South India has a multitude of beautiful things to buy. The region produces fabulous textiles including the famous Kanchipuram silk. It’s also known for woodcarving, especially sandalwood, and various forms of metalwork. Fort Cochin in Kerala has one of India’s foremost antique bazaars. Orissa has a wide selection of handicrafts. Some of the best devotional kitsch in the world is available from the bazaars.

Every town has a bazaar, and big cities such as Mumbai, Hyderabad and Chennai have many bazaars that seem to merge into each other. Bazaars are like a world apart, with specialist areas set aside for particular goods (shoes, saris, jewellery etc).

For the traveller, bazaars are more about looking than shopping. Here you’ll see acres of unbelievable plastic kitsch alongside fine silks and cottons as well as mountains of cooking implements. In many towns Tibetans have set up their temporary bazaars of woollen clothing. These are especially popular around the hill stations. In all the tourist centres, Kashmiri traders sell nearly identical wares of carpets, sandalwood elephants and lurid batik and tie-dyed cloth. Much of it is mass-produced and tacky, but if you persist they often have better stuff stored away. Pilgrimage towns have shops selling religious bric-a-brac to Indian tourists, including beads, statues, ash paste and mindblowing bright posters. The food stalls present an olfactory as well as a visual delight.

Government emporiums can be found in major cities and usually stock a large range of local crafts. Prices are fixed and are a little higher than you would pay in the bazaar, but for novices who don’t know the going rates for crafts or who are inexperienced in judging quality, the emporiums are a reasonably safe bet.

Be careful when buying items that include delivery to Australia. You may be told that the price includes home delivery and all customs and handling charges. Inevitably this is not the case, and you may find yourself having to collect the item yourself from your main port or airport, pay customs charges (which could be as much as 20% of the item’s value) as well as handling charges levied by the airline or shipping company (up to 10% of the value). If you can’t collect the item promptly, or get someone to do it on your behalf, exorbitant storage charges may also apply.

Metalwork
Bidriware is a craft named after the town of Bidri in northern Karnataka where silver is inlaid into gunmetal. Hookah pipes, lamp bases and jewellery boxes are made in this manner. Bidri employs the technique of sand-casting. Skilled artisans make a mould from sand, resin and oil and then pour in the molten metal.

Small bronze figures of various deities are available in Tamil Nadu, especially in and around major temple towns. The bronze makers still employ the centuries’ old lost-wax method of casting, a legacy of the Chola period when bronze sculpture reached its apex in skill and beauty.

A wax figure is made, a injection mould is formed around it and the wax is melted and poured out. The molten metal is poured in and when it’s solidified the mould is broken open. Figures of Shiva as Lord of the Dance, Nataraja, are among the most popular. Small copper bowls, cigarette boxes and paan containers are still handmade in Hyderabad (Andhra Pradesh), Bell metal lamps are a good buy in Thrissur (Kerala).

Jewellery
South India’s most important jewellery-making centres are Hyderabad, Bangalore, Mysore, Ooty and Thanjavur. Hyderabad is a major centre for cultured pearls. Cuttack in Orissa is a centre for delicate silver filigree jewellery andornaments. Tirunelveli in southern Tamil Nadu is a centre for many types of jewellery, particularly large chunky pieces. South Indian jewellery is generally distinguished from that made in the north by its use of motifs inspired by nature -lotus buds, flowers, grass stalks and in Kerala. birds.

Woodwork
Mysore (Karnataka) is South India’s main centre of sandalwood carving, and while sandalwood was once reserved for carving likenesses of Gods, nowadays all manner of things are made, from solid pieces of furniture to keyrings and ornate fans. Rosewood is used for making furniture and carving animals. Carved elephants are a speciality of Kerala.

Ventilation of the home through the floor is done by having vents and grilles so fresh air can be let in and out through the ground. Sometimes though, this is not adequate.

Sub floor ventilation is a system of pumps, vents and fans that draw in air from the outside, eliminate the stale and circulate the one beneath. The system also draws out excessive moisture from the air. This part of the house is particularly susceptible to high humidity because of howclose it is to the ground. Wet earth and rainwater can evaporate and find their way into the room through the floor.

Basically, the fans will create a vacuum when they propel the air, so the drier, cleaner air from outside will rush in. Fan forced systems heat the air. Inline fans are placed along the vents, and these force the air to move where it cannot do so on its own. The pumps move the air to and fro, while the vents are the channel for the air. This system with all its components qualifies to be a fully operational HVAC System. (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning)

Sometimes vents are actually present but they could be blocked. In that case, they have to be cleared. For them to be most effective, fans have to be added. A good system will work quietly but efficiently. It will also be made out of material that does not rust.

The risks of not having this type of ventilation are:

• Mold multiplying-when the damp air condenses, the moisture create a conducive environment for blow mould. Mould on the other hand produces substances that trigger allergic reactions and affect the nervous system. • Rot-timber floors especially can be destroyed when mold grows on them. Apart from being unsightly, they are very hard to eliminate. Replacement costs have to be borne in that case. • Termite infestation- the humid air attracts termites which bore holes into wood and causes them to collapse. • Unpleasant odor.

When mold is present in large numbers, the home develops a musty smell that always hangs in the air. This creates a very uncomfortable environment for both the occupants and guests.

The system can be used in conjunction with the heat recovery ventilation system where the layout of the floor is accommodative. They can also be installed independently. The benefit of having this kind of system in the home is that it saves you heating and cooling costs in the cold and warm season respectively.

Much as it works beneath the floor, the room above also gets to be ventilated. There are diffusers that distribute the clean air and get rid of the spent one.

Before you do it, your home will be assessed, measurements taken, and a little reconstruction may have to be done to accommodate the new structure. From then on, you can live in a clean comfortable and healthy home.So save yourself the nightmare of having to replace entire floors by getting floor ventilation system. Only in doing so, make sure you go for the best dealer. Be wise and perform checks on the kind of material and installation method that will be used.

So many homes have a tool shed or one of the many other types of storage sheds in their back yards. When the basement got overcrowded and garages were so filled up with things that the car wouldn’t fit inside, sheds started to pop up in yards everywhere. There are all kinds of materials used to build sheds, and each type has specific maintenance needed for longevity.

Metal

Though metal is not the most popular material for backyard sheds, it is the least expensive. Most metal sheds are made of galvanized steel. Galvanized steel will begin to rust where the galvanized coating is thin or gone. Screw holes and edges are prime areas for the coating to be thin or non-existent. It is important to look for subtle colour changes where screws and other fittings go through the metal and at edges. If any discoloration is detected which can indicate rust, be sure to sand prime and paint. It is the only way to slow rust. Dissimilar metals can also set up a condition where tiny electrical charges will increase corrosion. Isolating screws or other fittings from metal to metal contact with plastic grommets can help.

Plastic

Plastic is becoming a popular material for the construction of sheds. Ease of erecting a new shed using lightweight plastic panels is one of the benefits of plastic sheds. Even the roof of a plastic shed is made from plastic panels. The panels are moulded and coloured to mimic a wood look for the walls and shingles for the roof. Plastic has an enemy in sunlight. Manufacturers use chemicals and coatings to protect the plastic from UV light. The sun will eventually cause the plastic to weaken. The more sun it is exposed to, the quicker the process. Plastic sheds are great for shady areas. Even though a shady area may be moist, the plastic will be okay. Plastic is good where injection mold is a problem. Mould needs organic material to survive on and plastic won’t harbour mould growth. Check with the manufacturer to see if they have a recommended coating to apply to the plastic every so often to increase longevity. Every spring and fall should include a scrub with soapy water and a clean water rinse from a garden hose.

Wood

Wood is by far the most used material in the construction of backyard sheds. Wood is beautiful and can be crafted into just about any size or shape. A wood shed with a shingled roof can be an architectural feature of a landscape. They come in small sizes just big enough to hold a garden tractor and some small hand tools up to garage size sheds. The best way to protect a wood shed is by regular cleaning and painting. Also an electric or solar powered ventilation system can go a long away in stabilizing internal temperatures which will lengthen the life of the wood. Be sure to spot paint any areas where the paint is damaged or the wood surface is bare. Even treated wood should be coated with a UV resistant coating.

A little effort at periodic maintenance can have any shed last for decades.

The effect that good cleaning can have on your shower enclosures and shower head is simply amazing. To keep these looking great, you need am excellent cleaner and elbow grease. It is not uncommon to come across enclosures that need attention and care in order to restore their glow and ability to enhance the look of a bathroom. There are several benefits associated with regular cleaning.

Maintain Great Hygiene and Health

By cleaning regularly, you not only improve overall good health but also ensure that your hygiene is taken care of. In addition to this, it will also paint you in a good light. When you have guests, they will feel more at ease when using your enclosure if it is clean. In essence, there are those who prefer to leave with dirt rather than use dirt ridden and It is far more recommendable to have guests discuss your clean and well kept bathroom rather than an unsightly and injection mold infested one.

Aspects that Make Regular Cleaning Important

The bathroom is an ideal environment for breeding of mould and bacteria. This is because for the larger part, it is moist and damp. As such, it is important to maintain proper airflow and this can be easily achieved through use of extractor air fan. Though it might be designed in a manner that ensures it is well ventilated, it is still important to ensure the shower head is cleaned regularly. In the event the state of these items is left to deteriorate, the chrome plated sections get affected and this makes it difficult to maintain the quality chrome finish.

Avoid these Effects through Regular Cleaning

As mentioned earlier, mould flourishes in environments that are moist. If not addressed, it poses some serious health threats. The damage caused by this varies from one individual to another. This is because certain people are prone to succumb to health risks more than others. Some of the risks posed by a mold infested environment are as highlighted below.

� Nasal stuffiness

� Throat irritation

� Coughing

� Sneezing

� Eye irritation

� Wheezing

� Sneezing

� Skin irritation

For those with lungs illness or mold allergies, this poses a serious health risk. All these problems can be effectively addressed by taking time to clean up regularly. You not only get the chance to reduce health risks but also ensure that your bathroom is not repulsive to those who visit. What is more, this will also help maintain the overall aesthetic appeal and can increase the value of your home incase the need for a resale arises. Above all, it is the only way to ensure that the finish of your shower enclosures and shower head is properly maintained.

There are simple guidelines on how to clean and what is needed. The best thing would be to clean as often as remotely possible. There are numerous cleaning products in the market and you should invest in those that meet your needs and make the process easier for you. Cleaning the shower head especially helps get rid of mould, limescale and dirt that build up over time.

Is your home free of mold?
Are you terrified of mold? Especially black mold? If you inhale mold spores are you concerned that you will become ill or die within a few weeks?
If these statements describe how you feel about mold, here are three interesting facts you need to know:
Fact #1
Every time you step outside you are inhaling injection mould
spores, usually more than you would inside.
Fact #2
Eliminating mold entirely from your home is both unnecessary and almost impossible to achieve.
Fact #3
Most common molds are black.
Unless you live in a sterile bubble with a very special air filtration system, I guarantee there is mold in your house. It’s impossible not to have mold.
How can this be true?
It’s true because of a simple fact of nature. You can save yourself countless hours of worry and hundreds of dollars in mold testing and cleaning once you understand this simple fact.
is this simple fact? Mold exists everywhere in nature!
Not all mold is bad. Without mold human life would be much more difficult.
It’s what makes bread dough rise and beer ferment. Mold has also saved thousands of lives. In 1928 Alexander Fleming discovered that Penicillium notatum, a type of mold, killed bacteria. From his discovery came Penicillin. Penicillin has saved more sick and injured folks than any single invention in history. During Word War II Penicillin was so valuable that it was filtered from the urine of soldiers and reused.
You cannot go anywhere in nature and not have mold in the air. It is part of Mother Nature’s plan. It doesn’t matter if you are in a city or the middle of the wilderness. Mold is there also.
A few years ago I backpacked Isle Royal walking about 55 miles in 9 days. Isle Royal is an island in Lake Superior. It’s a national park and very remote. There are no roads, cars, telephones, houses, electricity, running water, or sewer systems where I was. You have to travel a few hours by boat to get there. Some of the campsites were so remote I could not even make a campfire. I never saw another human the entire trip, but I did see a lot of fresh wolf tracks every morning.
But there was mold everywhere. On the ground and in the air.
It is just part of nature.
So how do I know there is mold in your house? Because mold is in the air outdoors. And the air inside your house comes from outdoors. The mold doesn’t disappear when the air moves inside. Furnace and air conditioning filters remove very little mold if any.
Now here is the question you really need to ask: Is the mold in your house a problem? If it isn’t a problem, you don’t care about it. But if it is a problem, you need to know about it. Normal mold concentrations are ok. But abnormal concentrations can cause problems.
Fortunately there are some simple, free tests you can do yourself to help you decide if you have a problem. All you need to invest are a few minutes of your time. They’re easy to do and well worth your effort.