Wheel Chair Lifts - What Are Your Options

Wheel chair lifts are the perfect solution in helping people with wheel chairs get up and down in homes, buildings and hospitals. These mechanical lifts can come in either electrical or hydraulic power. There are several different types and styles of wheel chair lifts. Let's look at a few of them.

A wheel chair lift will either be based on a retractable platform or a fold up type. All platforms are designed with safety in mind first and foremost. They have non-slip platforms that lower themselves to the ground, allowing the wheel chair to easily roll away.

The wheel chair lifts also have safety features such as railings, straps and barriers to prevent possible accidents from happening.

Wheel chair lifts save money by eliminating the need for expensive elevators or ramps and allow anyone the freedom to be able to move to various locations with greater ease.

Wheel chair lifts come in several different styles including:

Platform Lift - This is the most common type of wheel chair lift and is used in homes, business, churches and schools everywhere. It completely avoids having to deal with stairs.

Vertical Lift - This type of lift can be used as an elevator in the home or business due to the fact it can be specifically designed for any application.

Portable Lift - These wheel chair lifts are great because of them being portable. At events that have bleachers or platforms they make it easy to get up and down.

These are just a few of the many wheel chair lift options that are available, but there are several variations on each one as well.

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Wheel Chair Lift - The Pros And Cons

There is no doubt is no doubt that a wheel chair lift will help make life easier for everyone. These chair lifts allow those in a wheel chair to be quickly lowered or lifted into any vehicle with the push of a button.

A wheel chair lift will work great for any type of chair; manual or electric wheel chairs make no difference.

You can find a chair lift that operates by hydraulics or electricity. A hydraulic wheel chair lift is top of the line, but they are expensive.

Naturally, the hydraulic chair lift will not need electricity in order to be used. That is where they have a big advantage over electric models.

On the other hand, an electric wheel chair lift is much easier on the budget. You just need to remember that if you have no electrical power the lift will not function.

With that said, you can find electric models that come with a battery backup.

All wheel chair lifts work in the same manner; they lift the wheel chair up off the ground to the same level as the vehicle door entrance. Completely eliminating the need for someone to manually lift the wheel chair up and into the vehicle.

It is amazing at what technology has brought us through the years. So many things have helped to make our everyday lives so much easier. A wheel chair lift is just one of these blessings.

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Stair Lifts and Their Importance

Moving up and down the stairs is a difficult task for people who have problems with mobility. A stair lift makes life easier for them and provides independence of movement.
A chair lift is a chair that is attached to a track bolted down to a staircase. This lift can be used to carry a person up and down the stairs with just the push of a button. Well! It can also be used for other purposes, like carrying groceries, luggage, laundry and anything else.

Chair lifts also have swivel seats that turn away from the staircase and come with remote controls that signal the lift to come to a particular floor. So as not to occupy too much space, they also have a folding track at the lower landing area. They can be fixed on any side of the staircase. This installation needs to be done by a professional.
There are several types of stair lifts available, of various shapes and sizes.

Chair lifts are better now than what we used to get earlier. They are less noisy and entail no risk of malfunctioning. A small joystick is used to operate them. They come with a remote control to enable operation from either the top or bottom of the stairs.

The stair lifts have a comfortable seat and a footrest. The start and stop movements are very smooth. The swivel seat helps the person using the stair lift to get into the seat and get out easily.
Stair lifts also use a rechargeable battery and need to be recharged when not using. This battery helps when there is no power and ensures that the lift does not stop in the middle. They also need to be parked correctly in their place, or else there will be a signal letting you know that you have parked it wrong.

All safety measures are taken care of in the making of a stair lift, to ensure there is no hazard. They stop functioning when there is a problem with the seat, footrest or armrest, and automatically stop when they reach the bottom or top of the stairs. These lifts can also be locked so that children do not use them.

Stair lifts make life easier for you and your loved ones and will give you the peace of mind that a loved one is safe and will not fall down the stairs.

When stairs become an obstacle, it is a low cost alternative to creating separate rooms and shifting people to the ground floor and arranging things to be near them. With a chair lift, the house can be left as is without any changes and the disabled person is as independent as before. It also reduces the wear and tear of the ankle joints, hip joints, and knees, especially if one is not supposed to walk too much.

Summit Lifts a Brief History

People who are physically handicapped or disabled often have trouble going up and down the stairs. For many this can mean not having access to a large portion of your home, or relying on others to help you up and down the stairs. A much better and safer alternative is to invest in a stair lift. A stair lift is a motorized device that physically carries an individual up and down the stairs. Usually a stair lift will utilize a chair to carry the person, but there are some stair lifts that utilize a small platform called a perch. There are several prominent manufactures of stair lifts today, and one company that has been very successful is Summit Lifts, Inc.

Summit Lifts Inc. has over 75 years of experience in the stair lift industry, and prides itself on good old fashioned business values and quality customer service. Its founders all have very deep roots in the stair lift industry and have devoted much of their lives to these great devices. It is not often that you find people with such a personal connection to their products, but each of the founders of Summit is completely dedicated to quality as opposed to quantity.

Mark Hill began working for a company that manufactured stair lifts in 1972. He continued to work there for over 20 years and learned about all aspects that are involved with the development, creation, and maintenance of stair lifts. In 1981 Mike Vogt began working at the same company as Mark Hill. Vogt spent 10 years designing lifts, and also considerable time in the customer service department at the company. Mark and Mike had intended to stay working at this company until retirement, but due to a corporate take over were unable to fulfill this goal.

Instead they joined forces with a very talented individual named Mark Jackson and Summit Stair Lifts was born. Mark Jackson brought to the table an in depth knowledge of Computer Aided Design and precision machining skills. With this incredible powerhouse of experience and ability it is no wonder that they are one of the leading manufacturers of stair lifts today. They focus on quality, precision, and reliability and do not believe in cutting corners to cut costs.

The founders of Summit Stair Lifts are dedicated family men that understand the meaning of integrity, faith, and responsibility. They have applied these same standards that have served them well in their personal life to their business, and this is in part what makes them such a great company. Their products are all manufactured in the United States, and are built with an attention to detail that is seldom found in today's world of assembly lines and mass production facilities.

There are many different manufacturers of stair lifts today, but few compare with Summit Stair Lifts, Inc. Their company motto is "Taking you to new heights" and this is just what they have done. They have continued to manufacture products that are reliable and in many ways bring back the good old days when products were made using quality manufacturing techniques that focus on dependability rather than cost.

Comparing Face Lift Surgery

Cosmetic surgery is a big decision, and a lift is a significant operation. There are many factors to compare and consider when opting for a lift, including the type of lift, your surgeon, and more. A good lift will take years off your face, but it is important to choose the lift best suited to your personal needs.

A standard lift lifts sagging skin and occasionally the underlying muscles. lifts do not impact the skin or tissues of the upper face, focusing only on lifting the skin at the lower part of the face, including the chin, jaw, and cheeks. A traditional facelift may be combined with a mid-face lift, eyelid surgery, a forehead lift, and neck liposuction for a more complete youthful appearance.

You should be aware of the type of lifting surgery your surgeon performs. Will the operation impact only skin, or will he tighten the underlying muscles and fatty tissues (called SMAs) during your lift. Comparing types of face surgery is an important part of the selection procedure. Some surgeons cut out excess SMAs when performing a lift, but this procedure bears higher long term risks and provides no significant benefits. Feeling comfortable with your lift surgeon is particularly critical. You want to be certain that your surgeon is conscientious and competent, as well as very familiar with performing lift surgery.

Face lift surgery is a major decision, and one that should be made with caution. If you choose your surgeon and procedures carefully, you will likely be happy with the results and your new youthful face.

If you are considering getting a lift for yourself, there are a few basic elements about a lift that you should learn, know, and understand before undergoing this major procedure.

First of all, learn all you can about what a lift is and about the actual face lift procedure. A lift is a type of complicated cosmetic facial surgery that involves lifting the face by treating wrinkles and severely sagging skin to achieve a younger, healthier appearance in the face. A lifting can tighten up your skin, repair creases and wrinkles around your eyes, nose, and mouth, and remove excess fat from your neck.

But, what specifically is involved in this type of cosmetic surgery? If you are considering a face lifting, its essential for you to first learn all the facts and everything you can about face lifts from books, brochures, and online resources to face surgery patients, your doctor, and a cosmetic surgeon.

Need To Know Chair Lift Buying Tips

A stair lift is a chair specially designed to lift up a person with a handicap or disability. People who are having difficulty walking and climbing the stairs also use this stair lift. In addition, a stair lift can also be used to transport your groceries, luggage, or laundry up and down in your stairs. A stair lift is sometimes known as stairway lift, handicapped stair lift, home stair lift, stairglide or stair chair.

1. Types Of Stair Lifts

There are actually 2 types of stair lift, the first type is straight that is usually an off the shelf package and is primarily designed to match most typical straight staircases. The second type stair lift is a curved lift that is very much suitable to staircases that go around the corner.

2. Features

- Swivel seat
- Remote control
- Track
- Hinge rails

3. Buying Tips

If you plan to purchase a stair lift it is a good idea to have as many sales representatives as possible to give you several product offers that you can choose from. You should always remember not to be enchanted to the cheapest options; they are usually not the best ones. Remember also that this machine more important than even a vehicle as this has to be dependable and the user has to learn how to trust and be confident in using the stair lift.

- Take note of the type of your stairway
- Is the company that you are buying from is a reputable one?
- Price is also important.
- Look for a company that gives special services
- Try to compare a manufacturer and a local supplier to know their difference
- Know what you are really buying - read product brochures
- Compare different products
- Look for a company that offers stair lift maintenance
- Review the dimensions of your staircase to know if there is sufficient room for the stair lift
- Assessment by the stair lift user is also needed
- Think twice if you are planning to install the stair lift yourself
- You may consult first to your Occupational Therapist and get his opinion on which stair lift model best suits your requirements
- Be cautious. The salesman might push you just to have his product sold
- Trying out stair lifts can be of help before purchasing your own stair lift. Better yet, try a stair lift at demonstration centers.
- Know your budget

Get The Right Lift Kit

Lift Kits 4You offers a great selection of high performance lift systems for most trucks, SUVs and jeeps. Whether you want a leveling kit for your Tacoma or a suspension lift for your Cherokee, we have the best auto products and solutions for you to choose from. Our online shop is filled with rugged and hi-tech lift kits that you can always depend on. Each lift is carefully designed and engineered to meet the needs of your ride. With a lift kit installed on your truck, experience smooth and safe ride even on the toughest trails.

Our offered body lift kits are the choice of many truck enthusiasts because they are less expensive than suspensions systems. With a body lift system, improving the look and performance of your vehicle is now easy on the pocket. Leveling lift kits, on the other hand, are the perfect choice if you want to have bigger tires without ruining the aggressive appearance of your vehicle. Also, our great line-up of leveling kits is a powerful solution to eliminate rear end sag under heavy load, especially if you have a recreational vehicle. And if you want to transform your ordinary vehicle into an off-road street machine, one great option is our featured suspension lift kits. Most of our suspension lifts come with a shock system to keep you comfortable and isolated from vibrations, bumps and road noise.

We at Lift Kits 4You continuously search for outstanding auto supplies and innovative solutions to suffice the growing number of needs of car professionals and enthusiasts. With the aim to satisfy your needs, we want that you have the option of getting the latest and hottest products just for your favorite ride. When shopping with us, expect to get the best deals in town.

Don’t get left behind. Here in our online shop, get the chance to soup up your vehicle. We have the perfect lift kits and suspension lifts that you can avail at the most irresistible prices. Baffled with the many great options you see? Please contact us and we will help you find the product you need.

New Vs Reconditioned Stair Lifts

When looking at buying a stair lift maybe you should consider not only new but reconditioned ones as well. With both make sure you search the market.

With both new and reconditioned stair lifts there are advantages and disadvantages.

The new stair lifts will give you a greater choice of models and makes, also the manufacturers could be able to adjust the stair lift to suit your individual needs. With new stair lifts there should be at least one that will fit your stair case. Pristine condition and should have a manufacturers warranty. They are available to order and fitted when you are ready. With new stair lifts they could be expensive.

With the reconditioned stair lifts they should be a lot cheaper and come with a warranty. Good suppliers should offer a 12 month warranty. There is a limited choice of stair lifts and they may not fit your stair case, especially if you have an unusual stair case. The stair lift should be in very good condition but not pristine like a new stair lift.

If looking at a reconditioned stair lift make sure you go to a reputable supplier and be careful of any second hand stair lifts being advertised privately as it may not fit your staircase, you may also have an extra cost to get someone to fit it for you and you wont get the warranty that you would with a supplier. Most suppliers should thoroughly test the stair lift and offer a 12 month warranty at very reasonable prices.

Disabled Stair Lifts

Some disabled or elderly people may have difficulty using the stairs which can have an affect on their everyday lives. You may have to move your bedroom to the ground floor and might have to install a bathroom downstairs. These can be done at a cost but also disrupt your life. Why move your bedroom and loose a room downstairs. You don't need to if you have a stair lift installed, although you will have to pay for them it might work out cheaper than having to make adjustments to your home.

With the traditional stair lift you need to be able to get onto to it and out of it with ease to get the most use. The stair lift is controlled with a joystick by you. There is a chair which will get onto which is attached to a track along the staircase.

Do you think getting onto the chair could be a problem or could be a problem in the future, try looking at platform lifts which will carry you and your wheelchair.

Make sure if you purchase any of the lifts you check the company has given you the nest price on the market and will fit the lift for you. Look at warranty and ongoing maintenance. Looking after your lift could prolong its life and reliability.

Installing a lift into your home is a purchase you need to research and make sure you know why you need it so you pick the right lift and model to suit your needs.

New and Used Stairlifts - Some Pros and Cons

New elevations of the ladder have both advantages and disadvantages for elevators used ladder. The following list will help you review the new stairs in front of the elevators used stairway lifts.

New Stair Lift - Advantages.

Manufacturer guarantee of origin for new elevators installed in case of authorized dealer. This is always a strong point to remember if you're worried about reliability. Oddly enough, electrical components appear to have a habit of principles if they are not going to let everyone - otherwise deemed to be in years!

The pieces are easily accessible to a new Stairlift - if something goes wrong can be easily fixed.

Network vendors after the new facility Stairlift - ensures a good after-sales service (at least in theory).

New elevations of the ladder are available in shape to adapt to her house exactly.

More specific new stairway lift options available to customize the new lift for the user's needs.

New Stair Lift - Disadvantages.

New stair lifts are more expensive than the elevators used ladders - at least initially.

If a new model was then considering the problems (if any) have not yet been developed.

For a new curve Stairlift waiting time is usually 3-10 weeks from the manufacturer.

Curve elevators tend to require more services over time that lifts straight staircase. This may be due to more highlights of the chair is going around the curve in the track and is a point that applies to both new and used models.

Used Stair lifts - advantages.

A stairway lift used is obviously less expensive than a new stairway lift. The savings could be up to 1,000 pounds ($ 1800) for straight elevations of the ladder - perhaps more. In fact, a good, quality, brand name used Stairlift not tend to have more problems than a new Stairlift, especially if it has been properly maintained.

Used Stair lifts - disadvantages.

It uses the ladder lifts are less guarantee that the new elevations of the ladder - sometimes none at all. If the stairs are curves is very difficult to match a ladder used lift. Service calls are inevitably more common in the new elevations of the ladder, although the Stairlift has remained well this should not be too big a risk factor. The parties are harder to find if an older model. Stairlifts can last many years and older pieces to try to become an obsolete - always ask whether the Stairlift is still in production and if the parties are still available! A local distributor may not be available to support a ladder used to lift long-term because the model may become obsolete or, indeed, may already is.

A used will be necessary to lift a match with their specific needs - next to the stairs, the length of track and users of physical size and capabilities. This may make it harder for a clue.

Stair Lifts and Safety

Walking up and down the stairs is something that is often taken for granted when we are young. As we bound up the steps 2 at a time, we do not realize that for many the steps present a very large obstacle. If you can not easily or safely use the stairs in your home, you might be tempted to avoid the upstairs areas and might even consider selling your house. These options are unnecessary if you own a stair lift.

A stair lift is a mobility aid that is installed to a staircase and is used to carry an individual up and down the staircase. In most cases a strong aluminum track is secured directly to the stairs. Attached to the track is a car unit that consists of an electric motor and a chair or small platform. The car travels up and down the stairs on the track and can support one rider.

Many people choose to install the stair lift on their own and if you have a straight staircase, this process can generally be done quickly and efficiently. The first step is to secure the track to the steps. Generally the car comes loaded on a short piece of track and this small piece of track is connected to the track on the stairs. The car unit, which consists of electrical motor, chair or platform, and in some cases batteries. The car can be quite heavy, so it is a good idea to get some help bringing it to the top of the stairs. After the small piece of track that holds the car is attached to the stairs, the car is plugged in and backed down onto the track. The small piece of track can then be removed.

While a stair lift for a straight staircase can be installed quickly and inexpensively, if you have a curved staircase, it will cost much more and require professional installation. Sometimes it is possible to install 2 straight stair lifts, but this can only be done on "L" shaped staircases that have a landing. This is much less expensive and can be ordered and installed in less than a week, but if you must go with a curved stair lift you are looking at a process that can last over 2 months from the time of order to the time it is installed.

Stair lifts provide a great way to bridge the gap between areas of different elevation in a home. They can also be used outdoors on the front steps and greatly improve mobility.

Stair Elevator : Use Anywhere

Stairs are an essential aspect of departmental stores, malls, apartment and office buildings, airports, and railway stations. Stair climbing is often recommended by doctors to keep the body in shape, as it is an activity that burns lots of calories. However, stair climbing may not be possible or advisable for the old and infirm. These categories of persons can benefit from stair elevators.

A stair elevator can enable elderly and disabled individuals to live in a multi-floor dwelling. It is propelled by motor and offers various options. For example you can choose from external, keyed, hand-held pendant control, and flip-up package. External stair elevators can be installed outside a building, but will be difficult to use in inclement weather.

The keyed version requires a key to be put in place and turned for use. This is an expensive option and usually not required. With the flip-up package, the bottom part of the rail can be moved out of the way. The hand-held pendant control is available in a few models. In addition, there are stair elevators designed for commercial purposes. These can be used in places like churches and stores. Stair elevators are also available to suit specific needs. For example, standing lifts can benefit those customers who cannot bend their legs to sit on a chair. Similarly, elevators with greater seat depth can be provided to very tall customers for better comfort.

Stair lift is the commonest type of stair elevator. It is a seat that moves on a tract installed to the staircase. It can be removed and installed elsewhere, if required. Some stair lifts can be folded when not in use. Controls are wall-attached, chair-attached, or wireless hand-held. Medical insurance usually does not cover the cost of stair elevator.

A stair lift has another use. It can be used to carry heavy luggage and supplies up and down stairs. It can work even in the event of power failure if it has backup batteries.

Stair lifts come with swivel seat and seat belt. The former ensures that the seat swivels only at the landing and not while the chair is in transit. In addition there are sensors to stop the lift if obstacles are found on the path.

Stair lifts are beneficial for the elderly and the infirm and can enable them to move up and down multiple floors without difficulty. They come with manufacturer's guarantee and last long. However, it is advisable to have them checked every six months by a local dealer.

Lift Solutions for the Disabled

Mobility problems can affect individuals differently. Climbing stairs can be a problem for the physically disabled, as well as for the aged people. In today’s technologically advanced world, passenger lifts are provided in all types of buildings to help users easily access floors. However, it is only after the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) was passed, that effective lift solutions for the disabled were introduced. To help disabled people enjoy life in all its essence by reducing their accessibility problems, a variety of lift solutions are available now in the form of platform lifts, stair lifts and wheelchair lifts which can be used both indoors and outdoors.

Platform lifts are effective lift solutions for the disabled, as these suit their needs and are affordable. Modern platform lifts are designed in a manner suitable for any type of architectural and structural form of the building without compromising its aesthetic quality and style. Wheelchair platform lifts are effective lift solutions for the disabled both at home and in public buildings such as offices, schools, and hotels. Portable wheel chair lifts can be used in places where ramps are unavailable.

Stair lifts occupy only a limited space and can be fixed on the side of the staircase. Stair lifts are available for straight, curved as well as spiral staircases, and are also less expensive. These are pragmatic and cost-effective solutions which help individuals with mobility and accessibility problems lead an active life.

In order to help disabled persons get in and out of vehicles, vehicle lifts can be used. Vehicle lifts are a competent lift solution to the disabled by virtue of their outstanding design appropriate for use in all types of vehicles such as cars or SUVs. The swing type vehicle lift is designed for effective use in vans.

An accessibility solution for the disabled no longer remains just a dream. Today there are a number of reliable products available to reduce your mobility challenges. Take care to select the best and quality product that matches your requirements and budget.

Reliability and Safety of Stair Lifts

One of the inescapable realities in the life of every individual is that of getting old as years pass by. In old age, climbing stairs of one’s own home can become a difficult task. As a solution for the mobility problems caused by physical challenges, one can opt for stair lifts designed for helping the elderly and disabled individuals to move up or down the stairs of their homes with ease. Chair lift is another name for stair lift, because a motorized chair is used to lift people up and down the stairs. It is highly reliable and safe and sans any risk of the user getting injured. There are different models of stair lifts suitable for straight, curved and spiral staircases.

The reliability and safety of stair lifts are considered with top priority, while they conform to the ASME standards. To ensure reliability and safety of stair lifts many additional safety-oriented facilities are incorporated apart from their inbuilt features; they include,

• Safety sensors to avoid the chances of the stair lift hitting the objects on its path and thus avoiding accidents,
• Reliable and foolproof mechanism to prevent the lift from operation until the seating is correct,
• Seat belts with locking facility, and
• Safety breaking system.

All AC and DC models of stair lifts are designed with armrests and footrests which are intentionally placed on tracks as an extra measure to ensure reliability and safety of stair lifts. Thanks to this safety feature the stair lifts can be used by the aged and the disabled without fear of getting injured by accidents. As an added measure to ensure reliability and safety of stair lifts, they are provided with protective covers to avoid damage when not in use. Stair lifts are highly reliable for residences because they require only little maintenance. When considering the cost-factor, stair lifts, apart from home elevators and platform lifts, are the least expensive mobility solutions. To provide the disabled with reliability and safety, many models of stair lifts are built with battery backups to tackle unexpected power breakdowns.

A stair lift helps you overcome your mobility problems. You can find stair lifts which can provide you with reliability and extra safety in a variety of models which can be customized according to your budget and needs.

Stair Lifts: Increased Mobility and Independence

Stair lifts ensure increased mobility and independence to physically challenged people, as well as the elderly generation. Different models of stair lifts are available in the market, conceptualized for both indoor and outdoor use. Stair lift models are offered by major companies for both residential and commercial applications.

Stair lifts are available in AC and DC models. The DC model comes with battery back-up and is more expensive. Before installation, make sure the instructions are available online or these will be sent to you before purchasing. Stair lifts are mainly categorized into two groups based on the type of drive train that moves the lift upward and downward the stairs. Cable driven lifts employ cable system while the Rack and Pinion type stair lifts use the gear system for upward movement. Since they are easier to maintain, the cable driven stair lifts are the most commonly used ones. With the major lift manufacturers coming up with new and innovative models, it would really be a daunting task for individuals unfamiliar with lift technologies to select the right model. Before buying a stair lift, the user should have a basic understanding of the operation of lifts.

Stair lifts, the right solutions for home accessibility, can help your loved ones take up the stairs up and down safely and effortlessly. Straight stair lifts are suitable for stairs without bends and curved stair lifts for stairs with curves and corners. By installing stair lifts, the risk of accidents such as slipping or falling down the stairs can be avoided to a certain extent. Most of the stair lifts come with armrests and footrests positioned on tracks. With these safety features, the stair lifts are ideal for persons with limited mobility caused by diseases, old age or accidents.

Stair lifts can be fitted easily to any stairway without much hassle. These lifts can also be fitted to the steps outside your home for easy access to the garden or the entrance door. A properly installed stair lift can change your life for the better, since the staircases in your home will no longer be an obstacle in your daily routine.

The 8 Steps of Deck Repair

Decks lead a hard life and show it all too well. After a number of years of exposure to the sun, rain and snow a deck may exhibit steps that are cracked and rotting away, railings that have warped or become unsafe, deck boards with dozens of popped nail heads or cracks and joists and support posts showing signs of rot. A deck repair program is quite possibly the cure. A deck that's seen better days may not only detract from the appearance of a home but may also have become unsafe to use.

Deck repair #1: Giving the deck a good pressure washing should be the initial step. First scrub a deck cleaner recommended for the deck's kind of wood into the deck surface. Then rinse it off with the power washer. This will not only remove layers of built-up dirt but also expose fresh wood fibers which will make the surface look new.

Deck repair #2: Resetting popped nails with a nail set is only the first step of this particular deck repair. Drive each nail below the surface of the wood with a nail set. Pre-drill a pilot hole; then drive a deck screw alongside the nail so that the screw head overlaps part of the nail to hold it down.

Deck repair #3: Because stairs probably get the heaviest use of any part of the deck, they are most likely candidates for deck repair work. Unscrew or unbolt the old set of steps. Use one of the old stair stringers as a template to layout new stair stringers with a circular saw and a jigsaw. Attach the new stairs using the same method as for the old ones. Install new 2x6 stair treads. Fasten the new treads with 3 inch deck screws.

Deck repair #4: It is possible to save much time and work by leaving each old joist in place and installing a new one alongside it. When installing a new joist beside an old one, allow 3 to 4 inches of space between them. Cut the new joist to size and use galvanized nails to attach new metal joist hangers. Lift the joist into position and nail or screw it into place. Attach the decking to the new joist with deck screws.

Deck repair #5: Before replacing a rotted deck post, first provide additional support for the deck with a temporary post made from 2x4's wedged tightly into place. Cut a new 4x4 or 6x6 post to length, put it into position and drill holes for the new galvanized carriage bolts. Drive the bolts home, install washers and nuts and remove the temporary support.

Deck repair #6: If any deck boards are beyond repair, replace them. If the underside of a deck board is in good condition, flip it over and fasten it down with deck screws or nails. Remove deck boards without damaging them from underneath. Use a small sledge and a scrap block of wood. Flipping over the old deck boards will reduce material costs. On reused deck boards, drive new screws through the old nail or screw holes.

Deck repair #7: Constructing a new deck railing may be the biggest part of a deck repair. Not only does the railing need to look good, but it also has to comply with local building codes regarding safety. Remove the old railing system with a pry bar, hammer or saw. Assemble the new railing system securely.

Deck repair #8: Every deck no matter how well it is built cannot escape weathering. So it is a wise decision to coat the entire deck with a protective coating finish such as a sealer which can protect the wood from water damage, mildew formation, ultraviolet rays of the sun as well as insects and fungi growth.

Periodic Changes Improving Workouts

If you feel you`re not in top condition despite exercising regularly, maybe you need to change your workout routine. You may overcome roadblocks by changing the exercises in your workout, or alternating your workouts, according to Andrea Sprik, a personal trainer.

You may combine weight-bearing exercise such as walking, dancing, stair climbing, or jogging with strength training. Lifting weights helps enhance the metabolism and so you burn more calories even when you`re resting, said Sprik.

Women shouldn`t avoid lifting weights. They usually don’t grow excess muscle mass and become bulky, because of their low levels of testosterone. However, you can prevent excessive muscle growth by having more repetitions and less weight in your exercises.
You may want to consider adding other exercises to your workouts to avoid boredom.

For instance, swimming improves your flexibility, endurance, cardiovascular condition, posture, and muscle strength. Swimming works especially for your shoulder, back, abs, and leg muscles.

A great workout for your legs, joints, gluts, and quads is riding the bike. Leg muscles can also be strengthened by jogging. Elliptical machines offer a large variety of exercises that may take the pressure off your joints.

You may achieve a great cardio workout before you know it. For instance, climbing the stairs while carrying some weight is a good way to burn calories. Or, you can boost your coordination, burn calories, and add fun to your workout by doing aerobics.

A good workout should last for at least thirty minutes. You may include weight lifting for up to three times per week, and then allow your muscles to rest. Whenever you feel certain exercises are too easy, it’s time to increase their intensity or difficulty.

My Face Lift

Having a lift performed is serious business, but most people who have had the procedure will tell you, My lift is the best thing I ever did for myself! In fact, it very well may be. A lift has the power to change a persons perspective on the world as well as how others perceive them. Many people age prematurely due to genetics, exposure to the sun, disease, or quality of life and they simply want to feel better about themselves and look their age. A lift can do this for them and when you look at the results of a well done mid or full lift, you can easily understand why they declare that their face lift was the best thing that they ever did for themselves.

Most people will tell you that their lift was a good idea, but in the days and even the weeks following the procedure, they werent so sure about what they had gotten themselves into. In fact, many people say Recovering from my lift involved a lot of pain and patience and that is because this is surgery! Many people forget that a face lift is real surgery that deals with very fragile skin, muscle, and bones and it is going to hurt. It doesnt matter who does your face lift, your recovery will likely be quite painful. Still, in the end, most patients declare that they wouldnt have had it any other way even if they knew beforehand the extent of the pain in recovery. A face lift can change your life, but it is still a very serious undertaking that should not be done without a lot of thought!

While a facelift may not be considered a major operation, the decision to get one can certainly be major. As with most decisions of this magnitude, the more you know, the better equipped you are to make that decision. Here are a few answers to the most common questions.

What exactly is a facelift?

A facelift is a surgical procedure that can rejuvenate the face by tightening the muscles of the face and neck and removing excess fat and skin in the area, as well.

How long will a facelift last?

While a facelift can indeed turn back the clock as far as appearances go, it does not stop the aging process and the same stresses that occurred to bring a person to the point where they feel they need a facelift would still be at work. Years later, patients may look better than if they had not had surgery, but in some cases time does take its toll and some people wish to have a second procedure. Most people, however, never return for a second procedure.

Building Stairs

Anyone can build a good, solid staircase. All it takes is a little attention to detail and the use of a few vital tools. As long as you have good instructions and you follow them closely, your stairs will be just as good as any professional's stairs. If your stairs are not built right someone could fall through and hurt themselves. That is not all either, they could trip if the angles are not right and fall all the way down. This is dangerous stuff, so build wisely!

Before you start building your new stairs you need to carefully measure the old ones. This is easy, just be sure to include measurements for the following:

Height of each stair
Width of each stair
Depth of each stair
Distance between the first step and the last step
Distance from the floor to the next level
Length, width and angle cut of the stringers

Go over these measurements several times to be on the safe side.

If the current staircase is a well built one then your new one will be that much easier to build. If not, you will have to take these design flaws into consideration to avoid making the same mistakes again.

It is important to know where to put the stringer cuts. Mark these carefully using a yardstick. This will help you with the entire stair building process. If your old stringers are still in good shape then feel free to reuse them. There is no reason to go to all the extra work of making new ones if you don't have to. If the stringers you have are good but you don't like the way they look and you want new ones then consider using the old as a template. This is the fastest and easiest way to get this part of the job done.

If you are worried that you may not be able to build the safest and best stairs then consider getting some help. There are hundreds of do it yourself books out there that will guide you through the entire process step by step. You can get these from bookstores online or offline as well as from your local public library. Even if the book is old it doesn't really matter because stair building has not really changed much over the years. Some of the tools have gotten a little fancier and more mechanized but that is about it. You will still be able to get plenty of great tips that you can put to use right away.

The Different Types Of Stairlifts

Stair lifts are devices that are set on tracks that follow the line of the staircase.

These are usually powered with batteries and have operation controls.

A lift can be installed in the same day that it was purchased. And when it is not needed anymore, it can be taken away and the staircase will bear very little evidence of it. There are four general types of stair lifts: "seated stair lifts", "standing stair lifts", "perching stair lifts", and "stair lifts with a wheelchair platform".

A seated lift is the most common type found in homes. It is ideal for a person who manages to walk by himself but just cannot handle walking up and down the stairs, especially if the incline of the staircase is steep. But a person using crutches may also use the seated type. As much as possible, such lifts must allow the person to use it without assistance from another person. A seated stair lift usually has a swivel chair and lift-up armrests to help the user easily negotiate transfers onto and off the seat. Seat belts will add to the safety of a seated stair lift.

Standing stair lifts are also for people who are able to walk and stand by himself or with the aid of a walking stick, but cannot manage to go up and down the stairs by themselves These may also be useful for a person with a stiff leg, a leg in a cast, or a knee that cannot be bended. A standing lift is ideal, too, when the staircase is narrow. Instead of seat belts, it must have guard rails for the user?s safety.

A perching stair lift is like a standing type, but there is a small seat (or bench) in which the user may lean on, or perch on, while the whole lift moves up or down the staircase. This is ideal for persons who needed to support their back, but do not need to seat completely. A perching lift is also good for narrow staircases. It has guard rails but no seat belts.

A lift with a wheelchair platform is perfect for a handicapped who wants to be independent in going up and down the stairs. He does not have to get out of his wheelchair. All he needs to do is roll into the platform, operate the stair lift, and then roll out again. Obviously, this type will occupy a lot of space and your staircase may not be wide enough for it. The platform, though, can be folded.

All other types of stair lifts that are advertised just go by the name of their manufacturers and differ only in their features. For example, an exterior stair lift is a stair lift that can be used outdoors.

Benifits of Home Wheelchair Lifts

Wheelchair lifts are one of the aspects of modern society that benefit those in need the most. As technology continues to grow, advances mean that life is made easier for all types of people, whether those with special needs or those fully fit. While other methods of transporting people in wheelchairs have been discussed, it is generally thought that wheelchair lifts are the best. Although wheelchair ramps are cheaper than wheelchair lifts, the lifts allow those in a wheelchair to climb up longer flights of stairs with a lesser amount of work and trouble for the person in the wheelchair. More and more effort is being put in to ensure that those using wheelchairs are helped as much as possible- some countries even make it compulsory for buildings to install a wheelchair ramp or lift.

There are two types of wheelchair lifts; the first one involves hydraulics while the second type uses electricity to run. Hydraulic wheelchair lifts allow a smoother movement when transporting individuals, however can also cost much more than their electric counterparts. Hydraulic wheelchair lifts mean energy can be stored- therefore even in an event where the electricity is cut it can be used for a short time. Electric-powered wheelchair lifts cost less than hydraulic ones; the possible power outage scenario can be compensated for by adding a spare battery.

So where exactly can wheelchair lifts be used? Wheelchair lifts can be installed at home, for example in houses with more than one floor. They can make things easier for a disabled person visiting; no longer will they have to be helped up the stairs as the wheelchair lift can be used. There are also automobile wheelchair lifts that help lifting a person on a wheelchair into a car or lorry. Both sets of wheelchair lifts can often be easily installed within an hour or two, and help a great deal if one is dealing with those using wheelchairs on a regular basis. There are plenty of wheelchair lifts available, no matter what you’re needs; these wheelchairs range in price as well so care must be taken while choosing them.

Choose The Right Wheelchair Lift Manufacturer

The best thing that a handicapped person can do to improve his or her mobility is to get a wheelchair lift. For people, who because of their condition, finds it risky and difficult to climb up and won stairs, they should consider buying a wheelchair stair lift.

Getting a home wheelchair stair lift is definitely much cheaper than moving into a one story house. Not all people are willing to move to a new residence just because of a disability or a handicap.

If you are serious about buying a wheelchair lift, it is highly advisable that you seek professional advice. This is because wheelchair lifts are machines that can be initially confusing to operate. So it is better to find someone who can explain to you the technicalities of the wheelchair lift operations in layman's terms so you would easily understand them. One of the best people to ask about wheelchair lift is an occupational therapist.

Of course, you can always ask the manufacturers of wheelchair lifts. Because they make wheelchair lifts, they are sure to have all the answers to your questions.

In buying a wheelchair lift, it is advisable to go to at least three manufacturers before making a purchase. This is because wheelchair lifts may vary in functions and price. So it is wise to make research before you buy one. It is also advisable that you determine your budget and your needs before buying a wheelchair lift.

Doing research about wheelchair lifts and about their manufacturers can also help protect you from unscrupulous individuals who are just after making a fast buck. Unfortunately, there are manufacturer that are seemingly taking advantage of the misfortunes of other individuals.

The best manufacturers of wheelchair lifts mostly have demonstration centers where you can actually see their products at work. Some of this demonstration center would even allow you to test the devices yourself.

Wheelchair lift technology has definitely improved in recent years. But of course, some wheelchair manufacturers are more technologically advanced than other. It is up to you, of course if you want to pay extra for advanced technology or not.

You should also consider maintenance cost when buying wheelchair lifts. Most reputable manufacturers would provide free maintenance for your wheelchair lifts. You should also ask about the availability of spare parts. This would make it easier to fix the wheelchair lift if ever it breaks down.

Power Up to Slim Down

You don’t have to be Charles Atlas to power up with strength training. This kind of exercise is a key to fitness for everyone – especially seniors. Stacks of scientific studies prove this. In fact, senior muscles may benefit more from strength training than young ones.

Strength training has many names. Resistance training, weight lifting, working out, and pumping iron are just a few. Whatever, you call it, it’s more valuable, easy, and fun than you probably imagined. For instance, you may not know that strength training can rev up your metabolism and help you burn off more calories around the clock.

It gets results by “stressing” your muscles more than your humdrum daily activities do. This stress could come from doing pushups, pressing a dumbbell above your head, or curling a coffee can. Believe it or not, muscles live for this extra work. It makes them stronger and healthier.

Put the brakes on aging

You lose as much as 40 percent of your muscle strength during your adult life, health experts say. This process – called sarcopenia – starts in your 40s and 50s, when your muscle fibers begin to shrink, become less efficient, and disappear altogether. Sarcopenia leads to the weakness, poor coordination, and bad balance that many seniors suffer.

Strength training halts this process and may even reverse it. According to the latest research, your strength could jump by an amazing 100 percent if you’re a weight-lifting senior. Pumping iron works because it encourages your muscles to grow and become more responsive and powerful.

Lifting weights can also build up your bones. What muscles flex during strength training, the bones around them respond like plants to sunlight – they grow.

Resistance training helps maintain bone density at any age. It doesn’t take much. Just a little stress on the bones to mitigate the bone loss that is inevitable as you age.

And it doesn’t matter how old you are when you start. Even seniors with osteoporosis can benefit from low-weight, high-rep resistance training. It’s never too late to start preventing bone loss.

Stronger muscles and bones could help you preserve your freedom and your ability to take care of yourself. After all, you need muscles to walk up stairs and climb out of bed, not to mention carry your groceries and pick up your grandchildren.

When you follow a regular lifting program, you’ll start seeing muscles you haven’t seen since you were 30 years old. Strength training carves muscles until they become lean and well-defined.

And unlike fat, muscles do more than take up space. They’re constantly eating up calories – three times as many as fat. They keep churning even when you’re not exercising. Don’t stop working out for long, though. The more you strength train, the more muscles you’ll build, which will help your body burn fat faster. So add some muscles and watch the fat melt away.

The 7 Rules for Gaining Fat... Fast

You?re fed up of all the diets that have promised you great results yet left you hungry, tired, irritable and weak.

You?re fed up of all the ?wonder workouts? that have promised you amazing strength, fitness and flexibility ?in just minutes a day? but that have left you feeling tired, sore, stiff and, truth be told, no firmer or less flabby than you were before.

But most of all, you?re fed up of all those fitness ?experts? out there who tell you how easy it is, how little time it takes and how amazing you?re going to look if you follow THEIR program (ONLY theirs, mind you, no-one else?s will even come near to what they?re offering).

So you?re quitting.

You?re giving up the diet and exercise ?thing? and have decided that you?ll just go with the flow and see what happens to your body when the experts aren?t poking their noses into your business and ramming their idea of healthy down your throat.

What a great idea!

No more ?eat this? or ?don?t eat that?, no more ?don?t forget your cardio? or ?weights is better?.

In fact, no more interference of any kind from the countless do-gooders who seem to think that it?s ok for them to advise, nag and bully you into following all kinds of fat loss and fitness advice? as long as it?s theirs.

Good on you!

But before you take the quitters route that most people take, doesn?t it make sense to quit in the right way?

Sure it does!

There?s a science to quitting too y?know and I?m just the person to share it with you : )

So here?s the deal. If you want to quit and quit fast, if you want to pack on pound after pound of soft, warm, figure-blurring bodyfat then you?ve got to have a strategy.

You?ve got to have a plan.

MY plan is easy, straightforward and six-year-old-simple to follow and consists of just seven rules that, if you follow them, will guarantee you the maximum fat gain in the shortest time frame.

It consists of just 7 rules

Rule one: Only eat processed foods

If you?re truly serious about packing on some serious fat-pounds, you?ll follow this rule faithfully.

Without a doubt, processed foods are the No.1 friend to fat due to their denatured, sugar-loaded and mostly synthetic nature.

With most of the vitamins and minerals removed from processed foods, the highly calorific and mostly indigestible remain, creating a massive storehouse of both calories and toxins for you to bury deep within your already overloaded fatty tissues.

Better still, the toxic nature of most processed foods mean that you?ll gain not only fat but a whole lot of subcutaneous water too as your body tries to ?dilute? the impact of all the extra toxins you?re holding onto, meaning that you?ll put on extra scale weight and look soft and squidgy into the bargain.

Great stuff!

Rule two: Cram in as many starchy carbs as you can

Starchy carbs eaten in isolation or, better yet, with sugary carbs are an absolutely fantastic way to accelerate the battle of the bulge and gain both fat and body weight at a more rapid pace.

Eating carbohydrates in isolation allows your hormones to engage in a free-running form of guerrilla warfare where insulin levels raise through the roof and, in doing so, command your body to store fat.

A word of warning though; whatever you do, don?t mix your starches with fats or proteins. This reduces both the amount and the effect of all that lovely insulin and will definitely scupper your chances at serious fat gain.

Rule Three: Get to bed as late as you can

If rapid fat gain is your greatest desire, then make sure that you get to bed as late as you possibly can, with the ideal scenario being that you stay up so late every night that you fall asleep on the sofa.

Doing This will ensure a steady supply of the stress hormone cortisol into your bloodstream to help you break down all that energy-consuming lean muscle tissue that?s slowing down your fat gain.

Just don?t ruin the effect by getting to bed by 10:30 or you?ll find that the cortisol levels drop far too low to cannibalise your muscle and you may even find that you lose all your precious fat!

Rule four: Steer clear of water

Drink too much water and you?ll not only do away with your body?s false food cravings (meaning that you won?t eat unnecessarily), but you?ll also create a freer flowing route for the digestion of the foods you?ve eaten.

Obviously, this is a bad thing as it means you won?t keep undigested foods in your stomach long enough for them to go putrid and add to the overall toxic load on your system.

Remember, anything that speeds up your metabolism is bad!

Instead, use coffee, tea and soda to 'mix up' your metabolism and increase toxicity.

Rule five: Don?t forget the alcohol!

Alcohol is just about as pure a sugar source as you can get and is absolutely jam-packed with calories that contribute nothing to the function of your body.

Better still, alcohol adds to your toxic load meaning that you?ll hold a large amount of water too!

Rule Six Use the microwave for all of your cooking

Microwave?s are great!

During the heating process they vibrate the molecules of your food so fast that they actually change their structure, meaning that when you eat nuked food, your body has no idea about how to cope with them, let alone extract nutrition from them.

This is fantastic for your fat gain quest because you?ll be adding to your toxic load AND creating a surplus of non-nutritional calories, meaning that you?ll get hungry again very soon after eating and have another opportunity to stock up on calories.

Rule Seven: Avoid all unnecessary movement

There?s no getting away from it, movement of any kind costs you valuable calorie-energy and robs you of the vital fat building stores that?ll be necessary for your quest.

Stay as still as you can to conserve as much energy as possible and commit to using as many labour-saving devices as you can find. Things like remote controls, stair lifts, escalators etc all serve a valuable role in the creation of your fat stores, so use them.

If you are forced to move, then whatever you do, don?t engage in any form of activity that might lead to an increase in strength or muscle mass as this?ll speed up your metabolism and rob you of calories. Instead, engage in steady-state, slow aerobic activities as these are energy efficient and have the added benefit of increasing cortisol and, in doing so, breaking down that calorie-robbing muscle tissue.

So that?s it!

Your seven rules that, if followed, will absolutely guarantee that you pack on fat faster than you?d ever believe possible and allow you to thumb your nose and poke your tongue out at every personal trainer or diet guru who ever promised you a rapid result from following their plans.

Follow just one or two of them for even a short time and you?ll see a rapid softening of the waistline and an appreciable gain in scale-weight. Follow them all and you?ll gain so much weight that you?ll be stunned by the reflection staring back at you within a month.

Automatic Door Openers - Assist People With Disabilities

Automatic door openers are designed to assist people with disabilities through doors. These door openers have made it easy for a disabled individual to open a door. Automatic door openers are an accessibility aid similar to a wheelchair lift, stair lift, or elevator and are a great help for disabled persons and senior citizens who need the assistance of wheelchairs or walkers for moving around. These devices facilitate unrestricted entry and exit from residential and commercial establishments.

Commander door openers can be operated using a remote control. These have an optional push button which allows the door to open by itself when a button is pressed. The Push and Go feature in the door openers allows individuals to push the door to about three inches, after which the door will open automatically to its fullest. Though it uses electricity for its operation, the backup battery takes charge in case of a power failure. It works on 120V AC power. One can decide on the opening interval and closing interval of the door as it has an adjustable opening speed. Latest or already existing swing doors can be converted to automatic doors without even altering the door frames. With the help of the remote control, it is easy to open the door from a distance. Moreover, these doors are easy to install. The usual working trait of the door is not affected when it is automated and it can be used manually as well.

Automatic door openers are a technological innovation which can be considered as a breakthrough in enhancing the lives of handicapped people. One can save time with automatic door openers, when they are used in offices and homes. They are reliable and economical, and help in improving the quality of life of the physically challenged people by imparting them a higher level of independence.