Small bathrooms might be those added under a stairway or in a spare closet. They might be for children, adults, or both. A small bathroom might be a guest powder room off the foyer or living room. One thing they have in common is that they are – small. Another thing they have in common is that they call for special lighting.
Small bathroom lighting is dependent, in part, on the use of the bathroom. One type of bathroom light fixture might convey a warm, cozy feeling for dinner guests. Another type of bathroom light fixture might make the small bathroom seem spacious – or provide light for reading while relaxing in a deep soak tub.
Warm and Cozy Lighting
You can make a small bathroom feel warm and cozy rather than claustrophobic by adding the right light fixtures. Suppose this is a small half-bath meant primarily for guests to "freshen up" before dinner. You've used small-patterned deep red and gold wallpaper for warmth. What kind of light fixtures should this small bathroom have?
Try recessed, can ceiling light fixtures focused on work areas. Or use indirect lighting around the perimeter of the ceiling-wall junction. On either side of the mirror above the sink, add a wall sconce light fixture. Avoid large wall sconces, or those that protrude too far from the wall, as they will make the room look cluttered. Layering these two types of light fixture will give you warm, gracious lighting in a small bathroom for guests.
Bright Enough for Reading
If the small bathroom in your home has a soaking tub, or one used by children, you will want good lighting in the tub area. Most lighting above tubs and showers is diffuse lighting, which is fine for a quick shower or bath. Diffuse lighting is also good over-all lighting to soften the entire bathroom. However, if you want to read – or get paint off of a child – you may want brighter, more concentrated lighting. Use a focused flood or halogen light fixture on the wall above the tub.
Choose safe, moisture proof light fixtures for this area. "Make sure that your lamps are UL rated for damp locations insuring safety," says Todd Phillips, president of lighting manufacturer Quoizel.
Space Enlarging Lighting
You can never have too much light in a small bathroom, as long as you use it properly. Perhaps the best idea for small bathrooms is to begin with indirect lighting around the ceiling for overall softness and warmness. Then consider these possibilities.
1.) If your small bathroom has a window, use light-admitting, sheer curtains at the window. Add a shade that can be drawn for privacy.
2.) Light shower or tub with separate wet area light fixtures, strong enough to permit easy personal grooming, but with dimmer switches for atmosphere.
3.) On either side of the vanity mirror, use warm fluorescent vertical wall sconces to provide even facial illumination. Place a halogen light above the mirror for cross illumination. Place these mirror surrounding light fixtures on a separate switch.
4.) Run a linear light fixture along the vanity toe-space to provide a soft night light.
5.) For a family use small bathroom, place a halogen or flood light near the toilet, focused as a good reading light. Install a separate switch.
With all of these light fixtures layered in a small bathroom, you will always have exactly the amount of light you need for any given task. Yet you can make it cozy with dimmer switches, safe with night lights.
Helpful Tip
Small bathroom lighting need not be garish or insufficient. You can have plenty of light or cozy lighting if you layer your light, and control it with separate and/or dimmer switches.
January 29, 2009
Small Bathroom Lighting
How Colors Enhance a Room
With all the colors in the world, it's hard to know exactly which one to use when painting your house. Those of you determined to fairly represent each hue might set out to paint one room red, one orange, one yellow, one green, one blue, one indigo, and one violet. But, for everyone else, painting a room has less to do with equal opportunity decorating and more to do with personal taste.
Still, colors have their limits and certain ones are better at doing certain things. The following is a list of tips describing what each color has the potential to do when it finds itself up against a wall.
White: Painting a room white will make the room look bigger and cleaner (until your three year old decides to smear a mural of ketchup on the back wall). White is an ideal color when you are looking to add a lot of different hues: white, like black, goes with almost anything. Painting with white can give rooms a pure and bright look, while using that white to accentuate other colors. But, be careful: using too much white can make a room too bright, and make it hard to look at. If people routinely run from your room yelling "My eyes, my eyes," chances are, you've overdone it.
Black: Like white, black is an ideal color when you want to mix and match shades. Though black has the potential to make a room look too dark or too small, it also has a solid conventional appeal. A black wall, like a black piece of clothing, captures a sensuous, secretive, and intelligent look. Appearing more intellectual and sophisticated than all the other colors, you will be much more likely to catch your black wall reading the short stories of Rudyard Kipling than your white one.
Orange: Depending on the brightness, the color orange can be a hue that demands notice - like a shade perpetually screaming "Look at me!" It can also be welcoming or it can be a soothing earth tone. Because of this versatility, orange is a popular color in decorating. A room used for socializing can benefit from the use of bright (but not too bright) orange and a room used for relaxing can benefit from a darker orange. But orange, like all colors, has its limits: you have to be careful of the colors you mix and match. Orange with black might come across as too Halloween-ish, orange with pink might remind people of sherbert, and orange with blue might deem you - among your neighbors - a die hard Denver Bronco fan.
Blue: Blue is perhaps the most natural of colors: the sky is blue, the ocean is blue, even peoples' moods are sometimes described as blue. The "naturalness" that blue evokes makes it a good color for a bathroom or a bedroom. In a bathroom, blue can represent water and cleanliness (without being as bright as white). In a bedroom, blue is calming and can help you rest more peacefully. It's conservative, but not too conservative (it's not a Republican). It is also just dim enough to keep your bedroom dark, and free of the sunlight that can wake you up before you're ready.
Green: Green has the unique ability to emit freshness: painting a wall the regular shade of green is like panting your house with a garden. This gives your house a new, spring like feel: yes, even in the dead of winter. Like blue, green is also very natural: grass is green, trees are green, and the stems of flowers are green. Darker or forest greens can be used for a harvest look, one that is soothing and comforting, while lighter greens can be used for a more vibrant, stylish look.
Red: The color red is a dichotomy: it represents both danger and romance. For this reason, red is best used in bedrooms or rooms that are begging for a confident look, such as a library. Red is typically not a good color to use for bathrooms (who wants to be sexy while brushing their teeth), or rooms that you want to look open and large, such as living rooms. Red is also not a good color to paint the outside of your house: doing so can make it resemble a barn, causing livestock to flock to your front door at sunrise. You might find yourself up to your elbows in cows, but at least you won't ever have to buy milk again.
Five Reasons to Finish your Basement
For those of you with a list of home improvement tasks – a few you’ve assigned yourself and a lot your spouse has assigned you – chances are a finished basement hovers somewhere near the top. A task that is a lot of work, it is also one that pays off: a finished basement can complement your house in ways you might not even imagine.
But why, exactly, should you finish your basement. With the lawn that needs fertilized, the wall that needs painted, and the screen door that needs replaced, you have more than enough to keep you busy. Well, the reason is simple: a finished basement can bring your house to a whole new level.
The following is a list of five reasons to finish your basement, or at least get started in that direction:
You Don’t Need That Much Storage: Unfinished basements are places where old belongings tend to get stored. As your tattered hiking boots and broken ski’s seem to multiply in quantity, you find yourself wondering if your things are reproducing whenever left alone. Storage has a way of accumulating….until you put a stop to it. You really don’t need to store, or even keep, everything you’ve ever owned. Have garage sale, donate to charity, or store your belongings somewhere else, like the attic…or the city dump.
You will Discourage Unwanted Guests: Anyone who has ever gone into an unfinished basement has probably seen their fair share of unwelcome guests: rodents, spiders, and funny looking insects. Not only do these guests have the potential to cause illness (black plague, anyone?) but they are also, for lack of a better term, kind of scary. A finished basement, however, discourages these kinds of guests: these creatures like to live in habitats that are dark, damp, and quiet, places where they won’t be bothered and won’t be asked to pay rent.
You Will Increase the Value of Your House: You might be planning on staying in your house forever, but things change. In the event you get a different job, want to be closer to your family, or find yourself running from the law, your house will likely need to go onto the market. A house with a finished basement will almost always sell for higher than one with an unfinished basement. Perhaps your finished basement has a spare bedroom, an extra bathroom, or wiring for a great entertainment system: whatever it has, a finished basement, for many buyers, is the icing on the house’s cake.
You Will Have a Place to Escape: Everyone could use a little time to themselves, time to relax, reflect, or just engage in an old fashioned nap. No one wants to do this in an unfinished basement - the thoughts of spiders crawling in your hair is enough to spike your blood pressure - but a finished basement is an ideal environment for this kind of practice. It's nice and cool during the summer, and a good place to curl up in a blanket during the winter. It's also a place that gives you the best chance of dodging interruptions: if you are super quiet, maybe nobody will find you.
You Will Keep an Eye on Your kids: Kids, particularly teenagers, prefer to spend time away from home: the arcade, the mall, a friend's house may all be more appealing than a place where "mom and dad" sightings run rampant. That is, however, unless there is an awesome recreation room in the basement. A finished basement filled with a pool table, a large television, and game systems is a great way to encourage your kids to have friends over, instead of vice versa. This helps to make sure your teenagers stay, quite literally, right under your nose.
Solar Home – Conserving Pv Power
Solar homes. Many people talk about them, although few in the U.S. do more than talk. They are said to reduce utility bills. Some say a solar home cuts utility bills drastically. Some are able to sell excess power back to the power grid. Savings are not automatic, however. Steps must be taken to make the solar home efficient; to conserve the electricity that is produced.
Ways to conserve solar photovoltaic power in the home must be found. The home owner must actively seek out ways to make those photovoltaic (PV) panels on the roof as efficient as possible. Photovoltaic power is free, but it cannot be generated in unlimited quantities. It is important to take measures to use it to best advantage.
Of all the ways to conserve solar photovoltaic power in the home, the most important is probably replacement of power-gobbling electric appliances. Home lighting can also be changed to conserve solar photovoltaic power (PV power). Finally, power usage can be reduced by making every person in the solar home conscious of conservation methods.
12 Ways to Conserve Solar Photovoltaic Power in the Home
1.) Shop for energy-efficient appliances and home electronics for your solar home. Most products in this category carry EnergyGuide labels. These labels give an estimate of the products' energy consumption or energy efficiency, and show the ratings of similar appliance models. In the U.S., appliances and home electronics that meet strict Department of Energy (DOE) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) energy efficiency criteria carry Energy Star labels.
2.) Replace an electric water heater in a solar home with an energy-efficient propane or natural gas heater. Connect the new water heater to a solar water heater system. The sun will preheat the water, and the new unit will have less work. Wrap the water heater with thermal wrap to retain heat.
3.) Replace the solar home's electric furnace with an energy-efficient propane or natural gas unit. Install a solar panel air heater to reduce the work load of the new furnace. If you are building a new solar home, consider passive ways to heat the floors and air, further reducing the workload.
4.) If the solar home is in a hot, dry climate, use an evaporative cooling unit in place of an electric air conditioner.
5.) Check weather stripping around all windows and doors. Seal cracks and openings. Stopping air leakage in and out can improve indoor climate control in every season.
6.) Insulate the solar home well. Insulation will keep heat or cool air from escaping. It will also keep outdoor cold or heat from entering readily.
7.) Use heavy, insulted drapes and window shades/blinds in the solar home to keep out hot or cold air, making cooling and heating units work more efficiently.
8.) A serious solar home owner can save even further by using a solar oven for cooking whenever possible. Especially good in hot climates or summer months, a solar oven will cook food with solar energy, and avoid heating the home. Money is thus saved in two ways.
9.) Control of computer usage is another of the many ways to conserve solar photovoltaic power in the home. Monitors should be turned off whenever the computer will not be in use for 20 minutes or more. The CPU and monitor both should be turned off when the unit will not be used for 2 hours or more. Power down or sleep modes should be set.
10.) Replace light bulbs with Energy Star qualified compact fluorescent light bulbs. If every U.S. home replaced just one light bulb with one of these bulbs, we would save more than $600 million in annual energy costs. To the solar home owner, such savings are vital.
11.) Maximize your use of daylight, turning on lights only when necessary. Use windows to advantage, and install skylights where possible.
12.) Landscape your property to block the heat of summer sunlight, permit winter sunlight. Deciduous trees near the solar home will shade windows in the summer, and let warming sunlight through in winter months.
Ways to conserve solar photovoltaic power in the home are not limited to these twelve, but if these alone are used, the increase in efficiency will be tremendous.
Different Color Designs
There is really no single source I could refer you to regarding decorating these room accents, but quite often Traditional Home Magazine will feature homes with dormers, particularly in their spring editions. While that doesn't help you now, let's talk about some basic things. Since you have dormers and traditional windows in the same room, you are right in saying the treatment needs to match.
But by "matching" we can "coordinate" which gives us a lot more latitude. If your regular windows are draped or curtained, consider using the same fabric and creating a faux window seat, a covered chain that suspends a crystal or other art object, or a tiny but oh so tailored valence for the dormer top.
As long as the fabric coordinates from one side of the room to the other, you'll be fine. If you purchase ready-made window treatments, buy one extra and use that to create your own dormer treatment. My one clue here is to use your imagination. Kirsch makes rods in an array of sizes, from 4 inches up. Give some thought to the possibilities, and enjoy the journey!
If you like Traditional styling, invest in a subscription to Traditional Home magazine. You'll find award winning designs, great tips and beautiful photography. There's no "one" decor book I could recommend but several good ones. Look for books by designers you know.
You do not have to have the same finish on fixtures. As a matter of fact, I would not recommend it. Go for the design and finish you like best. Counter tops and floors do not have to match either. Remember my number one rule is, if you "love it" and put it in your home, you're going to love the result.
Often, the photos shown in home magazines are neither "real" nor practical. Sometimes they are just promotional photos done by decorators showcasing new paint colors for a particular paint company. They are often done by "designers" that know nothing about color and how it affects people and the function of the rooms.
Designers do custom work, so this scheme was probably for a specific person's home, with specific taste and personality. Sometimes that doesn't translate well if you lift the same scheme and plop into a new room. Some of the worst color design I have ever seen has been shown in home magazines.
That said, it doesn't mean you can't fall in love with a color scheme in a magazine spread. What it means is that you have to tweak it and be practical. It needs to work in your space. If it dosen't work for you then go and see what color design dose work for you. You wouldn't want to get a color design that would just gloom the room for you and your guess.
The other thing all of you must realize: there are "no color formulas." Notice that when I give color advice I qualify the information with words such as "take a look at", "check out", "something like" and go one to describe colors and list many options.
Even when I list specific paint colors, I always give choices. I do this not to confound you and make it harder, but to help you realize every room and situation is different and that you must ultimately make your own color choices. You can always go with paint samples and try out the sample in the room you think it would go nice in and work from there.
Black, white and red are a classic color combination. Very nice in certain instances but possibly not practical in a huge room. I've never seen it done well, even with a 4th color such as sky blue added. Please consider tweaking this scheme and also consider picking the paint chips out in person at the home in question. The lighting will be different and the room size, everything.
And also consider a different paint brand! There are many wonderful brands in Europe that are excellent. Each romm is different, just like each person is different. Some room need a light color to make the room more homy then other rooms need to be a little darker.
So, for a white, black, red, sky blue scheme, the white is the most crucial. A stark white on a wall with a 15ft ceiling will likely be cold and overwhelming unless you know what you are doing. Every shade you mention can be tweaked and made to work with the light in your space to give a similar effect as the design you saw, but you'll need to do it in person.
If you need help with this scheme, I really recommend hiring a trained color consultant. Be sure when you do hire someone that you ask them to see some of there work so you know what the work looks like. Then you can decide if you want to hire them or not.
January 26, 2009
Home Decor – Shabby Chic Decorating is Easy and Fun!
Do you want an easy and fun decorating style to use in your home? Shabby chic decorating is the decorating style for you! Shabby chic decorating uses vintage decor as well as new décor that looks old. The end result is a delightfully decorated room that features a comfortable, lived-in look. Shabby chic decorating ideas include:
Use family heirlooms and collectibles in your shabby chic rooms. Their sentimental value and ageless beauty will be enjoyed not only by you but also by your family and guests. They also make great conversation pieces.
If you have a limited decorating budget, shabby chic decorating is a perfect solution. Flea markets, garage sales, and friend’s attics and basements are ideal places to scour for shabby chic home décor and furniture. Look for unique, distinctive pieces of furniture and home décor that provide a special touch to any room.
A coat of paint makes old pieces of furniture ideal additions to shabby chic decorating. Older upholstered furniture can be updated by using slip covers or large throws. If you have a few pieces of nice furniture, highlight them by “building around them”. They will look like real treasures surrounded by shabby chic home décor accents.
Vintage lace is a wonderful addition to the shabby chic decorating style. You can buy lace even if it is stark white and give it the illusion of being old by staining it with tea. Try a test piece first to get the desired shade. Lace that is cotton or at least partly cotton takes the tea stain well; however, polyester or nylon lace may not work as well.
Other characteristics of shabby chic decorating are distressed finishes, soft as well as delicate colors, mixing checks, stripes, and floral fabrics, using a rumpled but neat look, and using home décor that is worn but also elegant.
The shabby chic decorating style draws on the time period from 1900-1950. Keeping that in mind will help make shabby chic decorating easier and much more fun!
To help keep your beautifully decorated home organized, download a free copy of the ebook "The Essential Guide to Organizing Your Home". Go to http://www.lynnshomedecor.com/f/Opt-in_Pages.html for your free ebook download.
Decorating Ideas for Small Rooms
* Make the most of decorating small rooms. Color plays a vital role in a small room. It sets the decorative style and scheme, but also can change the room's appearance. Use bright colors on the walls. Darker colors may be more popular but using bright colors makes a room seem more spacious. For example: Cool colors such as blues, greens, (some) purples make a small room appear larger and airier. The reverse is true of warm colors such as reds and yellows as they will make a small room seem more intimate and intense.
* A home decorating tip for integrating color into mostly white rooms—blend, blend, and blend! There are many shades of white and cream that work nicely with "graduations" of accent colors. Visualize three shades of rosy pink pillows against a white sofa!
* Decorating ideas include painting the ceiling a lighter color than the walls. Use smaller patterns in wallpaper and furniture upholstery. Large patterns may be used in accessories such as pillows and throws.
* Select fewer, larger pieces of furniture to make a room appear more open and less cluttered opposed to putting lots of small pieces of furniture in the room. Taller furniture should be placed along a far wall while shorter furniture may be placed away from the wall giving a sense of spaciousness.
* The use of screens will help divide multi-purpose rooms in a small house or apartment. A bedroom or living room may have one corner as an office. A screen will provide privacy as well as hiding the “trappings” of the work area.
* Daybeds with a pullout trundle are the answer for small bedrooms. They will accommodate two people but take up less space in the room on a daily basis. The room can also be used as an office, craft room or quiet sitting room.
* Use textures for interest in a small room. Combining textures in your decor will give a small room interest, appeal, dimension and depth. Choose accessories and fabrics with texture for the best impact; for example: wrought iron, glass, stone, metal, chrome, copper, bronze, mirrors, detailed finishes, textured fabrics, shiny fabrics, and unique area rugs to mention a few.
* Mirrors are a great way to create an illusion of space. If you have a wall in front of the entrance as you enter your home, hang a unique mirror on that wall to open it up and add interest to the area.
*Quick change artist! Move furniture and furnishings around! Don't be afraid to rearrange items in your home. Just changing the accessories or pictures from room to room can bring about a huge change.
To help keep your beautifully decorated home organized, download a free copy of the ebook "The Essential Guide to Organizing Your Home". Go to http://www.lynnshomedecor.com/f/Opt-in_Pages.html for your free download.
Memory Foam Mattress, Toppers and Beds
A memory foam mattress is normally denser than a typical foam mattress. This makes it all more supportive—and heavier. It is usually seen as a good compromise between the comfort of a soft mattress, as well as the supportiveness of a firm mattress. A memory foam mattress can actually sell for more than customary mattresses, but they do indeed last longer. When it’s new, the memory foam usually emits a distinct chemical odor which many individuals find unpleasant. The odor fades with airing, but several people remain sensitive to it. Respiratory irritation can be the result of emissions from the memory foam mattresses.
Memory foam mattresses were first developed by NASA to ease the pressure of G-force during the space shuttle take-off. The memory foam was never used in the NASA space program, but was used in medical applications subsequently. For example with bed-bound patients or those suffering from pressure sores for a long period.
Memory foam mattresses were originally too expensive for general use. However, in recent years it has become less costly to foster and is now vastly available. Its most typical domestic applications are pillows, mattress toppers (mattress pads) and mattresses. Memory foam mattresses usually sell for more than customary mattresses but they last much longer.
Memory foam beds come in a vast variety of shapes and sizes. The early beds were little more than piles of straw or other organic materials. A vital change was lifting them off the ground, to avoid dirt, pests and drafts. To make memory foam beds much more comfortable, the top layer is usually a mattress. Initially, these were straw bags for most individuals and filled with fluffy feathers for wealthy individuals. Subsequently, new fillings such as artificial fillers and cotton became common. Currently, most mattresses use solid foam, water, springs or air. The second layer is the “divan” or box spring. It’s a large mattress-sized box that contains wood and springs which provide suspension and additional support for the mattress. The bed frame is the third layer, as it lifts the mattress/ mattress-box spring right off the ground.
Memory foam toppers reduce tossing and turning that is normally associated with uncomfortable sleeping. They allow air to circulate beneath one while sleeping, as they ensure a comfortable, cool night’s rest. With memory foam toppers, you can sleep soundly for the entire night on a cool memory foam pad to provide support for comfort. Memory foam toppers wick the heat away from one’s body to keep one cool. Due to the revolutionary air circulation advancement, memory foam toppers are suitable for all types of climates, any time of the year. The progressive cut offers extra support where you need it, and of course softness exactly where you want it.
Josie Lee enjoys her memory foam bed. It has great back support and offers a better night sleep. For more information on memory foam visit http://www.comparememoryfoam.com/
Choosing a Carpet Cleaning Company
Hi everyone!
I Opened my company close to 4 years ago. And business is good. I'm writing this article to get some more hits to my website. (Honesty of course.) and to help you choose a carpet cleaning company when time comes to clean your carpets no matter where you live.
The owners inside track. lol.
I opened my company here in Miami because I couldnt find an honest and fair price to clean my studio apartment in South Beach. I called around and the prices that I was quoted at that time were over $200. and a few that were $7 a room. (That conversation was so funny) I remeber telling them ok I'm not going to be home but I'm going to leave $7 plus a $5 tip on the table and a friend is going to be there. The company was like...... no but we have to see if you have any stains, or if your carpets are yaddy yaddy yaddy.............
I looked into the carpet cleaning industry and came up with a business plan and I then purchased the top of the line equipment and opened my own company.
I started out charging the first year $30 for a studio going up in price $10 per room. The next year in business I went up to $40 then the year after that $50
My current rates are $75 for a studio
$100 1 bedroom
$125 for a 2 bedrooms
and $150 a 3 bedrooms.
stairs $45
Living room and dinning room free.
The first 3 years in business I was growing my cliental list. I grew my business on both sides of the house the residental and the commercial side.
Ok enough about me...... The numbers above are awesome rates for cleaning your carpets.
So how do you choose a company.
If you see advertisement for $7 or $9 a room - stay away......
Does that make any sense to you? Every company has to make money
to pay their workers and supplies and bills of course. That a switch and bait tactic and it also gives our industry a bad name. If you come across or have come across this, write a review on line about them.
If a company wants to charge you extra for distance, for using their portables vice their truck mount ------ stay away.
I've heard from some of my clients that other companies charged them $200 minium because they live above the 3rd floor in a condo building.
Does any of that make sense?????????
In my opnion go with a small company that can give you a set price,
Ohh guarantees are also switch and bait. As the owner I can tell you that there are no such guarantee's. Think about it..... Do you know how many clients will call back after a few days to have their carpets cleaned again for FREE. I let my clients know they have 3 days from the date of their cleaning for any complaints.
Companies say guarantee but charge you to come back out. (I also tell my clients to be on the job site with the technician and if they dont like something tell the technican) 95% of the time its a communication issue. (like that stain is a bleach stain - its not coming out!) you know what I mean. you would have to bleach the rest of the carpets to get to the same color.
I've actually had someone call me after 3 weeks and made a complaint stating that his carpets came out dirty.. LOL there are scammers out there too. Where did all the honest people go?
I charge flat rates per room with no guarantee. There are so many different types of stains, alot of them are when home owners use over the counter carpet cleaning products with bleach in them.
(hint check the label - you do not want to use bleach)
Ok getting back to choosing a carpet cleaning company. How much is a day of labor worth in your area? How long will it take to clean your carpets? I usually round out about $40 - $60 an hour.
Try your best to set your appointment on the carpet cleaners time, then you can haggle somewhat. I've tested my technicians and on an average they can do 7 jobs in one day.
I wish I had 7 jobs everyday of the week. I try to schedule my jobs all together on certain days of the week. This can help you when scheduling your job with a company. Ask them if they are going to be in your area, and that you'll be home ALL DAY! But your willing to only pay XXXX amount.
Find a company near you, get their bottom line price, ask if there are any hidden fees, let them know that your going to write out a check or have that excate amount ready for them.
My workers are all subcontractors that get 30% of every job plus tip.
If I had 3-4 jobs lined up and you called stating I have a 3 Bedroom and that you were only willing to pay $100 and I had someone in the area why wouldnt I take your job?
Call around first, get a company that uses THE TOP OF THE LINE carpet cleaning equipment. (The old fashion wand is not cutting it these days) If you live in a home request they use their truck mount, if you live in a condo building their portables. (no price difference) I would tell you to research their company on the internet but I've come to the conclusion that people dont leave good feedbacks they only leave bad ones. So go with word of mouth.
Good Luck, If you need more information you can always view my web page.
If you live in Miami or Broward County give us a call and become our newest client.
Home Security Surveillance Camera Uses
There are various different uses for a home security surveillance camera, and this article attempts to examine the two top options and makes suggestions on considerations for buying.
Surveillance for the Outdoors
Numerous homeowners utilize a home outdoor security camera as one part of their outdoor home security plan. Various cameras are usually placed in strategic locations at windows, doors, and likely (on large lots of land) towards the entrance to the property. You have the option to use a wired or wireless home security system.
Several purposes can be served with an outdoor home security surveillance camera. The first would be that the cameras may alert homeowners to the burglars presence in the event that the burglar "cases" a the property before actually making the attempt at an actual robbery.
This gives the homeowner the advantage of prevention. The second would be sometimes just the presence of a home security surveillance camera would be enough to dishearten any would-be burglar from making the attempt to break into your house.
And lastly, if you are home actually is burglarized, the video recordings or photos that you get from the camera can be used by you and the authorities to identify and prosecute the known criminal.
For people looking to purchase an outdoor home security surveillance camera, they should look for certain features on the camera such as night vision technology and that it is weatherproof. The possibility exists that some burglars may try to destroy the camera or cover the camera lens, so it would be a wise choice to buy a solid housing or tough case for the camera.
Surveillance for the Indoors
When it comes to indoors surveillance with a home security surveillance camera they can be used in a very similar way as outdoor surveillance, in that burglars would be discouraged from actually making the attempt and if they did make the attempt then you can identify them after the crime has been committed.
Most recently, many people have been making use of an indoor home security surveillance camera so they can observe the behavior of their children, the elderly, or their employees.
Most parents, for example, use what are called "Nanny cams" when leaving their children in the responsibility of a babysitter. These cameras are small enough to be hidden in objects such as a ballpoint pen or a wall clock. There is usually no awareness by the babysitter that he or she is being observed.
"Nanny cams" usefulness is somewhat limited, however, and could possibly even give parents a false sense of security. For example, the fact that locating the camera in let's say the bedroom and there is no recording of abusive behavior does not exclude the possibility that abusive behavior is not happening in the bathroom or the kitchen.
Another use of a home security surveillance camera would be that of the participant that is being observed actually knows this. Such an example would be let's say to check on the welfare of the elderly or children. Typically, in situations like this people actually welcome the presence of a camera.
If cameras are going to be used for this type of purpose, it is wise to be sure that the cameras cover as much of the home as possible. It may be a good idea to spend some extra money on motion sensor technology so that way all the cameras are not running all the time.
Several valuable purposes are served by a home security surveillance camera. If utilized in the correct way in addition to other security measures, they can give peace of mind to homeowners, adult caregivers, and parents.
Hurricane Window Protection – If the windows go, the house goes!
Hurricane window protection is a must for home and business owners who live in coastal cities and states.
If you live in Florida, or more specifically the South Florida area, hurricane window protection is on just about every home owners mind.
During a hurricane, things can get pretty rough, with high speed winds small everyday items like traffic signs and what not can be thrown around at speeds of 130 miles per hour. Also not to mention the fact that water will come pouring in the second a window breaks during a hurricane.
This is why hurricane window protection is a must for home and business owners who live in a hurricane prone area.
Hurricane Window Protection Methods
There are many different ways to protect your windows on your home or business. Let's discuss them, and the pros and cons of each.
Impact Glass
One of the most popular ways to protect your windows and keep them from breaking in a hurricane is to use impact glass for windows.
Click Here for a Free Estimate on Impact Glass for your South Florida Home or Business!
Impact glass is a simple and great way to make sure that your home is truly protected. Other methods like a protective film, which I will discuss below, only protect it on the outer layer and are still not as strong as impact glass.
Hurricane Window Protection Film
Another way to protect your windows is to cover the inside part with a security protection film. Security window films are actually crystal clear, and can protect your windows from hurricanes, but also protect your home from the sun's ultraviolet rays.
The security film actually adheres to the inside of the window, and it allows glass to shatter, but the film holds it in position for the rest of the storm.
This keeps flying debris, water and the glass itself from coming into your home or business. The main benefit of security film is its lower cost and quicker installation time.
A main drawback to this of course is the fact that you have to replace the window, and film, after the storm is over.
Hurricane Storm Shutters
Storm shutters provide great protection for your home or business, while also keeping the appearance looking good, and all your windows safe. Storm shutters come in a variety of types, and below we have listed them.
- Accordion Storm Shutters
- Rolling Storm Shutters
- Storm Panels
- Bahama/Colonial Storm Shutters
The best thing though about storm shutters, is that they double as protection from burglary and theft.
They also can be equipped with an electric motor that can open and close them at your command.
January 25, 2009
Portable Air Conditioning Can Improve Your Health
Portable air conditioning can improve indoor air quality by cooling or heating the air, in addition to filtering and dehumidifying it. If you have particular health issues, such as asthma or allergies, a portable air conditioner can can help improve indoor air quality and help you feel better.
Allergies can cause itchy and watery eyes, a runny nose, inflamed sinuses and a sore throat. Air conditioners with special filters to trap allergens, such as HEPA air filters, can help remove pollen and other allergens from the air. In addition, they can also capture particles such as dust mites, mold spores and smoke. A properly functioning air conditioner will generally maintain a healthy humidity level between 20 to 50%, which can help reduce mold growth in a room.
Some air conditioner models today also even have the ability to monitor, detect, and collect airborne dirt, even if unit is not in operation. Other types of portable air conditioners provide ionizers and UV lights that kill bacteria on contact. They can also improve air circulation in poorly ventilated rooms.
Older people often need to live in a temperature-controlled environment, particularly if they live in the Southern United States or other areas where it gets very hot during the summer months. The elderly are more prone to heat-related stress. A portable air conditioner with cooling, heating, and filtering mechanisms can reduce airborne pollutants and maintain a steady, comfortable temperature - no matter the weather outside.
Portable room air conditioners range in sizes from 3,000 BTUs up to 14,000 BTUs. The greater the number of BTUs, the more powerful the unit and the greater the capacity to cool a large area. Check with your doctor before purchasing any expensive equipment.
To keep the health effectiveness of any air conditioner, it should be maintained according to the manufacturer's instructions. Used properly, portable air conditioners can dramatically help improve indoor air quality and help you feel your best.
House Design Software - How to find the right one
Have you ever considered designing your own house but had absolutely no idea, the knowledge or the tools to even get started. With today's technology you do not need a degree in designing anymore because you can easily design your own house with a house design software. All you have to do is choose the right house design software and you'll be set to design a house of your dreams whether it's regarding the landscape, the garden, the interior or even the colors on your walls. Just because you can design it yourself doesn't mean you should count out the professionals because who knows you might still need their help.
There are several types of house design softwares and it's important choose the right one because the more flexible it is that you your it will be for you to design your favorite house. The most popular type of software is the CAD software which is probably the most advanced designing software you will find. Most design softwares are now in 3-D but if you don't want to spend so much money may be a 2-D design software will be enough. Another criteria you might want to consider is how well can it design.
Creating a landscape in a garden with your how to design software does not have to be complicated. In fact it should be just like a videogame where you drag your mouse to determine the size, you drag and drop plants, flowers, trees, pool and anything you could put in a garden with a simple click of your mouse. the great thing about house design software is you don't have to worry about precision, it's all taken care by the computer. With that in mind, you can easily design your house plan and make it a reality.
Since most software have the 2-D view feature it is easy for you to design every floor and the dimensions of the rooms you if you know them already. You can choose the type of floor, the colors of your walls and even windows location. With the 3-D feature is possibly for you to have a walk-through of your house plan which is basically a virtual replica of your house to be and of course you will not have a better preview of your house at a such low price.
A house design software is definitely providing many benefits you wouldn't get without hiring a professional such as an architect. But just because you can use a software it doesn't mean you should put aside the professional because although they do not design the house for you anymore they can help you adjust your plans, give you a helpful suggestions about what's possible and what's not and in case you are too lazy to design your own house, they can do it for you. House designers are here to stay no matter how many softwares come out every year because in the end the person programming the software must have had an interest in how designing.
Designing a house is nothing new and it has been going on ever since the first house which is why your house design software should only be considered as complementary or supplemental resources to help you design the house of your dreams. Thanks to this invention communicating ideas between you and the constructors has become not only become easier but it is convenient and it saves you a lot of time.
Commercial Lighting Applications For Warehouses
When you set up warehouse lighting is a paramount piece of the puzzle. You want to use commercial lighting, which is designed to illuminate a large amount of space. Not only do you need to light the inside of your warehouse space, security lighting on the outside may also be necessary in order to ensure safety. When choosing commercial lighting for your space make sure you have a plan of action as to what you want to do. In order to run a warehouse you need proper lighting. You want to be able to clearly see your inventory and if you have a night crew or shipments that come in late in the evening good light is paramount. There are lots of different commercial lighting options. You have High Bay and Low Bay lights, Flood Light, and Wall Packs. Some come with different light bulbs, which give off varying degrees of bright light. For Example if you carry products that are different colors and it is important to be able to see the true color you will need to use metal halide bulbs on the other hand if you are looking for more of a workhorse then a high-pressure sodium bulb may be the way to go.
High Bay Lighting is specifically designed to illuminate areas with ceilings over 20 feet high. This type of lighting fixture is very efficient in large warehouses or manufacturing facilities. Once you have decided you need a High Bay Lighting fixture the next step is choosing the right light bulb for the type of warehouse you are running. Several types of light bulb are available for this type of fixture like a metal halide, high-pressure sodium, mercury vapor and fluorescent bulbs. Choosing the right light bulb very much depends on your needs. High Bay Lighting usually comes in two sizes, 16 or 22". This type of fixture is designed to distribute light evenly over a large face therefore increasing productivity and safety in the area.
Low Bay Lighting fixtures are designed to be used in a commercial setting like a warehouse or manufacturing plant. Low Bay fixtures are designed to be used in facilities with lower ceiling heights. This fixture is designed to light larger areas with lower ceilings adequately enough for workers to be productive and to ensure safety. Low Bay lighting fixtures should only be used in spaces where the fixture is less then 20 feet above the floor. There are some light bulb choices for this type of fixture just like the High Bay’s. Typically a High Intensity Discharge Bulb is used in these. Flood Lights are generally a good idea for illuminating the outside of your warehouse. Areas like the parking lot, which need to be illuminated for security and safety reasons, are perfect candidates for flood lighting. Combine a Flood light with a light pole and you are all set to light up the outside of your warehouse.
Wall Packs are a great way to secure and illuminate the outside areas of your warehouse, especially the sides and back of the building. Wall Packs work great at illuminating the outside of a warehouse but for aesthetics its better to use floods to illuminate the front of your warehouse and to use wall packs for the sides and back areas. The most commonly used wall packs are 175-watt metal halide or 400 watt high-pressure sodium wall packs. However if you are in a state where dark sky regulations occur you will need to find zero site line wall pack in order to conform to regulations.
Want to Install an Asphalt Driveway?
A nice level, smooth driveway is the fervent wish of many homeowners. In reality, though, it's harder to achieve than one might think. Concrete is expensive and takes a significant amount of time to set. Asphalt is inexpensive and sets within hours.
If you're repairing an existing asphalt driveway, before you consider taking on the more expensive project of laying new asphalt you may want to look at some cheaper alternatives. For a generally cracked, ugly driveway, you can buy driveway sealer and crack sealer from most any hardware or home improvement store. This is the fast, cheap way to seal up cracks, seal the surface as a whole, and black it again. For everything else, you'll want hot-mix asphalt.
Hot-mix asphalt is the very same asphalt you see burly highway road crews laying down. For the homeowner, though, hot-mix asphalt does not involve big machines. It's the same material but the application process is more basic. Hot-mix asphalt is an aggregate of gravel and sand mixed in with hot, liquid asphalt. When we say "hot" we mean it. Hot-mix applies at over 300 degrees F, and quickly cools to a workable 175 degrees F.
With hot-mix asphalt driveway, you have two options: overlay or full-depth asphalt paving. As the name implies, overlay is a thin "overlay" of a thin layer of asphalt driveway over your existing driveway. Your existing driveway, as bad as it might be, still needs to provide a firm, substantial base, or this option will not work. The second option is to jackhammer your existing driveway and lay down a full-depth asphalt driveway.
As you can guess, the full-depth asphalt driveway is the more expensive option. Not only do you incur the cost of jackhammering the existing drive, but you must lay down a bed of gravel before the asphalt. Oh, and did we mention that the layer of asphalt must also be thicker? That adds to the cost, too.
Read up as much on the subject as you can before calling any contractors. The topic of asphalt driveway paving is pretty much dominated by the industry, with few voices dedicated to the consumer.
For more information, come see us at http://www.EasyRenovate.com
Time To Change To A Waterbed Air Mattress?
A waterbed air mattress can be a good replacement for an old waterbed mattress, or just a new choice for your bed. These air mattresses are specifically designed to be able to fit into water bed frames, making it very convenient to change your mattress from a water-filled one to an air-filled one. In particular, these air mattresses are sized to fit snugly into a hard side waterbed’s wooden frame.
Your waterbed can be rendered unusable in many ways. Ordinary wear and tear as you use it over the years can eventually cause defects in the mattress. Heaters have been known to malfunction and burn holes through mattress bladders.
These heaters, furthermore, need to be turned on all the time, especially in cold locations, to keep the water and the occupants warm. Touching the water bladder directly will feel really cold against your skin; try it if you must, but it will be unpleasant. Sheets help, but do not alleviate this problem completely.
Waterbeds are quite heavy when full. This means that they often cannot be used on higher floors, as their full weight may prove too much for the floor. There have also been incidents of overfilled beds breaking their bed frames under their weight. Waterbeds are generally unwieldy, apart from their weight, they usually take a long time to fill or drain. So transporting a water bed can be a major ordeal that can take half a day or more.
Older waterbeds are also quite unstable, exhibiting ripples and wave motion when you shift weight or move on top of them. While this may be pleasant for some people, it can make it hard to get to sleep if your bed moves whenever you do!
An air mattress, then, can be a good mattress replacement. For one thing, they do not need to be heated, so you will save on heating costs and the cost of a heater. They are also much lighter than waterbeds – they are filled with air, after all, instead of denser water. This means that they can be used even on higher floors, and can be easily transported, even when filled with air.
However it may be more convenient to drain the air mattress of air before moving it. Filling and draining an air mattress usually can be done in minutes, instead of the hours that water filled mattress may take, so it is not that much of a chore anymore. We can see therefore that setting up an air bed is much easier than setting up a water bed mattress.
Air beds are also much more stable than older free flow mattresses. Wave motion is almost nonexistent in air mattresses, as they are usually baffled (separated into chambers), and air exhibits much less significant rippling behavior than water.
It is quite easy to replace your hard side water bed with a new waterbed air mattress. Simply remove your old mattress and position your new air mattress, which will fit exactly into your old water bed frame. Using the accompanying air pump, you can fill up your air mattress quickly, and have a comfortable and much more convenient bed in a few minutes!
January 20, 2009
Shopping For Cheap Waterbed Sheets
Cheap waterbed sheets are not that hard to find. They are not much different from conventional sheets. Waterbed sheets are usually just fitted with corner pockets or elastic to help keep the sheets from moving around on the surface of the water bed. Water beds are usually made out of rubber or similar materials, making the surface more slippery than normal foam or mattress surfaces. So some way of securing the sheet to the water bed would be convenient.
The usual discount hunters’ methods work when shopping for cheaper waterbed sheets. One thing that almost all consumers regularly take advantage of is the fact that most shops usually put on sales where some items are sold at discounts. A new shop, for instance, might hold a start up sale to help draw customers, as they have no customer base yet to cater to. These sales often attract great numbers of customers, meaning that you should expect to see some crowding and long lines at cashiers. However, despite this, sales are still a great way of saving some money on your purchases.
Even established shops often hold holiday sales to take advantage of increased customer traffic on these days, as well as clearance sales to clean out their inventories and old items. On a similar note, a lot of shops have outlets or clearance stores where items are sold at lower prices than their regular retail shops. Shopping at outlets or clearance stores might be a bit less convenient, especially if they are not as well-placed as retail shops, but some great discounts and savings could be had.
When looking for waterbed sheets, obvious places would be home furnishing shops and the like. It might be cheaper to buy fitted conventional sheets as opposed to special waterbed sheets – the added cost may not be worth it. Look over the shop’s inventory of sheets and consider which ones may work with your waterbed, depending on size and type. For a single size waterbed, a slightly bigger fitted sheet may fit well enough. You will have to experiment a bit to find which kind of sheets would work best for you.
Discount general stores such as Wal-Mart and Target are also good places to look for cheap waterbed sheets. These stores are known for striving to provide their customers with the most reasonable prices possible, and waterbed sheets would be no exception. Shopping at these stores for home furnishings would be a good choice, especially when you are on a tight budget. And when these stores hold sales, their already low prices would become even lower!
Waterbed sheets are available in a variety of fabrics, colors, and patterns. So do not be worried about not finding the right kind of sheet for your waterbed. And in case you are just about to shift to using a waterbed, be assured that waterbed sheets are just the same as regular sheets. That is, it is not difficult to find cheap waterbed sheets and cleaning and laundering them does not require special care.
Air Conditioner Efficiency Tips
When the temperatures rise in the summertime, the efficiency of your air conditioners drops. There are some steps that you can take that will keep your home cooler, reduce your air conditioning costs, and provide savings on your energy bill.
Have your air conditioning unit inspected annually. They need to be periodically cleaned and tuned. Have a professional inspect and tune your system. Have them check the coolant charge, airflow, and the insulation on the cooling lines.
Keep rooms closed off and vents shut in rooms that are not used frequently.
Be sure your ducts are properly sealed and insulated. Duct leaks can allow cool air into your attic or crawl space or they can draw hot air and moisture into your home.
Install a timed thermostat that turns on the AC later in the day and off earlier in the evening when it is cooler.
Use fans to keep the cool air circulating thoughout your house.
Dark colored roofing absorbs a lot of solar energy, which is converted to heat in your attic and living space. The next time you re-roof your home, consider installing white or other light-colored shingles to reflect more solar heat.
When solar energy heats your attic, this heat radiates through the ceiling and heats the rooms below. Attic insulation slows this heat flow, and it also slows the heat flow out of your home in the winter. Add attic insulation to total 16 inches or more if you currently have less than 6 inches of insulation.
Windows allow sunlight to pour into your home. Awnings, sunscreens, or curtains over the windows that receive the most sun will help keep the heat out.
Obstructions surrounding the outdoor unit of your air conditioner will reduce the airflow over the condenser coil and lower the efficiency of your system. Be sure to remove any leaves, branches or debris from the outdoor unit to keep the air around the unit circulating freely.
Keep cool!
What Are The Different Types Of House Foundation Types And When To Use Each?
The foundation is the first piece of a home to be constructed and creates a base for the rest of a home's components. There are three types of foundations that are commonly used in the U.S.: slab, crawlspace, and basement.
Slab Foundation
Slab is a type of foundation consisting of a structural concrete slab poured directly on the grade. No accessible space exists in slab construction. Slab foundations are popular in areas (i.e. the Southern United States) where there is a relatively high water table. (Water table refers to the depth in the soil at which you find water).
Crawlspace Foundation
A crawlspace is an accessible space with limited headroom, typically between the soil and the bottom of the first floor of a home. Crawlspace construction is predominant in areas where there is heavy clay content in the soil.
Basement Foundation
A basement is an accessible space between the soil and the bottom of the first floor of a home. It usually has more headroom than a crawlspace. Basement foundation construction is predominant in cold climates where the foundation needs to be situated below the frost level.
All three foundation types are usually constructed out of concrete, but can also use concrete masonry units or insulated concrete forms.
Concrete Masonry Units (CMUs) are hollow, concrete blocks. To create the foundation wall, mortar is used between blocks to hold them together, forming the wall.
Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs) are made of rigid foam insulation forms (a system of support assemblies, including mold, hardware, and necessary bracing to hold concrete) into which concrete is poured. Once the concrete has gained its full strength, the outside forms, the inside forms, or both are left in place to insulate the wall. ICFs are common in regions in which the local building code requires the foundation to be insulated. Another benefit is that the homeowner or builder is able to finish basement immediately, without adding studs.
Choosing the Type of Foundation:
Homeowners and builders make decisions about which type of foundation to use by gauging cost, needs/desires, and soil and weather conditions. If you have high water tables then it may not be possible to have a basement. If your land has shallow bedrock or boulders then it may be more costly to dig a basement. If you have a sloping lot it may be difficult to use a slab foundation. If you have a cold climate then you may need to dig down at least four or more feet to put the home's footings below frost level. If you have to go at least four feet deep then it may be worth spending some extra money to dig a few feet deeper and have a full basement. Also, it is easier to install and maintain mechanical systems in basements (compared to a crawlspace). Your builder can help you determine what type of foundation is best suited for your area.
The choice of foundation is also affected by personal preferences and costs. Basements can add thousands of dollars to the cost of a home compared to the cost of a crawlspace. However, when you consider the extra useable space created by a basement it is some of the cheapest square footage space of a home. If you are tight on funds and can't afford the basement then it may be a good idea to find a slightly smaller plan and use the savings to create a basement. You'll end up with a lot more storage space and potential living space by doing this.
Changing the Type of Foundation on your home:
Almost any house plan can have its foundation changed. It's common for people to design a different foundation if the available foundations do not suit their needs. If you are currently working with a builder you may want to ask them if they will take care of making the foundation changes for you. Sometimes with foundation design it may be helpful for somebody who is near you to do those changes because they will have more knowledge about your local soil conditions and the slope of your lot.
When changing foundation types, pay attention to where you will put the furnace, water heater, and stairs. If you need to add basement stairs, the basement stairs can usually be put under other stairways or you may be able to replace a closet or small room with basement stairs. Another common place to put basement stairs is to replace a mechanical room with stairs and move the mechanical items (such as the furnace and water heater) to the basement. Sometimes space near the laundry room, or space near the garage can be used for a basement stairs. Larger walk-in closets are sometimes reduced in size to allow space for basement stairs. You can often add a basement stairs to a plan without increasing the size of the plan. However, sometimes space may need to be added to a plan to provide room for a basement stairs.
It should be noted that it is the owner's full responsibility to check with his/her local and state building authorities, his/her builder, and the designer of the house plan to ensure that the home meets all applicable building codes and requirements.
Swimming Pool Owners. Here's 8 steps to get rid of blackspot algae from your pool forever.
8 steps to get rid of blackspot algae from your pool forever.
Test your water
The only reason black algae has entered your pool is because of your lack of chlorine. To prevent black algae from sneaking up on you you must constantly check your water quality every day. You should be doing this anyway. You need to test for chlorine, ph, alkalinity, calcium hardness, stabilizer, etc. You may only be able to test for a small amount of these things from your home test kit. I do recommend you take a water Sample to your local pool store and get it professionally tested. Any decent pool store will be offering free water tests anyway.
Adjust your water
once you know what your water is like you can then add the chemicals to adjust your pool to the correct levels. I can't go into whole lot of details in this article but I will tell you what your levels should be. I'm going to give you ballpark figures. This will depend on what type of surface your pool has, but you can use these figures below.
Chlorine 2.0-4.0
pH 7.4-7.8
Total Alkalinity 80-120
Calcium Hardness 200-500
Stabilizer 50-80
Add an algaecide
blackspot algae is very chlorine resistant. You need to add an algaecide to the water to offer another angle of attack. AAlgaecides are specifically designed to kill and prevent algae. So it's a good idea to have an Algaecide in the water at all times. If you haven't got an Algaecide in the water now, you'd better put one in right away. Find one that is copper-based as they are usually the best ones to use. For best results pour the Algaecide directly on to the affected areas.
Shock the pool...
when shocking the pool with chlorine you must only use calcium hypochlorite or sodium hypochlorite. These 2 products are strictly chlorine and nothing else. You will need to know what size your pool is and follow the manufacturers directions to do this effectively. It is also a good idea to add your shock dose closest to the most affected areas.
Brush the walls
because blackspot algae forms a protective barrier around itself you need to brush the affected areas really hard with a stiff brush. So that the added chemicals (chlorine and Algaecide) can do the job.
Circulate water better
blackspot usually turns up in areas where there is lack of water circulation. Do your best to direct your water return jets in a way that moves the most amount of water around. I find that if you direct the jets to make the pool whirlpool the water around is the best way to go.
Attack black algae head-on
Like I said before...blackspot algae forms a protective barrier around itself. So you will have to regularly brush off the top of the algae and add your chlorine while it is exposed. Another great tip is to sprinkle chlorine granules directly onto the affected areas and let it sit and burn off the black spot. You can also rub a chlorine tablet onto the blackspot after you have brushed it. Make sure you wear gloves.
Rinse and repeat
Just keep testing and adjusting the water, scrubbing the blackspot and adding chlorine as close as you can get. And you will eventually get rid of it! And don't worry...It will go, but it will depend how bad the algae is as to how fast it will go. Water balance and scrubbing are the best thing you can do in this case.
7 Proven Steps To Stop Your Pool From Going Green Ever Again
Step 1: Put in an algaecide
Buy 2 bottles...put in a whole bottle first and then maintain every month with the recommended dose on the label. I like to think of algaecide as Insurance. It gives you more time to play with if your chlorine ever drops low enough for the pool to turn green. The algaecide kicks in until you put in more chlorine. But don't rely on it! Algae can still sneak up on you. Try to find a copper based algaecide as these ones tend to be the best.
Step 2: Shock the pool regularly
Shocking the pool can kill any algae that is ready to multiply. Plus its just good practice as it will bump up the free chlorine to kill any bacteria that maybe present in your water. Try to shock once every 3 weeks.
Step 3: Make sure the filters clean
this goes without saying. If your filter is clean and filtering your water properly this will solve a lot of your problems.
Step 4: Proper circulation
If your water is still it will become stagnant. It wont matter how much chemicals you throw at your pool. If it has poor circulation you will always run into problems. If you can point your water return jets to make the water swirl around like a whirlpool this will make the water less of a problem. Plus any debris will be pushed to the center of the pool so it will be much easier to pick-up.
Step 5: Maintain proper water balance
Always keep your water chemistry as close to perfect as possible. I shouldn't have to tell you this because it is the most important thing you should do.
Step 6: Test water every day
Yes...everyday! If you test your water chemistry every day nothing will sneak up on you. It will be easy to maintain because you will have tested the day before and you wont have to do much to keep it perfect. Only test with test kits that use drops or tablets. The strip tests are not accurate and can give you a false reading. It will be good practice to go into your pool shop weekly/fortnightly to get your water professionally tested just to make sure your doing ok.
Step 7: Keep the pool clean
Regularly take out leaves and any other foreign matter in the pool. Things like leaves and sticks from trees and put a significant strain on your chemical balance and give your chlorine a hard time. The less things in the pool the better. Regularly skim the water with a net and scoop the leaves from the bottom of the pool. Or better still...get an automatic pool cleaner.
January 18, 2009
Spring Color In The Landscape
Most people enjoy color in the landscape, but especially in the Spring after the Winter season.
In the early Spring, one can enjoy blooming bulbs, which should be planted the previous Fall. Some bulbs to plant might be Daffodils, Tulips, Grape Hyacinth and Hyacinth. There are others, but these are some of the more spectacular ones. I like to plant ALOT of one kind together to create an eye-catching splash of color.
Daffodils come in various colors, but mainly yellows, oranges and whites. They can also be single, double, or even ruffled. Daffodils can naturalize, which means they multiply as years go by. They are also deer resistant.
Tulips also come in many colors, more so than Daffodils. You can choose shades of pink, purple, white, and yellow. These are the most common colors. The flowers themselves can be on the small side or very large, and they can also be ruffled. Deer love tulips, so be careful where you plant them if you have a deer problem.
I love Grape Hyacinths. They are very small and come in purple and white. Due to their size, an abundance of them should be planted together in groups to make a statement and have them stand out.
Hyacinths are a larger from of the Grape Hyacinth and also come in various colors. They are shorter and wider, rather than the tall and slender forms of the Daffodils and Tulips.
Early flowering trees are always a welcoming sight in the spring. Some of these are Cherry trees, Dogwoods, Crabapples, Magnolias, and Flowering Plum. Certain varieties of trees are hardier than others. For example, Dogwoods have been plagued with Anthracnose. Crosses have been developed between the problematic native Flowering Dogwood and the Kousa Dogwood to create hybrids that are resistant to Anthracnose. One of the successful ones is the Stellar Pink Dogwood. As its name implies, the flowers are a beautiful pink.
There are a multitude of flowering shrubs to choose from that will provide color in the spring. Some that you might consider are Rhododendron, Azaleas, and Viburnum. Most of theses varieties do well located in an area that gets both sun and shade. Rhododendron are large leaved shrubs and graceful. Most are on the larger size, but not all. A smaller Rhododendron variety is "Janet Blair" and has very pretty clear pink flowers. Rhodendron flowers can also be other shades of pink, purples, reds and white. The deer do like to eat this plant. However, the native Rhododendron is somewhat deer resistant. Azaleas come in many colors. You can find them in white, pinks, purples, and reds. The Exbury Azalea, which is larger and deciduous, comes in much brighter colors. So if you like bright yellows and oranges, you might try one of these. Viburnum flowers are mostly white. The majority of these plants get large and they are mostly deer resistant. They look nice in a relatively shady location and also work well in natural or wooded areas. Japanese Andromeda and Mountain Laurel are also lovely, early flowering shrubs. There are many varieties of these so you may select for particular colors and also shrub size. As you drive or walk around in the spring, you might see masses of Mountain Laurel blooming in the woods or at the edges.
Spring blooming perennials can be found in numerous sizes, shapes and flower colors. Bleeding Heart 'Exima' or 'Luxuriant' will bloom on and off for a good part of the season. Pink is the most common although they are also available in white. They like the shade. Peonies are a lovely old-fashioned perennial with their large beautiful flowers. They resemble a medium sized shrub (although they are a perennial) so can be used where you need some substance. Veronica with its spike-like blooms is very colorful. This is a lower perennial that prefers a sunny condition. Another great perennial is Catmint 'Walker's Low'. I have this in my garden. Mine is now two years old. It is about three feet wide and about 18' - 24" high. It blooms for an extremely long time with purple elongated flowers. Here is a tip for this plant. When flowers are finishing, cut the plant and flowers back by about 12". It will re-bloom again and be just as pretty.
Try to plant in large groups to maximize the impact of the color. One Daffodil looks lonely, but 100 make a striking picture. The same holds true for shrubs and perennials; you should plant them in groups. I like to use a minimum of five of a particular plant all in the same color. Trees can be used alone, but even with this type of plant you can add a few of one kind. A group of three Dogwood in bloom provides a mass of color.
Think in color schemes for plants that bloom at the same time. One palette might be various shades of pink, while another could be pinks, purples and whites. Want more of a cottage garden look? Add some pale yellows to create a soft kaleidoscope of color.
Select plants that bloom in different Spring months, from March through May. Then you are onto Summer color!
Retro Home and Bedroom Furnishings: A Look at the 70's and 80's
Every twenty to thirty years, it seems that fashion tends to come full circle, with trends simply being recycled and updated. It could just be the vicious circle of history repeating itself, but it seems that even home design is doing the same thing. If you take a gander at the home furnishing offerings today, you'll find that many of the decorations and designs are "retro"', imitating the wave of the late 1970's through the 1980's. In case you weren't around for the original styles, or have chosen to block out most of than span of time from your memory, let's take a trip back and look at the blast from the past that is piled on store shelves today.
Tie-Dyed Clothes. Remember when bright, tie-dyed colors were all the rave? In the early eighties, everything was a starburst of six and seven different colors that didn't really match and could make your eyes water with the brightness of the design. Home furnishings have begun to incorporate this design again, with wall hangings of tie-dyed starbursts, throw rugs in the pattern, bedspreads full of tie-dyed spots, and even some couches artfully designed in such a manner. If you like the bright, anything goes style, this may be for you!
Psychedelic. Okay, so in the sixties and seventies, there were reasons for glow in the dark, psychedelic paint and black lights, though these excuses were usually less than savory and not entirely legal. Today, though, the bright T-shirts and posters have returned, with many individuals covering walls with glow in the dark designs and even painting whole walls in psychedelic paint, installing black lights in their recreation rooms or game rooms for entertainment purposes. This retro design option, coupled with disco lights that are more reminiscent of the late seventies, can really take you back to "the day"', especially if you put in the right music!
Lava Lamps, Most lamps are made to assist with lighting a room and giving you something to read by. On the other hand, in retro times, the lava lamp was more about putting on a show when it was dark in the room. Lava lamps have begun to grace the shelves of not only specialty and gag gift stores but also typical home decor departments in other stores, including superstores and department stores. Add to this the fact that the "lightning ball"' has also made a comeback from its loss of popularity in the mid-80s, and you've just jumped back in time.
Shag Carpets and Bean Bags. Rather than sitting on real furniture, designers are now suggesting a return to the basics. In the seventies, everyone had thick, shag carpeting, and now it's become popular again (as opposed to Berber, the thinnest possible carpet around), only this time it's not in mixed blue and green colors (thank goodness!). And, with the modification of the original bean bag chair that was so popular in the 80s to seat more than one comfortably on plush material or even leather rather than sticky vinyl, you can have your whole home outfitted retro style!
Her Fix-it Guide to Toilet Repair
Imagine your home without toilets. Yes, the thought itself is enough to make you cringe. The toilet is often the most used, or should we say the most 'misused' fixture in the home. The importance of the toilet can only be felt at the exact point in time when something goes wrong with it. Toilets generally are a fairly easy DIY project that can be successfully completed by anyone. With just a bit of work and the tips you will find in this article, you should be able to quickly fix your toilet.
The first step in fixing a toilet is to determine the problem with the toilet. Your toilet could either be a slow moving toilet, or it could be clogged, or it could even be a running toilet. A slow moving toilet implies that you have to flush the toilet quite a number of times and the water drains away quite slowly. Slow moving toilets are often the result of clogged sewage drain pipes, and are at risk of suddenly clogging completely and overflowing. No one likes to clean up the mess an overflowing toilet creates. A running toilet is one where once you flush it, the water does not want to stop flowing into the toilet bowl. A running toilet can use up a large amount of water over a fairly short period, so it is important to get it fixed as soon as possible.
Make no difference which problem you have, you can fix it yourself. If you happen to have a clogged or slow moving toilet, then the first thing you should do is turn off water supply to the toilet. You can do this can be by turning the knob on the shut off valve to the right until the water supply stops. The valve is normally placed a few inches above the floor on the left when facing the toilet.
Now determine which the problem you have. To do this, pour a bucket of water quickly into the bowl. If it flushes slowly, the toilet has developed a clog. Clear the clog affecting your toilet by first using a plunger. If this removes the clog, then you can turn the water back on to the toilet, if it does not clear the clog, then you should try using a plumber’s snake. This tool will allow you to clear most any clog.
Once you have the clog taken care of, then you should clear the mineral deposits that tend to develop in the small holes under the rim of the toilet. This will help your toilet flush much more effectively. These holes can be cleared with a stiff bristled brush, or you can use the bent end of a coat hanger to poke the holes clear. You might also want to make use of a small mirror to see the holes that are being cleared.
If your toilet is letting water into the bowl at all times, then you have a running toilet. First off, remove the toilet tank lid and sit aside out of your way. Some people like to place it in the bathtub. Next check the ball cock, which is the valve that the float is attached to. If water is coming out of the valve, you may need to replace it.
If that doesn’t seem to be the problem, then press down on the flap at the bottom of the toilet tank to see if the water stops running into the bowl. Over time, these flaps tend to warp out of shape and cause the tank to leak into the bowl. If this solves the problem, then replace the tank flap.
Whichever needs replacing, be certain to shut off the water supply to the toilet before you begin your repair.
Mowing The Lawn - Do It The Correct Way
Without mowing the lawn, a beautifully manicured yard can easily turn into an overgrown forest. Ignoring the proper techniques according to the type of grass you possess can also lead to damaging problems that are be rather difficult to hide. As you approach the task of lawn mowing, there are a couple of factors to consider, which can either make or break the appearance of your grass and overall presentation of the yard.
Debating Height
As a rule of thumb, grass generally responds best when selecting one of the higher lawnmower settings, especially during a heat-filled summer day. If the blade is set too low, scalping is often the result, which is highly undesirable. When the blade is set too low, a gouging of the soil may occur, which pulls up the grass and in particular, turf that is dry and straw-colored.
If you find yourself falling behind the growth of your lawn, you may mow the grass at a higher length, and then lower the blade for a mowing that takes place after a couple of days have passed. A common rule is that you should never cut off more than 1/3 of the length of grass in a single mowing.
Recommended Mowing Heights
Your location by region usually determines the type of grass in your yard, which is based upon selections better suited for various climates and temperature levels. Below you will find a few recommendations based on minimum and maximum heights for an assortment of common grass types: Fine Fescue (1½"; 2½"); Tall Fescue (2"; 3"); Kentucky Blue grass (1½"; 2½"); Rye grass (1½"; 2½"); Bahia grass (2"; 4"); Bermuda grass (1½"; 2"); Buffalo grass (2"; 3"); Carpet grass (2"; 3"); Centipede grass (1"; 1½"); St. Augustine grass/Floratam (2"; 4"); and Zoysia grass (¾"; 2").
Mowing Frequency
Typically, individuals should mow their lawn once per week. Sometimes, seasonal and weather changes may also affect the frequency of mowing. For example, grass tends to grow at a more rapid pace during the springtime. This means mowing the grass twice a week may become necessary in order to avoid having to remove more than 1/3 of the length.
Blade Sharpness
Keeping the mower blade sharp will produce the best results when it comes to keeping a yard looking fresh and clean. When the blades of a mower become dull, grass blade ends are torn in such a way that a raggedy appearance is the result. These jagged ends usually turn brown, causing the grass to look dried-out. This type of blade damage also promotes the spread of fungus and disease.
Additional Lawn Mowing Tips
Before mowing your lawn, there are additional tips that may increase the prosperity of a lawn. For instance, mowing in different directions helps to prevent the look of leaning grass blades. Try diagonal, horizontal, and vertical patterns. When mowing, you should avoid making sharp turns. Also, it is important to never mow a lawn that is wet as it only invites fungus to attack.
Lighted Solar Stepping Stones
A lighted stepping stone can add the necessary light needed to illuminate walkways around any home. They are inexpensive to install and use the sunlight as an energy source. They are a great way to conserve energy while allowing people to see where they are going. A lighted solar stepping stone can be made to look attractive. They can still be painted to match any outside décor. The stones are usually made of a hard plastic and have light bulbs inside. These stepping stones capture the sun’s rays and use the energy at nighttime to create light. One can find these stepping stones at many home improvement stores or online.
Another feature of a lighted stepping stone is the added sense of security. When people go away on vacation, they can feel safer knowing the stepping stone will be turned on to signify that someone may be home even when they are not. This will also allow people to have some light when they return home at night. A lighted solar stepping stone has many purposes in addition to looking attractive. The bulbs inside do not need to be changed often and the stones can capture enough energy to last a few nights even if the sun did not come out that day.
A lighted solar stepping stone adds light as well as beauty to any home. They are easy to install and useful when having an outdoor party or going for a midnight swim. The lighted solar stepping stone provides enough light to see even on the darkest nights. These stones can also be used to illuminate a garden to make it noticeable even in the dark. This is a nice touch when throwing a patio party or a family gathering. The garden will look alive and beautiful with the lighted solar stepping stone.
January 12, 2009
Replacement Windows - Measuring The Value
There are a number of great reasons to consider installing replacement windows in your home. The technology used to construct vinyl frames and insulated glass has improved drastically in recent years. Energy-efficient vinyl replacement windows that look great and are affordable are becoming the best option for many homeowners.
For a number of years, wooden replacement windows were the standard of quality and longevity. Wood was favored for its stability and its natural insulating characteristics. That notion is quickly changing however, as homeowners and contractors alike are becoming aware of the value and easy maintenance that comes with choosing to install vinyl.
Understanding Materials
The production of vinyl replacement windows now includes a number of features that makes them much more than just a pane of glass inside a frame. Foam-filled frames with mitered joints increase the aesthetic value of windows, while also making your home much more sound proof. Insulated glass made up of two or even three panes of glass contributes to the sound-deadening quality of the replacements.
Specialized coatings, such as Low-E, combined with Argon-filled insulating spaces between the panes, serve to increase the insulating qualities of replacement windows. Not only will your new vinyl replacements stop drafts, advanced features work to stop the transmission of radiant heat. As you learn more about available features, it will quickly become apparent that the cost of replacing your old wooden windows with something better will be worth every penny.
Measuring the Value
While the initial cost of replacing the windows of your house can be intimidating, it doesn't take very long to realize just how quickly your replacement windows pay for themselves. In an effort to measure the value of your best replacement options, you need to consider several factors. The first is simply how much your heating and cooling costs will drop. Energy-efficient replacement windows will lower your heating bills.
You also need to take into consideration the value of your home itself. High-quality replacement windows can play a large roll in driving up the resale value of your home. Whether you are trying to increase the appraised value of your home so that you can borrow against it, or are actually in the market to sell your house, buying replacement windows is one of the first projects to undertake.
Finding someone you can trust
The biggest challenge that you may face when selecting replacement windows is finding an installer that you trust. Don't take a contractor's qualifications of installing house windows for granted. Labor will be a big part of the cost of replacing your old windows, so you need to be confident that you are going to get what you are paying for. Ask plenty of questions of contractors and be sure to follow up on the references that a contractor provides with their estimate. If anything at all makes you feel uncomfortable, keep looking for a contractor that you trust. Remember, the contractor works for you and should be going out of the way to treat you well.
Some contractors only buy replacement product from specific manufacturers. They may be specifically trained to work with that particular brand of replacement windows, or because they get a good price break from the vendor. Regardless of the reason, if you speak with a contractor who doesn't use a brand of replacements that you want, find someone else rather than change your mind on brand. Chances are that you will have taken the time to do your own extensive research on different brands and will have an idea of what features you want. If you are going to make this large of an investment and renovation, you need to find a contractor who can meet your needs.
Step By Step How To Choose Furniture Shop
House decoration work could not be finished without having furniture installed. One of the most important steps is probably choosing furniture color and style that match to overall appearance of each room and entire of the house. However, some people may not focus on how to choose the right furniture shop to buy that furniture. Some may choose a shop from the nearest in the area, some may choose the shop that sells expensive furniture, or even some people choose to buy from on-line furniture shops. It is really depends on the person who may have a reason for choosing. However, if you have a bit more time to think about this, I strongly suggest that you should spend sometimes to consider which furniture shop very carefully. In fact, finding the right furniture shop is not a difficult job but require understanding and some factors to consider. The following detail will take you through the basic step of how to find and choose the right furniture shop.
Firstly, before you think about which kind of furniture that you will need, or even before you start to choose furniture shop you have to decide about the availability of budget. No matter if you are moving to a new house or you only want to replace old furniture by the new ones, it is very important to know how much money you will spend on the project. If you have a lot of money to buy all furniture at once, you may choose furniture that quite large and have all kind of furniture available for all function of the house. On the other hand if you have only small budget and you do not intend to buy everything at once, you may choose smaller shop to buy furniture bit by bit over period of time.
Most of people prefer to buy furniture from the exist shop where they can see the actual furniture that they going to buy rather than visit on-line furniture shop on the internet. This is because see the actual furniture, people can see whether that furniture size is really fit to the requirement as well as its color and design. However, even though you not intend to buy from on-line shop, it is still good to do some research around the internet before you go to the actual shop. You may find that searching furniture shop on the internet you may find a good shop that you never heard of in you area. You should make a list of those shops that you can find on the internet and then compare prices between those shops as well as promotional discount. Moreover, you can see the reputation of the shop as most of reliable shops always have website available to customers.
Good furniture shop always have some kind of catalog and brochure available to customers, if a shop does not have ones, please do not buy from them. You may visit their website to see the full list of furniture that they provide and before you place the order, either order online or directly to the shop, please make sure that they have the furniture you want to buy in stock so you can have the furniture immediately once you complete payment.
