Garage Door Openers
If opening your garage door is a pain in the back, it’s time to consider installing an automatic garage door opener. No longer considered a convenience item for the privileged, today’s garage door openers are affordable, safe and easy to install .
There are three main types of openers.
1. Chain drive mechanism: By far the most popular and affordable opening device. Priced between $100 and $170, this model uses a chain to move the door.
2. Screw drive mechanism: This slow-moving design relies on a long threaded bar to open the door. The cost for this unit is typically between $150 and $200.
3. Belt drive mechanism: Considered the quietest and, priced at $200 and up, the most expensive opening device. This design uses rubber belts to open the door.
The latest garage door opener safety features include automatic reversing action sensors and infrared beams to stop the garage door’s downward movement should something get in the way. To keep thieves from stealing your transmission code, many openers feature technology that sends a different signal each time you use the opener, these features are available both for domestic (household) and commercial security.
Installation tips
To install your garage door opener quickly and easily, follow these simple tips:
1. Secure the rail to the garage wall above the center of the door.
2. Use the supplied mounting straps to attach the unit motor to the garage framing overhead. Be sure it’s centered between the garage door tracks.
3. Secure the opener’s connecting arm to a bracket attached to the door.
4. Run wires from the unit motor to the wall-mounted control switch.
5. Plug motor into the nearest outlet.
Keep in mind that installation instructions for garage door openers and garage doors can differ according to the type of opener you purchase (look for service specials from your garage door maintenance professional). Extra features, such as infrared beams and keyless entry systems, require additional attention. For complete information (all about garage doors), read the manufacturer’s installation recommendations and instructions for your unit
Growing Vegetables in the Las Vegas Desert
What, where and when to plant are important things to consider when starting and maintaining a successful vegetable garden in the extreme conditions of the desert.
Residents of southern Nevada should choose vegetable varieties that can tolerate the higher pH levels of soil and water. In the Vegas valley the desert soils are naturally alkaline with a pH of 7.5 and above. The tap water that is used for irrigation also has a pH above neutral so using our local source in the garden increases the pH of the soil over time.
It is difficult to maintain soils with lower pH ranges in the desert because there is no regular rainfall to leach out the excess salts and minerals that build up in the soil. Read the rest of this entry »
Lowe’s vs Home Depot
The days of the corner hardware store are long gone. There are very few left, and the ones that are still in business can’t compete with the chains’ prices. For this reason, we are left with little to no choice. The main hardware stores today are Home Depot and Lowe’s. In most major cities, they are within a few minutes driving distance of each other. I have found that both have their advantages and disadvantages. Personally, I’m partial to Lowe’s.
Pricing
I cannot definitively say which store has lower prices. It really depends on what you’re looking for. Some items are cheaper at Lowe’s, others are cheaper at Home Depot. Overall, I’d say that Home Depot is cheaper.
Customer Service Comparison
In my opinion, there is no comparison between the two when it comes to customer service. Lowe’s customer service is leaps and bounds ahead of Home Depot’s. I visit these stores so often that I usually know where the item that I need is located, but every now and then, even I need a little help. While I can sometimes find good courteous help at Home Depot, I often find myself wandering around looking for ANYBODY who works there. When I do find someone, they usually tell me to look in the wrong aisle, or they just have no clue what I’m talking about. For example, a few weeks ago I needed a vacuum breaker for an irrigation system. I walked up and down the irrigation aisle a few times with no luck. I then walked up and down the plumbing aisle a few times, still no luck. I started my search for a person wearing a orange vest. The first employee I encountered said they would get someone from plumbing to assist me. I waited another 10 minutes and someone finally came. I told him I need a vacuum breaker and he said, ”I don’t know what that is, but I don’t think we have any.” Really?!
When I shop at Lowe’s, there are always knowledgeable people on hand to help me find what I need. If the person I ask doesn’t know the answer, he’ll find someone who does. It also appears that the people who work at Lowe’s really enjoy their jobs. I find the opposite attitude at Home Depot.
Selection Comparison
In general, I think Home Depot has more products, but Lowe’s sometimes has a better selection of harder-to-find categories. I prefer Lowe’s lumber department because I find the quality better, but Home Depot’s tool and lumber selection are far larger. Doors, windows and hardware departments are about the same, but Home Depot has more large appliances.
Organization
Lowe’s seems better organized. It’s much easier to find and price items. I spend too much time searching for things at Home Depot, and this puts me in a bad mood. When I leave Lowe’s, I always feel like I’ve gotten a lot accomplished, and that puts me in a better mood after I leave.
Paint Department
I’ve found the color options at Lowe’s to be much better than Home Depot’s. Home Depot’s colors always seem to be a bit off, and they don’t have a wide selection. I’ve also had problems finding someone competent to mix paint and have had problems matching colors.
Lowe’s has several paint collections, and I have found many great colors there. I have better luck with the associates behind the counter, and they also work regular schedules so I know who will be working during a given shift. They also have small sample pints that are very inexpensive.
Overall, Lowe’s is definitely better for the new homeowner and DIYers. If you need home decor hardware, Lowe’s is the perfect choice. If you know exactly what you need or have a big project, opt for Home Depot.
Who Can You Trust?
Last week, I was asked to look at a home that my wife’s friends had recently purchased. Their plan was to buy a house that needed some work and then remodel it to fit their needs. Many people do this, and they rely on their realtor and home inspector to guide them in this situation. Now that they’re in the home, major problems keep cropping up. First, the circuit board in the furnace was fried, then the water heater burst, and now a slab leak. When I went to take a look at the house, the living room floor was being broken up with a jackhammer.
On the surface, the new homeowners did all the right things. They walked through the home with the inspector their realtor hired. They raised various issues about the house with both the realtor and inspector. Their concerns were overlooked; they were told not to worry. The problem is that the issues they brought up might have been signs of more serious complications, and they weren’t addressed. The thing that bothered me most was that the costs for repairs were significantly higher than they’d been led to believe by the realtor and inspector. When most people purchase their first home, they don’t have a large amount of cash set aside for repairs. In this economy, it’s difficult to borrow the money from financial institutions. They got a great deal, but are now facing repair costs in the thousands. It’s a clear case of unprofessional conduct and intentional non-disclosure.
The question is: Does the real estate industry have the best interests of the buyer in mind? The answer is no. Let’s take a look at how the home buying process works. All the agents, inspectors, and lawyers have a vested interest in the sale proceeding without delay. While they aren’t all paid for the home sale like the agents, they often rely on the referrals and/or repeat business from the agents. They are not going to rock the boat when the deal going through means they get paid, either now or later.
So what can you do to protect your own interests when purchasing a home? First, seek independent help. While I’m not a licensed home inspector, I have been asked for my professional opinion many times in this situation. Second, look for a general contractor to help you confirm the seriousness of issues that exist on the property. You may also want to hire journeymen to look at specific things like the plumbing, HVAC, and electrical systems. Understand that you must look out for yourself, and do your research to avoid being burned.
When you are planning what is probably the biggest purchase of your life, be sure to take the time to understand EXACTLY what you’re buying.
Low-Voltage Landscape Lighting
One of my favorite projects to enhance the nighttime curb appeal of a home, and add a measure of safety and security is to install low-voltage landscape lighting.
Low-voltage outdoor lighting can be used to illuminate paths, steps and dark zones; they can also add emphasis to your landscape’s best features.
Most modern light kits are designed to use only 12 volts of electricity. To be able to convert your 110 volt power from the GFCI outlet outside your home to 12 volts, a transformer is required. If you don’t have an outlet available on the outside of your home, I recommend that you hire an electrician to install one for you.
You can purchase low-voltage lighting kits from any home improvement store , and the kit will include the necessary transformer. Some lighting kits also come with the necessary wire.
The first step in designing any lighting system is to determine what you want the light to do for you. Walk around your property, look out your windows and doors, and think about the kind of mood you would like to create. Do you want to emphasize a particular spot in your yard? Do you want to create a safe, well-lit pathway? What about creating romantic shadows with subtle moonlighting? How about making entertainment areas come alive with bright party lighting?
Next, place the lights in your chosen location, run the wire and make the electrical connections. Make sure to follow the instructions that come with your kit. This project is fairly simple, and can dramatically improve your home’s landscape.
