Common types of Cement used in Construction Projects here in the Philippines

 By: Cedric Lee

When having a construction project, be it a small structure or a skyscraper, one of the most essential elements is cement. In the Philippines, there are mainly two kinds of cement that are generally used by most construction companies for any construction and engineering projects: Portland Cement and Blended Cement.

Portland Cement is essentially a general-purpose cement. This type of cement is more economical and environment friendly compared to blended cements. Portland Cement is a product of limestone, clay and other materials that undergoes grinding and hydration process. This kind of cement is usually utilized for creating concrete, mortar, stucco, etc. There also different types of Portland Cement that are specifically used for specific construction. There is one type or variation that is specially for constructions in water. There are also types that are quick binding and are made to resist heat and chemical reactions.

Blended Cement on the other hand are a variety of cement materials that are usually blended with Portland Cement to create a high quality concrete which is more consistent, less penetrable, more resistant to aggressive chemicals and with a higher compressive and flexural strength. There are also a wide variety of blended cements that serves different purposes.



Cedric Lee is the board chairman of Izumo Contractors Inc., the leading construction firm in the Philippines.

Construction Site Essentials

There some important things to considers when doing a construction project. Whether it is a single family home or a commercial building, there are some essential things that you should take into account so that you can do the project smoothly. Failure to prepare the basics may lead to safety and productivity issues that you don't want to happen. In this article, we will discuss 5 essentials in doing a construction project.

Safety Gears

Safety gears are the ones that should be prioritized. These includes hard hats, vests, steel toe boots, communication devices and other safety gears. You should make sure that all these gears are being worn by your workers.

First Aid Kit

Getting injuries is inevitable in an environment like a construction site. Make sure you have a complete first aid kit in your construction areas at all times to prevent minor injuries like to get worse.



Water
Another thing that is essential to a construction site is water. Primarily water is needed by the workers, therefore there should be an adequate amount of clean drinking water in designated areas. Water is also important for several activities that concerns production such as mixing concrete, cleaning materials and many other tasks.


Lights

Lights also plays a big role in a construction project. An adequate amount of lights helps workers get the job done smoothly, safely and accurately especially when doing the finishing on the inside of a building.



Generator

Generators should also be present in your construction site. Even when the site has an access to adequate amount of power, inevitable events like power interruptions may occur anytime. In order to keep the job running and stay on schedule, you should have generators as backup source of power.


These 4 of basic things that you should have on your checklist when doing a construction project.

House Improvement Tips That Are Sure To Work

 By Cedric Lee

Photo courtesy of betterhomesandgardensideas.com

Improving your home can be a great way to enjoy your living environment. Do your best to learn as much as possible before you begin. This will help make sure you do it right the first time. With the help of this article, you can be sure you get your money's worth and be satisfied.

Insulating your attic should help you reduce your energy bill. If the insulation of your attic is not good, you might be losing a lot of heat in the winter. You can buy quality insulation at any home improvement center, and it's quite simple to install.

Anytime you undertake any major home improvement project, be honest with your contractor on how much you have budgeted for the work. Being honest will allow your contractors to be able to use better quality materials for your renovation. Additionally, the contractor will be able to get the best value for their dollars. Open communication has strong benefits for both the homeowner and the contractor.

When looking for a contractor, the lowest quote is not necessarily the best. When you get bids for any work you're contracting out, make sure you research all companies that are bidding. It might be tempting to save money up front, but you'll end up shelling out more later to fix the sub-par work.

Cleaning your gutters is a great project that requires little time but has lasting impact. Clogged-up rain gutters cause moisture to build up between the gutters and holes in your home's fascia board. This can make the exterior wood to deteriorate. Maintaining your gutters is a wise home improvement chore.

Any type of home improvement project could turn into a big headache, if it's not done the right way, but if done the right way, it could add value to your house. By reading and following the tips listed above, you should be able to prepare yourself so that you might ultimately avoid those disasters.

Cedric Lee is the president of Izumo Contractors Inc. If you are looking for contractors for your upcoming construction projects, please visit Izumo Contractors Inc.'s website.

DIY Plumbing

By: Cedric Lee

Image courtesy of hometips.com

Simple plumbing issues can not only hurt the image of your home but they can destroy your wallet. Simple things from clogged drains, to more advanced leaks can be incredibly destructive. Don't fret however! With a few essential tips for the do it yourself home plumber, you will be ready to take care of any issue.

DIY plumbing jobs will require that you understand how to solder copper for the lines for the water supply. You can practice this skill so that you will be able to run your lines without worrying about it leaking. Search online for video tutorials that can help you get a handle on how to go about soldering.

To make sure there is no accident or sudden rush of water when you tackle a plumbing project, make sure you are ready for a cleanup. If you go into the work with a huge stack of towels and blankets ready to absorb water, the prospect of needing to actually do it will keep you alert enough to avoid triggering the accident in the first place.

Check your faucets for leaks. Check the knobs and the faucet itself. Hundreds of gallons of water a day can be wasted due to leaks and that's not good if you're paying your water bill. By stopping a leak now, you can save yourself a lot of money. Leaks can grow over time as well, so avoid a disaster and check all faucets for leaks!

Plumbing can be an advanced, highly technical profession where more often than not, you need an experts help. However, sometimes that is not the case and there are some simple do it yourself home fixes. If you take a little time to read about them you will find some of the most common plumbing problems are able to be handled by the common man.

Cedric Lee is the president of Izumo Contractors Inc.