Shingling a Roof

Shingling or roofing a house is a major undertaking for a homeowner and extreme caution is required. This said, a Do-It-Yourselfer homeowner can shingle or roof their own home with a little knowledge and the right tools.

Required Tools

In order to roof a house properly and safely the following tools are needed: Ladders, Roof Jacks, Hammer, Carpenters Knife, Chalk Line, and preferably a compressor or nail gun.

Estimating Materials

Typically the roof is measured in squares, where a "square" represents 100 square feet. There are eighty shingles in one square. However, when you go to your local home improvement store shingles are usually sold in bundles. Usually three bundles equal one square, however this can vary slightly pending the shingle style.

Measure the area of your roof (length x width) and divide by 100 to get the number of squares required. Then multiply this number by three to get the number of bundles of shingles required for the job. Add an additional 10-15% for spare, leaning toward the 15% if your roof has hips and valleys.

Drip edge, ice and water shield, asphalt paper, flashing, roofing nails, and hip and ridge vents will also be required. The Drip edge comes in various lengths. Measure the outside perimeter of the roof to calculate the drip edge required. The ice and water shield, asphalt paper and flashing come in roles. Use your roof square area calculation for determining your asphalt paper requirements. Typically only one or two courses of ice and water shield is required along the bottom/eave of the roof and in the valleys. Calculate 2 times the length of the roof and valleys to estimate the amount of ice and water shield required.

Typically each shingle will require 4-6 roofing nails and flashing usually comes in 16" wide roles or 6x6 or 8x8 square inch steps. Step flashing is typically used around chimneys, dormers and side wall junctions. Hip and Ridge vent will vary with local building codes, however a rough estimate would be to measure the length of your roof's hip and ridges and take 75% of this figure for calculating the amount of vent required.

You should now be able to fairly accurately calculate the cost of material for roofing your home.

Installing the Drip Edge

Nail the Drip edge around the entire outside perimeter of the roof.

Apply the Ice and Water Shield Membrane and the Asphalt Paper

Apply the ice and water shield material such that it is flush with the drip edge. If the climate in your area has harsh winters and/or significant annual rainfall, add a second course of ice and water shield for added protection. You should also add the ice and water shield membrane in the valleys.

Next apply the asphalt paper to the entire roof, starting from the bottom and working towards the ridge. Make sure each course of asphalt paper overlaps the lower row by several inches (effectively shingling with the asphalt paper).

Install metal flashing

Install metal flashing in all of the valleys. Step flashing around chimneys and dormers will be added as the shingles are installed.

Installing the Shingles

Start the shingling at the bottom of the roof (or at the eaves). Lay a starter course such that the bottom edge of the shingle lines up flush with the drip edge. The starter strip is a "tabless" shingle that you make from the regular shingles using your carpenter's knife.

Lay your next course of full shingles over the first course, staggering the starter joints from the first course to prevent water penetration.

Note: Sometimes you may want to start with a full or a partial shingle at one end. In either case, you want to try to avoid small shingle pieces at the far end of the roof. To prevent this, divide the length of the roof by the length of a full shingle and assess how much of a shingle length you want to start with. Ideally you do not want to have pieces smaller than 12".

Use a Chalk Line

To ensure your shingle courses run straight use a chalk line. Measure the finished reveal on your shingles. Usually this is about 5 inches. Then make marks every 5 inches on the gable ends of the roof. Snap a chalk line between the gable ends at each pair of marks all the way up the roof. This will ensure that you shingles run true and straight as you progress up the roof with the courses.

Vertical lines should also be snapped every 3 to 6 feet to ensure your tabs maintain alignment.

Use of Roof Jacks

After 3 or 4 courses of shingles have been installed using ladders, roof jacks may be necessary to access the upper courses. Roof jacks are steel brackets that hold planks in position for you to stand on. The roof jacks should be securely nailed through the decking and into rafters to ensure that they will support your weight.

Shingling Valleys, Chimneys, Skylights and Dormers, and Step Flashing

Shingling the valleys and installing flashing requires extra care. The shingles, typically coming from two intersecting courses when entering a valley, need to overlap each other such that no water penetration occurs.

Skylights, chimneys and dormers must be step flashed (step flashing is interleaved with each course of shingles) to ensure water is kept from penetrating the roof.

Adding the Ridge Vent and Caps

To complete the roofing project, ridge vents need to be installed. These are nailed to the top of the ridge and then capped.

The ridge cap prevents water from entering the home via the ridge vent, while still allowing the house to breath. The ridge cap is constructed out of individual shingle tabs that have their unfinished corners cut off at 45 degree angles. Each modified shingle tab, is nailed such that it overlaps the previous piece as you work your way down the length of the ridge vent.

For more help on Shingling Your Home's Roof, see HomeAdditionPlus.com's Asphalt Shingle Roofing Bid Sheet at http://www.homeadditionplus.com/Bid-Sheet-Ebook-info/Asphalt-Shingle-Roofing-Bid-Sheet.htm. The Asphalt Shingle Roofing Bid Sheet will help to ensure that your roof won't end up with a blue tarp over it and a dumpster sitting in your yard for weeks as you wait for the roofing contractor to come back and finish roofing your home.

How to Find a Job Quick

If you are like so many Americans today, you are constantly on the look out for jobs that you can get into right now. Some people are so desperate to the point where they are resorting to having to work at fast food places and retail stores. Former doctors and lawyers are also becoming administrative assistants.

People are resorting to these occupations because they are looking for something quick fast and in a hurry. If this is you, then you might want to consider looking for a similar job or industry. I know that you are used to the office job and working in places that require you to have a id badge, but since you are in a position where you don't really have that choice, then you will want to consider A. going back to school and pay more money to get the proper training in order to become better in your field, or you will want to resort to working somewhere on Craigslist.

If you want to at least stay in the office, then you will want to look in sites like Craigslist that will have jobs listed under categories such as administrative assistant, customer service rep, or someone working in a clinic of some sort. Either way you will have to start somewhere. The response from jobs on Craigslist is usually very quickly. You can expect to get a response in a couple of hours to one day. The only reason a job would take a little longer than that would be because they are backed up or they are not considering you for employment.

Must Have Above Ground Pool Accessories

When the layperson thinks of above ground pool accessories, things like rafts and dive toys come to mind. Pool owners know that accessories are really things like pumps, filters, automatic vacuums, and heaters. Pumps and filters keep the pool running, while automatic vacuums make cleaning easier. Heaters and solar blankets take the swimming experience to the next level and are increasingly included on the must-have list by those who want the most from their pools.

Pumps are not interchangeable when it comes to a swimming pool. Certain pumps, like the Hayward PowerFlo Matrix, are designed for above ground pools. It converts from horizontal to vertical discharge with the touch of a button, making it quite versatile. An industrial-sized strainer basket allows the pump to collect a large amount of debris without requiring ongoing maintenance. Quick connection and disconnection for intake and discharge makes it easy for inexperienced owners to maintain their pools.

Filters keep pool water clean, making swimming a pleasure. Sand filters are the standard for above ground swimming pools and Hayward makes a Pro Series line of filters that feature the latest technology. Water flow is efficient and smooth and the backwashing process is completely balanced. These units are made from polymeric material so they are corrosion-proof. Their 360-degree slotted laterals are self-cleaning, reducing maintenance tasks. A control valve featuring seven positions provides maximum efficiency and simple operation.

Though regular sand is perfectly suitable for use with a sand filter, zeolite minerals give the filter super powers. Replace the sand in the filter with all-natural Zeobrite and water will be clearer than ever. In addition, backwashing will be reduced by as much as 50 percent, saving energy. These minerals are easy to install and can be used in all sand filters. Swimmers will notice that their eyes do not burn and the chorine odor is not as strong.

Vacuuming the pool keeps the liner free of rocks, leaves, dirt, and other debris. People do not enjoy swimming in a dirty pool so give it a thorough cleaning before anyone takes a dip. Manual vacuums are easy to operate and do an adequate job. However, if the goal is to spend less time cleaning and more time swimming, get an automatic vacuum. Barracuda created the Ranger vacuum for above ground pools. Whenever the pump runs, it gets to work, automatically cleaning the pool.

Though not a necessity, it sure is nice to extend the swimming season. Pool heaters and solar blankets allow the family to swim well into the fall. When a solar cover is used, the pool stays cleaner and loses less water to evaporation. As water is lost, so are those expensive water treatment chemicals. A cover saves money multiple ways and prolongs open season for the pool.

Whatever accessories the shopping list includes, make sure they are of the highest quality. It is usually worth spending extra money to purchase a reliable brand that other pool owners recommend. Once the pool is equipped with the essential accessories, the owner can rest assured that it will perform at its peak.

How I Turned Unemployment Into a Life Rewarding, Life Changing Event

Many of us experience life changing events. My was twofold: unemployment and my father incurring a life ending illness. Either of these situations could be devastating and down trodden. Yet somehow, with the grace of God, I was able to combine these events into a life changing rewarding event. My father's illness has had a significant impact on my life while unemployed. But I lived, really lived! And while my trek is not over, here's how I got where I am today.

"Have you seen the Planter's Peanut Man recently in downtown Springfield?" This is one of the last things my father asked me when he was passing from consciousness to a comatose state just three days before his death. I told I had not, and neither had he since the 1940's when he lived and attended high school in Springfield, Ohio. Though I had to tell him no, I thought about the question frequently after his death. And today I often see the Planter's Peanut Man in my dreams and meditations. I only hope now that my Father, God bless his soul in heaven, sees him too.

When my father died a few short months ago, I felt a closeness to him I had not experienced anytime during my entire life. His illness was the impetuous for me to change. Today, I am a much more caring, empathetic, wiser, mature and blessed individual. Upon graduation from Law School in 1981, I left my home town. Ultimately, I resided over 500 miles from my parents. While we communicated regularly and saw each other occasionally (a couple of times a year at least), it was like the lyrics from the Harry Chapin song the Cat's in the Cradle, I'd love to Dad if I could find the time/You see my new job's a hassle and the kids have the flu/But it's sure nice talking to you, Dad.

My father's diagnosis was received at about the same time I became unemployed. We found out my father had Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease as it is more commonly known) about 2 weeks before I left the workforce. ALS is an untreatable, incurable disease that progressively worsens until death. As the muscles died, we knew that my father would eventually lose control and use of most of the muscles in his body and if he survived, ultimately become bedridden.

After the initial shock of the diagnosis, the knowledge of his disease and the progression it would take, brought many hours of soul searching for me. From the start, my father expressed the desire to die at home. Further, my parents did not have sufficient insurance for a nursing home (Medicare does not cover nursing home care for terminally ill patients). Further, my family did not have their own financial resources to provide such care.

With this all in mind, I made a decision to take time away from my career and to serve, along with my mother, as my father's primary caretaker. Since I lived over 550 miles from my parents and I did not want to move, I decided to divide my time between Ohio and New Jersey. Thus began the long trek of caring for my father from diagnosis to death. This is how I lived, really lived, during my unemployment.

Part of the reason for not relocating back to Ohio was that I had two daughters in school at colleges in New York City. I had to be cognizant of the impact of being unemployed, being away a lot, and being a caretaker would have on them. Ultimately, it became clear the risk was worth it since my daughters saw a "new" Dad and I think liked what they saw. They too are more mature, more empathetic individuals. They values have been enhanced by what we all experienced together.

Day to day it was often difficult. As the disease progressed my Father needed more frequent care. Eventually it turned into round the clock care. My parents' living room became a hospital room. While there was anguish, through it all I felt blessed. Not only blessed because of the opportunity to care for my Father, but for the opportunity to reconnect with him. And as he wished, he got to die at home with his family surrounding him. I feel so blessed that we could grant him this wish.

Shortly after his passing, I began my trek seeking a new job. Months later, I am still searching. I am experiencing the same frustrations as others in this tough job market. Generally, there are more unemployed job seekers than there are jobs available. The process is evolved since I last sought a job from a manual one to a highly technical process. Internet job boards, internet networking, internet job applications, etc., are now standard. Finding a new job is a full time and a part time job combined; hours upon hours are required.

And my situation is often my complicated because I have to explain the window of time when I was caring for my Father. Many don't understand or appreciate it. But I stand tall and proud. I tell them it was the hardest work I have ever had. Hard work, yes! But it was very rewarding period in my life and I am a better person because of it. I wouldn't have done it any differently. And I will get a job eventually, and I believe I will be a better employee as a result of my living as I did during my unemployment period. I realize this each time I see the Planter's Peanut Man.

The Best Places to Look For Discount International Airfares

There are many people who dream of traveling around the globe and seeing all corners of the world. Many times, finding discounted international airfares allows them to live their dreams. One terrific resource for locating discounts on international flights is by checking with the many travel agencies online that have experience with global airfare deals.

Because travel plans can be more complex and challenging when voyaging internationally, as compared to domestic air travel, it is best to work through a travel agency to book your air tickets. But, it is important to be sure that the travel agency you choose has a good deal of experience in working with international flights and the international airlines that service the country, or countries, you are planning to visit.

One of the best indications that a travel agency can make the right arrangements for your international trip is if they have an office located in the country where you are headed. With an office in that country, they will have personnel there who will have a good understanding of the particular concerns related to travel in that country and can often help avoid any problems with booking international airfares to that destination.

Another reason to deal with a travel agency that has offices in the country where you are bound is that they will often have access to special international fares with airlines based in that country. This can help you to get the best airfare deals and save considerable money on your air tickets. Since airfare is usually a large part of a travelers budget, especially when global flights are involved, these kinds of discounts can help make the trip more affordable and enjoyable with some extra spending money for sightseeing and souvenir shopping.

In many instances, discounted airfares for international flights are only available for non-refundable tickets and in general they are also non-transferable. One of the reasons for this has to do with the increased security measures that are in place in different parts of the world, part of which is having the name, dates and flight number all fixed when booking, to reduce security problems.

In most instances, when dealing with internet-based global travel agencies, you should be prepared to pay for your ticket in full at the time that you book your flight. Depending on the discount that you received and the terms of the agency and the airline, you may be able to make slight changes to your flight itinerary.

However, many international airlines only allow changes by adding a significant fee, which can effectively wipe out any discount you might have enjoyed. For this reason, it is advisable to hold off booking intercontinental flights if you have any doubt about your travel dates.

Research is an essential part of securing the best prices on international flights. Even when working with a global travel agency, you should do as much additional research as possible so that you can ask the right questions and be confident that things are being well planned. And, there's no reason why you cannot contact more than one travel agency to have them research the best airfare deals for you and then compare their offerings.

While the travel agency is working on booking the international airfares for you, you should also ask them to look into special rates on hotel reservations that might be available. In many instances the travel agencies have access to special package deals that are not widely promoted and can provide additional savings to you.

WordPress Membership Websites - Creating a Regular, Profitable On-Line Income

There's an old saying, "Different Strokes for Different Folks" meaning that as individuals we have different needs and expectations for most situations in life and membership websites are just the same.

This principle applies to both site owners and members alike. There are many different kinds of site; some will appeal to one group while different types will appeal to another. There really isn't a "one-size-fits-all" approach so let's discuss the various options that might prove attractive.

Social networking sites

We're all familiar with the Web 2.0 sites like YouTube and MySpace. These are social networking sites that provide tools for an interactive network of friends and include user-submitted content such as personal profiles, blogs, groups, photos, music and videos.

Some of these social networking sites have come under fire recently because they have been shown to be play grounds for predators. Since these problems have arisen there has been more scrutiny of members than there has been in the past. These sites are not likely to just "go away" any time soon because they are very, very popular...not to mention profitable.

Playing on exclusivity

The attraction here is paid for "exclusive" sites such as those that provide ready to use information products. Another example are golf sites which are owned by professional golfers and offer instruction that isn't readily available free on the Internet, etc.

These exclusive websites are designed for specific people and appeal to a group of like-minded individuals who are seeking instruction or information that can only be had on exclusive membership websites.

They call the Internet the "information super highway" but these exclusive sites really do make the information super and the information that is provided is far superior to just the regular stuff that everybody gets for free. This, for many, is an attractive option and for you, a very profitable option to consider.

Are we going for volume?

Just to show that not all are paid-for sites; a different kind of approach is to offer access that is free.

The objective of a free site is to acquire the names and email addresses of people who are interested in a specific topic in order to build an opt-in list. This IS still a membership website and unless the visitor joins the site they do not have access to the excellent information that's available.

Community sites and getting together.

Yet another kind of "managed content" site is what is referred to as a community site; sometimes these are free and sometimes they have paid for content.

The idea behind a community website is that there are a group of people who are all interested in the same basic topic but who go about accomplishing success in various ways. They get together at a community website and exchange information and ideas. Sometimes the worth of this information makes the cost of the fees seem absolutely ridiculously low by comparison.

What do they all have in common?

Membership websites of all kinds have one thing in common, they allow interaction between members. The old Web 1.0 where information was a one-way street is gone. In this brave new world, communication flows in both directions. You'll notice that on all of the various types there is a blog or a forum that provides a place for members to communicate, not only with the owner of the site but also with other members.

The communication opportunities allowed by these sites is one of the biggest reasons why they're so very popular today. It's also why they'll probably be popular for a long, long time to come. People want to hear other people's opinion and suggestions but they also want to be heard themselves. They really want to learn but they have information to share with others as well. Within these "communities" we all create a place for this sharing of ideas and information.

There are many, many different kinds of "communities" and different people will like different ones for all sorts of reasons. If you're considering starting your own, the good news is that there will be people who will like it and want to be members.

The truth is that membership websites are popular and profitable. Recurring income is a very, very good thing!