<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?><?xml-stylesheet href="http://www.blogger.com/styles/atom.css" type="text/css"?><feed xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom' xmlns:openSearch='http://a9.com/-/spec/opensearchrss/1.0/' xmlns:georss='http://www.georss.org/georss'><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33862421</id><updated>2009-02-21T07:37:43.129Z</updated><title type='text'>Home Improvements</title><subtitle type='html'></subtitle><link rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#feed' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://a1start-home-improvements.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33862421/posts/default'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://a1start-home-improvements.blogspot.com/'/><link rel='hub' href='http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com/'/><author><name>a1start</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/02800254711488034902</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email></author><generator version='7.00' uri='http://www.blogger.com'>Blogger</generator><openSearch:totalResults>15</openSearch:totalResults><openSearch:startIndex>1</openSearch:startIndex><openSearch:itemsPerPage>25</openSearch:itemsPerPage><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33862421.post-115749827978759799</id><published>2006-09-05T00:17:00.000+01:00</published><updated>2006-09-06T00:18:22.803+01:00</updated><title type='text'>Getting Started - Vacuum Cleaning Your Carpet</title><summary type='text'>To always maintain the look, feel, and appearance of your home carpet you'll need to vacuum on a regular basis. If you are new to vacuuming, you can use these tips to help you keeping your home clean. Before you start, you should always inspect the house area. Pick up any large objects that could cause your vacuum cleaner to clog up. Smaller objects are fine, just as long as they can pass through</summary><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33862421/posts/default/115749827978759799'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33862421/posts/default/115749827978759799'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://a1start-home-improvements.blogspot.com/2006/09/getting-started-vacuum-cleaning-your.html' title='Getting Started - Vacuum Cleaning Your Carpet'/><author><name>a1start</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/02800254711488034902</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:extendedProperty xmlns:gd='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005' name='OpenSocialUserId' value='10742039231646726708'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33862421.post-115740827561131321</id><published>2006-09-04T23:16:00.000+01:00</published><updated>2006-09-04T23:18:27.733+01:00</updated><title type='text'>How Not To Alienate Your Home Improvement Contractor</title><summary type='text'>The following article was written by a contractor with 20 years of experience. Having contracted jobs from over two hundred homeowners in five different cities, his advice suggests some things that you can to do to prevent things like confusion and conflicts on the job. Although we never enter into an agreement believing things will go wrong or turn sour, things happen and have the potential of </summary><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33862421/posts/default/115740827561131321'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33862421/posts/default/115740827561131321'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://a1start-home-improvements.blogspot.com/2006/09/how-not-to-alienate-your-home.html' title='How Not To Alienate Your Home Improvement Contractor'/><author><name>a1start</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/02800254711488034902</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:extendedProperty xmlns:gd='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005' name='OpenSocialUserId' value='10742039231646726708'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33862421.post-115740840903485286</id><published>2006-09-03T18:54:00.000+01:00</published><updated>2006-09-04T23:20:50.256+01:00</updated><title type='text'>3 Tips To Pick The Right Living Room Furniture</title><summary type='text'>While many people's living rooms look like a collection room at the Salvation Army, there are in fact reasons behind making living room furniture a collective design element, rather than a random showing of furniture.  The way that one sculpts pieces of clay into one static sculpture is the way we should look at living room furniture in terms of decorating. There are many reasons why living room </summary><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33862421/posts/default/115740840903485286'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33862421/posts/default/115740840903485286'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://a1start-home-improvements.blogspot.com/2006/09/3-tips-to-pick-right-living-room.html' title='3 Tips To Pick The Right Living Room Furniture'/><author><name>a1start</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/02800254711488034902</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:extendedProperty xmlns:gd='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005' name='OpenSocialUserId' value='10742039231646726708'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33862421.post-115740855554283303</id><published>2006-09-02T12:16:00.000+01:00</published><updated>2006-09-04T23:42:48.500+01:00</updated><title type='text'>Guide To Basement Bathroom Plumbing</title><summary type='text'>Basement bathroom plumbing work needs considerable skill, experience and care. It is advisable to hire the services of a plumbing contractor for carrying out basement bathroom plumbing work. The existing floor needs to be busted and in the process drainpipes may also get broken if adequate safety measures are not taken up. Basement bathroom plumbing procedure Some concrete may need to be removed </summary><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33862421/posts/default/115740855554283303'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33862421/posts/default/115740855554283303'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://a1start-home-improvements.blogspot.com/2006/09/guide-to-basement-bathroom-plumbing.html' title='Guide To Basement Bathroom Plumbing'/><author><name>a1start</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/02800254711488034902</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:extendedProperty xmlns:gd='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005' name='OpenSocialUserId' value='10742039231646726708'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33862421.post-115740865575737391</id><published>2006-09-01T17:05:00.000+01:00</published><updated>2006-09-04T23:24:52.256+01:00</updated><title type='text'>Avoiding the Over Improved Home</title><summary type='text'>Purchase real estate, make improvements to it and then sell for a tidy profit. That is how we are all told we can make a bundle in real estate, but it can lead to problems.  Avoiding the Over Improved Home There are two basic rules in real estate. The first is you should buy in the right location. The second is do not buy the best house on the block. Instead, you should be a home that needs some </summary><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33862421/posts/default/115740865575737391'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33862421/posts/default/115740865575737391'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://a1start-home-improvements.blogspot.com/2006/09/avoiding-over-improved-home.html' title='Avoiding the Over Improved Home'/><author><name>a1start</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/02800254711488034902</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:extendedProperty xmlns:gd='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005' name='OpenSocialUserId' value='10742039231646726708'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33862421.post-115740876820665734</id><published>2006-08-31T07:01:00.000+01:00</published><updated>2006-09-04T23:43:19.396+01:00</updated><title type='text'>4 Tips for Your Patio Furniture Repair</title><summary type='text'>Doing your own patio furniture repairs can certainly make better sense, because you will be able to stretch your money and give the patio furniture the appropriate attention it deserve. Here are several noteworthy tips you can safely try when you do your own patio furniture repair. Don't you just love to loll around on a comfortable chaise? However, to stay safe and secure, you should check if </summary><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33862421/posts/default/115740876820665734'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33862421/posts/default/115740876820665734'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://a1start-home-improvements.blogspot.com/2006/08/4-tips-for-your-patio-furniture-repair.html' title='4 Tips for Your Patio Furniture Repair'/><author><name>a1start</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/02800254711488034902</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:extendedProperty xmlns:gd='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005' name='OpenSocialUserId' value='10742039231646726708'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33862421.post-115740894801085933</id><published>2006-08-30T16:13:00.000+01:00</published><updated>2006-09-04T23:29:32.540+01:00</updated><title type='text'>Giving Your Bathroom a Makeover</title><summary type='text'>According to contractors, the room that is undergoing the greatest amount of transformation in new construction and remodeling is the bathroom. In fact, since the 1930s, the average master bath has tripled in size and the huge bathrooms build in houses today have even an oversized closet inside. The change in bathroom space is attributed to the fact that people are now spending more time in their</summary><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33862421/posts/default/115740894801085933'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33862421/posts/default/115740894801085933'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://a1start-home-improvements.blogspot.com/2006/08/giving-your-bathroom-makeover.html' title='Giving Your Bathroom a Makeover'/><author><name>a1start</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/02800254711488034902</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:extendedProperty xmlns:gd='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005' name='OpenSocialUserId' value='10742039231646726708'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33862421.post-115740906362579601</id><published>2006-08-29T23:13:00.000+01:00</published><updated>2006-09-04T23:32:03.583+01:00</updated><title type='text'>Patching a Hole in Six Easy Steps</title><summary type='text'> How many of you have ever come into the house a little too fast and slammed your doorknob through the drywall? Sound familiar? Well here are six simple steps to fixing any hole in your home, saving you costly repairs in the future. To patch your hole, you will need the following: Carpenter's Square with Level Wallboard Saw Scrap Piece of Wallboard Hot Glue Gun  Wallboard Tape (Generally Made of </summary><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33862421/posts/default/115740906362579601'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33862421/posts/default/115740906362579601'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://a1start-home-improvements.blogspot.com/2006/08/patching-hole-in-six-easy-steps.html' title='Patching a Hole in Six Easy Steps'/><author><name>a1start</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/02800254711488034902</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:extendedProperty xmlns:gd='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005' name='OpenSocialUserId' value='10742039231646726708'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33862421.post-115740920755261286</id><published>2006-08-28T11:18:00.000+01:00</published><updated>2006-09-04T23:34:02.400+01:00</updated><title type='text'>Cloth, Leather, and Fiber Material Mending</title><summary type='text'> Have you ever torn a favorite leather, vinyl or cloth material and was just sick about it? How about a car seat, boat seat, or recliner? You typically have to decide whether to toss the ripped article in the trash, or pay a hefty mending fee. I found that there is at least one other alternative to either tossing the article or paying a large mending fee. There are chemical mending products that </summary><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33862421/posts/default/115740920755261286'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33862421/posts/default/115740920755261286'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://a1start-home-improvements.blogspot.com/2006/08/cloth-leather-and-fiber-material.html' title='Cloth, Leather, and Fiber Material Mending'/><author><name>a1start</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/02800254711488034902</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:extendedProperty xmlns:gd='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005' name='OpenSocialUserId' value='10742039231646726708'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33862421.post-115740933606662752</id><published>2006-08-27T14:54:00.000+01:00</published><updated>2006-09-04T23:36:02.803+01:00</updated><title type='text'>The Basics Of Hardwood Flooring</title><summary type='text'>One of the greatest things you can do for your home is to get hardwood floors, there is something about hardwood floors that makes a house, a feeling that is unique to hardwood floors and if you ever visited a house that had these kind of floors I am almost sure you know what I mean. Hardwood floors are a great design idea, one of the most significant home improvement tricks in the business and a</summary><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33862421/posts/default/115740933606662752'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33862421/posts/default/115740933606662752'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://a1start-home-improvements.blogspot.com/2006/08/basics-of-hardwood-flooring.html' title='The Basics Of Hardwood Flooring'/><author><name>a1start</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/02800254711488034902</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:extendedProperty xmlns:gd='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005' name='OpenSocialUserId' value='10742039231646726708'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33862421.post-115740945103996268</id><published>2006-08-26T07:46:00.000+01:00</published><updated>2006-09-04T23:46:33.106+01:00</updated><title type='text'>The Basics Of Fencing Your Yard</title><summary type='text'>Whenever one looks at houses while driving down the subdivision, fences are rarely eye-catching. Fences are usually a component of the whole backdrop of a house, and perhaps this is the main essence of a fence. The beauty of a house is made to stand out through the use of fences and it should not be the other way around. Fences accentuate the natural splendor of one's home, and properly choosing </summary><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33862421/posts/default/115740945103996268'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33862421/posts/default/115740945103996268'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://a1start-home-improvements.blogspot.com/2006/08/basics-of-fencing-your-yard.html' title='The Basics Of Fencing Your Yard'/><author><name>a1start</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/02800254711488034902</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:extendedProperty xmlns:gd='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005' name='OpenSocialUserId' value='10742039231646726708'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33862421.post-115740953945861118</id><published>2006-08-25T13:56:00.000+01:00</published><updated>2006-09-04T23:39:29.173+01:00</updated><title type='text'>Household Mold and Prevention</title><summary type='text'>Mold prevention is a must for a healthier lifestyle. Did know that there are over a hundred thousand species of mold? and some of these biological organisms can cause serious health problems in the household from breathing the spores that float around.  These microscopic fungi are to small to be seen by the naked eye, float around in the air, can cause serious damage to a wood structure and can </summary><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33862421/posts/default/115740953945861118'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33862421/posts/default/115740953945861118'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://a1start-home-improvements.blogspot.com/2006/08/household-mold-and-prevention.html' title='Household Mold and Prevention'/><author><name>a1start</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/02800254711488034902</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:extendedProperty xmlns:gd='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005' name='OpenSocialUserId' value='10742039231646726708'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33862421.post-115740968131492989</id><published>2006-08-24T19:28:00.000+01:00</published><updated>2006-09-04T23:41:56.756+01:00</updated><title type='text'>Guide To Patio Furniture Cushion</title><summary type='text'>Very often accessories can make the item it is meant to enhance look much worse; this is true whether you have a house, a car, or a patio. The accessories are always extremely important, but in a patio you can say that they are absolutely crucial. Why and What Are Patio Furniture Cushion Used for? Any patio chair would be incomplete without the right cushion installed and showcased on the patio. </summary><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33862421/posts/default/115740968131492989'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33862421/posts/default/115740968131492989'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://a1start-home-improvements.blogspot.com/2006/08/guide-to-patio-furniture-cushion.html' title='Guide To Patio Furniture Cushion'/><author><name>a1start</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/02800254711488034902</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:extendedProperty xmlns:gd='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005' name='OpenSocialUserId' value='10742039231646726708'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33862421.post-115740986380315756</id><published>2006-08-23T18:03:00.000+01:00</published><updated>2006-09-04T23:45:03.520+01:00</updated><title type='text'>10 Tips for Keeping Your Ceramic Tiles Looking Great</title><summary type='text'>You enter the bathroom. You turn on the lights. You dream of having a nice, relaxing bath or a cold, invigorating shower. What you get instead is a strangled shriek and despair.  Yes, ceramic tiles sure brighten up any bathroom or kitchen with their artistic and wonderful designs. We all love that glossy finish and the pearl-like shine. But moldy and dirty ceramic tiles are a big turn off, </summary><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33862421/posts/default/115740986380315756'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33862421/posts/default/115740986380315756'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://a1start-home-improvements.blogspot.com/2006/08/10-tips-for-keeping-your-ceramic-tiles.html' title='10 Tips for Keeping Your Ceramic Tiles Looking Great'/><author><name>a1start</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/02800254711488034902</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:extendedProperty xmlns:gd='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005' name='OpenSocialUserId' value='10742039231646726708'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33862421.post-115741013117456193</id><published>2006-08-22T09:41:00.000+01:00</published><updated>2006-09-04T23:49:25.146+01:00</updated><title type='text'>Exterior Painting Preparation</title><summary type='text'>Exterior painting starts with systematic preparation of all surfaces to be painted. Here are some simple guidelines and things to look for before continuing with the painting process. Thoroughly inspect your home completely before moving on. This will prevent, if any, further damage to your home. Look for signs of blistering, peeling or chalking on the paint of your home. Water damage shows as </summary><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33862421/posts/default/115741013117456193'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33862421/posts/default/115741013117456193'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://a1start-home-improvements.blogspot.com/2006/08/exterior-painting-preparation.html' title='Exterior Painting Preparation'/><author><name>a1start</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/02800254711488034902</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:extendedProperty xmlns:gd='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005' name='OpenSocialUserId' value='10742039231646726708'/></author></entry></feed>