Trust is just one of the things we build well -

Tips to Minimize the Cost of Your Bathroom Remodel

Bathroom remodels can vary widely in their cost, from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands, depending on just how much work you’re doing, the size of your bathroom, the materials you select, and a number of other factors. If you’re remodeling your bathroom, you’re probably wondering just how much of a change you can make on your budget. This article will give you several tips for minimizing the remodeling costs so that you can stretch your budget a little further.

Refinish the Cabinets

If you’re thinking about replacing the cabinetry in your bathroom, it might be worth re-examining just how much that will cost you. While bathrooms don’t have a ton of cabinets, replacing them can still be relatively pricey. Refinishing them instead can save you quite a bit of money—especially if you do it yourself. You can strip and stain or paint the cabinets and drawers, then apply new knobs and drawer pulls to give them a brand new look. You’ll be amazed at just how much of a difference this DIY project can make!

Of course, if there is something structurally wrong with your cabinets, then replacing them is probably still the better option for your specific circumstances.

Ask for Leftovers

Many contractors hang onto leftover materials from past projects in the hopes of being able to use them in the future. If you know which contractor you’d like to work with, speak to them about what materials they have on hand that you could use for your remodel. They’ll frequently sell you these materials at a much lower cost than normal so that they can avoid having them go to waste.

This is a great way to find quality materials for less money, especially in smaller bathrooms where you don’t need a large amount of each material. Usually, a small stone slab is sufficient for a bathroom counter, and a few dozen tiles can often cover a bathroom. You can even find leftover cabinets that might fit your bathroom’s design, in case you still really want to replace those cabinets instead of refinishing them.

Keep the Layout

By far, the best thing you can do to save money on your bathroom remodel is to keep your major bathroom fixtures right where they are. Even if you’re replacing all those fixtures, installing them in the same location helps you avoid having to repipe the area to match a new layout.

It can be extremely expensive and time-consuming to repipe plumbing in Sacramento, so unless you’re absolutely dying to change up your bathroom’s overall setup, it’s best to just upgrade things and keep the overall blueprint the same. The one exception to this is if your home and its plumbing are quite old; in these cases, it might be a good idea to repipe your home while you’re renovating anyway, so you can redesign that bathroom all you want!

How To Find Affordable Residential Movers

Moving is not a fun experience. It can be stressful, time-consuming, and expensive. The good news is that there are some ways to make it less of a hassle.

One way to save money when moving residential items is to find affordable residential movers. This article willguide you through the processof finding an affordable mover.

Keep reading…

Ask Around – Friends, Family Members, Co-workers

Ask around to see if any of your friends, family members, or co-workers have used a moving company before. They will tell you what their experience was like and whether they were satisfied with the service they received. Additionally, it never hurts to ask them for a referral so that you can contact this potential new mover directly.

Ask About Their Hourly Rate

Ask your potential mover about their hourly rate. Often, they’ll have a minimum fee and then charge you for every hour afterward. If it’s an hourly rate, make sure to ask them what the starting or initial price is so you can calculate how much money this will cost before committing yourself to anything.

You may also want to inquire if there are many types of circumstances where the pricing changes, like long distances between locations or moving on weekends.

Ask How Much They Charge For Their Packing Services

Packing services can sometimes be included with the cost of moving, but many companies charge an additional fee for this service. Make sure you ask about these charges before you hire a company to move your items. You may want to find out what they offer regarding packing supplies and determine which option is more affordable for you.

You should also consider how much time it will take them to pack everything up versus taking care of it yourself (or asking family members or friends). If they are going to spend hours packing boxes, chances are their rates aren’t as good as another company that offers competitive prices.

Ask If Your Items Will Be Insured During Transit?

Most movers will offer some moving coverage, and it’s usually a good idea to know what you’ll be getting. When in doubt, talk with your insurer about any possible gaps in your plan if something happens during transit. Some insurance companies will require extra paperwork or an upgrade for the policy that covers household goods.

Ask About The Types Of Vehicles They’ll Use

This is a good question to ask because you want your belongings transported in the fastest and safest way. You also need to know if they’re using any heavy machinery or equipment that could be dangerous to have on-site, such as forklifts.

Plus, large items like pianos often require special vehicles for moving them. The answer can help you determine whether it’s worth hiring their services or not.

Find Out If Your State Has Any Regulations In Place About Moving Companies

The last thing you want to do is move your belongings to a company without the proper licenses in place. States like New York, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania require movers to be licensed by either them or their respective Interstate Commerce Commission for interstate moves.

If you are moving within one of these states from state to state, it would be best to contact the Department of Transportation. You can also check out this list on Wikipedia about other regulations throughout different states.

If you’re unsure if there are any regulations where you live, local governments may provide information at city hall or through an online search engine such as Google Maps/Search Engines (i.e., searching “city name licensing requirements”).

Final Words

With these tips, you should be able to find the perfect, affordable residential movers. Don’t forget that it’s important to look at other factors before signing any contracts as well.

Painting project on your mind?

Whenever you start making or renovating a home one of the major things that will turn the look around is the paint. It will make or destroy the beauty. If selected well it can enchant every visitor, but if the work is not well finished it will be like a scare in the face. So make your selections wisely and do a good job at it. We suggest that you take help from professionals even if it just floor paint that needs to be applied. The texture, the colour, the material all need to be selected very wisely.

Here are a few tips to help you make the selection easily:

DIY: firstly, if you are thinking of doing it yourself then you need to have ample time at hand. We also suggest that you must try out the whole thing only if you have a good amount of experience, else take help. When you set out to do the painting of the whole house you may feel very enthusiastic in the beginning but when you actually begin with the work it will be a big mess. There are many finer details and equipment’s that need to be used. So the amount that you willsave on the labour you may have to spend in buying the equipment’s and also in terms of your salary for the days you take an off. So let the professionals help you.
The colour scheme: decide the colour that you will be using for the floor. If it is in the kids’ room or the playroom you can keep it nice and pop. But if it is a study room or a store it can be simple and subtle. You must consider the choice and liking of the person who is going to use the room. If it is in the washroom make sure the floor paint is non-slippery. If you are using it for the kitchen then you must consider a darker colour as there will be loads of foot fall and also food may fall on it. So keep all the aspects in mind when you select the paint.
Surface condition: you must inspect the surface before painting. Make sure there are no cracks that need repairs. If there are slight cracks do not neglect them. You must fill them up. Also, make sure the surface is smooth. Else get it rubbed before painting so that there is a fine finish and smooth texture. Also, if there are any repair works to be done in the room then get it done before painting the floor. Later the dust or debris will stick in it and gets difficult to remove. There may also be stains.
Protection: the floor paints work as a layer of protection that will give it a longer life. It also makes it easy for the purpose of cleaning, simple wiping will do the trick. And you can just use a mop to clean. The paint once done lasts for a few years so it is a good idea to invest.

Roofing Ventilation 101

Roof ventilation systems provide the first line of protection from the elements. Proper ventilation systems allow hot air and moisture to leave the roof and warm air to enter, reducing the risk of expensive roof replacement. With proper ventilation systems installed on your home you can prevent damage due to winter snow and ice, and the harmful effects of mold and mildew. With so many options available today you need only to determine which venting system is best for your needs.

The most popular form of roofing ventilation is attic ventilation systems. The primary reason homeowners choose this method is because it is easy to install and maintain. Attic ventilation is also cost effective and will not require the expense of a new roof. However, there are several other options when it comes to attic ventilation including bottom, top, or greenhouses. Bottom and top vents are the easiest to install and maintain, however greenhouses are great options if you want a higher level of ventilation and want to avoid trapping moisture in the attic.

Greenhouses are also great options when discussing roof ventilation 101. While they do take up some valuable attic space, they can be used to ventilate an entire attic space quickly and easily, with the benefits of a higher draft rate. If you decide to use a greenhouse, make sure to include a fan with your design to expedite the circulation in the attic space.

If you decide to install radiant barriers or roofs over the attic, you will have additional ventilation options. The most common way to ventilate an attic is with fans and open vented ceilings. Radiant barriers can either be installed with metal flashing or rolled sheet metal. They come in many different colors, materials, and configurations to meet any architectural style. If you are uncertain as to the best way to install your radiant barrier, you should contact a professional roofing contractor. There are some potential hazards associated with improper installation of this roofing ventilation 101 so it is recommended that any contractor you hire for this job is licensed and insured.

If you are not interested in spending money on an attic ventilation system, there are other options available that are less expensive. For example, you may decide to remove the shingles on your roof to provide better air flow. Shingles are susceptible to moisture so removing them will increase air movement and make attic ventilation easier. You may also consider changing the shingles in your roof, which would provide some roofing ventilation benefits. These options are often more affordable than purchasing a roofing ventilation system.

It is important to remember that proper ventilation is important whether you are installing insulation to protect against heat loss or you are replacing your roof with a new one. Without proper ventilation, you may suffer from unhealthy indoor air quality that is unhealthy and costly. In addition, without ventilation, you could suffer from excessive heat loss due to poorly designed roofing materials. This is especially important if you live in a hot, humid area where summer heat can easily cause health problems.

This post was written by Ted Williams! Ted is the owner of A Old Time Roofing which offers roofing in St Petersburg Fl. Ted is a Master Elite Weather Stopper GAF Roofing Contractor, a double award winner of Best Steep-Slope Contractor from GAF and achiever of Master Elite Consumer Protection Excellence from GAF. He has been serving the Pinellas County area since 1978. Old Time Roofing has a tradition of quality workmanship, servicing residential and commercial properties.

Signs That Your Lawn Irrigation System Needs to Be Repaired

Thousands of homes in the United States have lawn irrigation systems. For most homeowners, investing in one of these systems is a no-brainer due to the hydration they can provide to grass. With proper hydration, your lawn will look great for years to come. While having one of these irrigation systems is beneficial, there may come a time when repairs are needed. Ignoring the need for these repairs will only lead to the issues you are facing getting worse.

It is your responsibility to inspect your irrigation system to see if any issues are present. Performing these inspections routinely is crucial when trying to stay one step ahead of these problems. The following are some of the things you might notice when it is time to get your lawn irrigation system repaired.

Uneven Watering Is Never a Good Thing

As you start to inspect your lawn irrigation system, be sure to pay attention to the water being dispersed on your lawn. If you start to notice there are extremely dry or wet patches on your lawn, then your irrigation system is probably in need of repairs. Overwatering your lawn can lead to pest problems and the development of fungi. If your lawn is not getting enough water from an irrigation system, it is only a matter of time before it starts to die off.

When you notice this problem, you need to contact professionals. With the help of irrigation repair Kent professionals, you can find the source of your problems and fix them quickly.

Sputtering Sprinkler Heads

One of the most important components your irrigation system has is sprinkler heads. The longer you have the same sprinkler heads in place, the more damage you will ultimately have to deal with. These sprinkler heads are usually damaged by things like lawnmowers and pets. If you start to notice that one or more of your sprinkler heads is sputtering water out, then you have to get them replaced.

Allowing this problem to persist can lead to lots of water being wasted. The average homeowner doesn’t have the knowledge and experience needed to perform these repairs on their own. This is why you should think about hiring professionals to address these issues. The money paid to these professionals is worth it because they can perform repairs in a timely manner.

If you are experiencing any of the problems mentioned in this article, it is time to take action and call in professionals to perform repairs.

What Is Ozone Purification and What Are the Benefits

Water cleanliness should always be a concern, whether you’re drinking it, cooking with it, swimming in it, or washing in it. You should be able to feel confident that the water you’re using is properly cleaned and doesn’t contain any harmful bacteria, viruses, or other contaminants that could make you sick. There have been countless methods of purifying water throughout the centuries, but one of the newest ones is ozonation or ozone purification. Here’s what you need to know about this process, how it works, and why many people are turning to it as a means of disinfection.

What Is Ozonation?

Ozone filtration is the process of injecting ozone into the water to clean and purify it. An ozone generator first charges oxygen to create ozone, which is a natural oxidizer. When the ozone is added to water, it attacks and neutralizes any contaminants, then reverts to its original form—oxygen. This means that the water is now not only free from bacteria, viruses, and pollutants but it’s also free from any chemicals (including ozone) used to clean the water.

Remove Harmful Pollutants

As mentioned, the primary purpose of ozonation is to remove contaminants from the water. Common pollutants found in water—including manganese, hydrogen sulfide, iron, bacteria, and viruses—can all be neutralized through the simple addition of ozone. It’s more effective at removing bacteria and viruses than chlorine and doesn’t add any chemicals that damage your skin or burn your eyes.

May Help with Inflammation

Recent studies have found that ozone can help activate your body’s antioxidants and reduce the factors that caused inflammation. While these findings are preliminary, a study in rats showed a measurable improvement in inflammation by adding ozone to their water.

Environmentally Friendly

Other forms of filtration can actually be harmful to the environment. They either remove pollutants by adding other chemicals or filter out larger contaminants and require frequent filter changes, which go into a landfill. Ozonation adds only oxygen to your water and doesn’t create excess waste. It creates only clean, drinkable water.

Use in Jetted Tub Systems

Of course, ozonation isn’t only used for cleaning drinking water. It’s become a popular way of cleaning water as it circulates through the jets of soaking tubs with hydrotherapy systems, especially in a walk-in tub for seniors who may have more serious concerns about maintaining sanitary conditions for their health. This method ensures that the bather is not cycling dirty bath water back into the tub again and again. Rather, the water is quickly cleaned and pumped back into the tub, keeping the bath cleaner than it was when it came out of the tap.

Is Humane Bee and Wasp Control Possible?

Different pests can come and intrude our backyards. One would be bees that can sting and build their hives within your house’s walls. The same goes for wasps, which are sometimes said to “harm our native birds and insects, and are a threat to human health and recreation”. Does that mean though that we should immediately buy tons of pesticides to exterminate beehives and wasp colonies? Or is there a more humane treatment possible to control bees and wasps? Yes, there are. Several, in fact. Listed below are some methods of humane treatment of bees and wasps:

Be careful with your food. One simple way of controlling the presence of bees and wasps in your home vicinity is by removing food and water sources. For instance, don’t leave sweet and sugary snacks without lids. Also, tightly cover your garbage bins and maintain their cleanliness. Avoid stagnant puddles and plug your pipes so that wasps won’t settle in them.

Build a fence. Bees only sting as a defense mechanism in response to humans disturbing their homes. But we can live in harmony with bees living round the corner by putting up chicken wire or placing a fence around the hive entrance. This won’t bother the bees, but at the same time will deter people from going close to them.

Seal entry points. Obstruct any unnecessary small holes you can find in your house. When a queen bee deserts an active nest, take that opportunity to fill the remnants with soil intending to keep future queens from inhabiting that same spot.

Be bee-friendly. PETA also has some advice on how you can go about the humane treatment of bees and bugs. When you do gardening or are simply out in your yard, abstain from wearing white or yellow as these colors actually attract bees and wasps. Perhaps in their eyes, you look like a sunflower. It would be much better to wear red since most insects cannot see this color. Minimize fragrant smells of perfumes, hairsprays, among others. And most of all, never walk barefoot in your yard!

Ignore them. Bees and wasps are non-aggressive (unless, again, their home is threatened), so if they aren’t bothering you, it will not harm you to leave them alone. You can even enjoy the natural scenery with their presence. After all, when the summer season ends, the wasps cease to exist after two touches of frost. If ever it happens that a bee or a wasp enters your car, it is suggested that you stop by the road for a while, open your windows and wait until the insect flies out of your vehicle. If it’s taking some time, you can guide it out with a piece of paper.
Ask experts for help. For big-scale scenarios such as huge colonies and swarms, local beekeeping associations and pest control authorities are the best people to contact. Taking individual bees and wasps is not an effective way of reducing their population, a whole communal colony must be removed. This is dangerous if you’re a novice, so it’s definitely safer to reach out to the experts instead.

Why should bees and wasps be humanely treated?

This might be a question you had in mind since you began reading this. As PETA declares, a lot of the insects we deem as pests are actually beneficial and play a vital role in maintaining the homeostasis of our environment. Bees and swarms, for example, should not be under pest control, rather “household guest control”. Bees are known pollinators, helping plants to reproduce by transferring pollen from one flower to another, thus expanding floral variety. Wasps are also extremely helpful to us humans, as they are humane treatments themselves aiding in pest control. As cited in a National Geographic page, “Nearly every pest insect on Earth is preyed upon by a wasp species, either for food or as a host for its parasitic larvae”.

In conclusion, bees and wasps SHOULD be given humane treatment instead of dealing with them with cruelty because they are essential inhabitants of nature who have their own role to play. This can be done by removing food and water sources, making a fence, closing entries, preparing your attire when going out to the garden, and leaving them alone or at least letting the experts handle them.

Ensure Your Garage Door Needs Are Met by Top-Quality Professionals

Whether you’re considering a garage door installation or already have one and simply need some repair work done, be sure to reach out to a top-quality professional to get the job done. Otherwise, you might end up with shotty work that will only cost you more in the long run. The last thing you need is a malfunctioning garage door, so be sure to hire a company that can confidently get the job done.

Repairs and Installations

The point of a garage is to keep your vehicle safe, so when your garage door stops working, it also becomes an issue pertaining to your vehicle. That’s why it’s important to reach out to a garage door repair in Petersfield to get the issue resolved as soon as possible. A professional can also help you with the following:

The installation of brand-new doors
Provide you with top-quality brands
Customise your garage door with a wide variety of colours and styles

The longer you put off getting your garage door repaired, the more you risk something happening to your vehicle.

Get a Quote Today

Regardless of whether you need a repair done or are in the market for a brand-new garage door for your home, reach out to a professional to get a quote. You’ll also be able to hear about the many different options in terms of design so that you can end up with the right garage door for your home.

Your One Stop Roof Shop

As a home or business owner, there are few things quite as concerning and frustrating as dealing with roof issues. After all, the roof is one of the most important aspects to the property. When it isn’t working properly, there are a lot of things that can go wrong.

That is why, when looking for roof repair in Harrogate, it is important to find a reliable and versatile professional to do the job. It can mean all the difference in the world when it comes to the life of your roof.

Total Roofing Services

Roofs are more complex than they seem, so it takes a proper professional to get the job done. A Harrogate roofer should be able to address a wide array of roofing jobs. Things such as:

New roofs
General roofing repairs
Felt roofs
Rubber roofing
Installation

The roof of your home or business is crucial. Make sure that you have the necessary work done to keep it doing its job for a long time to come.

Peace of Mind

As important as the repairs are, the most important aspect in finding a Harrogate roofer is getting peace of mind. You need to know that the job being done is of the highest quality so that you can depend on your roof for years to come.

That peace of mind is not something that just any service can deliver. Only reliable, trustworthy professionals can deliver the repairs and peace of mind that you need.

Five Home Improvements for Improving Seniors’ Health

Five Healthy Improvements for Your Home

Renovations or even little adjustments to your home can make a world of difference for the health of senior loved ones. Here are five big improvements that can do wonders for them:

Set up a gym area.

Making your home healthier can be as straightforward as dedicating a room in your house for exercising. This will leave you with no more excuses for not having the time or means to get in shape. Think about the perks, too: it lets you skip out on commutes and gym membership fees.

If you decide to clear out a room to turn it into a gym space, make sure that it is spacious enough for the senior-friendly fitness equipment that you will be keeping there. Have enough empty space for other workouts, and install a mirror as well.

Get a hot tub.

A hot tub is a luxurious way to stay warm during the colder months of the year. It also improves health by inducing relaxation and improving metabolism. Seniors in particular can reap its benefits without the physical demands of working out.

Source your tub from a reputable hot tub provider to ensure its durability. Buying from trusted companies also guarantees that your hot tub will have features that will further enhance the experience of your elderly family.

Tend to your garden.

Gardening is therapeutic for everyone, including the elderly. It is a quiet activity that is also visually pleasing, especially when a garden is cared for well. Tending to a garden is a light form of exercise that keeps the body healthy without being strenuous.

To make a garden more accessible for seniors, it may be best to minimize the need to bend down and kneel as much as possible. You can accomplish this by decreasing the area of your garden and raising the beds to make them easier to reach.

Let natural light in.

Getting a good dose of natural light increases vitamin D levels for both young people and seniors. It also helps fight off seasonal depression and improve sleep. Introduce more light to your home by simply drawing your curtains and opening windows at daytime.

Having more natural light also makes you less dependent on fluorescent lighting. They can induce migraines and eye strain, so older adults are much better off with natural sources of light.

If there is not enough sunlight that comes into your house, it may be a good idea to have larger windows built in. You can also brighten the atmosphere by painting the walls a lighter shade.

Make use of aromatherapy.

Health issues such as respiratory problems and arthritis can be huge hindrances to a good quality of life for older people. While medication is important in addressing these, aromatherapy also alleviates the discomfort caused by these illnesses.

Essential oils emit pleasant smells that reduce stress and help deal with anxiety and depression. The pleasant fragrances can improve one’s mood by triggering positive memories.

Choose an oil diffuser that can run for a long period daily to maintain the relaxed atmosphere in your home. There are options on the market that also have a color-changing feature to give a room an even more relaxing ambiance.

Being Attentive to Seniors’ Well-being

The National Council on Aging reports that 80% of older adults have a chronic disease. On the other hand, 77% suffer from at least two. As the caretakers of our aging loved ones, we must be aware of how best to take care of the health concerns they have. But this poses new challenges amidst the virus.

Regular checkups and maintenance medication are essentials in this. But during this time when mobility is limited, improving their home life has also become a bigger priority than before.

The changing mental and physical needs of our aging loved ones allow us all to become more sensitive about these. As we pay more attention, we can be their partners in helping them live better and healthier lives in their later years.