Information you need before you buy piano

When you begin your inspection of a piano, look at the back. there will be five or six vertical posts that serve as stays against the frame, giving added strength to resist the tremendous pull of the strings inside. The posts should be heavy and strong enough to provide adequate support in proportion to the rest of the piano.

Next, ask about the soundboard, a wooden board at the back that translates the vibrations of the strings into the "tone" of the piano. The soundboard is one of the vital parts of the piano, and is is made of spruce in many top-quality instruments.The fine, straight grain in spruce is ideal for conducting sound.
The ribs on the back of the soundboard should run from one edge of the soundboard to the other for support.

The plate is an irregularly-shaped piece of cast iron bolted to the back of the frame. It holds one end of the piano strings, and anchors most of the 20 tons of pull exerted by the taut strings.
The treble and bass bridges are another of the piano's vital organs. These long pieces of hard maple are attached to the soundboard, transferring the vibrations of the string to it.
The treble and bass bridges are another of the piano's vital organs. These long pieces of hard maple are attached to the soundboard, transferring the vibrations of the string to it.

When piano dealers refer to the "strung back," they mean the parts just discussed plus the strings, which are made of high-grade steel drawn to exact sizes. The bass strings are wound with wire to add weight and reduce the frequency at which the string vibrates. This allows the use of relatively shorter string to produce deeper notes.
At the top of the plate, the strings are wound through and around tuning pins. These are set into the pin block, constructed of layers of carefully seasoned hard wood which grips the pins in place for tuning stability.

The working section of the piano is called the action. There are about 7,500 parts here, all playing a role in sending the hammers against the strings when keys are struck.
Grand pianos all have horizontal action, and upright pianos have vertical action. There are two kinds of vertical action--"direct-blow," which pushes the mechanism that controls the hammer, found in taller pianos; and "indirect-blow" or "drop" action, which pulls the mechanism in lower silhouette instruments.

Piano hammers are formed of one or two layers of felt forged onto the wooden hammer molding under tremendous pressure. If a dealer talks to you about a 9-pound hammer as opposed to a 12-pound hammer, he means the weight of the sheets of felt that were used to make the hammers.

By the time you see the piano in the showroom, it has been tuned at the factory several times, starting with the "chip" or rough tuning before the mechanism is even locked into the cabinet. The last fine adjustment, called "voicing," includes the regulation of the hammer felts for individual notes.

Now, you can take your head out of the inside of the piano, and consider the externals again.
The piano keys rest in the key bed, a perfectly flat well in the front of the cabinet that keeps the keys level. Each key is balanced by a center pin, and "bushed" with fine wool for silence and proper clearance. The "ivories" are not ivory anymore, but a fine molded plastic that won't crack or turn yellow. The black keys are made of a similar material.

Most pianos have three pedals, but most pianists need only two. The sustaining, or damper pedal on the right lifts the dampers (which in a resting position prevent the strings from vibrating) away from the strings so that the tone is sustained after the keys are released.
The pedal on the left, called una corda, mutes the tone by shortening the distance the hammers travel or by shifting the action slightly so fewer strings are hit. Many pianos have a third pedal for sustaining bass tones only, On most grand pianos ansd some uprights, the third pedal is a sostenuto, which sustains selected tones at the pianist's discretion.

Finally, there's the cabinet, that handsome piece of furniture that will take a prominent place in your decor. Modern cabinets are made of core stock overlaid with thin veneers of fine furniture wood. Many grains and finishes are available and modern finishing techniques assure excellent appearance and easy care for years.

How to Repair a Roof Leak

One of the worst types of damage is flooding due to a roof leak. A roof leak can wreak havoc on a home in just a few minutes. While roof leaks are serious, most of them can be easily repaired with minimal cost and time. Many homeowners allow their roof leak to continue causing extensive damage to the roof, ceiling, as well as creating a health hazard due to the fact that a leaky roof can spawn mold and mildew.

The first step to repairing a roof leak is to first find the source of it. Roof leaks usually occur frequently at the following places:
* Skylights
* Chimneys
* Flashings

Roof leaks may also occur due to:

* A low spot on the roof where water collects
* Debris such as leaves and branches where water collects
* Ice or snow where water collects and melts
* Missing shingles on the roof

If a leak is recognized, clear the area of any home belongings, for instance electronic equipment furniture, etc. Place a bucket to collect the water for the time being. Once you can clearly see where the water is dripping from the ceiling, take a ladder and look at the roof in that area. You might easily see a part of the roof that has a broken shingle; you might also see debris, loose flashings, etc.

Once you solve the cause of the leak, you will be able to figure out the proper way to fix it. If you are not handy, then your best bet is to forgo fixing the roof yourself and contact a professional. It should be noted that you shouldn’t try to fix your roof in a thunderstorm due to the threat of being struck by lighting or being pushed off the roof by a strong gust of wind.

Fixing a Roof Damaged by Debris

Many roofs begin to leak because there is debris on the roof such as leaves or ice that is stuck in a low spot melting. By cleaning away this debris, you can usually stop the leak. However, please note, this is only a quick fix, there is still usually damage to the roof that should be fixed so that another leak does not happen.
Fixing a Roof with Loose or Missing Shingles

If your roof leak is caused by loose or missing shingles, you can usually quickly and cost effectively fix your roof by replacing those shingles. First, locate the missing shingles. Count how many shingles are missing or loose. If you can, remove one shingle as a sample to take to the home improvement store. You should note that an exact match in color might not be available since most shingles fade over time.

Besides the shingle, make sure that the felt underneath the shingles is in good shape and not damaged. If the felt is torn, it should be removed and replaced. You can easily replace felt by adhering it with a staple gun. For best results, use 15 pound roof felt and overlap it from the bottom up, just as your shingles are set. If your roof is made from wood shakes, you can follow the above directions, using 30 pound shake liner instead of the 15 pound roof felt.
Repair a Roof with Loose or Missing Metal Flashings

Metal flashings are another common item that can cause a roof leak. Metal flashings are used around plumbing pipes, flue pipes, attic vents, skylights, etc. Flashings can come loose from time to time, so a good way to prevent a roof leak is to check them seasonally and tighten any flashings that have loosened. Every flashing should have a proper tight and continuous seal otherwise it can be the cause of a roof leak.

Metal flashings can be fixed simply with roofing tar, silicone or rubber sealants. Before applying these items, make sure that the area is dry and clean. Any flashing that is cracked, broken or dented should be replaced even if it has not developed a leak yet.

When replacing damaged metal flashing keep in mind that the flashing should always be placed over the shingle or shake. Once again, if the problem that is causing a leak is difficult to reach or too difficult a job for a novice, your best bet is to call a professional.

Leaks can also come from the ceiling, but be caused by plumbing pipes or a leaky window in the attic. Before jumping to conclusions regarding the source of the leak, do a detailed search to figure out where the water is coming from.

Once you’re done repairing the roof, you may have to replace parts of your interior that may have been damaged by water. In certain cases, new ceiling paint can hide damage, however if the ceiling tiles, walls or other items have been damaged with water significantly, it is extremely prudent to replace the damaged area due to the possibility of mold and mildew growth.

Ontario Landlord and Tenant Act and Related Legislation

Canadian Tenant Information

Canadian Tenant Information is a mishmash compilation of articles which desparately needs editing and some organization, but still worth wading through the mess to find the odd gem. Primarily for Ontario tenants, but also has some information for the rest of Canada
Click here The Ontario Rental Housing Tribunal (ORHT) is being openly ridiculed as an "Eviction Machine" which openly sides with landlords. Their site contains pages of information which is worth reviewing, however the process is stacked against tenants, so beware. Tenants are being forced to pay large legal bills to fight landlords' annual rent increase applications. There is no provision to recover costs. Hearsay "evidence" is the norm and untrained people sit as judges on these tribunals. Mike Harris got his for having gutted social services in this province. Let's hope McGinty does something productive.

Click here FREE LITERATURE ON HOW TO DEAL WITH ONTARIO LANDLORD TENANT PROBLEMS
Tenant Resources in Ontario

Toronto, Ontario: Landlord & Tenant ParaLegal help
Click here Federation of Metro Tenants Association A really lousy web site layout and design, but call their hot line for good advice (416) 921-9494

The following organizations represent tenants in government hearings and commissions.
Click here ParaLegalAdvice Referrals to Paralegals in Canada
Landlords Agents for Courts (416) 535-3391
Landlords Eviction Services (416) 535-3391
Landlords Help (416) 761-9956
Landlords Self Help Center (416) 532-4467
Landlord Service Bureau (416) 586-0900
Landlord-Tenant Action Centre (416) 924-8693

I fixed my roof

Why not try it yourself? A world without difficult, can certainly be done. I learned back knowledge of some terms of building materials began to ask for people to repair.

I write down all the information. How he works? In what material? And compare with all companies in order to take the right one. First company sent a young man, he offer me with only $200. Should first few pieces of zinc metal covered with a quilt, and then down on the asphalt in the surrounding, I doubt its effectiveness, decided not to accept.

The second company sent three workers to inspected the room carefully, told me that the three-quarters of roof is good, house wooden beams are intact, we must replace a quarter of the roof, they are measured carefully, and then press one roof at the plant templates can best be maintenance, fees and charges was $695, I think it is reasonable, then accepted their service.

Related service： Toronto residential roofing

Buy a Condo or a house

Advantages of Purchasing a Lake views condominiums in Toronto over a Single-Family Home

First time home-buyer or empty nester? Looking for rental property? Why choosing a condo over a house for investment may be the way to go if you know what to look for.

Falling real estate prices and surging gas prices make anyone uneasy about signing the dotted line on a home purchase. But if you’re looking for a condo either to rent out or live in, now may be a great time to buy. Why?

The higher they go the harder they fall. Real estate flippers were buying condos by the masses during the height of the real estate boom...and not just in Miami. Every city had its share of investors trying to make a quick buck. Sometimes people would buy and sell units over and over again before the paint was even dry on the new construction. As a result, condo prices are depressed and ripe for savvy buyers.

Condos make great rental properties. Whether this is your very first real estate purchase, or you’re an empty-nester looking to downsize, view your condo purchase as an investment. Say you decide to get married down the road and need a bigger place, you can always rent out your condo if you can’t get the sale price you want. Or if you’re downsizing from a house and a year or two down the road you decide condo living is not for you, you can always lease the unit and use the income to pay bills or offset the mortgage on a house.

Before you begin condo shopping, follow these tips for a better buying experience:

Find out exactly what the maintenance fees are. Don’t even walk into an open house before you know how much you’ll have to pay to the condo association every month and what those fees cover. Dues can range anywhere from several hundred to thousands of dollars a month. Does it include trash, cable or satellite? When was the last time the association board installed a new roof? How often is the building painted? These are all questions you need to ask before you ever set foot inside a unit.Read the condo documents carefully. Every condo association has them and the board is required to give you a copy when you purchase the property. But don’t wait until then. Get a copy before you make an offer and read the fine print.

If you decide to rent out your unit and the condo board doesn’t allow leases, you need to know that before signing a contract. The condo docs will also tell you if there are any age restrictions on tenants. They also cover rules concerning common property such as a pool or tennis courts. Examine the building exterior and grounds. Each condominium complex may have different associations and each one runs differently. That’s why one building may look well-kept, while another in the same community is old and tired-looking. Drive by at different times during the day to determine how often maintenance crews are working. Get a copy of the condo board’s financial statement.

Remember, owners elect the condo board and you need to find out how well the association manages money. You pay dues every month and you want to find out where every penny is going and how it’s spent.Talk to residents. Walk around on a Saturday afternoon and chat up some of your potential neighbors. If you tell them you’re thinking about buying there, some may be very candid with you about life in the community.

Even if they’re not, you can often read between the lines and sense any problems or discord in the complex.Finally, negotiate, negotiate, negotiate! Remember, this is a buyer's market. Study comparables carefully and don't be afraid to make a low-ball offer. Sure, the seller can turn it down without a counter-offer, but with a glut of condos on the market, you'll surely find another one you like just as much.Related Suite 101 articles:

If you decide to lease your condo, why you need rental documentation.
High ratio borrower tool kit for first time home buyers.

5 tips: Renovating your home

If you're looking to custom your home additons in Toronto this year, now is a good time. You may even be able to get your contractor on the phone...on the first try!

That's because the remodeling market is slowing down according to Kermit Baker of Harvard University's Joint Center for Housing Studies.

Contractors may not be as busy these days because homeowners are concerned about rising short term interest rates and slowing home appreciation.

Even the Labor Department statistics indicate that contractors are less busy than they were a year ago.

That's good news to homeowners who in the past may have had to wait up 12 months or longer for services.

2) Think trends, not fads OK, so we all know that if you want to get the most bang for your revo buck, you should look to the kitchen and the bathroom.

Remodeling these rooms can give you a 98 to 100% return on your money.

Try to avoid the hot trends that tend to come and go like trash compactors or avocado green appliances. "

It's hard to predict when or how market remodeling trends change," says Baker. "Trust your instincts and you'll be able to enjoy all the changes you make."

3) Scope out the 'hood When you remodel, you want to get an idea of what your neighbors are doing.

You may love the fish pond and the menagerie or the wrought iron fence, but you generally don't want your house to look out of place.

Bankrate estimates that no matter what you do to increase the value of your home, you shouldn't plan on pushing your home's value beyond 25 percent of its current selling price; even in the best market, you probably won't get it.

On the other hand, if you're the only house on the block without a deck or a swimming pool, you may want to consider adding features that make your home more attractive to buyers.

4) Contractor checklist When it does come down to hiring a contractor, there are a few rules you'll want to keep in mind.

First of all you'll probably be happier if you go with a contractor who was recommended to you.

Consumer Reports suggests that when it comes to jobs like plumbing or other professional services, you should hire them yourself. Don't let a general contractor do the hiring. You'll save time and money.

Make sure you get at least three bids to gauge the going rate, but don't always jump at the lowest rate. Consumer Reports warns that people who did generally got poorer work.

Of course you know to ask for proper licensing and insurance. Certification from the National Association of the Remodeling Industry is a plus.

And finally, it comes down to dollars. Get estimates. You should have a piece of paper that lists the products, material, labor costs and a time table.

5) Silver: The new granite? So what kind of trends will we see going forward? All you have to do is look to your parents for the answer.

An aging demographic is going to drive more demand for renovations that help boomers get around. That means wider doorways and hallways, bathroom handrails and wheelchair accessibility.

If you're looking to remodel for your parents or you just want to find out what they'll need in their own home, there are resources.

Check out the National Association of Home Builders Web site at www.nahb.org and search under CAPS. This will direct you to Certified Aging-in Place Specialists. These are remodeling professionals who have taken certification classes for senior remodeling needs.

"This is a generation that has wealth and longevity," says Baker. "And most aging people don't want to move."

Think about the mortgage traps before you buy a new home

If you're in the market for a mortgage, you'd do well to arm yourself with some knowledge before you go knocking on lenders' doors. I'll soon point you to where you can learn a lot in short order, but first, here are a few mortgage traps to be wary of, some courtesy of mortgagetrap.org:

• Overcharging. When you get a mortgage, you'll unavoidably face a flurry of fees. But not all of them are perfectly legitimate. Ask for itemization of fees and scrutinize them. (Know that if one lender quotes you a very low interest rate, it may make up the difference in steep fees.) If a mortgage broker is charging you an underwriting fee, question it, since the lender does the underwriting, not the broker. If you're charged $100 for a credit check, question that, since these generally cost between $10 and $20.

• Bait-and-switch. Be on the lookout for lenders offering deals that seem too good to be true, such as exceptionally low interest rates, closing costs, and other fees. These low rates may be available only to those with perfect credit scores, and once the lender has you in the door, he or she will reel you in. Keep your eyes open and know that you can keep shopping around. You don't need to stick with a lender if you're not being given what you were told you'd get.

• Prepayment penalties. Avoid these at all costs, as they will either prevent you from paying down your mortgage aggressively, or will penalize you severely for trying to do so. They're exceptionally common in loans made to those with poor credit scores, but according to mortgagetrap.org, "About 10% of all ARMs (adjustable-rate mortgages) that are 'conforming' in nature have prepayment penalties per Fannie Mae (NYSE: FNM)." Read your mortgage paperwork closely, and have the lender verify that there's no prepayment penalty.

• Pressure from real estate agents. Don't let your real estate agent push you into using a particular lender. While many recommendations are made honestly, in good faith, some others are made because the agent is related to the lender or perhaps even gets a kickback. Agents are not typically experts in mortgage finance. You can accept suggestions, but explore all options.