What is PLM and Why Should You Care? Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) software isn’t just…
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3 mins read
Can You Really Install Floorboards Over Cement?
Acquiring any type of flooring is definitely expensive. As a result, you might want to have the ability to put in the floor yourself. This may save you a lot of money, and the experience can be an extra ability for yourself. Here’s a step by step guide teaching you how to install flooring on bare concrete.
1. Thoroughly clean the concrete subfloor
Using an impeccably clean concrete subflooring is a crucial component of installing your very own floor. This will make certain any type of flooring you’re going to install will look remarkable. Clean the spot profusely and ensure not a single thing is left behind. At the conclusion of the cleaning session, include a humidity barrier so excess humidity doesn’t seep in from the bottom to your top flooring layer. Do not forget and skip this step because it’s necessary to get that moisture barrier if you’d like to protect hardwood floors like bamboo hardwood or engineered wood. Should there be far too much humidity it may split the floors in the future.
2. Place down the boards
Start laying the floorboards down from the longest side of your wall. Use adhesive that is top of the line if you want a perfect installation. Try to not apply an excessive amount, just put a sufficient quantity of adhesive on your floorboard and lay it down. Go on to execute this along the entire wall. Make every effort to press the floorboards firmly in place knowing that there are no spaces in between.
3. Keep the floor boards from slipping while drying
Being the adhesive demands a long period of time to dry, you need to be sure the boards are in place to make sure that gaps do not happen. It’ll be difficult to correct gaps once the adhesive has completely dried. Use something like blue painter’s tape to hold the floorboards in their place while drying. If any of the adhesive presses out from the cracks, wipe it away while it’s wet mainly because it will likely be harder to do once dry.
4. Arranging the planks
Continuously apply the planks on the concrete floor. Be sure that you pick your floor pieces carefully during the time you have them installed. As an illustration, to make sure you possess a uniform floor, you’ll want to use planks belonging to the same box, and examine each floor board to determine if the hue of your planks are all equivalent. Just do not forget that the floor planks may vary when it comes to their shade.
5. Take away the Painter’s tape
Before taking off the painter’s tape, make sure that the adhesive is utterly dry. Patience is virtue because you do not want to rush the drying process. Leave the installation like that overnight or for as long as possible, and don’t allow any foot traffic in the area. It will help your floors dry the way you intended it. If at least 12 hours have passed, then …
3 mins read
How to Select the Proper Garbage Disposal and Take Care of It
If you are considering redesigning your kitchen, you no doubt will spend a great deal of time thinking about your cabinets, the appliances, the countertops and the flooring.
How about the lowly garbage disposal? You should not be disdainful of your disposal. The fact is that many of us do not ever think about what is going on under the sink when we flip the switch for the disposal. That is, we do not think about it until it stops working.
It is much more likely that you will have many years of trouble free use of your disposal if you buy the right one for your needs, and then you take care to use it properly. Below are some guidelines to accomplish both of these tasks.
Buying the Right One
When you are working on that new kitchen space, you should remember that you can buy a garbage disposal of many different sizes and lots of varying features. Of course, the disposal that came with your house was probably an inexpensive, builder quality unit. It probably has a motor with a 1/3 horsepower or so. That may work fine for awhile, but this product was not designed to last year a lot of years.
A disposal that is of a deluxe quality will have a motor with one horsepower, and it also will have inner components that are made of stainless steel. It’s very important that your high quality disposal have stainless steel parts, because that means you will never have rusting problems. Some higher quality products will have a function for auto reverse. This is very helpful in getting jammed food and other items out of the disposal. This will increase the motor’s life by years. Overheating the motor is one of the biggest causes for a garbage disposal to fail.
There are a lot of disposals that can be purchased that fall somewhere in between 1/3 horsepower and 1 horsepower. If your house in on a septic tank, you can buy a special unit that will shoot an enzyme into the bottom of the disposal. This will assist in breaking down your septic tank waste.
Taking Care of the Disposal
When you have your new disposal, you should do your best to care for it so it will last you many years. You can do this by making sure you run the water all the time when you are turning on the device. Many people tend to shut the water off too soon after they have turned on the garbage disposal. This is bad because the sludge that the disposal made may still be stuck in the drain line from the unit.
To prevent problems, you should let the water run for at least 10 seconds or so after you shut it off. This will allow the water to flush out the lines. A really great way to do this is to clean your pots and pans in the sink full of water. Then let the water …
3 mins read
The Use Of Moroccan Decor In Your Home
If the goal for your home is a combination of elegance and exotic then Moroccan home decor may be just the style you are looking for. Moroccan decor and decoration has become a very popular choice in the Western world because of the flair for drama and a touch of mystery that this style brings, giving your home a unique look and feel. The country of Morocco has a number of influences which involve different cultures, as well as plenty of mystery. Because of the location you will find both European and African influences, as well as Mediterranean and Atlantic aspects in Moroccan decor and furniture. One of the reasons that Moroccan home decor has become so popular is that it takes all of the positive aspects from each culture and blends them for a unique appearance not found in any other country. The Moroccan style of decoration involves styles adopted from the Spanish, French, and Portuguese. Because of this blend of exotic influences this style is extremely eye-catching and appealing. Luxurious fabrics including reach velvets and sheer silks, exquisite Moroccan furniture, strategic Moroccan home lighting, and a potpourri of the exotic scents all combine to make Moroccan home decor and excellent choice.
Moroccan Decor And The Use Of Color- The country of Morocco includes a vivid mix of colors because the combination of long coasts along the shore, the deserts, and a sun which is extremely powerful. The people of Morocco are surrounded by colors that are rich and vibrant. Colors included in Moroccan home decor are reds and oranges which are bright and eye-catching, greens and blues in various hues, and silvers and golds that sparkle and shine. Color combinations which are perfect or precision placement of Moroccan furniture is not necessary, instead this style is all about turning your home into a comfortable oasis which includes many different colors, textures, and smells. The rich colors that are used are not just used as accents, but rather they are the base as well and are used in all areas of the house. With Moroccan decor it is not unusual to find rooms which are completely painted a single bright color, such as the orange of the setting sun reflecting off the sand of the desert or the green of moss.
Furniture Used With Moroccan Home Decor- Moroccan furniture is generally set lower than typical furniture, so that it sits closer to the floor. This furniture is created using wood or wrought iron and generally includes significant scrollwork and inlays which are mother-of-pearl, as well as being exquisitely carved. Moroccan decor allows you to create an oasis inside, and in Morocco this is important because of the powerful sun which makes being outdoors uncomfortable.
Moroccan Decor And Texture Use- Textures and fabrics which are rich and luxurious are liberally included in Moroccan home decor. Fabrics are used in every possible place, and numerous throws and cushions which have a variety of textures and eye-catching colors are included. Lush velvet …
2 mins read
High Quality Discount Hardwood Flooring
Whether you are planning a remodel of your existing home or you are building a new home, saving money is a top priority. There are now available many styles, grains and colors of beautiful discount hardwood flooring. If you have chosen to forgo the option of having laminate hardwood flooring in your home and instead, choose the real feel of hardwood, you know that it can be quite costly. You can save money by installing discount hardwood engineered flooring. This beautiful choice will leave your home warm and welcoming, while keeping you within your budget. Whether you are matching or complimenting existing cabinets, or your new flooring is driving the rest of your home design, you will certainly be able to find a style that meets your needs.
The discount hardwood flooring on the market today comes in a variety of tones, grains and styles. If you have existing cabinets you need to work with, you can either choose to match your new flooring or choose a different color that compliments. Some individuals like a consistent look throughout their home, which creates continuity. Others prefer to have dark cabinets and light floors or light cabinets and dark floors. Typically they keep the grain styles similar, which will bring the different woods together. This design trick is often used for cabinets, mill work and flooring. Whatever your particular style, you can create it easily with the use of engineered hardwood flooring purchased at discount prices.
Laminate hardwood flooring comes in a variety of color tones, as well as different grains. Before making your purchase, it is important to ask yourself a few questions. Do you have indoor animals which will scratch your floors? Do you prefer the look of hardwood or is it important to you to have the real thing in your home? If you have animals that will scratch your floors, you may want to go with a laminate style flooring. If you prefer real hardwood, you will want to purchase the original flooring. Either way, you can find what you are looking for in the discount hardwood flooring available options. You are sure to be satisfied while keeping your budget on track.…
3 mins read
How to Choose Kitchen Flooring
The kitchen is a dirty place. Food and water spills on the floor can make it a death trap for many. Once food reaches the floor, bacteria can grow in between the tiles or the small spaces that the flooring does not quite meet up with the cabinets. Dirt from vendors and employees coming in and out of the kitchen can also cause slips and falls making the kitchen flooring one of the most important items in your kitchen, even more so than the mixers, sinks and ovens. When it comes to choosing your commercial kitchen flooring, few things are more important than your flooring being slip resistant. Here are some considerations when looking into purchasing commercial kitchen flooring for your restaurant.
1. Design
It is not necessary to have a beautiful floor in the kitchen; it really should be reserved for the dining area of the restaurant. Safety should be the first priority, and a dirty kitchen is a health hazard for everyone. Tiles in a kitchen can be easily broken from the heavy materials sitting on them and constantly being moved around. This is breeding grounds for bacteria and fungus to grow, which can make everyone sick. It is very important to choose flooring that has minimal cracks or seams that food particles and other nasty germs can live.
2. Slip Resistance-
In a full service kitchen, the hustle and bustle of things can cause a myriad of dangerous situations, grease spills, water sloshing onto the floor from the sink, food or mats sliding around on the flooring and many other hazardous events. With slip resistant floors, or floors covered in epoxy, vinyl floors or Silikal Resurfacing Concrete Floors you can have commercial kitchen floors installed that don’t have to be hideous but are more sanitary and safe than other flooring available like slippery tiles and linoleum floors.
3. Easily Manageable-
The last thing that anyone wants to do at the end of a long day is have to stay longer to clean the kitchen floors. Easily manageable floors such as these epoxy covered floors or floors covered with a slip resistant material are easier to manage. There is no such need to be on your hands and knees picking food pieces out of the cracks of tiles or peeling chips of things off the floor to ensure that mopping does not slide things around. The simpler the floors are to manage, the better they will be taken care of.
4. Durability-
Nobody wants to have a kitchen floor installed so that it can be repaired or replaced a few years later. When you are looking at installing a commercial kitchen floor, you want something that is going to withstand the weight of your heavy cooking equipment. Having to replace the flooring slows the production in the kitchen, possibly stopping production all together if the flooring has to be replaced. The longer the commercial grade kitchen floor lasts, the more money can be put into upgrading or purchasing …
3 mins read
The Origins Of Septic Tanks
Before, a septic tank was created using a built prototype manufactured from concrete and fabricated clay pipes that was designed by John Mouras from France around 1860. Nowadays a basic septic system generally has a capacity of a thousand to two thousand gallons. The typical tank comes with an inlet opening from the infrastructure and an outlet opening which would go to the distribution box. The distribution box is in between the tank and the leachfield that would dispense the digested effluent waste into the drain field.
Within the septic tank the chief work of the distribution box is to handle the overall overflow of the main septic tank and equally spread it out to the leachfield. The distribution box is constructed out of concrete, water-tight and around the size of the cinderblock. In a few systems NT-MAX liquid is incorporated directly in the distribution box typically performed by an experienced professional to intensify the application process of bacteria. The primary objective of this technique would be to enhance the digestion action inside the tank specifically in addressing clogged septic system or drainfield. The bacterial action will massively aid in the absorption of the waste content and also aid to hasten the assimilation of the same.
In the tank the new wastewater which enters into the unit will put pressure on the waste which is already there, into the drainfield. In the drainfield or leachfield the pattern of degradation as well as remediation is continued which accommodate more waste products to come in and the process goes on and on. The septic tank system is generally designed hands-free and also functions by itself. It is built by gravitational forces to be sure that the odor and backup functions freely. Since the time that septic tanks started it has been performing productively in handling the normal waste matter originating from the house. However, because of the addition of chemical compounds and anti-microbial components in most household items that is generally used the septic system suffered a few challenges due to the natural killing bacteria in the system are affected.
In the past, the anaerobic bacteria in the septic tank system and also the coli-form that is found in the human waste is enough to serve as an ample supply of bacteria in digesting the waste materials produced. However with the home products that are being incorporated with increasingly more anti-bacterial agents, this coli-form are killed and diminished that makes the tank to no longer break down the waste materials properly. The undigested waste can cause solids to flow on the drainfield and cause the blockage of the pipes that might also lead backups in several cases or the total malfunction of the septic system.
A lot of homeowners are using the new technologies of bio-remediation to enhance the killing of helpful bacteria that were lost in the septic tank. By the addition of these new bacteria in the septic tank system it will make sure that the count of healthy bacteria …
3 mins read
Interior Lighting Tips – Task Lighting
Ever feel like there just is not enough light in a living room to sit down and comfortably read a good book or look over some business documents? Could you relax in an overly illuminated living room? Such thoughts come up when there is an imbalance between task lighting and ambient lighting. Understanding the difference between these two lighting types and using them effectively can help you bring harmony to the lighting in your home.
Basics of Task Lighting
You might be surprised to find out just how much of a role each room plays in the lives of its inhabitants. Rooms are often used for both work and relaxation. You may find yourself answering emails on the living room couch or playing a classical guitar piece in your bedroom. These activities contribute to and define the overall function of a room and typically require more than ambient lighting from overhead fixtures. That is when task lighting comes into play. Task lighting is fundamentally any lighting that helps to facilitate a particular visual task. In a residential setting, that job may be reading, writing, cooking, sewing, or even eating.
Task lighting can take on many forms, including desk lamps, track lighting, or fluorescent fixtures under cabinets. Efficiently distributing task lighting throughout a home requires carefully identifying the function of each room and choosing the right type of lighting.
Instead of going further into the theory of task lighting, why don’t we take a look at the rooms of a standard home and suggest some task lighting solutions for each one.
Bedroom
The bedroom is where you start and end your day. It functions as both a place for daily preparation and a quiet place of relaxation before turning in for the night. If you are like most people and enjoy reading or occasionally working in bed, you will most definitely need some task lighting. Though there are quite a few options available, one of the most practical solutions is to have a lamp on each side of the bed. Doing so allows one partner to read while the other sleeps. You may choose to place a table lamp on each nightstand or install wall lamps that will keep you from having to reach too far to turn the light on or off.
Bathroom
The most important aspect of a bathroom is the vanity, as it plays a large role in morning preparation. Most people make the mistake of placing a recessed ceiling fixture over the mirror or buying a vanity with built-in overhead lighting. But lighting from one side casts shadows on the face. The best way to balance vanity lighting and get rid of shadows is to place vertical fixtures on both sides of the mirror. The center of each fixture should be at eye level. You want the vanity to be very well lit. Use fixtures with dimmer controls if you are afraid of overdoing. In doing so you will ensure that any person who uses the vanity …
3 mins read
Versatile Performance Flooring
A wooden dance floor is the choice of most dance studios, and for good reason. Seasons of durability and great looks are what keep these types of floors installed for dance purposes. In order to offer as many different types of dance classes at your studio and to increase revenue, you will need to think about how the performance flooring affects the type of dance being performed on it, and how certain types of flooring can enhance or hinder the dance.
All wood dance styles should be of the sprung dance floor type. What this means is that above the bottom sub floor rests a cushioning layer of product. It might be foam core, or other soft materials. Above this is placed the top wooden dance. This makes it possible to dance in a room that might not have sub flooring suitable for dance, such as concrete or other hard surfaces. A sprung wood dance floor provides the resilience that a dancer’s body needs when jumps are performed, as well as when percussive movements of the feet and legs upon the floor are performed. This type of sprung wooden dance helps to prevent tiny stress fractures and other stress injuries to the legs and joints from happening, making for a healthier dancer over time.
The type of wood used can also have an impact on the type of dance performed. For a good tap dance floor, you want a very live floor that offers a lot of sound naturally, without the dancers having to pound their feet hard on the floor to get any sound out of it. This is why hard woods such as maple are an excellent choice for a tap dance floor. Just the opposite is true for a ballet dance floor, where you would want the sound dampened rather than enhanced, so a softer wood would be preferable in this instance.
A ballet floor or a tap dance will often be finished with urethane, which is a coating used to protect the wood’s surface from damage. The top finish coating plays a role in speed, or slipperiness, of the floor’s surface. A tap dance will need a medium speed urethane finish. This helps the dancers to execute tap moves more easily, without the likelihood of twisting ankles due to too much traction on the floor’s surface. You can also use slow to medium urethane finishes for a ballet dance floor, but adjustments to the dance shoes will need to be made. You typically do not want a very slippery floor surface for a ballet dance floor, due to the lifts and jumping involved, which would be quite dangerous on a slick floor. The dancers would need to use rosin on the medium speed ballet dance, but could eliminate the rosin when working on pointe on the slow speed floor.
More information is available about ballet and tap dance floor choices from a manufacturer of sprung wood floors.…
3 mins read
Purchasing a Home Warranty – Important Things to Remember For Home Buyers
Purchasing a home is a very important investment especially for first-time home buyers who are new in the real estate industry. Making sure that you undergo legal and proper processes in buying your house is essentially important. One of the vital components you need to consider during home purchase is securing a home warranty. Home sellers and home buyers alike need to learn and understand the mechanics of home warranty in order to get the most out of it for their advantage.
What is home warranty?
It provides protection for new home owners against any maintenance or repair problems which may occur during the first year of occupancy. It is quite a nightmare for home owners to realize that even if they have just moved in, they are already dealing with various breaks or malfunctions in their new home. Repairs and fixtures certainly cover myriads of systems and items in the house, therefore to have a total peace of mind and worry-free living, it is a sound idea to invest on home warranty. This is an important notion to consider especially for first-time home buyers who basically do not have any home maintenance experience.
How much is it?
When purchasing home warranty, you need to prepare approximately $250 to $400 depending on your preferred coverage. Most companies offer home warranty with special discount rates and policies. The policy may expire or can be renewed since it is paid in advance for one year.
In buying a home warranty, make sure that you have substantial knowledge about it since most home warranties are mistaken with home insurance. Home warranty covers house repairs and replacements of appliances which are not functioning like refrigerator, stove and air conditioning among others. It also deals with roofing or plumbing issues inside the house. Home insurance on the other hand deals with protecting your house from fire or theft and is also liable for injuries incurred in your property or by a member of your family.
How does it work?
Here are some of the things you benefit from for purchasing one.
o Any home system or appliance that breaks or malfunctions are taken cared by the company.
o Home warranty company calls a qualified service provider to cater to the problem covered by the policy.
o The service provider fixes the problem of the policy owner and if an appliance seized to work or functions and is beyond repair, the company pays for the replacement and installation of the appliance. It is important to note that replacement of appliances depends on the policy bought by the home owner.
It is an indispensable tool you can always access especially during hassles inside the house. It is important to ensure that your home systems are functioning well in order to conveniently do your daily chores and activities in the house without worries and delay. With the right warranty company to provide you with your personal and distinct needs, you are sure that you are protected from the …
3 mins read
5 Ways To Refresh Your Home On A Budget: Buy Laminate Flooring And More
Day in and day out, your home serves as sanctuary, pit stop, storage facility, and entertainment venue. It can also get stale, outdated, and even threaten your health. Drapes, pillows, upholstery, and carpets can harbor dirt, dust, grime, and insects that cause respiratory and other health-related problems. These textiles can also cause bad odors to persist. Refreshing your home, both literally and figuratively, is easier and more affordable today than ever before with cheap Pergo laminate flooring, inexpensive accent pieces, live plants, a few buckets of paint, or some new curtains. Each of these redecorating activities can be done by the homeowner with a minimal investment of time and money.
Instead of hiring contractors and disrupting your home and bank account, refresh the appearance and improve the healthfulness of your home by replacing old window treatments, adding new accent pieces, or buy laminate flooring. Painting walls and replacing cabinet hardware can also result in an affordable, do-it-yourself home improvement project with lasting benefits.
Give Hardware A Hand
Cabinet hardware is easy to replace, affordable, and there are many styles from which to choose. Your kitchen and bathroom cabinets can go from dreary and damaged to smooth and elegant with just a few turns of a screwdriver. For a bigger effect, the faces of the cabinets, drawers, and doors can be refinished or painted at the same time. Very often, stripping off old paint reveals beautiful natural wood grain that has been well preserved and looks lovely with nothing more than an application of sealant!
Strike A Pose
The artwork and accent pieces found in a room can completely alter its personality. Throw pillows, live plants, statuary, and art can turn a chaotic mess into a stylish showplace without breaking the budget. Family photographs in simple frames, layers of colored stones in a glass vase, or a living aquarium can provide affordable renovations to the look and feel of practically any room in the house.
Coat With Color
Painting the walls of a room is an inexpensive way of changing the decor and creating a completely different atmosphere. Painting does, however, require an understanding of the risks of lead found in old paint. Keeping safety issues in mind, the colors selected can generate any mood or style the homeowner chooses.
Window Wonders
Homeowners can also redecorate a room affordably with window treatments, such as drapery, shades, sheers, and blinds, just to name a few. There are many online sources available that offer a wide range of window treatments, allowing homeowners to select or create their very own style using materials that suit the interior decor of their liking.
Build A Solid Foundation
A home’s foundation is its primary source of strength and stability. In the same way, flooring protects us from the outside world, it provides a smooth surface for feet and furniture, and it sets the tone for the style of the room. Flooring also plays a major role in a family’s health. Ratty, old carpeting can harbor dust mites, …