Home Series Archives - Page 9 of 12

September 12, 2018May 10, 2021

14 Roofing Tools: What It Takes To Build A Shed

Building a shed is never easy. Although it can be done on your own, the step-by-step procedures should be followed properly. From planning the structure of the shed to calculating the materials you need, building it can be sometimes challenging. But with the proper tools and materials, you can always make your shed building experience more fun and comfortable. So, here’s a list of roofing tools you can take with you for building a shed.

Circular saw – This is an essential roofing tool when you’re making a shed. It’s an electric saw with a round flat blade used to cut any type of materials such as metal, plastic or wood. It’s an easy-to-use roofing tool because of its handle and an arbor nut holding the blade in place. Thus, if you’re cutting lumber, a portable circular saw can provide a wide variety of uses.
Hard hats – If you’re constructing a shed, you make sure to prioritize your safety more than anything else. Besides, working on a new shed requires head protection. Hence, you should always wear a hard hat when you’re building a shed.
Ladder – You can’t successfully install the shed’s roof without a stable and heavy-duty hammer. So you better have this roofing tool in place so you can have easy access to the roof. Remember, you shouldn’t take your own safety for granted.
Cordless or electric drill and drivers – These are handy tools necessary for drilling holes in concrete metals. These drills and drivers are also used for screw and fastener installation. In addition, these tools are utilized for securing blockings.
General toolkit – Shed building requires a thorough process especially if you’re going to install your roof. Having said it, you need to secure a general toolkit which includes mallets, hacksaw, screwdrivers, chisels, wrenches and even punches. Be sure you have these roofing tools by your side so you can have a smoother shed building experience.
Roof hoist – This is extremely useful in installing your shed’s new roof. It also helps to raise and lower supplies and equipment from the roof deck. That’s why you shouldn’t forget to have a roof hoist when you start constructing your shed.
Caulking guns – When it comes to dispensing caulk from the tubes, a caulking gun is the most appropriate roofing tool to use. Take note, using it can make your roof installation more speedy and straightforward.
Framing nailer – For building a shed, it’s best if you have a framing nailer in your possession. Although it can be an optional tool for you to use, you can absolutely get your framing nailed using a high-quality nailer. Not only that but this roofing tool can help you build your walls, floor, and your roof’s frame. However, you need to be extra careful when using this device because it may cause some injuries to your body if you don’t know how to operate it.
Air compressor – Running a pneumatic air tool needs you to have an air compressor. With this kind of roofing device, you’ll not definitely slow your shed building down because it can accommodate smaller objects which a framing nailer can’t do.
Sawzall – It comes in handy when you’re going to cut windows or door panels. While constructing a shed door can be much easier, you’ll still need this tool to successfully do it.
Steel-toed but soft-soled shoes – Apart from hard hats to roofing shoes wearing this kind of equipment can provide full protection for your feet when working with your newly-installed roofing structure.
Speed square – If you’re making angle measurements for rafter ends, using this tool is the right thing to do. You can use the speed square for creating straight cuts. Also, you can opt to get a metal or plastic one but the former can be a good investment since it’s more durable and it lasts longer than the latter ones.
Pop-rivet gun – Roofing works are somehow complicated. Without a proper tool at your disposal, you’ll have a hard time completing your shed construction with efficiency. So in attaching a sheet metal work, you better use this roofing tool to make the job faster.
Tape measure – When you’re building a shed, you need to get a tape measure for measuring the distance. It serves as a flexible ruler, which is why it’s a common measuring tool that any builder should have in their pocket.

In conclusion

While you may have your own list of roofing tools used in shed building, it’s best if you also keep the tools presented in this article in mind. Take note, having all the basic tools required for shed building can increase efficiency and productivity. Thus, you better check your toolbox now before you start your shed building project. Make sure all of these tools are of high-quality and durable.

This post may contain affiliate links and I might receive compensation if you make a purchase after clicking on a link.

August 16, 2018

Security and Usage of the Internet For Your Childs Security

How Parental Controls Can Enhance Your Child’s Internet Security

Over the years the internet has revolutionized a lot which has provided its users with many options to explore it for different uses. You can find any piece of information you want in an instant without any hassle. This advanced technology and massive collection of data on the internet undoubtedly increases the rate at which internet is used. But as everyone knows, excessive use of anything could be dangerous; and the internet is no different. While online, you will most possibly not be notified about your personal information leak, and because these things happen in an instant, you may not get a chance to back up your data. Everyone who works in the field of information technology and is mature enough to understand how things work can easily identify online threats and warnings. Kids, however, are not aware of these issues, and frequently become a victim of these threats which then causes trouble for their parents. Kids should be educated about these online threats, but even before that, they should have limited access to the internet for their and your own safety. Security and Usage of the Internet For Your Childs Security

What are Parental Controls?

As humans, it is in our nature to explore new things, and when it comes to kids, they seem to be even more eager at discussing and learning new things. Parental controls are tools and methods that allow parents to control how their kids use the internet. It is a great way to prevent children from accessing any inappropriate content online. These controls can be set up on devices, networks or specific applications. Usually, parents set these controls on their child’s devices which include smartphones, Xbox, PlayStation, and more. Parents can set a level of security they desire. Internet Service and Parental Controls

Internet Service and Parental Controls

Usually, you have to buy or install parental control software to ensure the internet security of your children, but there are some internet services such as Charter Spectrum who are providing these services free of cost. Most cable internet services have the feature of parental controls installed on it. Some internet services have a web page where you can personalize the checklist of your parental controls for your in-home devices. My cable internet provider gives me the access to apply parental controls on the router or hub meaning when a device connects to it, and I have the liberty to check the type of content viewed on that device.

Types of Parental Controls

There are multiple types of parental controls available which can protect your children from accessing unsuitable content.

Network controls are applied to the connecting device which could be a router or a hub. These controls check every device connected to the internet and only provide the level of access allowed by parents.
Device level controls are set on your kid’s devices such as smartphones and tablets. Regardless of where they connect to the internet, these controls will apply on their device.
Application level controls apply to specific applications like YouTube and Google. These apps contain different types of content, and some of it is not suitable for your children, which is where this type of control comes in handy.

Safe Internet Browsing For Your Family

It is always a better idea to add up parental controls for your children’s safety, however, as long as you don’t educate them about the harmful effects of the internet, it is still a loss. Teach your children to access social media for a limited time. Explore different technical and educational movies to help them increase their intellectual level and tell them to spend more time with people rather than gadgets. In addition to parental controls, listed below are some measures you should take to help your children stay away from unwanted content on the internet.

Install an anti-virus program which can protect the system from viruses and online threats.
Turn on firewall protection to prevent unauthorized access.

Keep a web advisory tool for browsing protection to avoid risk

June 25, 2018

4 Health Hazards Hidden in Your Home

We always assume that our homes are a safe place; we chose to live there, we spend huge amounts of time there and might even raise a family in them, but houses often have a long, hidden history to them. Sometimes it’s as grizzly as death or two, sometimes it’s as mysterious as finding a box of keepsakes in the attic, and sometimes it’s design problems that could cause you a nasty health issue.

But how can the stuff our homes are built from effect our health? What do we need to look out for? And how can we make them safe? Here are the top four hidden problems your house could be hiding and what can be done about them:

Mold

Mold can be a very visible issue, or it can hide away behind furniture and curtains. However this insidious little problem appears, you’ll want to sort it out; mold can cause chest infections and make asthma worse. Mold will be caused by a damp environment in your home which might be due to rising damp because the foundations of your home aren’t properly sealed, bad ventilation so moisture can’t escape or a sneaky hidden leak somewhere in your house. All of these problems can be fixed and it’s definitely worth doing for the sake of your respiratory health.

They say that the home is where the heart is, so why would you cut corners when ensuring that your property is safe and within health guidelines? You want your family and guests to be as safe and healthy as possible, and that means investing in professional mold removal at the first sign of trouble. You may not notice it yourself, but sometimes you might suspect something’s happening. If you are unsure of the state of your property, then just call in the experts and have them do an analysis to check for any harmful substances. They are always ready to help you make your home the best place to be for your family and friends. Plus, the experts may spot something that you hadn’t noticed, helping to save you extra time and expenses later on. They can nip any problem in the bud!

Lead

Do you live in an old house? Does it have lots of original features? Including some beautiful old taps? Then you might be running the risk of lead piping. Lead is a scary thing to find in your home as it can cause fatigue, weight loss, stomach pain and even vomiting in adults. For children, it can cause these symptoms as well as delayed development and learning difficulties.

The best way to spot lead is to look at the age of the plumbing in your house – do you still have a water tank in the attic? Is the house itself an antique? Then be sure and get someone to check your water system over and drink bottled water in the meantime.

Asbestos

Hidden in a myriad of places in houses, asbestos is a material that takes a long time to impact your health (between 20 and 50 years) but when it does it can be devastating. Asbestos is carcinogenic, which means it can cause cancer and is well known for causing lung cancer and very deadly cancer called mesothelioma. Hundreds of thousands of people across the world have been exposed to asbestos, most during the course of their work, leading to them to sue their employers – asbestos exposure is that serious.

Asbestos is usually found in homes as a type of fiberboard, commonly called Artex, for walls or ceilings but is also often found as cement sheeting used for roofing and sometimes garages or sheds. Unfortunately, from the 1930s to the 1980s, the world was rather enamored with asbestos as a cheap building material so you might find it in tiles, adhesives, sealants, insulation and fake fireplaces. If the décor of a home is rather dated, then best get an asbestos survey done.

Carbon Monoxide

Known as a silent killer, you can’t see, smell or taste it in the air, but you will get symptoms similar to the flu (headaches, nausea, breathlessness, and dizziness) and, if you don’t manage to sort the issue, it can eventually lead to brain damage or death. CO poisoning is caused by ill-fitted or poorly maintained natural gas appliances, such as stoves, releasing the gas into the air. Blocked flues and chimneys if you have a wood burner or fireplace can have the same effect. Unlike some other home hazards, carbon monoxide can get very serious, very quickly but the health consequences can be permanent.

Spotting a CO leak is mainly about noticing symptoms you and your family are exhibiting, but damage to gas appliances or vents could indicate a problem. Getting a carbon monoxide alarm fitted (and maintaining it) is the best way to prevent this hazard, and if you suspect CO poisoning, then open windows immediately, leave the house, seek medical attention and call in a gas engineer to discover where the problem is and fix it.

Home Safety…
Home Series: 4 Tips On Hiring a Contractor
Home Series: Easy Ways to Make Your Home More Eco-Friendly
Home Series: Top 5 Things Not to Overlook When Renovating

June 15, 2018

5 Daily Habits to Keep a House Clean

Everyone wants a clean house. We all know the embarrassment of opening the door to unexpected guests when our house is less than visitor-ready. Deep cleaning takes time and energy. Let’s face it, those are two things most of us are short on.

Keeping your house clean does not have to be a time-consuming burden. By developing some simple habits that are as easy as making your bed, your house will always be ready for company.

5 Daily Habits to Keep a House Clean — Happy family cleans the room. Mother and daughter do the cleaning in the house. A young woman and a little child girl wiped the dust and vacuumed the floor.

Nightly Clean-Up

Make it a point to never go to bed with a messy house. Make this a family affair. Set a timer for 15 minutes. Kids should pick up their toys, pack their school bags for the next day and straighten their rooms. Adults can finish cleaning the kitchen and do general tidying up. You won’t believe how much better you will feel when you wake up to a tidy home.

Convenience

Keep cleaning supplies close to where you use them. Each bathroom should have its own supply of cleaning products. If you notice the toilet bowl needs cleaning or the sink needs to be wiped down, do it. It will only take a minute. It doesn’t have to wait until your scheduled bathroom cleaning day.

Clean as You Go

This sounds like common sense, yet it is an often ignored habit. Hang up your clothes or put them in the laundry as soon as you take them off. Clean as you cook. Put dinner dishes directly into the dishwasher rather than stacking them on the counter.

Never leave a room empty-handed. Pick up trash or dirty dishes before you leave a room. Adopt the “one touch” rule. Put everything you hold in its proper place.

High Traffic Areas

Focus your energy on the high traffic areas. These will typically be the messiest places in your home. Sweep the floor. Give the carpet a quick vacuum. Remove unnecessary clutter. It will make dusting faster and less intimidating. Have a designated place for shoes. A scattering of discarded shoes makes an entire room look messy.

Embrace the Clean Enough Concept

This does not imply that you should throw your hands up in surrender. However, at some point, you need to be realistic. Let’s face it, nobody is going to literally eat off your kitchen floor. Sometimes you need to give yourself permission to declare your house “good enough.” Go to the park with your kids. Walk the dog. Enjoy your life. The dirt isn’t going anywhere.

You can clean 24/7, but if your home has a pest control problem it will still feel dirty. Consider contracting a pest control company like Turner Pest Control to service your house on a monthly basis. This will bring you peace of mind until your unwelcome guests are eradicated.