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When it’s time to design your dream kitchen, there are several key areas to think about. Kitchens serve multiple functions in the family home, so be sure you’ve addressed each. Here are some tips for creating a design you love.

Dining Space

Even if you have a separate formal dining room, incorporating eating space into a kitchen design is a great choice to maintain versatility. Families can eat more casual meals in the kitchen, and kids can work at the kitchen table while parents cook or clean up. Determine your design esthetics, then shop for a table and chairs. If you’d like to add some comfortable elegance to your kitchen, French kitchen furniture is an excellent place to start.

Work Triangle

Of course, meal prep is the primary focus of most kitchens. As you consider your kitchen layout, focus on the work triangle, which consists of the sink, refrigerator and stove. These should be located close enough to one another to allow for efficient food prep, while still being far enough apart to leave room for at least two people to work on food preparation at the same time.

Storage

You’ll want to ensure that your kitchen has plenty of storage space for all your dishes, food storage containers, pots and pans, cooking utensils, and small appliances. Having the ability to store small appliances — such as toasters, rice cookers, and slow cookers — somewhere other than countertops can allow your kitchen to have a more open, clean feel. Cluttered counters make food prep more difficult and lend a messy appearance to the kitchen, even if they’re kept tidy. Many cooks also like to have space in the kitchen to store some of their frequently used food items.

Spending some time on upfront kitchen design will help you end up with a space that your family can enjoy for years to come. Consider the various functions that most kitchens need to serve, and design for each accordingly.…

Remodeling your home is a challenging and exciting undertaking. If you are getting help from remodeling services Calabasas CA, it is important to make sure that you ask the right questions before making a commitment. No matter how big or small your project is, every homeowner needs to examine their potential contractor’s ability to take on their assignment. Here are three key questions you should ask your remodeling contractor before hiring them.

1. May I See Your License and General Liability Insurance?

This question is very important. You should be able to verify that the contractor is properly licensed, particularly if you have a larger job for them. The reason is that when they are licensed, they are required to construct everything according to legal standards. When looking at their license, check for its expiration date. Having general liability insurance is also a must. This assures that you are not responsible for paying for any damages or negligence.

2. Can You Provide Me With Examples of Your Previous Work?

Ideally, it would be nice if the remodeling contractor is able to show you before and after pictures of previous projects that they have worked on. This will help give you the best idea of what they are really capable of. If you are going to be spending thousands of dollars with the contractor, it would be a good idea to ask for contact information for a few of their customers so that you can ask them a few key questions about the level of service they received.

3. Who Will Actually Be Doing the Work on Your Project?

Some companies utilize subcontractors if they lack the skills or the tools to get a specific aspect of your job completed. If this is the case, make sure that you become familiar with everyone who will be coming into your home, and ensure that they have all the proper credentials, licensing, and insurance that is required.

Meeting your potential remodeling services contractor face-to-face is always a good idea. Don’t underestimate the power of intuition when it comes to selecting the contractor that will work best for your needs.…

When it comes to heavy lifting equipment, every part needs to work right every time. Neglecting to get your equipment inspected can quickly lead to costly OSHA violations or even on-the-job accidents if the equipment fails. Before an inspection, you should prepare by completing the following tasks.

Clean the Gearbox

Gearboxes are typically operated in an environment filled with dust, dirt or general grime. This can lead to suppressed performance and hide visual signs that there may be an issue with the part. Cleaning it prior to inspection will make the gearbox inspection Nashville TN process easier and shorten the length of the visit.

Check for Leaks

Leaks are a common issue and simple to get fixed if you know they’re there. Leaks happen when shaft seals fail, allowing dust, debris and water to impact the oil. Checking seals preemptively can keep you from getting dinged in your inspection.

At the same time, ensure the gearbox is properly lubricated. That means checking to verify that the lubrication has been checked recently, and that the oil the gearbox contains is the right type and grade according to manufacturer specifications.

Check for Wear

As a hardworking piece of machinery, any gearbox will develop wear over time. Gearboxes should be checked for things like misalignment and degradation of gear teeth at regular intervals to ensure you don’t get an unpleasant surprise upon inspection.

This is also a good time to perform a quick vibration analysis. Since there is usually a lot of ambient noise where gearboxes are used, it’s often hard to hear when the gearbox sounds shift due to an issue.

By performing these three basic actions prior to an OSHA inspection, you lessen the chances of acquiring a violation based on gearbox safety. However, hiring a compliance inspection service is the best way to make sure you’re in the clear with all your equipment.…

A Profitable Carpet Cleaning Business – Your Key to Long-Term Business Success

If you have been concerned about your financial situation and are thinking about making some changes in your life, let me give you a little bit of information about the carpet and rug cleaning business you may not have known. The industry has been one of the most stable business models since it began.

The average carpet and rug cleaning operation has a lifespan of 12.7 years. That’s longer than the average US employee’s longevity within a company. The reason why this industry is rock solid is because of the built in need and desire for proper home and business maintenance.

The average small business closes up shop within five years. This is not the case with the carpet cleaning business. Many are handed down from one generation to the next. If this is your first time in business, start out the right way by getting proper training in your field. Although you can start the business on a shoestring, you will need the valuable experience of veterans of the industry who can show you the ropes and even more important, how to avoid the pitfalls and traps that are unique to the profession.

A carpet and rug cleaning home business is an excellent entry level opportunity because the market is stable with a relatively low entry fee. The proof of that are the franchise opportunities surrounding this business model. There are established franchises for this industry because they have invested in a winning formula.

You don’t need to spend tens of thousands of dollars or more for a franchise to make a great living in the carpet cleaning business. To be successful in this business model, you need three essential components:

A good business plan – this is where you learn about the proper management of your service business. This is not a one-time thing. You don’t water a plant once and expect it to grow into a tree. Successful carpet cleaning business owners continue to grow and learn.

An above average service program -get your customers coming back for more and offer clear guidelines for working with them. When you start hiring more people, these established policies will keep everyone happy.

A good marketing plan – the business will live or die on this one thing. If you get this right, your family will have lots of happy holidays for the foreseeable future. You will have exactly what the customers want and they will tell their friends once you practice effective marketing strategies.

When looking at starting a business, you want to be able to assess the return on investment, the relative cost of starting an operation and your chances of success in the marketplace. Carpet cleaning passes the test.…

Interceramic Colonial Tiles – Bring Home the Natural Aura of Wooden Flooring

If you are looking for a house with wooden flooring then it would be hard to find one. The floors made of wood have been in trend in the past for two major reasons. The first reason is that wood is bad conductor of heat and this is the reason why wood in floors is one of the most comfortable designs in old houses. The winter temperature does not render the floor cold.

The second reason for having wooden floor installed in the house is that it enhances the d?�cor of the house and the richness of wood makes any interior look absolutely beautiful. You can have the bedroom in the modern d?�cor or with a touch of Victorian Architecture, the floor made of wood will compliment all. However, the upkeep of this floor requires considerable efforts with the whole floor being cleaned and scrubbed using the right agents meant only for wood, to take care of it. This makes it a little cumbersome to maintain.

Then comes the costs involving the installation of the wooden flooring which is relatively much more expensive than ordinary flooring. This also enhances the number of reasons for the actual wooden flooring not being very popular. Besides, to lay down wooden planks to make up the floor is a lengthy procedure and requires the floor to be changed many a number of times before it actually gets done.

This is where the Interceramic Colonial Wood Tiles make the difference. These are tiles that have been designed to look just like wood. But why would the tiles be designed to look like wood? The answer lies in the fact that these tiles provide an alternative to wood in floors and therefore have been designed to look like wood.

Consider the situation when you stand at your doorway and look at the floor and you have no doubts that it is made of wood. It is only when you walk that floor is when you realize that the floor is not mad of wood but of tiles. The resemblance of each of the Interceramic Colonial Wood Tile to a wooden plank is strikingly similar and this is the reason why it has become such a likeable alternative.…

Nearly 66% of the people in the United States own the home they reside in. Owning a home can be both enjoyable and extremely stressful at times. Properly maintaining the various parts of your home is crucial when trying to avoid serious repair issues. The roof attached to your home will require lots of maintenance over the years to stay functional.

Over time, the roof on your home will start to show signs of wear. If you want to keep this important part of your home in pristine shape, consider the helpful tips below.

Make Sure Your Gutters Are Working Properly

Water can do a lot of damage to the inside and outside of your home. A gutter system is designed to remove water from vulnerable areas like your roof and your home’s foundation. When this system works correctly, it can help you prevent significant damage to these parts of your residence.

However, if your gutters are clogged or damaged, they will allow water to pool on your roof. This can put a lot of excess weight on the roof. Taking the time to inspect your gutter system is crucial when trying to discover problems early on. If you notice issues with this system, you need to call in roof repair and maintenance Stamford CT professionals to help out. With their help, you can get your gutter system fixed in a timely manner.

Address Repair Issues Quickly

If you start to notice issues involving missing shingles or damaged flashing, you need to address them in a hurry. Waiting to fix these serious problems can result in a lot of damage occurring. By hiring professionals, you can get your roof fixed and back in good working order quickly.

As you can see, properly maintaining home roof can be challenging. This is why hiring professionals is your best course of action.…

If you’re like most people around the world, you’ve likely been spending far more time inside your home than ever before. Lockdown orders and a huge influx of people working from home has significantly increased the amount of time people spend inside. While it’s critical to your health to get outside, ensuring that your home is safe should be your first priority. Whether it’s for your health or your own peace of mind, these tips are here to help you make your home a safer and happier place to be.

Renovate Dangerous Areas

Depending on how long you’ve lived in your home, you’re likely aware of what needs to be safer. Have you had one too many close calls slipping on the floors in your living room after cleaning them? Find places in your home that you’re aware are a problem and get them fixed. Use your search engine to find floor treatment Chicago IL and make renovations as you see fit. It’s worth it to do an inspection of your home and find areas that could be dangerous and get them checked out. This is especially pertinent if you have older family living with you or are expecting a baby.

Check For Mold

One huge problem for homeowners everywhere is the issue of mold. Not only is it incredibly common in most old houses, but it’s relatively easy to get depending on where you live. Houses that exist in wet and cold climates are much more likely to have mold problems. Black mold has been proven to affect allergies, and there is some evidence that indicates that it can cause severe health problems, especially if it goes untreated for long periods of time while people are still living in the home. This is because mold produces spores that are unseen by the naked eye, but are breathed in by unsuspecting residents of a home. To ensure that you and your family are safe from the harm caused by mold, have yearly inspections done by a professional.…