the Department of Health and Human Resources administers the Medicaid program.

Eligibility

In West Virginia, children, pregnant women, elderly people and disabled people can get Medicaid if they meet income guidelines. Parents of eligible children may also qualify. Only U.S. citizens who live in West Virginia are eligible for West Virginia Medicaid.

Income Guidelines

A person must meet specific income guidelines to qualify for West Virginia Medicaid benefits. The amount of money a person can earn and still qualify depends on your family size. Some people may have to meet monthly spend-down amounts before receiving their Medicaid cards, which means they only receive Medicaid after they pay a certain amount of medical bills themselves. It's like a deductible they must meet each month and the amount of the spend down depends on their monthly income.

Coverage

West Virginia Medicaid covers a wide variety of health care services, including inpatient hospitalization, emergency room visits, visits to doctors and clinics, medical tests like x-rays and blood tests, mental health care and prescription medications. It covers comprehensive dental care and vision care for children and limited dental and vision services for adults. There are some services not covered by West Virginia Medicaid. If a person receives services that are not covered, he must pay for them himself. To prevent unpleasant surprises, make sure understand what services are covered before receiving treatment.

Applying

West Virginia residents who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) do not have to apply for Medicaid. They automatically qualify and will receive a Medicaid card in the mail. If you do not receive SSI, you must apply for Medicaid at your local Department of Health and Human Resources office. If you cannot go to the office due to a disability, you can call to schedule an appointment for someone to come to your home to take your application.

Using Medicaid

Check with your health care providers to make sure they accept West Virginia Medicaid before you schedule an appointment. Some health care providers do and some do not. Take your Medicaid card with you to each appointment to verify your coverage. If you choose to see a health care provider that does not accept Medicaid, you must pay the bill yourself.

Tags: West Virginia, Virginia Medicaid, West Virginia Medicaid, health care, apply Medicaid

Become An Auto Body Painter

When a person enters the world of auto body repair, sooner or later s/he needs to decide if they want to become a painter. Auto Body technicians and Painters may be a different breed, but they need to work together to turn out a beautiful repair. This article gives advice on pursue a career in auto body painting.

Instructions

1. Do everything you can to land a high school apprenticeship at an auto body shop working in the paint department.

2. Get yourself an after school job working for a body shop. You may have to be a porter or car washer, but the goal is to become acquainted with people who are in the industry. Hard workers who are pleasant and willing to do what it takes to get the job accomplished will eventually be taken under the wing of the technicians to learn on the job.

3. Tell the owner and head painter that your interest is in learning the paint business. Ask if you can begin as a helper in the paint department. The first jobs you can expect will be washing the vehicles, masking off parts of the vehicle, and sanding body fill. Sanding is essential for you to learn how you smooth you like the body fill. Eventually you will spray primer. This practice putting on primer will give you the proper spray techniques needed to become a true painter.

4. At this point, entering a auto body technician's school is probably a good idea. However, now is when you need a mentor, and most painters will not teach their helpers to mix paint. If you are lucky enough to find an on the job mentor to teach you to mix colors and give you experience shooting it onto cars, you are indeed lucky. Sometimes the shop owner is willing to allow you to paint with the painter during a slow season, or at the last part of the day, on a personally owned vehicle.

5. Ask for help improving your technique from better technicians. This is where you will try to get the reputation of being able to lay the paint on like glass. This take time and practice. Expect to make mistakes that you will have to fix once in while.

6. Update your skills as frequently as possible by attending I-car and paint classes. Read body shop orientated magazines for new ideas and immediate information about new paint materials and techniques.

Tags: auto body, body shop, body fill, paint department

Work With Spot Glazing Compound For Auto Bodywork

work with Spot Glazing Compound for auto body work

Spot Glazing Compound is an important part of the body work process if you want your new paint to lay flat and be flawless.

This process is for filling in pin holes, scratches and small dings. Using this product correctly will help insure that smooth glass like finish!

Instructions

1. Use the 120 grit sandpaper wrapped over your sanding block and sand over the area to be worked on. Sand at least 1 or 2 inches around the damage. This step is meant to remove the outer layers of paint, with your goal being to get below or level with the damaged area, leaving no rough edges around the damage. If you have a hard time getting below the surface with the 120 grit you may use some 60 grit paper, but I would suggest doing a very small section by hand only, since this heavier grit can take you down to bare metal rather quickly. Wear your paper face mask while sanding. Wipe the dust off with your clean dry cloth.

2. If you are working within a specific area and don't want any spray primer to mist over to other areas of the car, tape off the area and place some brown paper under the edges to cover the areas you want to protect.

Spray 2 to 3 light coats of primer over the work area. Don't want to spray up to the tape line though, since this will leave a buildup of primer you will have to sand flat when you remove the tape.

3. After the primer is dry, you are ready to use the Spot Putty Glaze.

Before opening the tube you should knead it by squeezing the tube around from all sides. Squeeze the watery part that usually comes out first, onto your old rag.

Now squeeze a small amount of compound onto the edge of your clean putty knife and apply it over the pin hole, scratch or ding. This compound is meant to be used in layers if you are building up more than about 1/16 inch, and is not meant for deeper gashes, scratches or dents.

The object is to fill in the damaged area, leaving minimal rough edges or high spots of glaze as you feather out the glaze around the repair area.

The glaze will begin to dry quickly and you won't have more than 1 minute or so to work with it once it is applied. It will begin to cake up and you will have to wait till it dries, sand the area smooth and start over again with primer and new glaze. Always wipe the surface of your putty knife clean with your dirty rag before applying more glaze.

4. Once the glaze dries -- anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the temperature and humidity level -- sand the compound level with either the 220 grit or the 320 grit sandpaper. The heavier 220 grit is best to sand the high spots or edges of the glaze down, and 320 grit is best for smoothing it out flush to the rest of the car. Use a light hand here and use the sanding block to sand evenly against the surface. Run your fingers over your work now and then to check for smoothness around the edges.

5. Time now to re-spray over the glazed area with primer, which also helps to fill in very tiny holes and will also allow you to see more clearly if you filled in the damaged area completely and if your work is smooth. If you are not satisfied, or are building up an area such as a ding, just repeat the process again with more glaze, sanding and primer until the area is smooth. Some areas may require a few applications to make perfect.

6. Your final step will be a final coat or two of primer. This area should now be ready for a fine finish sanding and new paint.

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Make Environmentallyfriendly Ant Repellant

Keep ants out with this natural repellant.

Ants frequently invade homes and apartments in search of food and a place to nest. This pest invasion is avoidable, however, if you utilize an all-natural, non-chemical ant repellent. It is easy to make and simple to use indoors. The best part is, it will not damage the environment or endanger your kids and pets. This natural ant remedy only works if properly used and deployed, which is part of the process. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Fill one glass jar with a solution of equal parts borax and sugar. For a typical, quart-sized jar, measure out 1/4-cup sugar and 1/4-cup borax and pour it into the jar.

2. Insert a piece of tissue paper into the jar then fill the jar with water.

3. Puncture the lid to the jar with a small thumb drill or sharp metal tool. Screw the lid onto the jar.

4. Set the jar in an area where you notice ants frequently. The ants will crawl into the jar and consume the sugary solution. The borax will kill the ants.

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Daily Duties Of A School Custodian

Mopping floors is just one of a custodian's daily duties

The school custodial staff are primarily in charge of basic maintenance and cleanliness around a school building. Though often overlooked, janitorial staff are key members of the school environment who are responsible for everything from emptying wastebaskets in classrooms to setting up, tearing down and cleaning up after special events in the school.

Classroom Responsibilities

Custodians' daily responsibilities include maintaining cleanliness in every classroom in the school. This includes emptying wastepaper baskets, vacuuming carpeted areas, sweeping and occasionally mopping floors, cleaning all windows inside and out, dusting, cleaning blackboards, emptying pencil sharpeners, cleaning and disinfecting any sinks in the classroom, lifting or moving furniture, and completing minor repairs including changing light bulbs. More labor-intensive or specialty repairs are usually handled by school district maintenance workers who must be called into the school.

Restroom Responsibilities

In student and faculty restrooms, custodians are responsible for making sure tissue, paper towel and soap dispensers are stocked, and that additional stock and supplies are available if necessary. They are also responsible for cleaning and disinfecting toilets, urinals and sinks, as well as spot-cleaning walls, floors or other surfaces as necessary in case of spills or accidents. General cleanliness tasks, like emptying wastebaskets and mopping the floor, are part of the custodian's job in the restrooms as well.

Lunchroom Responsibilities

In some schools, the gym doubles as a lunchroom. Where this is the case, the custodian must set up tables before the lunch period and put them up afterward. In both schools with a combination lunchroom and gym and schools with a designated lunchroom, custodians are responsible for emptying trash cans after lunch, wiping down tables and sweeping the floor once students have finished eating. They may also be required to mop and spot-clean messes and spills that occur during lunch.

Hallway Responsibilities

Custodians are commonly thought of as mopping or sweeping hallway floors. This is indeed a large part of their job. In addition to mopping and sweeping, custodians in most schools are expected to vacuum any carpeted areas daily, clean and maintain radiators and ventilation systems, maintain a consistent temperature by monitoring heating and air conditioning, change burnt out light bulbs, washing windows and emptying trashcans in hallways.

Duties Outside The School

Custodians are responsible for light maintenance on the school grounds. In colder climates during the winter, it is the custodian's job to salt walkways and paved areas to prevent ice from forming and creating slipping hazards. They are also responsible for cleaning outside windows and eliminating any safety hazards, both inside and outside, in a timely manner.

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Pass A Vehicle Inspection

Pass a Vehicle Inspection

All states require a vehicle inspection that basically checks to make sure that your car is in good working order. This is to keep you and other drivers safe. If an emissions check is also performed, this is to make sure that your car, truck, or SUV, is not putting out too much pollution.

Whether we like them or not, state inspections are required annually. Many owners of older vehicles get nervous come inspection time hoping that their car will pass.

I will help you give yourself the best odds of passing and getting a good inspection sticker!

Instructions

1. Change your oil and oil filter. Make sure that you are either using a synthetic blend or fully synthetic oil.

2. Change your air filter so that your engine will "breathe" easier and give you cleaner ignitions in the pistons.

3. Check your tires for too much wear, and for heavy signs of cracking. IF they are bad, replace them. Worn tires can often cause vehicle inspections to fail.

4. Check your headlights, stop lights, tail lights, and high beams. Also check your blinkers, reverse lights, and license plate light. If any light is out, be sure to replace it. State inspections require lights and blinkers to be functioning properly.

5. Check your windshield wipers and make sure they are good. They can't be falling apart or cracked. Turn them on and make sure that they both work. A good state inspection auto mechanic will check these.

6. Make sure that your horn works!

7. If your check engine light is on, you can most likely turn it off with an OBD II scanner. Sometimes small things set these off which don't really matter. A state inspection can fail due to a bad or faulty code being set off.

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Home Remedies For Getting Green Out Of Pool Water

Clear, blue water is the goal of many pool owners.

While a majority of pools are cleaned with chlorine, an increasing number of people are concerned about negative side effects associated with the use of chemicals. In response, pool owners have developed a variety of eco-friendly cleaning techniques to prevent and cure any unsightly green discoloration of the pool's water. Does this Spark an idea?

Causes

Green water is caused by algae. An algae bloom can turn a clear pool into a murky, green one overnight. The microscopic plants enter the pool through rainfall or by being blown into the pool by the wind. Some algae attach to the sides of the pool, while others float freely in the water. Either way, their presence is enough to deter even the hardiest of swimmers.

Salt

Using salt to keep pool water clean is a simple and effective method. The downside is that the salt itself is turned into chlorine, though the concentrations are much smaller than those found in traditionally chlorinated pools. Salt water pools have lower evaporation rates than their heavily chlorinated counterparts -- which is particularly important in arid areas with water conservation considerations.

Plants

So-called "natural pools" use plants to keep a pool's water clean by starving the algae of nutrients. The practice gained popularity in Europe and has since spread to the U.S. Plants associated with natural pools include hornwort, anacharis, canna lilies, marsh marigolds and water lilies. The plants need about a year to establish their root systems before the deterioration of any algae becomes noticeable. Visit the nearest unpolluted lake, pond or swimming hole and take cuttings from plants found there.

Prevention

Rotting vegetation can discolor a pool's water as much as an algae bloom. Covering the pool with a waterproof tarpaulin or specially-made cover will help prevent leaf litter and unwanted organisms from falling into the pool when it's not in use. A cover also has the added benefit of preventing water loss caused through evaporation. Planting shrubs and native plants around a pool helps prevent the wind from blowing algae into the water.

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