Slab sawing, also known as flat sawing, is used to cut horizontal flat concrete surfaces such as floors, bridge decks and pavement. Slab saws feature a diamond blade that is mounted on a walk-behind machine that requires only one operator. They can cut up to 33 inches in depth but generally only 6" or less is necessary in most homeowner applications. Slab sawing is perfect solution for making penetrations or openings in concrete floors to access and repair a broken water pipe or sewer line. When a basement or cellar is being remodeled to add a bathroom concrete is removed to add new plumbing for fixtures. A slab saw is also useful in demolition work to break up and remove a cracked or unwanted patio, driveway or walkway. Sometimes a homeowner might want just part of a patio or other concrete slab cut in order to alter their landscaping. Attempting a slab saw project can be very time consuming for your average "do it yourselfer" however it can be accomplished. I always recommend spending a few extra bucks and saving yourself some very serious danger and aggravation by contracting a concrete cutting professional.

No matter what your project is, don't let a little concrete stand in your way. Concrete can be a homeowner's worst obstacle if he or she doesn't know that there are companies out there that specialize in removing it very quickly and neatly. To find a reputable concrete cutter I recommend that you start with yellow pages and always check them out with your local Better Business Bureau or your local Department of Consumer Protection. To get more acquainted with industry just do a search for "concrete cutting" and check out a few websites dedicated to subject. Of course, be sure to visit our web site at www.affordableconcretecutting.com.

Copyright 2005 Affordable Concrete Cutting Inc. All Rights Reserved

Others suggest filling unused space with containers of water. They would become frozen and act as a thermal media that in theory would lower run time of freezer. The jury is still out on these ideas. To me seems like an over reaction by people who bought too large a freezer in first place.

Options required --------------------

Since most freezers are relegated to basement they are not an appliance that needs to look pretty. Neither do most consumers feel a necessity for them to have many options. Most are simply regarded as large storage boxes where frozen foods are kept for later usage.

Recently though manufacturers they have been offering a few more options. Things such as frost free, built in alarms, digital temperature displays, push button controls, and quick freeze are now on market. All options on a freezer can serve a purpose but must be offset with possibility of increased complexity. The more complex a device more possibility of it breaking down. Plus, along with complexity usually comes increased cost.

One of more unusual things you will see comes from Haier America. It is a chest style freezer with a pull out drawer at bottom. The upper half is a basic chest freezer for long term storage. The lower half allows quick access via a drawer that slides out. The idea is that drawer section is for items that need to be frozen – but will be used within a few days.

Summing Up -------------------------

Food preferences have changed significantly in last decade. We are eating less beef and more poultry and vegetables. Consequently, consumers now store less than 50 pounds of beef at any time.

Twenty years ago freezers sold would average fifteen to twenty cubic feet. Today most popular size for a freezer is seven to twelve cubic feet. Again a reflection upon fact that more people are consuming fresh foods rather than frozen.

· Household freezers come in either a chest style or an upright style.

· If you are looking for convenience, then upright freezer is for you. Obviously, its design allows you to get to food easily. Simply reaching into an upright requires less flexibility than leaning into a chest freezer.

· Chest freezers tend to be more efficient to operate and consume less electricity.

· Chest freezers are usually manual and will need to be defrosted once per year. Many upright freezers though are self-defrosting.

· If you expect to use freezer for long-term storage a chest is better because they operate at a lower temperature than an upright.

So it is time to finally make that choice of what to buy. Hopefully, some of ideas above will help you make an informed decision. Remember to take a close look at Energuide before purchasing. It offers a lot of information to help with an informed decision. But more on Energuide in future issues.

======================

Even if it is a low income housing option, you cannot spare home security at cost of a fancy carpet or some other flooring supplies.