Over time, it’s not unusual for residential sidewalks to develop a few cracks or crumbles. To keep this damage from spreading too quickly, and to prevent potentially unsafe conditions, you’ll want to repair these problems before they get too big. This project guide offers steps and instructions on how you can repair those small cracks and crumbles yourself using just a few common masonry tools and a little bit of time.

Viance. Ecolife is a nonmetallic preservative plus wood stabilizer system that offers long-term protection against decay and termites and provides weathering protection to reduce cracking, warping, and splitting in above-ground applications. The manufacturer says Ecolife is no more corrosive to fasteners and metal fittings than untreated wood, so it can be used in direct contact with aluminum. The product can be used on a wide range of treatable species, can be painted or stained, and comes with a lifetime limited warranty.

Radiant heat can provide a warm, even heat for your home. The floor radiant heat system consists of a series of plastic piping. This under floor radiant heat can be divided into zones so you can control the heat in various sections of your home.

Warm-floor radiant heat is nothing new. Archaeological excavation years ago uncovered evidence that Romans used radiant floor heat to keep the stone floors toasty warm in the large Roman hot baths. They discovered that stone retains heat for a long time and that it distributes the heat uniformly. It only makes sense that we’d utilize this time-tested technology with our own artificial stone – concrete!

Carpets have been around for a very, very long time ? one carpet from the fifth century BC still survives today, and there is evidence that carpets had been made for thousands of years before that. These carpets were more decorative than the practical version we know today, however, and they were often hung on walls as a kind of art. It was only in the 18th century that carpets became really popular as a floor covering.

Baseboard trim covers the joints between the walls and the floor and adds an essential finishing touch to a room. You can choose from many styles of baseboard and shoe moldings to get the look you want, from understated to elaborately detailed.

Almost all Americans use household cleaning products — from dish detergents to bathroom cleaners and floor polish to scouring pads. Most of us are exposed to cleaners on a daily basis, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) [source: Davies]. Even if we don’t use cleaners, it’s likely we’re regularly come into contact with them at work, school or elsewhere.

Unfortunately, cleaners often contain harsh chemicals that can be harmful to our health and planet. Health effects associated with cleaning products include asthma, contact dermatitis, burns to the skin and eyes and inflammation or fluid in the lungs. Long-term repercussions may include reproductive problems, cancer, heart disease and other health issues.

Read this article.

Everything always comes back into fashion. Whether its retro clothing, vintage cars, or designer antiques, people love it when the past catches up to the present again. But bringing a little history into the home isn’t just limited to decorative knick-knacks and old-fashioned furniture. It can extend to the actual construction of the house as well. Reclaimed wood has become a popular way to recycle pre-existing wooden structures by incorporating them into newer homes.

Read this article.

Some people think that a few squeaks in a floor give a home character, to others squeaks are a major pain in the neck. If you agree with the folks who think floors just shouldn’t make any noises, you may be in luck. As long as you have access to the underside of that squeaky floor, you can probably fix your squeak. Unfortunately however, if you have finished ceilings below your squeaky floor, your chances of being able to fix it without taking on a major project are hit and miss.

Read this article.

Renewable flooring materials like Bamboo cost less than hardwood and look great. Bamboo grows significantly faster than hard wood so it is sustainable. Some bamboos grow to over 60 feet in just 6 months.

Read this article.