Ah, home ownership. Theres nothing like it.

Its the American dream; the pursuit of happiness.

Its you, your family, and the front door that doesnt latch, no matter how hard you tug at it, as though youre taking a resistant mule out for a stroll in the rain.

Or maybe its the kitchen faucet that steadily, rhythmically, relentlessly goes drip-drip-drip in the midst of a nights slumber.

Or it could be the sagging boards in the center of the quaint front porch that, sure as there are the sun and taxes and political advertising, are going to cave when your portly uncle Harold makes his next dreaded visit.

Yes, as the needlepoint sign over the hearth says, Theres no place like home. But a subtext should also be the popular phrase from Saturday Night Lives Rosanne Roseannadanna, Its always something.

Be it one story or three, cottage or castle, there is the matter of keeping up with a houses upkeep.

The chore to tighten, to smooth, to fix, to nail, to replace, repair and even remodel the residence has largely been left to the man of the house. Traditional? Yes. Gender stereotype? Absolutely.

But not all men and women possess a carpenters acumen, or a plumbers patience, or an electricians guile.

However, what many have is the pride and self-assurance that they can fix any problem within the domain.

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Before you try to fix it, consult the pros

Atlanta, GA (PRWEB) December 11, 2013

On Saturday, January 25, 2014 employees and clients of Bardi Heating, Cooling and Plumbing, an Atlanta furnace and air conditioning service company, will volunteer for the annual Habitat for Humanity build sponsored by radio host and TV consumer expert Clark Howard in Atlanta. The upcoming build begins on January 23, 2014 and will wrap up on March 1, 2014.

On January 25, the third day of the build, Bardi employees will assist with shingling the roof, insulating walls and ceilings in the new home, caulking and continuing siding installation.

Our staff is looking forward to volunteering again this year, said Alex Bardi, owner of Bardi Heating, Cooling and Plumbing. We participated in Clark Howards annual build last year and it was a wonderful, positive experience. This is a great opportunity to give back and help our community flourish and build relationships between our staff and our clients.

Clark Howard is an Atlanta-based radio and TV consumer expert. His daily radio show is syndicated and airs on over 200 radio stations throughout North America. He is also a consumer reporter for WSB-TV and is an HLN network contributor. Beginning in 1996, Clark Howard has sponsored over 40 homes annually in Atlanta.

The Atlanta chapter of Habitat for Humanity formed in 1983 and is one of 1,500 affiliates in the United States; it has since become one of the largest US affiliates of Habitat for Humanity International. Focusing in the city of Atlanta and Fulton County, Atlanta Habitat for Humanity has constructed nearly 1,300 homes servicing 5,000 family members. House sponsors like Clark Howard provide financial and volunteer support to help cover construction costs, saving $35,000-$40,000 per house.

Bardi Heating, Cooling and Plumbing is a family-owned HVAC and plumbing company in Atlanta. Founded in 1989 by Alex and Susan Bardi, the company has been providing the Atlanta area with quality HVAC services for almost 25 years. Bardi also offers plumbing repairs and services, and is home to an experienced management team as well as an outstanding team of NATE certified technicians, whose number one priority is to keep their customers satisfied by always, always, always doing the right thing. For more information about the contest, visit http://bardi.com.

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Atlanta Furnace Service Participating in Annual Atlanta Habitat for Humanity Build in January 2014

Information on where you can download instructions for installing vinyl siding for FREE.

The list below is from the Vinyl Siding Institute at http://www.vinylsiding.org and also be sure to check out their FAQs page. Below is a downloadable installation manual on how to install vinyl siding.

Vinyl siding the exterior cladding of choice for remodelers, builders and homeowners is attractive, durable, easy to maintain and cost-effective. And because proper vinyl siding installation is the best way to ensure vinyl siding lives up to its reputation for quality, the Vinyl Siding Institute (VSI) has created a number of award-winning installation training resources to educate contractors, their employees, students and customers about proper vinyl siding installation techniques.

Vinyl Siding Installation Manual - Just Revised! This newly updated 40-page illustrated manual is a vital tool for the construction industry, and contains the most recent techniques and practices. Readers will appreciate this simple step-by-step approach to installation.

Vinyl Siding Installation Manual (Spanish) - Expanded! Updated and expanded, this Spanish-language 45-page illustrated manual is a vital tool for the construction industry, and contains the most recent techniques and practices. Readers will appreciate this simple step-by-step approach to installation.

Installing Vinyl Siding: A How-To Video - Just Revised! This 20-minute video, complete with the latest techniques, explains the basics of vinyl siding installation including demonstrations of how to measure, cut, and fasten siding and accessories; how to install siding around windows and gables; and how to use the portable field brake. ($20.00 if ordered from http://www.vinylsiding.org)

Installing Vinyl Siding: A How-To Video (Spanish) - New! This Spanish-language version of our "How-To Video" explains the basics of vinyl siding installation including demonstrations of how to measure, cut, and fasten siding and accessories; how to install siding around windows and gables; and how to use the portable field brake. ($20.00 if ordered from http://www.vinylsiding.org)

Installing Vinyl Siding - Downloadable Installation Manual

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Installing Vinyl Siding- Instructions for installing vinyl ...

This 40-page illustrated manual is a vital tool for the construction industry, and contains the most recent techniques and practices. Readers will appreciate this simple step-by-step approach to installation of vinyl siding and soffit. The manual also provides repair, cleaning, maintenance and historic restoration tips.

Download Installation Manual (English) Updated December 2011! Download Installation Manual (Spanish)

For materials specifically related to the VSI Certified Installer Program, please visit the VSI Certified Installer Program webpage.

Additionally, the basics of vinyl siding installation have beencondensed into a one-page, double-sided fact sheet.The fact sheetcan belaminated for use as an on-site reference. DownloadVinyl Siding Installation Fact Sheet

VSI is also pleased toofferthe Installing Vinyl Siding video. The 35-minute production, available in DVD and VHS formats, features step-by-step instructions for properly installing vinyl siding, soffit, accessories, and more.Certified Trainers will use the DVD in the VSI Certified Installer Course to educate installers on the latest and best installation techniques consistent with the ASTM D4756 standard and the recent upgrades made to the VSI Vinyl Siding Installation Manual. Order today using the VSI Publications Order Form.

Become a Certified Installer - Click here to find out how! - OR - Viewcurrently scheduled courses

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Vinyl Siding Installation Manual

There are two basic steps to installing vinyl siding: installing the trim pieces and installing the siding itself.

Choosing and Installing Trim Pieces

Every place where vinyl siding joins something elsea window, a door, another wallrequires the appropriate trim piece. The trim pieces loosely hold the siding in place, cover any cuts, and provide a small space where the siding can expand and contract. All lines of vinyl siding come with several standard trim pieces, plus some extras.

Most of the time the bottom of each piece of siding locks into the piece below it. But for the first row on a wall, the bottom locks into a special trim piece called a starter strip.

An outside corner post is used for outside corners. There is a channel molded into each side of the post to receive the end of the siding.

There are several options for trimming out inside corners. The easiest is an inside corner post. It's also possible to use two piece of J-channel installed back-to-back to create the same effect.

Many professional siding contractors bend a piece of vinyl or aluminum flashing for the inside corner and then use a single piece of J-channel. However, this requires a sophisticated tool called a brake.

J-channel is the most common piece of siding trim. Besides being used for inside corners, it's used for trimming around windows and doors. It is also used where siding meets a soffit or roof at an angle.

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HOMETIME HOW TO, Siding - Installing Vinyl Siding

Siding is the exterior view of your home and the weatherproof layer protecting all the layers beneath it, such as the building paper, sheathing, wall studs, insulation and then, of course, your interior. Like the body of your car, its first job is to hold together and save all the elements within; its second function is to do it stylishly.

Whether your siding is wood (boards, shakes or shingles), man-made (steel, aluminum or vinyl siding) or masonry (brick, stucco or stone), it should last at least 20-30 years and, with proper maintenance, perhaps even the life of your home.

Luckily, siding is not typically a source of trouble if its correctly installed and maintained, which makes it a smaller issue than many around the house, and an absolute treat compared to the care and maintenance of your roofing. Even so, siding ages like anything else (or falls victim to poor installation or long-term neglect), and sometimes youll find yourself having to fix a sprung nail, replace a faulty board or do some cosmetic work to keep your house the envy of the block...or at least suppress comparisons between it and Boo Radleys shotgun shack.

Siding Problem Areas The places where siding deteriorates quickest are:

Since these areas are not as noticeable as the large planes along your home where the siding is the least vulnerable, it is easy to ignore damage to siding for a long time. But then your in-laws visit and of course the first things they espy are the peeling paint, protruding nails and cracked masonry. So before their next visit, you may want to give your home a cosmetic check-up and makeover.

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Siding, Siding Services, Siding Repair And Replacement ...

Proper Siding Installation (Building Better Homes)
http://www.fisherhomesoftexas.com Siding (Building Better Homes) Guy Roy Explains the benefits of proper Hardi Plank (Siding and 1x4 trim) installation, by Fisher H...

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Proper Siding Installation (Building Better Homes) - Video

Siding installation tools provide contractors and home builders with improved siding placement and faster work flow. The SideArm siding tool provides hands-free and one-man siding installation. Maintain perfect siding gage from the bottom of the lap edge every time. For the fastest siding installation work flow, get three SideArm tools and work your way up and along the building exterior. With no clips to break off, no waste, and no consumables, the SideArm delivers perfectly level siding.

The key to fast, quality installation lies in the SideArm's gage off the bottom of the previous row of siding. As each row of siding goes on, it is kept in perfect alignment and gage with the previous row. Even short sections of composite siding can be aligned perfectly using a pair of SideArm tools - reducing your waste material and saving you money. If you are short handed or working alone, the SideArm siding tool is your efficient partner, holding the cement board siding in place with perfect position while you nail it on. For long lengths of siding, a SideArm tool at each end and one in the middle prevents sag keeps your installation perfect up the wall.

If you are installing siding from ladders or on scaffolding, the SideArm improves safety by holding the siding in place and keeping you in balance. For the siding tool that saves you time, materials and labor, get the SideArm: your helping hand for cement board siding.

SideArm: your helping hand for cement board siding.

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Siding Tools for Cement Board Siding Installation

Flashing Installation

Before installing siding, make sure that flashings are installed to prevent moisture from entering wall and roof spaces. Flashing is an important line of defense in controlling moisture in wall assemblies. Flashing intercepts and directs the flow of water away from the building to designed drainage paths. Install horizontal flashing extending from the top of all wall penetrations (ie all windows and doors) and at any material or material directional change (ie. bandboards, water tables or the introduction of any alternative material). The flashing should tilt downward to allow water to drain away from the wall. Siding or trim should be inch above the flashing ledge. Do not caulk where the flashing and trim or other materials meet. Note that caulking in lieu of flashing is not acceptable.

The purpose of flashing window and door headers is to intercept water behind the siding and direct it to the outside, and to redirect water flowing down the face of the wall to flow away from the wall opening.

Moisture can accumulate behind the siding as a result of:

Some moisture will drain through the weepholes at the bottom of each piece of siding. An additional head trim flashing is required at the head of the window/door to direct water further outward, beyond the thickness of the window

The purpose of fascia flashing is to support the shingle edge and to provide a drip edge to prevent water from running back underneath the roofing shingles and down along the fascia and soffit.

Preformed eaves flashing/drip edge should be installed under the starter course of the shingle roofing. The extension of flashing supports the edge of shingles. If eaves troughs (rain gutters) are used, the flashing edge also helps to direct the water into troughs. Fascia flashing protects both the soffit and the fascia board, and provides a drip edge at the bottom edge to direct water away from the building.

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Cedar Siding General Installation Tips - Real Cedar

If you're looking to improve the look of your home without the painting, vinyl siding is a popular, affordable choice. Many homeowners and builders choose it because it's long lasting, durable, inexpensive and relatively easy to install and maintain. Vinyl comes in a variety of grains, thickness and colors making it also a practical choice for many homeowners.

1.Allow for expansion and contraction.

Vinyl Siding must be nailed so expansion and contraction are not restricted. Siding must be cut in lengths to provide for expansion. Allow a 1/4 in. gap for expansion wherever siding butts accessories. Allow 3/8 in. when installing in freezing weather (below 40).

2.Choose the right nails.

Nails should be corrosion-resistant galvanized, stainless steel or aluminum roofing type nails with a head diameter of 3/8 in. The nail shank diameter should be 1/8 in. and long enough to penetrate into nailable base at least 3/4 in.

3.Do NOT drive nails tight.

Allow approximately 1/16 in. between nail head and vinyl. This will permit expansion and contraction as well as prevent dimpling, which causes waves in siding. [fig. A]

4.Center nails in slots.

Do not nail to the extreme right or left of nail slot in siding panel. [fig. B]

5.Drive nails straight and level.

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Install Vinyl Siding - Lowe's