Wooden decks, roofs and even interiors can really take a beating each year, simply by being exposed to the sun. For those of us who live in permanently sunny areas, the damage can be inflicted quickly and it is a known fast that roofs do not last as long in desert areas.

What of other areas? We know how to protect the exterior, but in order to apply stain and paint but we have to wait, because it is too damp and then suddenly the sun is here – and its hot! We are getting sunburn trying to stop our homes from getting sun burn!

The good news is that some protection is more thorough than others, and if this is applied at least your labor will be paid off. Some of the well recommended stains are Cabot’s, Total Wood Protection (with UV protection), and Penofin.

Also beneficial is a yearly check on your roof and woodwork. The woodwork inspection, you can probably carry out yourself, but often the roof inspection often gets a quick upward glance and that’s it.

Tiled roofs that need attention can often be spotted by close observation. Get up on the roof and look carefully for tiles with corners lifted, tiles slightly askew, curling edges or ones with a tear. If you see substantial damage, it is best to call in a roofing contractor.

Home repairs are only recommended for minor problems. Check that the roofing felt underneath is not cracked or damaged, if it is, you will need to repair this, usually by re-tarring it, before replacing the tile.

It is fairly easy to buy a packet of roof tiles at the hardware store and replace a damaged tile. Simply position it and nail it on by attaching the tile at each corner. It is recommended to ‘waterproof ‘ the nail head by painting it with roof tar, or try the USA Topcoat designed for asphalt shingle roofs (a three coat process).

It is more difficult with flat roofs covered in rolled asphalt. One easy way to check it is to have someone ’spotting’ in your attic and get up on the roof with a flashlight. If there is a light showing through, there must be a crack in your roofing.

Another indicator is moisture on your one of your beams, not that this will necessarily tell you the whereabouts of a leak, as water runs along beams etc. You could follow the trail, and if you think you have found it then try the flashlight test.

There are many products on the market to patch up an asphalt roof, but obviously a roofing contractor is your best bet. However, if you are toying with the idea of a new roof, and just want to stop the leaks for a while longer, then spot repairs may do the trick!

By: Tina Carder

Gifts for senior citizens, or the older people in our lives, don’t have to be hummm-drummm and boring.

Even if you think at that age they already have everything, think again.

We will address the have it already seniors at the end of this article.

There are many gift ideas which are greatly appreciated by the senior citizen.

It takes a little of knowing what the person likes and a lot of understanding their needs as they are aging.

One thing I can tell you is that as people get older their bodies tend to be more sensitive to the changes in temperatures because as people age their skin gets thinner.

That’s one reason a thermometer located inside the home which can tell the temperature outside is always a great gift.

It allows the senior to see the outside temperature before he or she prepares to go outdoors, meaning they can wear or take with them whatever they need to stay comfortable as the temps warm up or cool off outside.   Since their bodies tend to feel cooler even when it’s warm inside and outside it’s always nice to give them a gift of longer light weight jackets, sweaters, stretchy thicker socks to wear over their lighter socks, ball caps or fashionable hats, and scarves.  Other types of gifts they can wear and will appreciate are ones which require very little energy and effort to get on and off.

Choose materials with steadfast dyes, bright reds, and deep dark denim blues tend to run or fade.

Here are some other great gift ideas for seniors or older relatives at home or in nursing homes:

“   If they live in a climate where it gets snowy and cold in the winter then one of the snap up quilted blanket wraps is a wonderful gift that they will use over and over.

“   Fruit Baskets–but please check with others in the family to see who else might be going to give a Fruit Basket because fruit is perishable and one person can only eat so much fruit before it goes bad.

“   Favorite Coffees and Teas in baskets or containers they can keep and use again.  Some of the more modern plastics and acrylics look just like glass but don’t have the risks of breaking glass.

“   If they are diabetic nice baskets with diabetic candies, teas, coffees, sugar substitutes, diabetic lotions and creams, alcohol wipes, syrups, jams and jellies, diabetic crackers and cookies, finger lancets, and anything else they may need or use daily to control their diabetes.  Or items which cost is a little too high for them to afford on a regular basis.

“   Containers filled with the person’s favorite body care items, shampoos, shower or bath caps, and a gift certificate for the barber or beauty shop.

“   Most seniors have problems with dry eyes or itchy burning dry eyes and often times the eye drops they need to use cost too much for them to use on an as needed basis.  Find out what types of eye drops or eye washes they use and give them a couple of bottles or a gift certificate to buy the drops or washes.  Also as people age their eyes become even more sensitive to the effects of UV light rays or bright lights and they often times don’t think to buy a pair of really good quality sunglasses.  Combine the eye drops and washes with the sunglasses as a gift of clearer sight for the aging eyes of the person you love.

“   A basket or container with new flashlights and batteries for different rooms they use most in their home.  Oh don’t forget batteries for their hearing aid if they have one.

Don’t pick just any old cheap type flashlight choose ones that are bigger,easy to hold, hopefully without glass parts, and ones that are easy to change the batteries in.  These are really appreciated when the power goes out, during storms, and even when just getting up in the dark.  They also are handy for looking in closets, boxes, or containers to find things.

“   If the person still is able to shop with a friend, an aide, or on their own then gift certificates to any of the grocery stores or other stores they use are always appreciated.

“   A special gift for seniors is to give them a small gift with a gift certificate or printout of the meal or meals you’re sending to them and when they will be delivered.  Send A Meal is a fantastic place to send meals from as a gift or a treat for anyone.  You can do the entire meal giving process right from your computer or laptop and it only takes a couple of minutes.  The meals are completely prepared, totally delicious and all that is required is to heat them up.  I wouldn’t send anyone in a nursing home these meals because most hospitals and nursing homes have a central delivery department and getting the meals to the intended person is sometimes very difficult.

“   Personalized photo frames with a recent photo inside.  Personalized photo frames for them to place their own favorite or other pictures inside.  Choose ones which aren’t glass if at all possible.  Usually with seniors it’s takes a longer time to heal when they get cut.

“   Is there a really favorite picture that the senior in your life has out all of the time, if so then use your computer to send it to someplace like Canvas On Demand who will turn that picture into a quality oil like painting in just about any size for their table or as a wall hanging.  This gift actually will become an heirloom that will proudly be passed on generation after generation.

“   If the senior still likes eating out then a gift certificate to the favorite restaurant is always welcomed.

“   If they still go to functions outside the home and like to dress nicely when they go out then a piece of personalized jewelry, money clip, personalized key holders, are all nice gifts to give and get.  Even a new purse, clutch, or wallet that they wouldn’t buy for themselves would be enjoyed.

“   Key rings or key chains with larger easier to find adornments or pocketbobs engraved with their name.  These make it so much easier for them to find their keys and if the item is engraved with the name and it gets lost at a doctor’s office or hospital it’s easier to return to the owner.

Pocketbobs is an outstanding place to get a handcrafted solid sterling silver pocketbob, key chains, money clips, and other items for engraving.

Finally for the seniors that have all the money and everything.

We know there are a few.

Send A Meal can cover anyone’s taste be it everyday meatloaf or gourmet steak and lobster, so no matter what their age may be, they still have to eat.  So thrill them with a month of the meal, an entire month of meals delivered right to their door.

We politely suggest that you take a close look around our site and you’ll find gifts that will even make them hug you out of appreciation!

Please visit us at http://www.theonlinehelper.com

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LEDs are widely used as indicator lights on electronic devices and increasingly in higher power applications such as flashlights and area lighting. An LED is usually a small area light source, often with optics added to the chip to shape its radiation pattern and assist in reflection. The color of the emitted light depends on the composition and condition of the semi-conducting material used, and can be infrared, visible, or ultraviolet.

Why Choose LED Lighting?

1. The LED advantage: LED (light emitting diodes) are solid state technology and offers the most efficient (energy savings) form of lighting available. In comparison to conventional incandescent light bulbs, LEDs can be equated at approximately 7 to 8 time equivalence. For example, a 3 watt LED can produce as much illumination as a 20 watt incandescent light bulb.

2. On average, LEDs last 3 to 5 times longer than fluorescents and 20 to 30 times longer than incandescent.

3. LED lamps allow less maintenance costs, lower heating and utility costs and reduces the need for higher rated cable, transformers and electrical components.

4. LED lamps are very resilient, shock and vibration proof and virtually waterproof.

5. LEDs are smaller and more compact and provide more light output per square inch than any other light source.

6. LED lamps produce very little heat and no UV rays, making them safer to handle and safer to use. Ideal for sensitive fabrics/paintings.

7. LEDs are not sensitive to extreme temperatures (unlike fluorescent).

8. Solid state LEDs can be controlled with a processor to achieve unique lighting effects.

9. LEDs are available in cool white, warm white and multiple colors.

10. LEDs draw (on average) about 1/10th the power of today’s conventional lighting, providing new alternative solutions to conventional energy saving lamps. LEDs are the most environmentally friendly lamp technology.

11. Along with Fluorescent bulbs, LED technology is the future of lighting. It can reduce many types of pollution and meet the need for the continued world wide energy demand

Compare LED to Standard Fluorescent and Incandescent and Light Bulbs*

Category LED Fluorescent Incandescent/Halogen

Avg. Utility Cost per Month (20w) .02 cents .35 cents .86 cents

Lumens per Watt (avg.) 50 to 60 32 to 40 14 to 18

Wattage Equivalent (20w) 3 watt 9 watt 20 watt

Average Longetivity 75,000 hrs 15,000 hrs 2500 hrs

Maintenance Zero Ballast issues Replacement

Average Cost Compared to Incandescent 3x 2x variable

Operation Instant On / No Flickering Delay and Flickering Instant On / No Flickering

Added Cost Minimal Service Ballast/ Service High Service

Safety No Gas or Glass Gas and Glass Glass and Heat

Damage due to Shock and Vibration Zero Problem Problematic Problematic

Size per Unit Smallest Medium Largest

Heat Issue Least Ballast Gets Hot Lamp Gets Hot

UV Stable (ultra violet) Stabilized Not UV Stable Stabilized

Light Control Most Control Variable Control Variable Control

Weather/Temperature Changes Not Sensitive Sensitive Some Sensitivity

Ecology/Environment Minimal Issues Some Issues Damaging

Note: These comparisons are based on national averages.

Summary on Savings: Energy bills, Heating Bills, Fixture Longevity, Maintenance and Replacement Labor. These savings may far outweigh the higher cost of solid state (LED) lighting products.

As more individuals become aware of the energy efficiency of LED lighting, the price of such items as LED bulbs will decrease in price. Currently, the price of one LED bulb is substantially higher than the price of incandescent or fluorescent lighting. However, the initial price for LED bulbs would more than pay for itself in the long run. On average, one incandescent 60-watt bulb lasts 1,000 hours whereas one 2-watt LED light bulb lasts 60,000 hours. Therefore, one would need to purchase 60 incandescent bulbs for every one LED light bulb.

Home LED lighting is a cut above the rest when it comes to energy efficiency. As compared to incandescent lighting, LED lighting wins hands down where energy consumption is concerned. For every 60,000 hours of usage, incandescent lighting uses approximately 3,600 kWh of electricity where LED lighting uses 120 kWh. Bottom line: energy efficiency equals a significant cost savings. LED lighting gives off directional light. Therefore, it is useful as a source of light for reading or spotlighting in the home. Its powerful light output also makes it great for outdoor floodlighting and path illumination. LED bulbs are now available that can replace most halogen or fluorescent light bulbs used in the home.

Although LED lighting may not be useful for all home lighting needs, replacing a few bulbs with LED bulbs would have a noticeable affect in the amount of electricity used.

LED light displays are already used in signs and videos in many indoor and outdoor sporting events and concerts. LED video displays and signs are often preferred because of their higher brightness, which is critical when people are viewing a sign or video from a long distance. Added advantages of LED video displays are their capacity to incorporate curves and 3-D design. This makes LED video displays technologically superior to currently available large screen displays. Research and developers in the consumer electronics space are eager to take advantage of this overwhelmingly useful technology in future products.

Other uses for LED lighting include LED flashlights and key chains, automobile taillights and interior lights, and LED based projection televisions. LED lighting is also being used in the military for LED flashlights that work with night-vision goggles, UV-LED canteen water treatment devices and the sterilization of surgical equipment.

With LED lighting being more energy efficient and technologically superior to many other light sources, numerous LED light applications are sure to evolve. Future generations can expect to consider LED lighting as the standard light source for most lighting applications.

~Ben Anton, 2007

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