For An Alternative Rush

1. The site of the proposed conservatory.

2. Construction work begins. The trench is excavated to suit the relevant ground conditions, in this case, to a depth of 450mm (minimum depth) for the footings. The general ground level (within the area of the trench) is also reduced to a minimum of 300 mm below the DPC. Excavation exposes an underground pipe.

3. Concrete lintels should be placed to bridge the underground drainage pipe to prevent the pipe being crushed. Also additional steel reinforcement mesh introduced to the concrete foundation will provide additional support.

4. Stakes driven into the ground are set 450mm below DPC (Damp Proof Course) and 300mm below outside ground level. Concrete is then poured into the 450mm deep trench to a depth of 150mm.

5. The concrete is floated to form a level surface 450mm below the house DPC

6. The inner leaf of the cavity wall is built up to floor level, usually the house DPC.

7. Hardcore is laid to a minimum 100mm deep and compacted to form the base layer of the slab.

8. A blinding screed of sand 50mm thick is laid over the compacted hardcore layer to prevent any sharp stones puncturing the damp proof membrane (heavy duty plastic sheeting).

9. The damp proof membrane is laid over the sand blinding and lapped onto the inner leaf of brickwork

10. Optional floor insulation (50mm thick Styrofoam in this case) is placed upon the sheeting.

11. Concrete 100mm thick is laid to bring the slab up to the finished floor level which is then float finished to give a smooth finish for tiling or carpet finish

12. The outer leaf of the wall is built. In this case, artificial stone to match the house is used

13. The inner leaf of the cavity wall is built to complete the basework. The same material as the outer leaf has been used to provide a feature stone finish

14. The PVCu external cill is fitted to the dwarf wall and erection of the side frames begins.

15. On completion of the frames the structural aluminium eaves beam is fitted to the head of the frames.

16. The PVCu thermally clad aluminium glazing bars and ridge system are quickly assembled.

17. The polycarbonate glazing panels are installed (alternatively, double glazed units may be specified).

18. The side frames are glazed after the roof is complete

19. The ventilated aluminium ridge is ready to accept the clip fit PVCu internal cladding. Electrical cables may be concealed behind the cladding if a fan or lights are required.

20. The PVCu internal fascia is clipped onto the eaves beam to complete the internal finishing trims. Other internal work IS completed once the roof is on

21. The completed conservatory

http://www.conservatoryliving.co.uk

Carl Russell

If you had to make a list of the most important things in your
life, would you include your pet? Many of us would and it’s
nothing to be shy about. Millions of people take special joy in
caring for their pets. Pets give us proven health and emotional
benefits.

Even more, pets have their own personalities. When you really
get to know a cat, dog, or other pet — living with them day to
day — they almost seem like people. When you give your pet
attention, they really seem to respond!

Many people enjoy dressing their pet in specially designed pet
jewelry. These days pet collars can be adorned with crystals and
rhinestones so they look like something you might purchase in an
exclusive jewelry store. Purchase one for your pet and I
guarantee he or she will feel special AND get noticed wherever
you go.

A newly designed bracelet for dogs is expanding the possibilities
for fashionable canines. Adorned in sparkling rhinestones, it
makes any dog look upscale. And a special magnetic clasp keeps
the bracelet from getting entangled when your dog is walking.

Attending a special event? Go all out and dress your pet in a
matching designer bracelet and necklace. Not only will you be
turning heads when you’re dressed up, your pet will be equally
attractive. You can even arrange to have your pet’s jewelry
match your own for a breathtaking and fun effect.

While you may not have thought of it, pets enjoy wearing
attractive jewelry just as much as people do. Pets immediately
know they are attracting positive attention, and they love it!
That makes your pet healthier, happier, and even more fun to be
around. Attention and positive feelings help develop your pet’s
personality and deepen your relationship with your pet.

So have fun dressing up your pet. Make them one of today’s
upscale animals. It’s fun and great for your pet.

Sharon Sheraton is founder of Sharaton Luxuries at
http://www.sheratonluxuries.com See their new lines of pet
jewelry including the new luxury Angel Wing Harness.
Reach Sharon at sglorsky@bellsouth.net

Assessing Your Asphalt Shingles

Submitted by: Michael Del Greco, New Jersey Home Inspector Lic GI 0121, President of Accurate Inspections, Inc, a New Jersey home inspection company

An asphalt shingle roof in good condition will keep your family protected from water penetration, while a roof in poor or failing condition can cause headaches and large bills due to damage and urgency. Asphalt shingled roofs are by far the most common

type of roof covering found in homes today. They first came on the scene in the early part of this century and quickly became the roof covering of choice.

The condition of asphalt composition shingles is dictated by the condition of the granules in the joints between the tabs or cutouts in the shingles. Consider the

following:

*If the granules are intact in the cutouts or joints between the tabs, the shingles are acceptable and should have years of remaining life.

*If the granules in the cutouts are worn and the asphalt matrix is visible, the shingles are marginal because of the obvious wear and limited remaining life expectancy, perhaps six months to two years.

*If the granules and matrix in the cutouts are worn through and you can see the shingles or sheathing below, the shingles are no longer acceptable.

Curling or cupping shingles may be an indication of wear, age, or condensation problems. However, it does not indicate failed shingles. Remaining life expectancy could be two to five years.

Even when shingles are in poor condition, roofs with multiple layers may not leak because of the layer of shingles below. These back-up layers can deflect water to the gutter system.

The life expectancy of asphalt shingles is determined by the following:

1) The slope of the roof. Shingles will last longer on higher sloped roofs because water sheds quickly and more completely.

2) The color of the roof. Lighter-color roofs last longer than darker roofs because they reflect the sun better.

3) Exposure to the sun. North-facing shingles last longer than south-facing shingles because the sun causes as much damage as rain and associated weather.

High-slope, light-color, east-west facing roofs can last 25 years or more. Low-slope, dark-color, south-facing roofs may fail within 15 years. Roofs in the north tend to last longer than roofs in the warmer, southern climates.

Careful attention should be given to flashings at all roof penetrations and valleys.

Proper flashings and valleys should control and divert water away from the roof and walls of the house. The majority of roofing problems come from these areas.

How asphalt shingles are made: Asphalt shingles are made of asphalt flux, a material which is refined from
petroleum in the distillation process. Asphalt flux is typically reinforced with glass fiber or cellulose fibers. Glass fiber reinforcement has evolved as the most desirable hoice.

The shingle matrix then receives a granular surface. Granules protect the shingle from the sun and the weather and increase the fire-resistance rating. Fiberglass-reinforced asphalt shingles typically have a fire rating. However, the primary materials in the shingles are cellulose and petroleum, which are flammable.


Shingles come in different shapes and configurations. The most widely used shingles

are self-sealing strip shingles. Asphalt shingles are normally installed on roof slopes of four inches per foot or more. On slopes of less than four inches per foot or where the January mean temperature is 30 degrees F or less, the requirements are for specific materials that are designed for low slopes. Asphalt composition shingles were not designed for slopes of 4/12 or less.



Information provided by Michael Del Greco, New Jersey Home Inspector Lic. GI 0121, American Society of Home Inspectors Member 102273, Pesident of Accurate Inspections, Inc. A West Paterson New Jersey Home Inspection firm.

A look into the history of Pilates helps you understand the tremendous power that this form of exercise has to help strengthen and transform your body. Unlike yoga, which has a tradition that goes back thousands of years, one individual developed the Pilates Method at the beginning of the twentieth century.

In 1880 in Dusseldorf, Germany, a sickly baby named Joseph Pilates was born. As a young child he watched as his friends ran, jumped and played games -activities that he could not do because of his frail, weak body. That is when the Pilates Method really began. Pilates was determined to find a way to improve his health and physical strength and stamina. He set off on a lifelong quest for fitness and exercise. Pilates not only overcame his physical frailties - he mastered them. He became an accomplished yogi, boxer, gymnast, and skier.

During World War I, Pilates was interned in England where he worked as a nurse with injured war victims. Pilates was convinced that exercise could help rehabilitate their badly damaged bodies. Many of these patients were not able to move, but that did nothing to deter Pilates’ determination to help them gain strength and mobility. He rigged up their hospital beds with straps and springs and created a series of exercises to help move their joints through a greater range of motion. The exercises also helped his patients develop muscle strength, flexibility and endurance. Eventually, many of these people were able to get up and move around by themselves.

In 1923, Joseph Pilates and his wife moved to New York City where they opened up a studio and began working to rehabilitate injured dancers. Some of the most famous dancers that they worked with were George Balanchine and Martha Graham. Word of the dramatic results that came from using the Pilates method spread, and soon it became the exercise of choice for not only dancers, but also entertainment stars and professional athletes. For a long time, this unique form of exercise was limited to this elite community.

That has all changed. Now millions of people are familiar with the Pilates method of exercise. They have discovered for themselves that Pilates can help them gain the strength, flexibility, and balance of a professional dancer, without having to spend hours at the gym. They spend less time to achieve better results. No wonder it has become one of the hottest fitness trends to come along in years.

Now that you know the background of Pilates and why it was developed, you can realize how this powerful form of exercise can help you gain strength, flexibility, endurance, and the body of that you’ve always wanted.

Della Menechella is a yoga and fitness enthusiast who has been involved in fitness for over thirty years. Her website http://www.beauty-fitness-yoga-source.com/ is filled with practical information about how you can make yoga and fitness a positive part of your life. Visit the site and get your free meditation e-book.