Remodeling your home can be an exciting, if busy, time. You’re making big changes and giving your home something new and possibly very necessary. Here are three things you should know about remodeling a home.

1. Some Things Need To Be Done By Professionals

While there are certain home improvement projects you can do yourself, for any remodeling you typically want to hire a professional. This is because, particularly during extensive remodeling, you need to make sure the structural integrity isn’t compromised. For example, if you live in Missouri, you should look for professional home remodeling contractors St Louis MO.

2. You Need To Plan Carefully

Remodeling is an intensive process and can have many moving parts. As a result, you need to plan every aspect of it carefully and stick to the plan as much as possible. Your plan should involve your budget, the type of remodeling you want, your timeline, the various materials you want or need and your preferences regarding contractors.

3. Remodeling Jobs Can Vary in Size

A remodeling job can be as small as updating part of your decor or as large as completely remodeling your entire home, though most jobs fall somewhere in between those extremes. Keep this in mind when you’re planning aspects of your process such as budget, materials and timeline. Remember that remodeling job sizes don’t always depend on the size of your space, either. You should also base the expected size of your project on your personal style and preferences, as well as whether you want to add certain technological advancements. These may include better insulation, more energy-efficient appliances or smart-house technology.

It’s important to make sure your remodeling job is completed professionally and in accordance with all jurisdictional regulations and building codes. These things are important to ensure your remodeled building is safe for use.…

Why You Should Seal Your Garage Floor

Garage floors are usually constructed of a single concrete slab. Most people are under the illusion that these floors do not require any maintenance because they are so hard. This is false. Concrete can be damaged by a variety of forces and actions impinging on it.

Water is actually the most harmful substance to concrete. You would not believe that water could ever harm this hard material because when you spray a jet of water on the surface, it just bounces off. However, the problem emanates when water seeps into the concrete floor and then solidifies. Water has an intrinsic characteristic of expanding when it freezes, and believe it or not ice water can be very destructive.

If water leaks into the slab through a crack, or even simply by penetrating the surface, and then it freezes, it can be a very effective way for breaking up the concrete. When water changes to ice it expands in volume and this expansion carries a tremendous amount of force. If the water is trapped inside the floor in pockets, the expansion will cause the concrete to break apart by either cracking or peeling. This is in fact the most popular cause of fracture of concrete. The ice continues to work on the structure yearly every time the weather is frozen again and it is possible that even a large block may be cracked into a number of smaller pieces in this way.

A good quality garage floor sealer can prevent this from happening, because it effectively creates a barrier to the water. There are two kinds of concrete sealers which can be applied. A film former is applied to the surface though it does not permeate. This is actually an epoxy based resin that cures in to a hard film and which does not allow the water to penetrate surface of the floor. The second type is a penetrate and as the name suggests, this product actually penetrates the floor surface from one to four millimeters which then keeps out the water. Unlike the film former the penetrate type is more durable because it can not be scratched.

It is absolutely essential to increase the life expectancy of your floor by applying a good garage floor sealer. A garage floor sealing can do wonders for the protection and you can also add an ant-slip topping and color to your concrete floor. Once the sealer is applied, and before it cures completely you can spread industrial grit (sand) or colored paint flecks which will offer unsurpassed traction if the floor gets wet.…

Uses of Vinyl Floor Mats

One of the more common floor mats around, vinyl floor mats are usually found in entrance ways of houses and commercial establishments. These are also used in cars to cover the carpeting. They are especially designed to protect the floors from dirt, mud, and grime brought by shoes.

Vinyl floor matting protects a carpet which is usually more expensive from dust, dirt, and mud that can cause permanent damage on the upholstery. A typical vinyl floor mat can cost less than $100, although the prices tend to differ according to the style or design. While they can be pricey at times, they are considered worthy investments since they cost less compared to re-carpeting a living room.

Numerous companies manufacture vinyl mats. While most people think that the brand of a vinyl floor mat can make a great difference in terms of quality, the truth is that there is little difference at all. Their prices are hardly influenced by the brand, unlike the style and personalization of a floor mat.

They may be bought at local hardware shops and home improvement stores. But for those shopping for vinyl floor mat that can be used on vehicles, it is more advisable to go to an auto supply shop. Customized versions can also be purchased through the internet. Most of the time, high priced vinyl floor mats are usually those which are customized since they are tailored to meet a specific customer requirement in terms of design and quality.

Customized vinyl floor matting is usually characterized by unique shapes and features as requested or required by those willing to spend a higher price. Most of those who opt for customized mats are those with specific (branding) needs such as hotels and restaurants. Even car owners who have the cash to spruce up their car interiors use custom-designed vinyl mats to accessorize their vehicles. This only goes to show how widely accepted the use of this product is not just in businesses but in automobile and household use.…

Speed Cleaning Tips – How to Clean Your Home Faster and Easier Than You Ever Imagined

 this is THE TRUTH as we know it.  A culmination of years of research, observation and testing (just kidding).  Commit these principles to memory.  Practice them.  Once mastered, you will be amazed at your proficiency and efficiency.  You will dazzle and amaze your friends.  Stupefy your family.

Anyone, yes, anyone, can master these fundamentals.  Try them.  Adapt them.  You’ll see a difference.

Work in an orderly manner.  You’ll accomplish far more in less time if you train yourself to work from left to right and top to bottom all the way around the room, doing the center of the room last.

Keep your supplies close. All your supplies will be in your cleaning caddy.  Take out the ones you will need for the room your cleaning, put them in your apron pocket so you don’t have to carry the caddy with you–a big time-saver.

“If it ain’t dirty, don’t clean it!” Unless you’re a real fanatic or have lots of extra time on your hands. you don’t need to clean everything every week!  Not by a long shot.  Experiment.  Be aware.  Lower your standards–everyone else has!!

Keep cleaning products to a bare minimum. Look for products that can be used on a variety of surfaces such as multi-surface cleaner that can be used on virtually everything including glass.  Windex and (purple) 409 are both good.  In addition, dish soap and warm water can clean everything from counters to floors. And lastly, good microfiber cleaning cloths can clean most anything with just a little water.

Don’t use more cleaning agent than necessary. Every extra squirt or spray means extra time to wipe the surface dry.

Don’t scrub! Let your cleaning product work for you.  Spray and let it set up, then wipe. Use a scrubber pad if necessary. (White pads are the least abrasive, then blue then green). The dirtier the surface, the longer you need to let your cleaning product sit. So spray the tub, clean the rest of the bathroom and go back and clean the tub.

Read and follow label directions.  Always!

Stop before you drop. It’s sometimes tempting to push yourself to work past your fatigue point.  Although this may seem efficient, it takes your body significantly longer to recover at this point.  Two 5 minute breaks can refresh you, whereas you may still be exhausted after one 20 minute break.  Work smart.

Try to clean a little faster, a little more efficiently every time. So much of housework is merely routine–we’ve always done it this way or that.  By simply being more conscious of what, how and why you’re doing things, you’ll probably devise all kinds of time and energy saving techniques.  And you’ll wonder why you never thought of “that” before.

Sometimes even the smallest changes will pay off.  Remember, every step, every movement you save pays off in greater speed and less fatigue.

And remember too, a super clean, “you-can-eat-off-the-floor” house is …

Various Hues of Marble Floor Tiles

Marble floor tiles are the most demanded among natural stone products in India for the simple reason that it is the most elegant. The green marble has a unique gloss to it which is unmatched. Other colors in which marbles are found in India is white, black, mottled, gray and pink.

Marbles have always been valued for its range of exquisite colors. It is a stone which can fit into any corner of the house. The marble patterns give a look of rich aesthetic appeal to a house. There are also many ornamental uses to which this stone is put for sale in India as well as for export. Marble is the ultimate name for giving your home that exclusive look. The natural stone supplier is also the manufacturer most of the times and he knows how to make use of the different colors of the marble for ornamental or architectural purposes.

The great look and varying colors of a marble stone comes from the heat and pressure applied to limestone and dolomite over thousands of years. The marble patterns and colors are determined by the constituents of the stone. The metamorphosis of transformation from calcite or dolomite into marble takes place with pressure from crystal collisions and heat from the core of the Earth.

The marble manufacturers have to be very conscious of turning out the products like table tops, marble floor tiles, marble patterns, etc. with the most suitable stones for particular use. The utility of stones is bound to be different for different purposes. A natural stone supplier from India with a lot of clients spread worldwide is aware of these nuances of manufacturing and that is part of the reason for his success.

When looking for the best hues of a marble stone, it would be advisable to look out for a supplier with lot of experience in the same. Marble floor tiles can be purchased from a natural stone supplier without as much fuss as that for any ornamental product. You can trust the manufacturers who have a complete manufacturing to supply process going under them. There are some such companies in India who have their own quarries and also have their manufacturing network spread in many countries of the world. They take pains to ensure that their natural stone products conform to quality parameters as well as the various choices expressed by the customers with regards to color and patterns in the stones.…

Fires are one of the most costly and common causes of commercial property damage. Fire mitigation strategies can help you reduce the amount of damage done to your property if a fire occurs.

1. Install Fire Safety Equipment

Installing fire safety systems is one of the most effective ways to reduce the amount of damage done by fires and in many cases, it is a legal requirement. Smoke alarms should be installed in all areas of your building and tested or replaced regularly. Sprinkler systems can help put out small fires before they can spread to other parts of your building. These systems should also be tested regularly and repair fire sprinklers Orange County CA when necessary. Install fire extinguishers and train employees on using them.

2. Practice Fire Drills Regularly

Panic can be one of the most dangerous aspects of a fire emergency. Avoid this by regularly practicing fire drills. Go over your emergency plan with employees and then conduct drills so that they know what to do if a fire occurs. Schedule random fire drills to test how well your employees are executing the plan and make adjustments or schedule retraining as needed.

3. Avoid Clutter

Debris and clutter can be a safety hazard that may cause fires to spread faster and make it more difficult for people to escape the building when a fire occurs. Instruct employees to avoid cluttering walkways and fire escapes with boxes, equipment or other items. Create a designated space for files, inventory and combustible materials. Regularly dispose of old files and other items that you no longer need. Set a schedule to assess your business for potential hazards that need to be addressed and verify that established procedures are being followed.

Fire mitigation strategies can help you avoid serious injuries and substantial property damage. Keep your fire mitigation plan updated and review it at least once per year.…

Your living room should serve as one of the rooms in the house that offers comfort and relaxation. As the space where you entertain guests, watch a show or just kick back and put your feet up, you will want a setup that supports those activities. If it is feeling more dingy and uninviting than light and lively, here are a few ways that you can introduce life back into your living room.

Window Treatments

You may be surprised at the difference window treatments can have on the overall feel of a room. If your room is already feeling cramped or dark, you won’t want to add heavy treatments to the room. Instead, opt for solar shades Boston and light and airy treatments to help you give a fresh, open feeling.

Cozy Lighting

As you consider your lighting, be mindful of what types you introduce into the room. While you will want to illuminate the room, avoid unnecessarily harsh lighting or too little light. Consider a light that offers a warm glow and cozy ambiance to help you achieve your desired aesthetic.

Color Palette

Your color palette also has a sizable influence on your room’s atmosphere. While you can opt for bold and darker hues, keep in mind that this can often make a room look colder, smaller and less inviting. You want a balance of vibrant colors with an airy ambiance.

Plants

One easy change that you can make to your living room that will immediately bring life and light into the room is adding plants. Whether you elevate plants with hanging planters, add tableside potted plants or introduce tall plants to the room, you can transform a room with a few plants. Not only is this great for your look and feel, but it also provides fresher air and a homier experience.

Your living room has endless possibilities. Transform it into something stunning, bright and beautiful with one or a few of these changes. You may be shocked at the difference these small changes can make in introducing light and life to the room.…

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4 Simple Yet Effective Steps to Remove Sticky Substances From Wooden Flooring

Wooden flooring has become the latest buzz word among the homeowners and the home designers and developers all over the world. It is becoming increasing popular and has become the hottest flooring option for large number of people, as it lends elegance and beauty to the room and enhances the overall decor of the house.

Wooden flooring looks amazing but requires special care and attention when compared to other regular flooring. This is all the more true when sticky substances like chewing gum get stuck on the wooden flooring and cannot be removed by normal cleaning methods. Removing chewing gum and other sticky substance from flooring is a tricky affair and requires special technique. Resorting to impulsive method of applying too much force or using chemicals cleaners may damage the flooring further.

Sticky substances like gum are very hard and difficult to remove, but there is a way to remove and get rid of it by following these four simple Steps.

Step 1: First, using your fingers try to remove as much chewing gum as possible from the floor. Collect small pieces of ice cubes from the fridge and put it into the plastic bag. Then keep plastic bag containing the ice cubes over the top of the gum. You will observe that the gum start hardening. Do not try to remove the gum immediately. Hardening process normally takes about 20 to 25 minutes.

Step 2: Then place plastic scale or small wooden paddle under one edge of the gum and gradually poke from below. Without applying much pressure start removing as much gum as possible from the wood. Ensure that you do this without scrapping the surface of the wood.

Step 3: Then take a clean piece of scrap cloth. Rinse a small portion of the cloth in mineral spirit and gently apply it to the remaining portion of the gum still sticking to the wood. The spirit works effectively on the gum as it dissolves the gum which eventually loses it’s grip on the wood. Allow the mineral spirit to remain on the wood for 5 to 10 minutes.

Step 4: Wipe the gum and mineral spirit from the wood with dry clean cloth. Spray wood polish onto the affected portion of the wood. Use smooth or lint-free cloth to wipe the surface. You will be amazed to see the stunning difference!…

Hardwood Floor Refinishing – When It’s Time To Do That?

Hardwood floor is considered the most efficient and sophisticated flooring choices for homes. It produces an extremely timeless but elegant finish that may last for decades. Even though hardwood flooring is reminiscent of old palaces in Europe as well as early American homes in the south, it still greatly suits present day houses.

However one minor disadvantage of having hardwood floors is it would wear off as time passes. Even though the floor might serve you for a lifetime, its finished finish can become lifeless and broken caused by excessive use. This wearing off can be greatly noticed on floors situated in areas of your house with higher visitors.

Worn out and dilapidated floors are not only seen annoying for the eye, they’re hard to clean up too. This is true especially for floors which have polishes or coatings that are cracking away. To put it briefly, keeping the beauty and original appeal of hardwood floors rely on regular upkeep or refinishing.

Even so, it’s good to notice that not all of the dullness or cracking away of your floor might need a complete refinishing job. In some cases, you just need plain old water and cloth to get back the glow in your wooden floor. Fortunately, there’s a method of checking out whether it’s time to just stand and use the mop or begin shifting your furnishings and get on your knees.

Right off the bat what you should do would be to visit the floor which is quite often used. And then drench this part with water, perhaps a tablespoon or two. After that watch.

In case the water instantly forms into little drops, this implies the protective polish of the wooden floor is doing the job so you don’t need the full scale refinishing; a wipe of moist cloth or stain remover is perhaps all it will take to have back the glow. Even so, in the event the water percolated in to the floor and caused it to be darker colored, the coating is definitely damaged and it’s time to do hardwood floor refinishing.

Hardwood floor refinishing isn’t a walk-in-the-park. It’s always wise to do the hiring of flooring experts who have both the know-how acquired from true experience and equipment to renew your over used floor. However, if you want to refinish your floor by doing the work on your own, you need to have at least basic knowledge how it can be done.…