Do It Yourself Or Hire A Professional?

Mix some oatmeal and honey, put it on your face and wear it as a mask for 20 minutes before rinsing off. Or perhaps you would prefer the scrub on your drugstore shelf that includes oatmeal or some kind of oatmeal derivative?

The same can be said for honey. When it comes right down to it, what is better for you? Should you simply reach for the lemons and cucumbers in your refrigerator or do you want to use a moisturizer that has lemon and cucumber extracts?

The age old question of whether you should do it yourself when it comes to skin care, or if you should simply go out and buy products that offer you organic ingredients has been in debate for some time. After all, why would it matter if a product uses something you already have in your kitchen?

While each side is going to fight for why their decision is the best, it is important to remember one thing; the company making the product has experienced scientists working for them. These specialists understand better than we do what is contained in organic items such as green tea or beeswax. They are better able to isolate the components in organic plants and such in order to make the most out of them or find ways of making them more potent.

Just recently the claim has been made that shiitake mushrooms have many benefits for your skin, but would you have ever thought to go out and make a pulp out of shiitake mushrooms and plaster it all over your face? Do you even think that would work?

The point is that companies have people who know how to get the best benefits from organic materials. They have methods of obtaining extracts from things that might not help us otherwise. Sure, you could cut open a cucumber and pop a few slices on your eyes to get the fresh feeling they provide, but a scientist working with a cucumber can find the correct liquid that will help even out your skin tone.

Once they find the specific benefits that materials have to offer, they can combine them with other ingredients in order to enhance them or simply give you more advantages within a single bottle. A moisturizer may contain shea butter, cucumber extract, sweet almond oil, and grape seed extract all at once in order for you to reap the benefits of moister skin, antioxidants, moisture retention, and even skin tone. You would have to do a great deal of work to get the same ingredients, and it is doubtful you could find everyday average plants and materials to get the same results that single moisturizer could bring you.

There are times when there are exceptions to this concept. For example, jojoba oil on its own can be extremely effective as there are no important things to be extracted from it, and rather it is better off in its entirety. Companies that use jojoba oil usually use the oil as it is and simply add it as an ingredient to enhance their products, so you could get away with using straight jojoba oil if you did not want to bother with any extra manufactured ingredients. However, overall you would be better off finding good organic products to use.

You can always use both home remedies as well as manufactured products, especially if you have found a routine that works very well for you and your skin. There is no reason for you to choose one side; your focus should be on your skin and the best way you can keep your skin healthy, whether you do it yourself or get a little professional help from the shelf.

Do-It-Yourself Background Checks

Background checks are an important aspect if you will be engaging with a serious professional relationship with someone. When you first meet the person, it's just typical that he will put his best foot forward. There's no telling if that person is actually okay to work with. You might get overwhelmed with a person's resume with all of the credentials placed there, but that's not enough to get you through. Nowadays, considering background checks have become easier because you can already get it for free.

Gone are the days when you have to go through the grueling task of obtaining these important records. Background checks can be done by virtually anybody because of the internet. Even the government and legal jurisdictions have recognized how displaying public records online are very beneficial.

Keep in mind that criminal records and legal proceedings are considered as public property. This is important because it helps keep such cases and crimes from happening again. Aside from background checks, these public records are also being displayed in detail for other legal and referential purposes.

Aside from these methods, you can also conduct background checks through the old way. You are always going to be welcomed in court houses within the jurisdiction of the person's address. You will be given access to their records section so you can do your own research. However, this method needs a sufficient amount of time because you'll go through the search process by yourself. The positive side to this is that you can gain more leads than necessary since you'll be visiting the person's very address.

DIY Plumbing Repair - Down the Drain

One common plumbing problem that often occurs at the most inconvenient of times is a clogged drain. Many home owners are tempted to reach for a bottle of their favorite drain cleaner - they are easy to use, supposed to be quick, and you don't have to get your hands dirty. The problem with quick fixes - as with many things in life - is that the quick fix may not be the best.

Most drain cleaners these days will not damage your plumbing when properly used. The key is to make sure that you use them properly. If your home has a septic system, make sure that any cleaner specifies it is safe for use in septic systems. Different types of drain clog removers may target different types of problems and have different instructions, make sure you follow them to get the maximum effectiveness.

Sometimes a liquid cleaner will not be enough to take care of the problem. A number of years ago we received a lesson in what not to put down your food disposal - cantaloupe rinds. The disposal had no problem grinding them up, but a few feet down the drain they re-assembled into am impassable clog.

The first attempt was the faithful old plunger. A plunger works on the concept of hydraulic pressure (simply put, you cannot compress a liquid) to move the blockage. The problem with this approach in a kitchen or bathroom sink is that the drain may not be the only outlet - there are often multiple drains and/or overflow connections which make a plunger useless in these cases

The next step was to try and remove the sink trap. Once you get to this phase, you need to make sure you have a bucket and a few towels handy. If you had previously attempted to clear the clog using a chemical drain cleaner you need to be careful here as there may still be residue in the sink, pipes, or trap. Before removing the trap, make sure to drain as much of the sink water as you can.

Place the bucket under the trap and loosen the connection to the portion of the pipe leading down from the sink to the trap. By opening the down facing segment of the pipe first you should be able to confine the draining water to the bucket - if you remove the horizontal portion first you are likely to make quite a mess as the water drains in that direction. If the remainder of the water drains from the sink, you know your clog if further down the line. If the water does not drain, then you need to check the segment between the trap and the sink for obstruction. Usually a screwdriver or length of bent clothes hanger is sufficient to check and clear any blockages found.

Next check to see if there are any obstructions in the removed trap. Either take it to another sink and see if water flows through it unobstructed or use a length of clothes hanger to probe for (and remove) any blockage. If you found something blocking the trap, you should be all set. Re-install the trap and run the water. If you found no obstruction, it is time to search further.

So the sink and the trap are clear, what next?

This is where you may need tools that you might not have handy but it is definitely a job for the correct tool. Don't try to explore the pipe with anything that might potentially be dropped, break, or otherwise become lodged in your plumbing - the idea is to correct the problem, not cause bigger problems. The correct tool for the job at this time is usually a plumbers auger (also called a snake). This is a long, flexible, spring like contraption that is "snaked" down into the pipe. You can purchase a small, basic plumbers snake at any home superstore or plumbing supply store and they are fairly inexpensive (another example of a tool that pays for itself the first time you can use it instead of calling a plumber).

Push the auger into the pipe until you encounter a blockage. If you are using a manual auger, you may need to twist it (they usually have set screw and handle to help) to get around turns in the pipe. Once it reaches the clog, you twist it to "auger into" the blocking substance. If you have a fibrous clog, you will pull the auger back along with a portion of the clog - repeating as many times as necessary to remove it. For softer clogs (like grease) you may just force the auger through the clog and rely on water pressure later to help continue to remove the loosened clog.

If you are unsure that you have cleared the clog completely and you want to check before you re-assemble everything use a hose to run some water down the pipe. Run the water SLOWLY - you don't want to find out the hard way that the clog is still there. Keep your bucket underneath the pipe while testing. If it is cleared, re-assemble your sink/trap and run your water for a while - make sure that your drain is working normally - if it is slow, you may still have a partial blockage.

One other potential solution is the "as seen on tv" water blaster variety of drain cleaners. These gadgets are usually very inexpensive and typically consist of a small rubber nozzle with a hose fitting on one end. The concept is simple, you stick the nozzle into the drain, hook it up to a hose, and turn on the water. The water pressure first makes the nozzle swell to fill the drain or pipe opening and seal/hold it in place. Then the nozzle forces water into the pipe hopefully clearing the block by building up pressure behind it. If you listen, you will hear the clog clear and water flow rapidly down the pipes.

A couple problems to be aware of with these systems: If you have PVC drain fittings (as many sinks do), you better make sure you connections are good - if there are any minor leaks or loose fittings you are likely to end up with a sprinkler system under your sink. From personal experience there is one other problem you may run into. When you turn off the hose, the pressure that previously swelled the nozzle to hold it in place is gone - however there is still water and pressure in both the line and the nozzle. The results similar to shaking up a soda bottle and removing the cap - it makes a great funny story to tell you friends in hindsight, but it's not quite so funny when you are mopping up the kitchen.

Finally, if none of the above have worked, it is time to call in the professionals. As I have noted in previous articles, a good contractor is worth every penny they charge you. Most will not only help you out with your problem but will also suggest how you can prevent it in the future and if necessary point out problems that need to be addressed.

Head Tracking for Desktop VR Displays using the WiiRemote

Using the infrared camera in the Wii remote and a head mounted sensor bar (two IR leds), you can accurately track the location of your head and render view dependent images on the screen. This effectively transforms your display into a portal to a virtual environment. The display properly reacts to head and body movement as if it were a real window creating a realistic illusion of depth and space. By Johnny Chung Lee, Carnegie Mellon University. For more information and software visit johnnylee.net

Concrete Projects – Do It Yourself

Mixing, pouring and finishing concrete can be a challenge, but it can be done without hiring a professional concrete contractor. However, there are three points to consider before creating a concrete mix. You have to decide how you are going to mix your concrete, by hand or machine. You also have to prepare or "form up" your site, and then, you also need to know how to pour the liquid concrete into the forms.

The summary of how to plan a concrete project is outlined below:

Decide how you will mix your concrete

Mixing concrete is not the hardest job in the world, but it does require some dedication. You will need to decide if it is worth it for you to save about 10-20% over hiring a professional. Some advantages of doing it yourself are the satisfaction of creating something on your own. Also, you can create your own outdoor concrete sidewalk art if you want to. The best part of mixing concrete can be molding and shaping the concrete from its powder form, into a usable form. Also, mixing concrete can remind you of times when you were a child, and you played in wet sand or mud.

The right mix

If you really are up to mixing your own concrete, you are going to need to know how to make it. It consists of 1 part Portland cement, sand, and crushed stone, to 24 parts water. The combination of which should be completely combined to create a "peanut butter" texture.

Prepare the site

If you live in a frost-prone area you will find this information most useful. Start preparing your site by replacing the soil directly under the area with a compacted layer of crushed stone. This improves drainage, and eliminates the frost heaving hazard. You should go about 6 to 12 inches under the work. This does not replace all the soil under the frost line, but it will remove the most active soil. The reason you have to do this is because soil freezes. Frozen soil causes concrete flaking. Therefore it is wise to following these instructions if you live in a frost inducing area. Then, use a gas powered compactor to compact the stone. This will help prevent any settling which causes cracking. Next you will have to build concrete forms. Two by six (2x6) concrete forms are ideal for most patio and sidewalk applications. Please look up concrete forming at your local library for further instruction on how to build a concrete form.

Pour the concrete

Once your concrete form is built, you will then be able to pour your mixed concrete into it. Work the concrete into the corners with a garden rake. Then, halfway up the sides of the form. Then, lay some mesh down. After the steel mesh is laid, lay more concrete over it. For further mixing and pouring instructions, please search your local library or the Internet for complete concrete planning.

This is not a complete list of what to think about before beginning a concrete project. However, this article will help you decide how to plan for your concrete project. There is a lot involved in this, and you have to know what you are doing. Another option to preparing concrete slabs is to either buy ready mix concrete and pour it yourself or to buy precast slabs. Also, you can hire cement drivers, and have someone build the form for you.

However, if you enjoy playing with mud-like substances this concrete job is definitely for you. Even if you only save 10-20% of what it would cost to buy ready mix concrete, at least you are saving money. It can cost thousands of dollars to hire contractors to do this for you. 10-20% saved would be at least a few hundred dollars. This is more money that can be used elsewhere on your home improvement project. Not only that, but doing it yourself is more fun!

Light Switch Wiring

Light switch wiring can be a do-it-yourself project with this instruction from AsktheBuilder.com host Tim Carter. You'll have no trouble wiring a light switch with his simple tips, and doing light switch wiring yourself will save you lots of money.

Fiberglass Canoe Repair - A Do-It-Yourself Step

Several of the canoe enthusiasts can't live a weekend with the absence of the activity. As much as possible they will be spending a month with fun-filled canoeing adventures with family or friends. Such an addictive adventure, right? There is no point of wondering about why several people are really turned on by canoeing. But then of course, canoeing in rough waters may leave your boats damaged.

Scratches, dents, and cracks may become unavoidable for that matter. It is in fact part of the canoe maintenance-that of checking the boat for possible damages. And whenever the simplest damages are spotted, an automatic action is called for. You should never use a canoe if it is not properly conditioned.

But then how would you further enjoy the activity if all that is left to you is a defective canoe? No need to worry about these things because there are several tips on how to easily do canoe repair by yourself! In the absence of someone who is skilled in canoe repair, you can rely on your own skills provided that you are properly guided with what to do. Bear in mind that your safety should come first when canoeing. When focused on, the canoe repair by yourself may not even exceed a week!

The fiberglass canoe is the easiest to handle when it comes to the repair needs. The hulls of the fiberglass canoe are made up of numerous layers of the hand-woven glass fiber cloth that has been stuck together by the use of epoxy resin or polyester. The color of which is owed from the gelcoat although both the interior and exterior parts can also be painted with an enamel.

The paint of the canoe can be maintained by an automotive paste wax that can be applied yearly. As the fiberglass canoe is exposed to sunlight, the paint of which also starts to fade. In due time, the repaired part may also tend to become invisible.

If there are cavernous scratches on the hull, they must be filled in with resin. When there are severe damages done to the hull, they also weaken the fibers making it up. What is best to do is to cut out the whole area which is affected and then replace it with a new resin and glass fiber. These are obviously widely available and sold in kits.

When what you have there are holes that do not exceed 2 inches of the diameter, they can be mended with the use of auto patch kits. Do cut away the damaged area and make sure to apply a patch which is larger than the hole itself inside of the hull. When the patch done inside the hull has healed, start working on the exterior part. Allow each of your applied cures to dry up before adding another layer.

In order to smoothen the already hard patches applied, the number 80 sandpaper must be used. After you have worked on the surface with the sandpaper, you may now add the auto filler and then the gelcoat or enamel comes next.

One good tip for lessening the risks of the makeup of the holes in your fiberglass canoes is to be sure that you clean the exterior of the hull after use. There must be no saltwater left in it before it is kept in its storage place. Always cover it too.

How to clone a Big Mac - with Todd Wilbur

Todd Wilbur shows you how to make a home version www.TopSecretRecipes.com of the world's most famous hamburger from scratch. Twitter twitter.com

Log Cabin Kits, DIY Construction Advice

Are you a person who loves to be in log cabins? There is good news, now you can build your log cabins with log cabin kits. People who have always been admiring the idea of living in log cabins know well that sometimes it is really expensive to live in them. For this they sometimes take DIY construction advice in order to build a gorgeous home in a cost effective way. The recent increase in their popularity has opened various options for the people to make their living worth in them. As a matter of fact, many log cabin kits are made available in the housing market for a cheaper, stylish, and far easier living. This way you can construct a log cabin that you have always wished for. They are traditional and beautiful. With these kits, you can build your dream house without using heavy equipments or cranes.

These log cabin kits come in different combinations. You may find them in a package, including basic log cabin building with logs, fasteners and sealers. They are used for your cabin's exterior walls. The only important thing to know is if the logs are cut to proper lengths or they need cutting. Another way is to look for whether they can slot together like lego blocks or not? This way they will help in making a safe architecture with: self confidence, concentration, innovation, spatial intelligence, and team work. Also, they come with specific additions to the roof systems and walls. They include windows, exterior trim, exterior doors, porches, and floor systems.

Additionally, Finn forest log cabins have gained a lot of popularity amongst people as they are environmentally friendly and energy efficient. They are affordable and are available in log cabin kits. So, there is no need to gather the materials or contact different builders or companies for their construction. Also, these cabin kits will help you construct your house faster than any other traditional log cabin. Finn forest cabins leave the people with wonderment because of their art and simply expressive structure. So, if you think of log cabin construction, these cabin kits can give you best ideas to go for rustic log cabins with striking forest backgrounds. It's true that there isn't any other type that can provide you primitive beauty and ultimate elegance than these easy to use kits. Another added advantage is the uniqueness they lend to a log cabin.

Furthermore, any home can be a place of comfort and beauty, but only log cabins can add more to the warmth or cozy environment of your house. They make the dwelling more personal and pleasurable. So, if you are really wondering about log cabin kits then know they can save loads of your money and can help you construct a structure that is more stylish and worth living. It is really wonderful to relax in a home constructed with DIY construction advice as it gives the realization that you have created your own small beautiful world, an extension of your space and dreams.

DIY: Make your own Air Conditioner

Step by step instructions on how to make an air conditioner using parts that cost less than $40.

Do-It-Yourself Bedroom Furniture

Having a piece of bedroom furniture that will endure, that is pleasing to look at, and that will compliment the other furniture in your home. With planning, patience for sight, DIY bedroom furniture can be helpful to you.

Waiting for your new house? All it takes is planning and designing your bedroom accessories to suit your own taste.

Come in, close the door and escape into your own personal sanctuary. Your bedroom is much more than a place to sleep, so turn it into a retreat that's rejuvenating during your waking life too. For that, smart wardrobe and storage solutions are just as important as a comfortable bed.

Several types of superior wood products have been developed by modern technology. The majority are wooden 'sheet' materials - flat sheets of laminated or compressed wood products that are generally stronger, more flexible and less likely to split than ordinary timber.

The important thing is that, you can choose your own material like teakwood, rosewood and laminated box. You decide the height and width of your wardrobe with fitted sliding doors where it offers space solving storage and easy access to your clothes.

Also decide the height of the bed, either high or low. A headboards that are handsome as well as utilitarian will look better with cabinet tablets on each side for telephone, clock, radio and books. Telephone book and other articles can be store beneath. A table lamp on both sides will help to create or enhance the atmosphere in a room. Lamps on the wall, floor or table are great for this. You can use reflected light from cabinet lighting up to a picture or other decorations. This makes your bedroom look more welcoming and inviting. All these depends on your wish, desire, choice and selection.

Do It Yourself furnitures are also available in the internet. You might want to take a look at it online.

Do It Yourself

Do it yourself (or DIY) is a term used to describe building, modifying, or repairing of something without the aid of experts or professionals. The phrase "do it yourself" came into common usage in the 1950s in reference to home improvement challenges that people might choose to complete independently.
In recent years, the term DIY has taken on a broader meaning that covers a wide range of skill sets. DIY is associated with the international alternative rock, hardcore punk, and indie rock music scenes, indymedia networks, pirate radio stations, and the zine community. In this context, DIY is related to the Arts and Crafts movement in that it offers an alternative to modern consumer culture's emphasis on relying on others to solve needs.