Concrete has been in existence in one form or another since Egyptian and Roman times. In 1756 the first modern mix using Portland cement was created and in 2006 domestic production reached 115 million tons. On a global scale China accounts for roughly 40% of the world concrete consumption.
Although it is one of the most used construction and building resources in the world, homeowners are scared to touch it. Popular Mechanics provides a thorough guide to using concrete that will have you laying slabs like a pro.
A lush carpet feels great on bare feet and the right texture and tone can make a room, but carpet is susceptible to being damaged from spills, pets, and wear and tear. Here's a guide for keeping your carpet healthy.
How to Fix Frayed Carpet [eHow]
Repair and Treat Crushed Carpet Fibers [About.com]
Re-Tufting Carpet (helpful photos) [Move]
Carpet Stains and Spills [National Carpet Cleaner Association]
Tips for Getting Out Tough Spots [Clean Link]
Carpet Maintenance [Carpet.org]
Deep Cleaning [Real Simple]
Dust Mites (motivation to either clean your carpets or replace with hardwood or tile) [EHSO]
Trimming back tree branches can give your house an instant face lift as well as make for healthier foliage. An overgrown tree is more susceptible to the dangers of strong wind and the possibility of downing power lines or damaging your home. Here are some techniques to properly prune and trim your trees.
Pruning Trees [Easy2DIY]
How to Prune Trees [USDA]
Chainsaw Safety [University of Maine]
We listened to Bob Vila when it came to repairing drywall and now we've compiled our own list of how-to repair drywall, sheetrock, wallboard, or whatever you call it, as well as a couple how-to videos.
Drywall Repair [Popular Mechanics]
Replacing Large Sections of Drywall [Hammerzone]
Fix a Drywall Hole [Howstuffworks]
Rock-It Drywall Repair Clips
Repair Drywall - video [Expert Village]
Patch Sheetrock - video [Expert Village]
more from Charles and Hudson
Like thousands of others in New York, we too woke up to a strange "gas" smell yesterday morning. Panic quickly sets in - Did we leave the burner on! Fortunately it wasn't gas but it's still unsettling that nobody really knows what it was. But what we now realize is that if this really was a gas leak it would have been too dangerous to wait until morning to realize it. What we need is a gas detector.
Although natural gas is odorless an additive called mercaptan gives it the "rotten egg" smell. If you do smell this the first thing you should do is leave the premises and leave the door or windows open and call your gas company or 911. Here are some other suggestions for detecting gas as well as what to look for when selecting a natural gas detector.
January 25, 2007 | Comments ()
