Waste Pipes Problems

How To Find The Waste Pipe In A Concrete Floor
By Greg Vanden Berge 1/16/2008

First we will start looking for a wall clean out on the outside or the inside of the house. It will do you know good to look at the back of the house if you want to find the waste pipe in the front so look in the area where you are going to locate the new plumbing fixture. If you find a clean out in the wall this will tell you there is a pipe near.
If you can't locate a clean out we will have to try to find the nearest waste line fixture. This would be a toilet, sink, shower, bathtub or laundry ( wash machine). If you are too far away from a plumbing fixture you might want to rethink the plan because it could get expensive.
What is to far away? 5 feet. You will actually have to find the pipe first. The depth of the pipe you find into the ground will determine how far away you will be able to go because of drainage. The waste pipe will have to slope toward the pipe you find at a rate of a 1/4 of a inch per foot. If you only have 4 inches of pipe vertical the maximum you will be able to go away from the pipe you found will be around16 feet.

Back to locating the waste pipe in a concrete floor. Once you find a bath fixture near your new plumbing location you have to find out where the plumbing vent pipe is in the wall. Now you will have to cut a area of the drywall out behind your nearest plumbing fixture to locate the plumbing vent. The next step in our exploration will be to actually jack hammer up the floor on the side of the wall we will be installing our new tub.
Be careful jack hammering up the floor. Keep in mind there are plumbing pipes with water in them. It might not be a bad idea to shut the water off to your house as a precaution. Remove enough concrete to work comfortably around the plumbing waste pipe. I would remove about a two foot square area.
The next step will be to tie the new plumbing into the existing waste pipe.

About The Author: Copyright © 2008 Greg Vanden Berge All Rights Reserved
Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He is currently working on more stair building books and adding useful content to help solve problems created by the lack of construction knowledge in the building industry.

Keep Your Customers Happy

10 Ways for Contractors to Keep Their Current Customers Happy and Keep More Coming!

More and more of us are becoming contractors (over 200,000 according to CSO) and one of the key skills to being successful is knowing how to treat our customers in such a way as they keep giving us repeat work (the easiest sort of work to get).

1. Consistently do a good job. Most businesses will accept that you have a bad day but what matters is what you deliver 95% of the time. Give your best every time and while it may not be said directly to you, it will be seen. Admit when you make a mistake and be willing to take responsibility when something hasn’t gone as planned.


2. Stay out of office politics. Remember one of the reasons you became a contractor was to avoid politics. Well, keep doing that. Don’t get involved in gossiping about other staff members. Remember they work there all the time. You don’t.


3. Keep your skills updated and let your customers know. In the world of IT in particular, you snooze you lose. Let your customers know when you are up to date on new programmes. It will keep them happy and keep work flowing for you!


4. Invoice promptly and be nice to the accounts people. Invoice your customers regularly. One idea is to bring the invoice with you on the day you do the work so the person who is signing off gets it asap. The sooner you invoice your customers the sooner you get paid. And remember your payment can be held up in the accounts department so it pays to be pleasant to them!


5. Form alliances with other contractors. Yes, I know they are supposed to be your competitors but many contractors create informal links with others in the same line of work. If you can’t take on a piece of work, it creates added value for your customer by being able to recommend another contractor. Make sure that the relationship is a reciprocal one.


6. Be generous with your customers. Sometimes customers will ask you to do something that is outside the terms of your agreement with them e.g. answer a query for a customer. It always helps to offer to do this although it’s a good idea to specify a limit on this e.g. if the problem takes longer than 15 minutes to sort, you will bill for the time.


7. Say no sometimes. In the beginning the temptation is to take on as much work as possible, but you need to be careful to schedule in downtime and r & d time so that you can keep your skills up to date. And remember you don’t have to give a reason.


8. Prune out the crap customers. Any contractor will tell you about the horror customers they have. The ones who beat you down on price, then hassle you non-stop and after all that, delay payment. Quite often the contractor had a bad feeling about them but took them on anyhow…and then loses time with good customers because of it. Tell them you are not available or give them the names of other people they can go to. Go with your gut on these people!


9. Make dealing with you a pleasure. Respond quickly to queries whether by phone or by e-mail. Let people know when you will be on holidays.


10. Enjoy being a contractor. Contracting is not for everyone but if you enjoy it, there is a huge freedom and confidence that comes from knowing that you are employed over and over again for the quality of your work.

Anne Walsh is a life coach based in Co. Galway. You receive a free 10 part e-course called “Personal Freedom” when you sign up to her free monthly newsletter: Bring your best self to light at http://www.annewalshcoach.com You can also find many useful time management and stress tools at http://www.annewalshcoach.com/free_downloads.htm She can also be contacted at anne@annewalshcoach.com Comments and opinions always welcome--really! Certified Roofing Contractor How to Fire a Contractor Plumbing Problems Construction Estimating Finding Your Dream Home

Homemade solar power Ideas

There is no doubt about the fact that a solar power genration technique costs a lot dollars to be built. It is also true on the other side that these costs are only one time costs and would make you get rid of the monthly electricity bills. But the amount involved in buying these systems is immense and it can normally be not afforded by average individual. These systems are only made by very limited companies and sold at a much higher rate to the normal individuals or to the government. Solar power is attracting to almost every individual in this world. Solar power energy ideas system is very efficient and it produces the cleanest for energy ideas but the only factor which has never let the solar power energy ideas generating techniques more popular is the fact that they usually cost a lot. These techniques cost a lot of money even to the government itself. Though there are many products being made by the companies for the normal use at home but these cost a loty of dollars and are therefore not affordable by an average individual. They include many products like the garden lights, swimming pool pumps and the water fountains.

The fact that they cost a lot is not because the technology used to generate the energy ideas, but because of the technology known to very limited people. Since only few companies in the world produce these solar powered products therefore they sell it at a very high price as they know they do not have the many competitors. What interesting about the solar power products is the fact that you can even built some at home. Without any proper education and without being an engineer you can build a solar powered product.

There are many kinds of home made products available today. You can make a one by knowing the simple mechanism. It is also true that you can make one while using the material from your dump yard. The most common home made solar product is a hot water heater. It can be built with the help of simple wooden blocks, aluminum sheets and glass. This would be working as good as an ordinary solar water heater which costs thousands of dollars to be purchased.

Therefore learn the simple techniques and don't waste your precious dollars on something which you can make yourself. There is no criterion of the education to make these products and anyone can build them.

Solar power

Solar energy or solar power is the use of the sun to generate electricity or heat. The advances in this field are more than obvious if you spend any time researching the topic. With climate change being an important part of international discussion, alternative energy is a hot topic these days. Who can argue that taking advantage of a clean renewable energy like our sun is a bad idea? There are limits using the current technology but we can expect that to change as oil prices climb and geopolitical circumstances force the science into high speed.

There are many applications currently for the use of solar power. Many of us have used a calculator with the black solar panel on the top that runs on solar energy. Citizens all around the world employ some type of solar energy such as home made solar ovens or heating systems. While manufacturing costs have kept the use of solar energy to a minimum in some countries, it has not stopped the advance of the technology. New buildings are being built with a solar design by their architects. These structures are able to maintain a comfortable temperature by storing up heat or cooling the building using convection.

There are two classifications of solar energy, indirect or direct. Indirect solar power is similar to the process of photosynthesis. The process vegetation uses to convert sunlight into chemical energy. We can copy that system using mechanics such as wind turbines or hydroelectric dams. Direct solar power is the process of transforming sunlight into usable energy such as NASA does with solar sails on space craft. The direct conversion of sun into immediate energy using photovoltaic cells is a popular way to use solar power. You have probably seen the panels on top of houses and the only downside is the power generated is minimal. You have to have a lot of panels to get enough energy to run a household. Most users combine solar with electricity but it allows them to keep their coal-based electricity use to a minimum.

The key to solar power is the advance of necessary technology and lower manufacturing costs for the equipment needed. Some states and countries offer tax incentives to help citizens get started and we should all take full advantage of the offer as coal and oil based economies will become increasingly more difficult to sustain. Getting comfortable with the process now is a good education now that will become more and more important. There are many online organizations that are very happy to help integrate solar energy into your life.

Real Estate Sellers' Closing Costs

Congratulations! You have a contract to sell your house. You are looking at that sales price and thinking what a large number it is. However, that sales price is not the amount you will be taking home from the closing. What will be deducted from that price?

1. Real estate agent fee – before you put your property up for sale, you will probably have retained the services of a real estate agent who will help you sell your house. You will have signed a contract with the real estate agent which lists the fee that the agent will charge.

2. Attorney fee – a seller in certain parts of the country will retain a lawyer to represent him in the sale of real estate. In other states, the real estate broker and title company will perform some of the functions of an attorney that are not considered practicing law, i.e., completing a pre-printed Contract of Sale and preparing for and attending the closing. An attorney protects the seller’s interests at every step of the transaction. Attorneys fees generally range from $750 to $950.

3. Grantor transfer fee – Some of the states require the seller to pay a transfer fee on every property he/she sells, whether or not it is a personal residence. The fee is based on the sales price of the property and the rate may goes up at various sales prices.

4. Mortgage and related fees – If you have a mortgage on your property, the amount of the mortgage (plus any unpaid interest plus any late fees) will be deducted from your sales price. Prior to the closing, you will request a payoff statement from your lender that will set forth the amount that is necessary to pay the entire mortgage. If your mortgage lender has been escrowing money for the payment of your real estate taxes and homeowner’s insurance, they may deduct the escrow account funds from the total amount due. Other lenders send you a refund check after they have received the check for the payoff of the mortgage. The settlement agent may charge you a fee for obtaining the Discharge (or Satisfaction) of Mortgage. This fee is approximately $75.00; there may be an additional charge for overnight mail to send the check paying off the mortgage to the lender and record the Discharge of Mortgage.

5. Home inspection repairs – the buyer will typically retain a home inspector to look through your entire house (roof to Foundation) to find any structural problems or problems with the heating, cooling and electrical systems. The home inspector will send a written report to the buyer’s attorney or real estate agent who will forward a copy to your attorney or real estate agent with a request that you make certain repairs. Certain repairs must be made only because if this buyer raises it as an issue, every buyer will raise it as an issue. These types of repairs include problems with the roof, termites, Mold, boiler, water heater and abandoned oil tanks. How much will these repairs cost? Your real estate agent will help you find expert contractors who will give you an estimate as to how much it will cost to make the repairs. Your attorney or real estate agent will negotiate on your behalf which repairs you will do or whether you will give the buyer a credit against the balance of the purchase price due at closing.

6. Real estate taxes/sewer fees – you have paid your real estate taxes when they became due, perhaps quarterly, semi-annually, or once a year. When you sell your house, the buyer reimburses you for the taxes you prepaid, calculated from the closing date to the date on which the next tax payment is due. Occasionally, the closing is scheduled for a date before the taxes have been paid. If you haven’t paid the taxes by the closing date, the buyer pays the taxes and you reimburse the buyer. Some towns charge a separate sewer fee that is also subject to reimbursement by the buyer or the seller, depending on when the sewer fee is due and whether it was paid before the closing.

7. Homeowner association fees – this fee is charged when the property is a condominium or in a planned community. The fee that has been already paid by the seller is allocated between the seller and the buyer according to the closing date. If the seller has not paid the homeowner association fee before the closing date, the seller will owe the buyer for a portion of the fee.

Unfortunately, the closing expenses always seem to be higher than what a seller expects. Your attorney or real estate agent will be able to guide you through the process so that you will not be totally surprised.

Robin M. Gronsky, Esq. has been practicing residential real estate law for over 20 years. Her office is in Ridgewood, New Jersey. She can be reached at RGronsky@Gronskylaw.com or at 866-821-4602.

What Are Indoor Pollutants?

Indoor air pollution involves a great deal more than Mold. There are many indoor pollutants that can produce health effects similar to Mold. The difference lies in people’s acceptance of conditions that are less than desirable.

Occasionally, we are called to collect Mold samples in a home or building because of odors or discomfort felt by the occupants. Once the laboratory results come back showing normal levels of Mold spores, we must turn our attention to other concerns.

There are two main categories of indoor contaminants:

• Biological contaminants: Mold, bacteria, pollen, and viruses. Certain Molds produce microbial volatile compounds (MVOC) and some of these are known to be toxic. Mold gives off a musty odor, while bacteria gives off an odor similar to rotten eggs.

• Chemical contaminants: Adhesives, carpeting, upholstery, manufactured wood products, copy machines, pesticides, and cleaning agents may emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including formaldehyde. The smell varies according to the chemicals. Tobacco smoke can also contribute to high levels of VOCs.

The Environmental Protection Agency states that certain VOC’s are carcinogens. It warns that low to moderate levels of multiple VOCs may produce acute reactions and some can cause chronic and acute health effects at high concentrations. See IMPROVING AIR QUALITY WITH PLANTS.

“Sick Building Syndrome”, or SBS, refers to certain symptoms that affect some occupants while they are in a building and disappear when they leave. The symptoms cannot be traced to specific pollutants or sources. It is believed that energy conservation measures following the energy crunch of the 70s have contributed to SBS. The “superinsulation” improved energy efficiency while reducing fresh air exchange. In the late 1970s, workers began complaining of various health problems, such as itchy eyes, skin rashes, drowsiness, respiratory and sinus congestion, headaches, and other allergy-related symptoms. Dr. Wolverton offered the following explanation:

"The airtight sealing of buildings contributed significantly to the workers’ health problems. Similarly, synthetic building materials, which are known to emit or “off-gas” various organic compounds, have been linked to numerous health complaints."16

In 1989, the EPA submitted a report to Congress in which more than 900 organic chemicals were identified in newly constructed buildings. The report warned that some chemicals were in amounts one hundred times the norm. Today, the EPA states that “… contaminant concentration levels rarely exceed existing standards and guidelines even when occupants continue to report health complaints.”17 Considering the large number of VOCs found in buildings, collecting air samples of volatile compounds may or may not identify possible causes of occupants’ discomfort.

While working with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Dr. Wolverton conducted many experiments involving the use of indoor plants to help remove indoor contaminants. His research concluded that specific plants play a role in removing specific volatile compounds, such as formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene (TCE), and others.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS: Charles and Danielle Dobbs are principals of Dobbs Enterprises, a Mold inspection and sampling company based in Maitland, Florida. They are authors of Mold Matters – Solutions and Prevention, and have written many articles. They founded the International Institute of Professional Mold Inspectors, http://www.iipmi.com where they offer online courses on water intrusion and Mold management. A unique telephone consulting service, a first in the nation, provides homeowners and building owners with an unbiased expert opinion or guidance about their particular Mold problem.

Coverage of a first time home buyers loan.

Home buyers often find that the home they want for themselves are way beyond what they can afford to bring out of their bank accounts. This can be a very disheartening experience, especially for first time home buyers who want to buy their own home and who have high hopes about it. Usually, for those who want to buy a home for themselves, the best way they can afford the home of their dreams is to take out a loan. This is usually known as a mortgage loan. For a first time home buyer, loans such as mortgage loans can be very confusing. It is very important for a first time home buyer to get the right type of loan.

Some loans can be pretty expensive and it is sometime difficult to determine the actual cost of a loan, especially for a first time home buyer. Mortgage loans can either be a fixed rate loan or a variable rate loan. A fixed rate loan offers the same interest rate and payment rate every month. With a fixed rate loan, you will always know how much you will need to pay every month and you will know when you have already accomplished all of your loan payments. With a variable rate loan, you can start with a lower interest rate as well as a lower monthly payment. However, your interest rate and your monthly payment amount can change several times over the lifetime of your loan. Usually, this amount is tied up to a financial index like the U.S. Treasury Securities index. It is also important to find out the coverage of a first time home buyers loan.

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A mortgage loan will usually cover four expenses that a home buyer will face when they are buying a home. However, not all loans cover them. A mortgage will cover several expenses such as the principal payment, the interest, the home insurance and the city or county taxes that are due for the home. Usually, a mortgage loan can last for 30 years. There are also mortgage loans that only last for 15 years. It is important to note that the shorter the lifetime of a loan is, the higher will be the payments required.With mortgage loans, it is common to be paying more in terms of interest than principal. Usually, you will be paying around two to three times more in terms of interest than you will be with your principal amount. The first few years of loan payment you will be making will usually be for the interest rate of the loan while the last few payments will be for the principal amount.