Installing new floors is a big task and is fundamental to your home. To be successful, you need to have patience, adequate knowledge, and proper tools. Understand the time, energy, and commitment that is required before starting major projects. If you choose to hire a professional, be sure they are licensed and experienced. Check their references. Sub-floors are typically concrete or cement and develop weaknesses over time. If you place laminate flooring on a weak or uneven sub-floor, the new floor will be compromised and eventually buckle, damage the laminate locking system, creak, or create micro gaps in the new floor. Here are some ways you can check for problems in a sub-floor: Use a level to see how flat the floor is. Lay a four to six foot level on the sub-floor, and see how close you can get the bubble to float between the vertical lines. If you find that the bubble is floating to one end of the level, the floor may be uneven. Use the level to measure gaps. Any depressions that measure less than 1/8" are okay for a new floor installation. If you find gaps larger than 1/8", then you may need to use self-leveling mortar to level the surface. Measure for any areas that peak higher than 1/8". These areas will need to be lowered to create an even surface. Wood floors will need to be sanded down, and concrete floors will need grinding. Mark all of the uneven areas with a felt-tipped marker to keep track. Cheap laminate flooring has a higher chance of being defective right away and over time. Through usage, it may warp, buckle, and develop permanent stains. If you are working with a professional carpenter, ask for their opinion on the best brands. If you are on your own, ask an experienced home center employee, call a contractor, or check online for reviews on products you are considering. Purchase approximately 15% more laminate than you expect you will need. This will be useful for boards that are damaged, or in case the measurements are not accurate. Check to make sure you buy products that do not contain harmful chemicals. Underlayment is a thin, hard layer of either cement board, wood, or foam. It is vital to the overall project because it protects the floor from moisture which can seep in from sub-floors such as concrete. Once the laminate flooring is introduced to moisture, it will absorb into the laminate and expand. Proper underlayment will help prevent the laminate from absorbing moisture which reduces buckling and warping over time. Underlayment also insulates noise, maintains the temperature in your home, and creates a smoother surface. Plywood is the recommended underlayment material for laminate flooring. However, the specific kind of plywood you use will depend on what your floors will be exposed to after installation. For example, if you live in a humid climate, marine plywood is recommended. When purchasing underlayment, check with the professional for guidance on the best type for you. Plywood underlayment is usually cheap and easy to install. It comes in large sheets that are placed down to cover the floor, and it is secured in place with screws along the edges. Flooring that has been left outside, or in a cold atmosphere, is fully contracted. If you start installing the flooring right when you bring it inside, then part of the floor will be installed cold. If the laminate is installed while it is still cold, it will slowly come to room temperature and change in size. Even if there was only a small section that was installed cold, it will expand and put pressure on the rest of the floor. This can cause humps and cracks in the floor and ruin the overall project. Allow your flooring to warm up overnight before installing it.

Summary: Be sure you are up to the challenge. Check the sub-floor. Choose quality material. Install proper underlayment. Monitor the temperature of the laminate.

Once you've decided on one ghostwriter, meet with the individual in person. Talk about how you envision the project developing, your timetable, and payment. Discuss rights to the text and non-disclosure expectations. This can ensure your ghostwriter is in agreement with your expectations and won't be surprised when they receive the final contract. Talk to your ghostwriter about their expectations, too. Consider and honor, when appropriate, their requests and needs. For example, the ghostwriter may want an advance to get the project started so they can work for you and still support themselves. This can ensure that you're both on the same page and minimize the risk of misunderstandings during the ghostwriting process. Answer any questions the ghostwriter may have for you. Once you and the ghostwriter have agreed on project details, draft a contract. Include items such as payment, expectations of the ghostwriter and for you. Address issues such as deadlines, disclosure, plagiarism, and privacy. Show your ghostwriter the draft contract and negotiate any points upon which you can't agree. This can ensure that the contract is fair to you and your ghostwriter. Keep the contract as detailed as possible so you can deal with potential problems, grey areas, or misunderstandings quickly. After you've worked out individual details of the contract with your ghostwriter, have each party sign it. Do this with a witness or notary present. This can ensure that the contract is legally binding should issues with your project arise.

Summary: Discuss your expectations. Ask the ghostwriter their expectations. Write a contract. Sign the contract.

You should not store the bulbs until they're completely dry. This process takes about three weeks. After you've removed the bulbs from the soil, place them upside down in a pot. Place the pot in an area away from direct sunlight during the drying process. The pot should be placed in a dry, airy space. A storage shed or garage would work well. After three weeks have passed, you can prepare your dahlias for winter storage. They should be packed into storage containers with either peat moss, sawdust, or potting mix. Use a tray to store your plants. Then, cover the container with a piece of burlap or a similar material. If your area is not prone to extremely cold winters, you can leave the tray outside near your garden. However, if temperatures drop below 16F (9C), you need to store the dahlia bulbs in some kind of shelter. The area must be dry, cooler, and well-ventilated for the bulbs to thrive. A dry cellar or cupboard in a cooler area of your home, such as a basement or attic, are all good areas to store dahlia bulbs. For best results, the storage area should have a temperature between 39 to 45F (4 to 7C). You don't want to neglect your bulbs until the coming spring. Throughout the winter, check on them regularly. If you notice any signs of decay. If you notice the bulbs are shriveling, mist them with water. If any portion starts to rot, trim that portion off and remove it from the container.
Summary: Dry out the bulbs for three weeks. Prepare the dahlias for storage. Find a place to store your bulbs inside. Check the bulbs throughout the winter.