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Archive for May, 2009

How to Install Patio Doors

Friday, May 29th, 2009

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Patio doors can really give new life to a dull room. If you have a space in your home that is just too dark, full glass doors can let in a lot of light and change the entire ambiance, making it a far more pleasant place to be. In addition, the doors will give you visibility so you can see what`s happening outside, something that is particularly useful if you have small children who play outdoors.

Installing your own patio doors is a good way to save money and really isn`t that difficult. Just make sure you measure carefully before you start and you shouldn`t have any problems.

Mark a Location
First, decide where the door will go. This might be taking over a space previously occupied by a regular door, or just a section of wall. Mark the measurements on the wall so you can see what you`re doing and then double check that there are no pipes, tubes or electrical wires running through that section of wall. When you measure, leave an extra four inches on each side for studs and seven inches at the top for a header.

Electrical wires can be moved, but heating or water pipes will be far more difficult. Rather than mess with them, you`d be better off looking for a section of wall that doesn`t have anything inside, if possible.

Tear It Down
Next, you`ll need to do some demo work. Chip away the wall carefully inside the area that you`ve marked. It`s a good idea to measure twice, just to be sure, before you start to tear things down. Make sure to remove all insulation and anything else you find in the wall. The electricity needs to be off at this point so you won`t accidentally shock yourself.

Break right through the wall to the outside and take it all out, leaving the studs standing. The studs have to be removed with care to keep the wall supported.

Taking Out the Studs
Brace the wall before removing the existing studs. You`ll need to cut them at the top and then pry them loose at the bottom. These can usually be reused in another project, so keep them around.

Now you`ll need to build a new framework. The new framework will include sturdy studs on either side of the opening and a new header. Make the new header from 2×6s nailed together with a spacer piece of wood in the middle. The spacer needs to be large enough to make the header the same width as the wall. Secure everything very well using screws (nails tend to wiggle loose over time) and ensure that it is quite sturdy.

Install the Door
The patio door should come ready to slip into place. Insert screws in the provided holes and secure the door in place. You can now caulk around the edge and plaster the wall to create a nice looking finish. Once it is in place, paint any exposed areas. You should now have a new patio door, neatly installed and ready to use!

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Article Source: Article Junction Network

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Sauna Safety: How Long Should You Stay in a Sauna and Why?

Friday, May 29th, 2009

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Having a sauna is a wonderful luxury that has many benefits, including health benefits. It’s also been long known to help improve the circulation, detoxify the boy and decrease stress in regular users. However, just as you would with any other appliance or piece of equipment, you must be a responsible user of saunas to ensure you don’t do any damage to yourself through excessive overuse or improper use. Read on for some important tips.

Tip 1 – Make sure the sauna has proper safety equipment installed before using it.

If you are utilizing a sauna at a local health club or a friend’s place, you should inspect it for safety equipment before actually using it. All of them should be equipped with safety rails around the heating unit. These units get excessively hot, often reaching temperatures of over 500 degrees F and they can cause some serious burns if one were to accidentally fall onto one or have hot steam blown up on them. The rails help prevent this from happening and ensure safe use. One other important safety feature is proper ventilation. They should have a fan system or a small vented opening in the ceiling to allow heat to escape and fresh air in for breathing. Without these features, the interior of the sauna can experience a buildup of carbon dioxide which can produce illness or even worse, death.

Tip 2 – Special health and safety concerns to think about.

Almost anyone can experience the healthy results of spending brief periods of time in a sauna. However there are some people who should limit their use of or not use them at all for obvious reasons. Pregnant women should not spend any time in a sauna at any stage of their pregnancy. Exposure to extreme heat can cause contractions to occur in all women and this can cause premature birth or miscarriage in pregnant women. High temperatures may also be the cause for fetal damage which may increase the chances of birth defects. People who are using prescription medications are best to consult with their physicians before using one. This is especially true for anyone diagnosed with a circulatory or brain problem, such as hypertension, diabetes or epilepsy. The high temperatures in the sauna can increase the effects of the medication and cause extreme dizziness, heart palpitations, seizures or death in some cases.

Tip 3 – Time limits for sauna use.

They can be very relaxing for anyone, especially to relieve sore muscles, joints and the back. Unfortunately, this experience needs to be limited to a safe amount of time. It’s normally recommended that anyone using a sauna should limit his or her time to 15-20 minutes at a time. It’s important that users remain hydrated as being in a sauna will produce a lot of sweating which drains the body of minerals and water. The rule of thumb when using a sauna is to trust your instincts. If you begin to feel overly tired, dizzy, and nauseous or just begin to feel odd, it’s time to step out and back into fresh air and take a break from it.

By following the tips above, you will be able to enjoy the many benefits of sauna usage. Being safe means being a smart consumer and these tips will aid you in being a smart sauna user.

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Article Source: Article Junction Network