Types of Building Foundations - Fallbrook Home Construction

When deciding on which type of foundation (basement, crawl space, or a slab) for your new home, there are many different factors to consider. In some parts of the country full basements will be the norm (most common in the north), while others will have slab foundations (most common in the south) and still others will have crawl spaces (most common in the central regions). Many people, because of local soil and groundwater conditions, often have only one or two options when it comes to house foundations. In certain places, constructing a full basement means blasting through solid rock. In other places, the ground water table may be lurking just a few feet below the surface limiting these folks to a simple slab on grade.

Keep in mind, that if you are planning a crawl space, and all of your neighbors have basements, your house may be more difficult to sell unless you are prepared to lower the price. This is simply a value/price perception issue since many people feel that having a full basement gives them more room even if it is used only for storage purposes. And of course, the potential is always there for someone to finish the basement and add extra living space at some time in the future.

The concrete slab choice is attractive to builders because of its relatively low cost. Excavation is kept to a minimum and the construction schedule can often be accelerated. The day after the slab is poured, wall framing can often begin. But slabs come with some negatives. Typically, plumbing drainage and water supply lines are buried beneath the slab. If something goes wrong or a leak develops, repairs can be costly. Heating or cooling ductwork buried underneath the slab (not recommended) can sometimes fill with water during wet seasons. Should this happen, fungus can form and spores might be blasted into the home each time the HVAC starts up. Thermal conduction issues are always present. Slabs poured in colder climates can conduct cold back into the house unless special precautions are taken when built. Homes built on slabs often offer little protection during tornadoes or hurricanes, unless a special masonry or concrete safe room is built within the house. These safe rooms can be designed as a large walk-in closet.

A crawl space foundation is a step or two above a slab foundation. Generally speaking, a footing needs to be poured and short foundation walls are built to support the home. Crawl space foundations allow you to install plumbing and HVAC systems so that they are accessible. The floor system over and the foundation walls inside of the crawl space almost always need to be insulated. A vapor barrier must be placed over the soil in the crawl space to control moisture, preferably one that is sealed at its seams & to the foundation walls. If this vapor barrier is missing, water vapor will readily travel up into the wood floor system and then into the house. This water vapor can cause severe mold problems. Homes built over crawl spaces offer minimal protection in severe weather unless you can install a floor access door in a closet that allows quick entry into the crawl space, assuming there is sufficient clearance.

As for basements, ask any homeowner who has a dry full height foundation and they will often tell you they would never be without one. The cost per square foot for this bonus space is often a fraction of what you pay for the living space stacked above it. If you do an actual cost analysis of a full height foundation versus a crawl space, you will find it costs very little to upgrade to the full foundation. Typically, full basements make a house more attractive to potential buyers.

A full foundation offers superb protection in the event of severe weather. It is not difficult to keep basements dry, even in extreme wet weather. The builder simply needs to install a proper drainage system around the perimeter and to apply a real waterproofing material such as synthetic rubber or liquid asphalt that has rubber additives. These materials can bridge small hairline cracks that might otherwise leak water. If you intend to finish off the basement space at a later date, be sure to install a true waterproofing material not the traditional hot asphalt damp-proofing spray.

If you can afford the extra cost, ask your builder to consider extra height foundation walls that allow you to have a clear ceiling height of eight feet or more beneath any and all beams that support floor joists, so that finishing the space at a later time will be easier and provide proper ceiling height.

Mac has remodeled many old homes, been employed in several different construction trades & is a major do-it-yourselfer. He currently owns a home inspection company and has been inspecting homes for many years which is where my experience is most relevant to the proper way to build a home. To learn more about building your dream home, visit my website, http://www.house-building-tips.net

Generate Homemade Electricity Yourself

An alternative way to create electricity had always remained a big issue for every scientist and common man. The best possible way to produce alternate electricity is by wind power. Now the question arises is "how you can actually do it?" Thinking? You don't have to. I am suggesting a very good and effective method to do it. All you need is to make a wind turbine or a windmill (same thing).

Here goes the method to make it. It's very simple and anyone can make it by his own and using his home spare things.

Blades of wind turbine are turned by wind and the shaft spins, which is connected to the generator and electricity is produced.

Main parts of a wind turbine are:-

1) A generator
2) Blades
3) A mounting
4) A tower
5) Batteries
6) Electronic control system

A 30volt motor is needed. Now hub and blades are to be connected. For blades, take one 24 inch long pipe (may be pvc) and then cut it into 3 pieces by its circumference. For bolting blades into hub, a toothed pulley of 5 inches can be used, where the motor shaft can fit into. Now assemble blades with hub, by drilling holes.

Mounting of the turbine can be done by strapping the motor into a 2 X 4 wood piece. Heavy aluminum sheet can be used to make tail, which will keep turning into wind. 3 feet diameter plywood cutout can be used for tower base. A U-shaped assembly having a 1.5inch Tee in the middle has to be built. Batteries with blocking diode connected to batteries (for power prevention) are needed to spin motor/generator. Charge controller should be connected for running everything. The Controller is connected to wind turbine. Battery supply all load and needs to be charged. Well, you are done!

I know it's probably very difficult for you to understand all this, if you have never done anything similar before, that's why if you want to make your own windmill, I highly recommend you to use professional instructions, when assembling everything. Click here to find out to get them.

Forklift Inspection

Having been in the equipment sales business for nearly 30 years, I get asked a few questions on a consistent basis.

Most frequently I'm asked, "How do I know if I'm getting a quality piece of equipment?

Or "What should I be looking for when I buy that used iron?"

Well of course that depends on what you are looking for. There are different inspections that need to be done for different categories of equipment. And because there are so many types of equipment being manufactured today there isn't enough time to cover every one of them, at least not in one article.

What I will do though is address a different piece every month and hopefully that will answer the majority of your questions as we go through-out the rest of the year.

Of course if you have a specific question you can always call or e-mail me and if I don't know the answer, I can find the answer for you in short order.

This month let's start with Forklifts;

The most common type is the Industrial straight mast forklift. For the sake of space we'll concentrate on a 5,000 lbs capacity machine. But this really could apply to any standard straight mast machine.

Let's go right to the heart of any piece of equipment, the engine.

Check the oil level, and when you have the dip stick out of the engine, run the oil over your fingers, see if you feel any dirt or grit in the oil itself. Check the color. If it has a milky or watery look to it, you may have cooling system problems. How is the thickness of the oil? Is it fresh or has it lost its viscosity? Then finally smell it. Does it smell burnt or just smell like oil? This isn't as through as having an oil sample run, but as a quick inspection, it can tell you if the machine has been serviced lately.

Next let's take a look at the machines physical structure.

Inspect the mast. Look inside the channel where the different stages ride up and down.

Are there any shiny or worn spots? Any metal shavings present? Start the machine up. Does the mast move up and down smoothly or does it bind up? Does it chatter on the way down? Binding could mean a structural problem possibly even a bent mast or carriage assembly. Check out the hoses. Is there any excessive wear, cracked covering or leaks? Then inspect the lift cylinders and tilt cylinders. Look for pitting, scrapes or missing chrome on the rods themselves. This will eventually cause leaks. And of course check for obvious leaks. If the machine is equipped with a side shift operate that and check for all of the above on that cylinder as well.

Check the area where the mast connects to the forklift. Is it free of cracks and look well lubricated. Check out any pins and or bushings. Same thing, free of cracks and well lubricated? Check the carriage out itself. Is it bent? Does it have a back rest? And are the fasteners tight. Inspect the areas where the forks are attached. Does it look in good condition? Finally check the forks themselves. Are they straight? If they have holes cut in them, (for a trailer ball hitch) remember that may have changed the temper of the metal on the forks and cause them to be weaker.

Continue on with the structure inspecting the machines ROPs (roll over protection) to make sure it hasn't had something dropped on it or been flipped over on its side. Any damage here could cause you liability down the road if someone were to be injured due to a damaged ROPs.

Look at the back end of the machine to see if you can check the condition of the steer axle and steer cylinder. Check for leaks and any major play in the steering assembly, ball joints and axles.

Now it's time to operate the lift. Make sure the seat belt is in good condition and USE IT.

Start the machine again and check for the transmission operation. Forward and reverse. The machine should move smoothly without major delays or transmission slippage. Does it have an inching pedal? And does it operate correctly. Check the brakes. Also check the steering. Is it smooth without excessive play? There shouldn't be any offensive noises coming from the machine during these tests.

Operate all functions again on the forks, Lift up down, tilt forward and back and side shift side to side (if equipped). Some hydraulic sounds will be heard but it shouldn't be a growl or a scream.

There is nothing better than checking out a machine first hand to tell you if it's a good unit or if it's one that should be avoided at any price.

Remember:

You always get what you expect, when you take the time to inspect.

If these terms I've used are foreign to you, it might help to have your mechanic go with you to look at the machine. Or as always, you can call me if you need help with a machine.

Todd R. Moir is the owner and principal broker of equipwholesale and has been in the equipment industry since 1975. Working in the equipment rental industry gave Todd a solid background in how to buy and sell construction equipment. Contact him at todd@equipwholesale.com or at http://www.equipwholesale.com

Basic Christian Marriage Advice

Does your Christian marriage need help? If so, take a few minutes to step back and consider this basic Christian marriage advice - straight from the Bible.

1. Give Your Marriage to God

Most "Christian marriages" are Christian in name only. One or both spouses claim to be Christians, and they assume then that their marriage is likewise "Christian." It doesn't work that way. To be a Christian is to be not only a believer in, but also a follower of Jesus Christ. Does your marriage truly believe in Christ? Does your family follow Christ?

The first thing you must do is dedicate (or re-dedicate) your marriage and family to God. Put your marriage on the altar. Give it to God. Don't try to "control" your marriage or your spouse. Give it all to God. From this day forward, your marriage must be God's marriage.

2. Re-commit Yourself to God

Before you re-commit your marriage to God, you may need to do that with your own life. In fact, we should put ourselves on the altar each day (Romans 12:1-3). Are you living for yourself? Are you trying to make yourself happy and/or expecting your spouse to make you happy?

As bestselling author and pastor Rick Warren puts it: "You were made by God and for God, and until you understand that, life will never make sense." Give God back the keys to your life. Give Him control.

3. Pray Without Ceasing

Prayer is not so much about petitioning God and asking Him for things. It's about spending time with God and bringing yourself into a deeper relationship with Him. Truly effective prayer is not possible until you have done the preceding step, which is to give yourself to God. Once you've done that, pray without ceasing.

Pray. Pray. Pray. Never stop praying. Pray in the morning, during the day, and at night. Pray while you're driving. Pray in the good times and in the bad times. And, right now, if you're trying to put your marriage back together, then pour yourself out to God every day (as David does in the Psalms). Give all your burdens, cares, and stresses to the Lord.

4. Love Your Spouse Unconditionally

This is the tough part. You must love your husband or wife unconditionally. (Side note: If you are in an abusive relationship, especially one that is putting you in danger, get out of the house and seek help! You should still love your spouse, but you don't need to put yourself in any more danger). Assuming that you are not in any physical danger, you must commit to loving your spouse unconditionally - and expressing that love in consistent, practical ways.

If you want to know about unconditional love, consider the example of Jesus. You should also read I Corinthians 13. By putting these four principles into practice, you will see positive results in your Christian marriage.

Learn "Five Simple Ways to Improve Your Marriage" by clicking here Take action - and start improving your marriage today!

Rev. Brian Tubbs is the author and course manager for ChristianMarriageHelper.com and the Feature Columnist-Editor for Protestantism at Suite101.com. He is also a pastor who lives with his wife and children in southwestern Ohio.

Pick Up That Hammer - Contractor Advice

I often encounter people who believe that carpenters were born carpenters and plumbers were born plumbers. Regardless of my encouragement, there are many folks who don't think they have the ability to build their own home.

I always give them all the same talk. We as human beings have the ability to learn new things and expand our horizons. If this weren't true, none of us would be able to walk, talk, drive a car, or even tie our shoes.

As a parent, I have helped my children through some of the most repetitious acts of learning. As a teacher and a mentor, I have taught people how to ride horses, program computers, speak Spanish, build houses, peak satellites, hold a newborn baby, raise a garden, the list goes on and on.

My point is that I have watched every type of person learn in different ways. I have noticed that we all have different levels of intellect. Some people are sharp as a tack and others are really quite thick. The truth that I have learned about most things in life is that a person with average intelligence has everything he or she needs to get by and even succeed with flying colors. Even those with fairly low intelligence have adequate learning abilities to do just fine.

So when people tell me that they aren't smart enough to build their own house, I just have to remind them that they are probably smart enough to do much more than just build houses. Some of the most intimidating projects in building a new house can be figured out with a little concentration. Electricity and Plumbing scare some homeowners into hiring the work done, when in truth, anybody can do those things.

I see all around me, examples of able-bodied people that choose to hire contractors to do work for them. This is just fine if the people have more money than time. If however, they have more time than money, they could really benefit from doing their own labor and saving thousands of dollars. In most cases the money saved by doing ones own labor translates into hundreds of thousands of dollars.

That's worth learning how to do something new. Anything in this world that will save us so much money and time over the long run is definitely something valuable to know.

Unfortunately, the majority of homeowners don't see it that way at all. To them it's acceptable to pay someone else to do all the work even if it means they will end up working almost a decade of their work life to make nothing but mortgage interest payments.

To me it's simple, work for three hours a day after work for one year to build my own house, or work for eight hours a day at a job for ten years to pay the interest on hired labor. If more of us could see the reality of hired labor, we would be more likely to make better choices.

I strongly believe that we are intelligent beings made in the likeness of fully intelligent beings. We have power to learn and overcome so that we can find happiness. Sometimes we all need to be reminded of that.

Larry Angell is the author of Sweat Equity, building a house at half cost. He runs an instructional website about how to build homes that are strong financial tools, not financial burdens. He counsels low-income families how to obtain affordable housing and reach goals of home ownership.

http://www.make-my-own-house.com

Visit to Peni-el

The Face of God. Why, that must be an exciting place to visit! Peni-el! Jacob went there. Once. Most people do not request a second go 'round.

Peni-el is a place of struggle. Paul would call it "fightings within, fears without." Pharaoh behind you, Red Sea in front. In Jacob's case, back to a forbidden land of challenge with Laban, or into the possibly violent hands of his own brother Esau. No place to go. So you are left alone. And God meets you in your extremity, but you don't recognize Him. So you fight or you die. Or a little of both. That's Peni-el.

It's also a place of losing. Oh I know, Jacob prevailed. In the way a fighter prevails in the ring by staying standing after 15 bloody rounds. Jacob would not go down. Jacob would not be denied. But Jacob limped away from that encounter and my sense is that he limped the rest of his life. It's costly fighting with God. You better know what you want, and be willing to lose it. Then be ready to know what He wants, because He is going to win the battle even if you get the blessing you crave. That's Peni-el. You see His face and you limp away forever changed.

It's a place of transition. You come in certain of your past, unsure of your future. You go out loathing your past, but with clear direction. You come to Peni-el full of your own self-importance, demanding your needs be met, and now. You leave not able ever to trust yourself again, filled with the Importance of Heaven.

Been there? Peni-el? You've lived to talk about it, but do you want to? You suffered a nasty blow as you looked in His Face and were transformed. It's not what you thought it would be, looking at Him. You expected sweet rest and angelic countenance, but saw a man, and a fighter at that. But you prevailed? And He did too? That's Peni-el.

And I promise, none of the above makes any sense, 'til you've been there.

Look for Bob Faulkner's home page on http://sermonaudio.com - There you will find a combination of love for the Scriptures and a desire for North Korean believers to have their needs met. There are nearly 300 blogs, over 200 Bible teaching MP3's, lists of resources, NK picture albums, and ways to respond to the overwhelming need in North Korea. Let's love Chosun together! Contact me any time at diakonos3@gmail.com

And who am I? A man found of God over 50 years ago, called to the ministry, serving the Lord as needed in my world. Married, member of a local church in the Chicago area, with full time work in public education. Would love to fellowship with believers who respond.

Full Moon And How It Affects Human Consciousness

It has been known for centuries that the full moon can affect people's consciousness and behaviour. Many people may feel wakeful at night with energy streaming through their body for the three days before full moon.

It is only recently that I have discovered why this may be happening. NASA-supported scientists have realized that something does happen every month when the Moon passes through Earth's magnetic tail.

"Earth's magnetotail extends well beyond the orbit of the Moon and, once a month, the Moon orbits through it," says Tim Stubbs, a University of Maryland scientist working at the Goddard Space Flight Center. "This can have consequences ranging from lunar 'dust storms' to electrostatic discharges."

Anyone can tell when the Moon is inside the magnetotail. Just look: "If the Moon is full, it is inside the magnetotail," says Stubbs. "The Moon enters the magnetotail three days before it is full and takes about six days to cross and exit on the other side."

Human consciousness too is made up of electrical activity - which can be measured with an electro encephalograph - and a magnetic aura, or field of energy. A lot of people can feel this field of energy; for example, when you smile you can feel the field of buoyant, glowing energy extending into your aura like the energy field of a magnet.

I have often wondered why I am affected so much by the moon from three days before full moon to a few days after. The magnetotail provided me with the perfect explanation; as the moon charges up when within the tail and becomes much more electrical and magnetic, it is only normal that this increase in power should be felt on Earth.

We all know from astrology that each of the planets, and the sun and moon, have an influence on our feelings, emotions and consciousness. The moon affects our emotions because the moon influences water; just as the moon causes the tides, it exerts a pull on the watery components of our body, and we feel this as emotions. The body is made up of 70 to 80% of water.

Human consciousness is also affected by sun spots and the mass ejections from the sun's corona; these are what cause the solar winds of magnetic energy which affect the Earth's upper atmosphere and give rise to the Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights.

I feel it is beneficial if we extend our awareness to take in all these influences of the celestial bodies, as they all communicate with, and have an influence on, each other by the transfer of electrical and magnetic energy - which could also be called consciousness.

Our body has a field of energy - the aura - which is the same as the aurora or magnetic and gravitational field of the planet. We are all One, a part of the Universal Life Force; and it is natural to be aware of the greater cosmic system, which is as much a part of our consciousness as our brain is.

As human consciousness evolves and moves from the individual awareness to an awareness of greater integration within the whole cosmic system, we also expand our understanding of the unity of life and develop a love of all things, in the realization that We Are All One.

By George E. Lockett SSHA, IIHHT -- HealerGeorge(C) Copyright 2008, All Rights Reserved. Tel: +44 (0)1286 882701 Visit HealerGeorge's web site: http://www.healergeorge.com to experience the power of Distant Healing or listen to HealerGeorge Radio giving Questions and Answer advice mixed with Spiritual Music. You can also enjoy many free benefits on HealerGeorge, like listening to Free Guided Meditations. Why not order HealerGeorge's Latest book entitled "A Journey into The Self - The Multi-dimensional Nature of Being Human" By George E Lockett. It is all available off the web site. Description: What is this book going to do for YOU? For those who are seeking a complete energetic makeover, as you read it you will feel a stirring and awakening in the depths of your heart. For those who have questions about Shifts in Consciousness, Energy Balancing, and Healing within the body, you will find clear answers.