Home Renovation Secrets

How to Get Your Dream House with These Home Improvement Tips!

It doesn’t matter what kind of home you own, there are always ways to improve it. Whether you want to simply remodel a room or have the entire property renovated, there are home improvement experts available to help you. Making improvements to a home, no matter how simple or complex, will increase its value.

Choose improvements that add a lot of value

This is especially important if you plan on selling the house someday. Some home remodeling/addition projects have a high return on investment. Some of the highest ROIs include:

Attic bedrooms

Basement remodel

Backup power generator

Deck addition (particularly wood or composite)

Entry door replacement with fiberglass

Bathroom remodel

Bathroom addition

Use lighting tricks and mirrors to make small rooms appear larger

Clever use of indirect lighting, such as installing cove lights in soffits, creates the illusion that the walls are higher. You can also use mirrors to give off the illusion that a small space is larger than it is. For instance, you can group several small mirrors together on the wall and paint their frames. They have many uses in small kitchens as well. A mirror placed behind the stove will bounce available light around. You might also want to glue mirrored tiles to the front of kitchen cabinets.

Brighten a dark room up with highly lacquered walls

Lacquered walls are very trendy, and they don’t appear to be going away anytime soon. This design can be used in any room, and any colour can be used. However, you must first make sure that the walls or woodwork is in top-notch condition. Just as long as the walls don’t crack or move, the lacquer will hold up fine for years to come.

Don’t forget the little things

Details play an important part in home improvement. In the kitchen and bathroom, it’s okay to splurge on custom cabinet knobs, pulls, and faucets. Would you prefer a one handed faucet, two handed faucet, hands-free (motion sensing) faucet? What kind of material would be ideal for your kitchen and/or bathroom? Stainless steel? Chrome? Oil-rubbed bronze? You can also have new fixtures installed.

How To Get The Most Out of Full House Renovations?

Full house renovations take a lot of time. You not only have to consider each individual room, you must consider the house as a whole, as well as the landscape. You might even have to leave the house at some point during the renovation and stay someplace else. If one thing goes wrong, it could affect the entire home and compromise the whole project.

Hiring a project manager is essential. Unless you have a lot of experience, you probably won’t be able to manage the entire project yourself. A full house renovation requires a lot of work and organization.

It’s also a huge investment. If you want to get the most from your investment, here are a few ideas:

Don’t be afraid to spend extra time and money on the kitchen. It gets a lot of wear and tear as people go in and out of it every single day, cooking, eating, cleaning doing dishes, etc. Go for high quality cabinets with a tough exterior finish and a solid flooring solution. The appliances and furniture should all be high quality and durable as well.

Have your heating, cooling, and insulation improved where necessary. You might want to conduct an energy audit to learn where you should insulate. Have pipes, your AC, and heating system inspected. You might also want to invest in better windows.

Don’t make any changes to the bathrooms without first checking your water supply lines and the water heater. Know your local plumbing code and keep the street-side water supply lines in mind. You wouldn’t want to invest in a luxurious new tub just to find out that the tank is inadequate for it.

Determine if your roof, gutters, siding, soffits, etc… are in need of replacement or if repairs will suffice. Some materials begin to show wear and tear more quickly than others. Know the maintenance requirements for your current roof and compare it with the maintenance requirements with other materials.

Consider whether or not it would be worth it to replace all of your exterior walls. If a lot of siding needs to be removed, you might as well replace everything. If there is brick at the main level, you might want to go with wood siding or cement as an addition. Replacing the doors and windows simply to match the new siding is an aesthetic choice that might not be worth the money. Only have them replaced if there is a structural and energy-efficient need to do so.

If you plan on adding on to your house, take care of the existing space first. Don’t have another room built on until you’ve renovated the attic, basement, and other storage areas already existing on the property.

You will also want to take care of the house itself first before moving on the landscape. Start from the inside and work your way out.

Renovate for the future, not for the present. Don’t cut any corners and settle on low quality materials. Also, think about the design. Don’t invest in a particular type of flooring, wallpaper, furniture, paint job, etc… just because it’s trendy right now. Otherwise, it will seem outdated a decade or two from now. Go with a timeless look.

How Can I Prepare for the Kitchen Renovation Process?

Remodelling your kitchen can completely transform your home. For many families, the kitchen is a natural place where everyone gathers, enjoys meals, and shares the highlights of their days. A kitchen home renovation can be used to add updated appliance for easier meal preparation and can make the space more visually appealing and welcoming.

Set a Budget

First, you must decide how much you can afford to spend on your new kitchen. Take into consideration new appliances, flooring, wall finishes, fixtures, and labour. Always leave some extra funds leftover for unexpected needs.

Choose Your Appliances

If your kitchen renovation includes replacing some or all of the appliances, this will be one of the biggest costs and focal points of your project. This is an opportunity to completely change the aesthetic, function, and energy efficiency of your kitchen. It is important to know which appliances you will be installing, as you will need to fit your counters and cabinetry around these pieces.

Create Your Design

Next, you can begin to draft your overall design for the kitchen. This includes where the appliances will be installed, as well as what the overall look of the room will be. You can choose a colour scheme, the type of cabinetry you would like, whether or not you will add elements, such as a kitchen island, and what type of flooring you would like in the room. Remember to calculate the costs of each design element to ensure that they will all fit within your kitchen renovation budget.

Determine If You Need Alternative Living Arrangements

While the kitchen may only be one room in your house, it is certainly an important one. If your home renovation is going to keep you from being able to use your kitchen for many days, you might consider making alternative living arrangements. Depending upon your project, these arrangements may only be necessary on days when it is necessary to turn off the electricity and/or water in order to safely install the appliances. Obviously, it may not be necessary to leave your home, but this could be a more enjoyable option for you and your family and can allow the work to proceed more quickly.

How Can I Change My Living Room During a Home Renovation?

When making home renovations there are some projects that immediately come to mind: upgrading the kitchen or making the bathroom more modern. But, how can you make improvements to your living room when there are no appliances to upgrade or cabinets to replace?

Update the Flooring

Has your carpet become faded and riddled with stubborn stains? Take this opportunity to rip out the old and install new. Or, if the kids and pets are out of the house, consider putting in beautiful, natural hardwood floors for a warm and sophisticated look.

Make Your Walls More Exciting

There’s more to decorating than just eggshell white walls. You can completely change the feel of a room by painting in a light and neutral tone that adds personality without making the room feel smaller. If you want to experiment with bolder, darker colours, you can paint a living room accent wall in a hue that compliments the rest of your chosen design.

Get Creative with the Lighting

Many people underestimate just how important lighting is in a room design. During your living room home renovation, you can have your contractor install recessed lighting. You can install can lights that are recessed into the ceiling, providing overhead lighting without taking space away from the room, or you can install recessed lighting behind panels in the walls in order to highlight decorative items

Install an Advanced Home Entertainment System

If you like to entertain, watch movies, or play video games in your living room, you might consider having your contractor help you with your entertainment system. During your home renovation, you can rewire your living room to better incorporate a surround sound stereo system, wall-mounted electronics, and many other types of technology.

Home Renovations Before and After: What to Expect?

You might be wondering what to expect with home renovations, before and after. Before you call a contractor to acquire an estimate, you should first do some research on your house and neighborhood. The more you know about your home, the better you will be able to prepare.

What to Consider Before Committing to a Remodeling Project

You need to know the age, design, and model of your home. Was it built with a standard or custom design? Learn as much about the history of your home as you can. If you are thinking about adding onto your home, you must first check with the municipality to see if there are any constraints or restrictions. Assess existing conditions and have a clear understanding of zoning laws. This is especially important if you are planning to have the exterior of your home renovated.

Estimate Your Budget and Begin Planning the Project

How much of the house requires remodeling? Do you want to stick with the interior or do exterior renovation as well? Are there any specific rooms you want to put a lot of focus on? Contact a contractor to come and review the preliminary plans with you and give you an estimate.

If you are flexible, you will be able to save money. If you have nowhere else to go during the renovation, you might want to stick to one area of the house at a time. You may decide to work with designers or architects. Let them know about your personal tastes and requirements. Do you want a traditional living room? Country kitchen? Vintage bathroom? Sleek, contemporary bedroom? Whatever you want, it’s recommended that you get the details on how long it will take to perform the required tasks in writing. A reputable company also provides liability insurance for clients.

What to Expect After Renovation

Your project isn’t complete until everything is inspected. Your contractor should ensure that all the systems in your home – such as plumbing, wiring and HVAC are functioning properly and efficiently to suit the new remodel.  There will also be a cleaning up and waste disposal process. Ongoing maintenance and monitoring is important.

Laminate Flooring Simplified

Laminate Flooring Test Results – Health Issues and Solutions

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) tested formaldehyde levels released from specific types of laminate flooring made in Ch between 2012 and 2014 and sold at Lumber Liquidators stores in the United States. CPSC tested the same type of flooring that had some of the highest formaldehyde levels in tests conducted during a recent consumer investigation.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) estimated (modeled) indoor formaldehyde levels that may be present in typical homes with this laminate flooring. In the model, we used near worst-case conditions so that our conclusions and recommendations would protect public health.

Short-term Health Effects

Irritation and breathing problems can happen in anyone, but children, older adults, and people with asthma or other breathing problems are more likely to have these symptoms. If you installed this type of flooring in a home that already had elevated levels of formaldehyde from other products (like cabinets, furniture, or curtains), your chance of having those symptoms increases.

Long-term Health Effects

Studies of workers who breathe in very high levels of formaldehyde over many years have shown a link to rare cancers. Formaldehyde exposure from the tested laminate flooring would be much lower and would last for less time than the exposures linked to those cancers. However, whenever you are exposed to a cancer-causing chemical, your cancer risk increases.

estimated the increased lifetime risk of cancer based on

Installing flooring with the highest formaldehyde levels

Breathing in formaldehyde at those levels in the house all day long for two years

Note: We chose a two-year time frame because several studies have shown that indoor air concentrations of formaldehyde from new building products usually decrease over time, particularly during the first two years.

Homemade Laminate Floor Shiner

Laminate floors require very little effort on your part to shine. However, the little effort you’ll be putting into keeping the flooring’s natural allure and brightness needs to be deliberate and done often to prevent dirt from accumulating and dulling up the surface. One key to retaining your laminate floor’s shine is the type of cleaner that you use – not brand, just the type. The less chemicals used in cleaning, the more shiny and long lasting the floor will be. Below are some simple tips you can use to keep your laminate shining with a homemade laminate floor shiner.

Vacuum

You want to get all of the dirt and dust off the floor before using a liquid cleaner. Remember that laminate floors are wooden and their shiny surfaces can make them get scratched easily – so be careful with the type of vacuum cleaner you use. Get a hard floor attachment, so you can clean scratch free. If you don’t have that attachment, you can always use a broom to get the dirt off.

Choose Your Cleaner

Most commercial cleaners are either soap or oil based – bases that will cause product build up and ruin the shine on your laminate floor. Of course if you search diligently, you’ll probably find something made specifically for laminate floors, but they definitely won’t be as cheap as something you’d make yourself at home. Plus, you probably already have the ingredients at home to make this cleaner, so you may not have to spend a thing.

INGREDIENTS

Water – 1/2 cup

White vinegar – 1/2 cup

Rubbing alcohol – 1/2 cup

Mix all of them in a spray bottle. Check that the spray nozzle works, and voila! Your laminate floor cleaner is ready for use.

Don’t Pour, Spray

Don’t forget that your floor is essentially wood – which hates water. Once you have your spray bottle filled with your homemade cleaning solution, you want to spray it lightly on one section of the floor (not all at once). To determine the size of area to spray, just see how far you can reach with your mop, and spray that area. You want to spray just enough surface and mop it up immediately before the cleaner dries up. Also, try not to spray a surface you might get boxed in – if dried cleaners looks terrible, footprints look even worse.

How Can I Clean My Laminate Floors Without Damaging Them?

Laminate is a great alternative to real wood flooring. Not only is it cheap, it’s easy to fit, maintain and clean. But this durable type of flooring isn’t indestructible. It can still be scratched, and if water gets into the joins catastrophic damage can result.

Prevention is the best cure

Keeping your floor clean at all times is the best way to prevent scratches, water damage and general wear and tear. The tiniest of dirt and grit particles can cause severe scratches, which might eventually allow water to seep in. Protect your floor by insisting people take off their shoes before stepping onto your laminate.

It’s also a good idea to use mats and runners in high-traffic areas, as dirty shoes can do untold damage to laminate over time. Also, place a non-slip mat at each entrance to your home. And if you ever have to move furniture, place rubber stoppers on feet to prevent severe scratching.

Can you vacuum laminate floors?

The short answer is yes. In fact, some careful vacuuming should be performed on your laminate floors every day. Do some research to find the best vacuum for laminate floors in the UK. Once you’ve chosen one, make sure you use it daily — even if your floors look OK. Choose a model with a hard floor mode, as this will increase performance and provide added protection.

Cleaning your laminate floors

It’s important to remain vigilant when it comes to droppages and spillages. Clean your floor as soon as you notice something with microfibre cloths and a natural cleaning solution. For example, a mild solution of vinegar and water is all you need to clean and sanitise everyday spillages.

FLOOR CLEANING & DISINFECTING TIPS

Right now, many of us are cooped up at home and while the situation is far from ideal, it can be a great time to get some cleaning done. It’s not only important to keep a clean home to lower the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and other germs, but getting a head start on spring cleaning can help you feel productive and make your home a more pleasant place to be. If someone in your home is sick, it’s important to not just clean, but to disinfect surfaces and your floors are no exception. While you might not consider the floor a frequent touch point, it is important to keep these high traffic areas as clean as possible, especially if someone has walked through your home with shoes or if you have pets who might be carrying in dirt, germs, and bacteria from outside. From cleaning to disinfecting, we’re here to share some tips to help you keep your floors clean and safe.

Should I Clean or Disinfect My Floors?

One of the first things to note is there is a big difference between simply cleaning and disinfecting your home. Cleaning helps to remove germs but does not kill them, though this does lower the risk of spreading infection as it reduces the number of germs. Disinfecting uses chemicals to kill germs on surfaces. This does not necessarily clean dirt or remove these germs, so it is always best to clean first and then disinfect to lower the risk of spread. However, disinfecting requires specific products to complete effectively and these supplies might be hard to come by if you don’t already have them on hand. The good news is, if no one in your home is sick it is only necessary to clean (without disinfecting) to reduce the spread and keep everyone safe and healthy. Keep up with a daily cleaning schedule and follow the CDC’s best practices like frequent and thorough hand washing to maintain a healthy household.

Cleaning Tips for Hard Flooring– Hardwood, Laminate & Vinyl Flooring

Just like any other time, daily use of a microfiber mop or Swiffer is a great way to keep your hard surface floors clean. You can vacuum with a soft-bristled floor brush attachment to clean up even more dirt, dust, and debris. Depending on the type of flooring in your home, you’ll want to be careful with any kind of mopping- hardwood and laminate floors can be damaged by moisture so opt for damp mopping with those instead. If you have vinyl flooring, you can mop with either a store-bought cleaner or a solution of apple cider vinegar and warm water. Routine cleaning here will help to prevent the spread of bacteria and viruses

Disinfecting Hard Flooring– Hardwood, Laminate & Vinyl Flooring

Again, it’s important to clean hard surfaces prior to disinfecting, and if you’re using a disinfecting product be sure to carefully review the manufacturer’s instructions prior to use to know how long your disinfectant needs to be in contact with the surface to kill germs. It’s also good to know the difference between cleaners that kill bacteria and ones that kill viruses and look for the latter. Many anti-bacterial cleaning agents are also disinfectants that will kill viruses but double check the label.

Cleaning Tips for Soft Flooring– Carpets & Area Rugs

Depending on the amount of traffic, daily or weekly vacuuming is recommended. Go slowly while vacuuming to make sure you’re thoroughly picking up all the dust and debris—slow passes with your vacuum can pick up more ground-in dirt than fast passes. A lot of dust and debris tend to hide underneath or behind furniture, so if you can, move or lift your furniture to vacuum more thoroughly. If you’re cleaning the entire room, it’s smart to vacuum both before and after dusting- once before to pick up existing dust and once again after to pick up any that has made it’s way to the carpet after your other cleaning efforts.

Flooring

Flooring is the general term for a permanent covering of a floor, or for the work of installing such a floor covering. Floor covering is a term to generically describe any finish material applied over a floor structure to provide a walking surface. Both terms are used interchangeably but floor covering refers more to loose-laid materials

Subfloor

The floor under the flooring is called the subfloor, which provides the support for the flooring. Special purpose subfloors like floating floors, raised floors or sprung floors may be laid upon another underlying subfloor which provides the structural strength. Subfloors that are below grade (underground) or ground level floors in buildings without basements typically have a concrete subfloor. Subfloors above grade (above ground) typically have a plywood subfloor.

Flooring materials

The choice of material for floor covering is affected by factors such as cost, endurance, noise insulation, comfort, and cleaning effort. Some types of flooring must not be installed below grade, including laminate and hardwood due to potential damage from moisture.

The sub-floor may be finished in a way that makes it usable without any extra work, see:

Earthen floor adobe or clay floors

Solid ground floor, cementitious levelling/wearing/granolithic screeds, polymer-modified concretes and levelling/wearing screeds.

Carpeting

Carpet is a soft floor covering made of bound carpet fibers or stapled fibers. Carpeting refers to wall-to-wall coverage, whereas a rug is simply used to cover a space. This type of flooring is typically used indoors and can be used in both high and low traffic areas. It typically lasts for 15-18 years before it needs to be replaced. The quality of a carpet is usually measured in face weight, or how many fibers there are per square inch. The higher the face weight the more plush a carpet will feel

Installation Methods

Today, there are two primary forms of carpet installation: tackless installation and direct glue down. Tackless installation occurs when tack strip is installed around the perimeter of a room and the carpet is stretched over padding onto those tack strips to hold it in place. Before this installation method, carpet was tacked down with staples throughout the installation which is why the new method is called tackless installation; as you no longer need nails in the middle of the floor. Direct glue down occurs when you spread special carpet adhesive over the substrate and then roll the carpet onto the glue to hold it in place.

Home Renovation Projects That Are Great For A Vacation

Which room should you renovate first?

Many people move into a home with the intention of making renovations to it. They could be anxious to create a space that lives up to the potential they envisioned when they first saw it.

Due to this inherent desire to turn a house into a home as quickly as possible, when you first move into a new space, you might feel the urge to tackle everything at once. However, diving right into every single project you can think of is a recipe for exhaustion and overspending.

Here are some reasons why people might decide to renovate their homes, and tips for how to choose which room to renovate first.

Why Do People Renovate?

Everyone has their own reasons for why they choose to renovate. Here are a few popular ones:

  • To Personalize: Some people choose to make their manufactured homes, even more, their own with customizations. Whether it’s a quick repair or major overhaul, personalization helps mobile homeowners create a welcoming environment that suits their own unique tastes.
  • To Fix Issues: Sometimes, sellers don’t make all the post-inspection repairs a buyer desires (for example, repairing a chipped countertop), but negotiation is reached anyway. In these cases, the buyer may choose to renovate early on.
  • To Upgrade the Style: A home that was last renovated two decades ago may look worn and a bit outdated. Or, the home might be designed in a way that doesn’t suit the new owners’ personal taste. This might lead them to want to renovate to give their home an upgraded style.
  • To Increase its Value: Some may opt to invest in a renovation in order to increase the overall value of their home. Upgrading kitchens, adding bathrooms, and making general facelifts are common projects taken on to increase the value of a home.

Which Room Remodel Will Increase Your Home’s Value?

Who knows what will happen in the time it takes you to remodel one room to another. If you need to choose which room to remodel first, you’ll want to choose the room that will recoup the remodeling costs and create actual equity.

This is why experts agree that choosing to remodel your kitchen or bathroom first is traditionally the smartest move. And while kitchens typically cost more to remodel than bathrooms, they tend to yield a better return on investment, so they end up paying for themselves over the long run. But which upgrades to your kitchen and bathroom should you make?

Kitchen Remodeling Ideas

This depends on the current state of your kitchen or bathroom, so do a little bit of calculating here. If you spend a certain amount on the entire remodel, but won’t be able to recoup more from the sale, then it might not be worth it. Sound investments when remodeling your kitchen include upgrading to stainless steel appliances, installing new granite or quartz countertops and installing new hardwood floors or tiles. Depending on your existing home, you might even be able to limit the cost of your remodel by refurbishing your existing floors.

Bathroom Remodeling Ideas

When it comes to your bathroom remodel, new flooring, bathroom vanities and updating bathroom fixtures are your best bet. You might be able to save remodeling costs by reglazing your tub rather than getting a new one. In the bathroom, details can really make a difference. So whether it’s for a master bathroom or a smaller one, simple upgrades like putting shiny knobs on cabinets and purchasing a sparkling new faucet for the sink can go a long way.

Where Do You Spend The Most Time?

Another aspect to consider when deciding which room to remodel first is where do you and your family spend the most time? Perhaps you are certain that you’ll be living in this home for years to come and resale isn’t a top concern at the moment. You know you’ll remodel everything before that day comes.

In that case, you might not want to remodel the bathroom before the living room, even if a bathroom remodel offers a better resale value. Or maybe the idea of enjoying a relaxing bath after work each evening is high on your priority list. In that case, you might want to remodel your bathroom before your kitchen.

Start with issues, not solutions

If significant alterations or even an extension are envisaged, take time at the outset to reflect on what’s propelling you to undertake the work in the first place.

Think specifically of what your issues are in terms of space, light and storage. Exploiting each of these elements to their fullest is key to achieving a home that fits your needs like a glove. Whatever your space and budget, there’s an optimal solution for each part of this home-design trinity.

Compare what you have with what you want

Where your issues relate to use of space, start by preparing an inventory of the rooms you have now and how they’re used. Next, itemise the spaces you’d like to have and the uses you need to accommodate. Imagine you’re writing the brief for your ideal home.

Comparing both these lists should identify any ‘gaps’ that need to be filled. The challenge then is to see if your existing home can be rethought to meet these needs.

For example, can the extra living room you’d like be accommodated in a first-floor room? Or in a loft? Can the guest bedroom double as a home office? Be broad in your thinking to achieve best use of your resources, both spatial and financial.

Maximise your existing space

If you feel you need more space, first check that the rooms you already have are working sufficiently hard before reaching to extend. Perhaps you even have an unused room. Could it be reinvented and put to work in a different way? Is it actually a ‘problem’ room (see below) with issues of light, warmth or arrangement that need to be solved before it can be put to any use?

Could the dividing walls between the rooms at the back of your house be removed to create that coveted kitchen/dining/family room? If you do decide to extend, make sure the existing house and extension flow and that, between both areas, your needs in terms of space and storage are fully met.

Choosing A Residential Painting

Safety Precautions You Should Take When Paint Spraying

You will be glad to hear that paint spraying really is not dangerous work. However, there are hazards, and if you allow the presumed safety of this task to lure you into a false sense of security, you may run into problems.

Today we aim to help you protect yourself against the hazards of painting. Read on for a guide on how to stay safe as you paint.

1. Ventilation:

Finding a ventilated space to paint in is one of the most important precautions that you can take. Keep in mind that the fumes that paints produce aren’t exactly good for you. Many people find them disorienting and even nausea inducing, so be sure that the space you are breathing in has plenty of fresh air. Ventilating a space can be as simple as keeping the doors and windows open.

2. Dress for the Occasion:

In terms of practicality, you are going to want to wear clothes that you don’t mind getting paint on. However, wearing an old shirt is not what we mean when we advise that you dress for the occasion. To stay safe, you are going to want to make sure that you wear good protective eyewear. You will also want to wear a painting mask, gloves, and something that covers your arms and legs. While paint exposure to skin is not the end of the world, it can lead to rashes and irritation. That in mind, it is best avoided when possible.

3. Avoid Heat:

Wet paint and heat don’t go so well together. Avoid painting on surfaces that may be prone to sparks, or heat exposure. Lightbulbs, chords that are in any way damaged, and other volatile materials should not be introduced to paint. Smokers are also going to need to avoid sparking up in the room that they are painting. The cigarette smoke will certainly be detrimental to the ventilation of the office, and the sparks and flame can lead to a fire. And that is pretty much it! Staying safe when you paint isn’t extremely difficult, but it’s definitely important

Improper Ventilation

One of the biggest risks associated with painting involves being in a confined area with little to no airflow. The fumes from the paint can be toxic causing headaches, dizziness, and other harmful side effects. In addition to keeping the doors and windows open, you should also wear a respirator to help filter the toxins out of the air.

Having to Work at Different Heights

When trying to reach ceilings and the upper sections of the walls, you will need to use a ladder or scaffold. When setting up a ladder or scaffold, make sure the legs are securely set on a level surface. If the scaffold has wheels, make sure they are locked before you attempt to climb onto it. Always make sure that you have everything you need prior to getting on the ladder. If you can’t carry the items, climb the ladder and then have someone hand things up to you one at a time.

Slick Surfaces

Spilled paint is common when you are painting a large area. It’s easy to drip paint without knowing it, especially when you are taking the brush or roller from the tray to the surface. Even if the paint is dropped on a tarp, it can make the area extremely slippery. One of the best ways to prevent a slip and fall accident on a slick surface is to wear shoes with non-skid soles. When you get down off of your ladder or before you leave an area, try to wipe up spills or paint drippings you can see. This will prevent you from forgetting they are there and slipping on them when you come back to finish the job.

Uneven Surfaces

Uneven surfaces can cause you to trip and fall. There may be differences between the floors in adjacent rooms which leads to an uneven surface. Setting up a ladder on an uneven surface can cause it to be wobbly and unstable. If you plan on laying down a tarp or plastic before you paint, make sure to smooth it out and lay something heavy along the edges. Make the surface as smooth as possible so there is nothing to trip over or catch the ladder on if you have to move it.

Stay out of heat and away from fire.

Make sure to keep away from heat, sparks and open flame. Don’t smoke. Extinguish all flames, pilot lights and heaters. Turn off stoves, electric tools and appliances, and any other sources of ignition.

Leave the spray paint can whole.

Do not puncture, incinerate or burn aerosol cans. Do not discard cans in a trash compactor. But do recycle them when empty.

Take the following precautions when painting lighting and electrical fixtures:

Read and follow all lighting/fixture manufacturer stated safety precautions.

Ensure corded lamps are unplugged from electricity.

Inspect electrical cords for any damage that could come into contact with unwanted paint or overspray.

Do NOT paint wiring.

Do NOT paint light bulbs.

Do NOT paint damaged cords which may have exposed wiring.

Do NOT paint parts of fixtures that get excessively hot, unless using a High Heat paint specified for that purpose.

Take the following precautions when painting objects in contact with open flame (candle holders, fire pits, etc.)

Do NOT paint in the vicinity of an open flame.

Do NOT paint any surface that will be in contact with an open flame, especially the insides.

Do NOT leave open flames unattended in any situation.

If using High Heat paint, read back of product label to ensure expected heat is within the recommended temperature ranges of the paint.

Painting safety

A fresh coat of paint is an easy way to spruce up your home’s exterior or your favorite room in the house. But when painting indoors, you should follow certain measures and painting safety precautions to protect yourself and your family.

Prepare for Safe Painting 

Many interior paint, stain and stripper fumes aren’t just harmful to inhale, they can also be extremely flammable. You should always keep the area well ventilated by opening doors and windows. Use an exhaust fan to remove fumes from your workspace. Never paint or use solvents, strippers, stain, caulking or clean-up supplies near an open flame like the pilot light of a furnace or water heater. And never smoke while painting!

Safety Alerts!

  • When working with solvent-based materials, it’s best to wear a respirator to prevent inhaling harmful fumes. When sanding, you should wear a dust mask to prevent particles from entering the lungs. If possible, use a power sander with a sawdust collection bag.
  • If you can avoid it, don’t sleep in a freshly painted room for at least two days.
  • Use canvas drop cloths instead of plastic on the floor. Cloth stays in place better and is less slippery than the alternative.

Be Safe Around Electrical Outlets 

Be sure to practice painting safety when painting or working near electrical outlets, cover all exposed outlets with painter’s tape. If you need to remove outlet or switch covers to paint, turn off the power to the room before you start.

Clean Up and Dispose of Paint Properly 

Many people don’t know that leftover latex paint has to dry completely before you can dispose of it. Even if you have used all the paint from a can, allow the empty container to dry with the lid off before discarding. If there is less than a quarter of the can left, you can let the paint dry by leaving it in a well-ventilated area until it hardens, stirring it once every few days. When leaving paint out to dry, be sure to keep it in an area that’s away from children, pets and open flames.

Managing Immigration Lawyer Service Processes

IMMIGRANT VISAS

Immigration Law provides advice and preparation for U.S. permanent residence petitions (also known an Immigrant Visa Applications, I-130 or Green Card petitions) for relatives of U.S. citizens, including spouses of U.S. citizens, unmarried children of a U.S. citizens (under the age of 21); parents and siblings of U.S. citizens.

I-130 petitioners located outside the U.S. (including petitioners located) are required to file their I-130 petition with United States Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS)

also advise on and prepare Employment-Based immigrant petitions (I-140), including Multinational Managers & Executives. Among other requirements, a Multinational Manager or Executive must have been employed outside of the United States in either of these capacities for at least 1 of the last 3 years, and intend to work in either a Managerial or Executive capacity in the United States.

also work with businesses and individuals to develop long-term immigration and compliance strategies, and provide services in the areas listed below.

1. Preparation and advice for U.S. permanent residence applications, including employment based permanent residency applications (I-140), and family-based permanent residency applications (I-130);

2. Request for Evidence (RFE) strategies and response preparation;

3. Adjustment of Status (I-485) applications, Advance Parole applications, Employment Authorization applications and Re-entry Permit applications; and

4. Relinquishment of U.S. Permanent Residency.

new immigration law: What to expect

An immigration law has been discussed but never implemented in recent years. Now that looks about to change. As part of the compromise over migrant policy that ended the recent crisis for government, the center-left Social Democrats (SPD) have gotten the governing coalition to pledge to introduce comprehensive immigration legislation before the end of the year.

“The current immigration regulations are a bureaucratic monster and in many cases only comprehensible to a handful of specialists,” SPD interior affairs spokesman told DW. ” goal is to pass a simple, clear, easy-to-understand immigration law, which particularly small- to medium-sized businesses can deal with and which will allow us to compete with the other major industrialized nations for the top skilled labor.”

is hardly exaggerating. The central law governing migration at present has 107 legal paragraphs, and there are some 50 different sorts of residency permits. A foreign artist wishing to live and work is subject to very different rules than an IT expert or someone who intends to care for the elderly.

‘Demographic change is nipping at out heels’

Experts from business and industry as well as the political parties agree that immigration from outside the EU, with its aging population, is crucial to uphold the current standard of living.

“Demographic change is nipping at out heels,” SPD immigration expert and member of parliament told DW. ” have to pursue two paths: better qualification for people here and an immigration law. For the latter, we need nothing less than a paradigm shift.”

Things You Should Ask Your Prospective Immigration Lawyer

has taken a draconian and almost adversarial approach to immigration policy, adequate legal representation has become a must for many foreigners going through visa, immigration, and asylum processes. Although the Immigration and Naturalization Act itself hasn’t been amended in recent years, the White House has introduced a series of executive orders and rules that are challenging for immigrants to deal with

What Are Your Qualifications?

You can do some research on the attorney before asking this question. Doing so will serve as confirmation of his or her qualifications. First of all, the lawyer should be in good standing with the state bar association, and this is something you can check online.

How Much Experience Do You Have with Cases Like Mine?

Let’s say you were admitted to the U.S. under the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program and have two misdemeanors on your record. The pertinent question in this case would be whether the law firm has handled TPS clients who were facing disqualification, deportation orders, or removal proceedings.

Do You Have Reviews & Testimonials I Can Evaluate?

Many immigration lawyers will be more than happy to show you handwritten letters from clients whose cases were resolved satisfactorily. You can also search online for reviews of law firms and specific testimonials from former clients who have no reservations about disclosing their identities. An even better testimonial would be an order from an appeals court that’s favorable to the client. In these types of cases, attorneys will be proud to discuss how they were able to prevail before a high court.

What Are My Chances of a Positive Outcome?

The answer to this question can never be guaranteed, and attorneys will tell you so because they cannot predict the future. Nonetheless, they can give you an idea of what the best outcome could be if certain strategies are applied. More importantly, seasoned lawyers can explain worst-case scenarios and factors that could hurt your legal status.

Immigration Law – A Comparative Approach Guide

This guide is designed to identify key resources concerning the immigration law of the United States. For each country, this guide will identify key government bodies involved in administering immigration law and organizations involved with immigrants and immigration policy. The guide will also identify select legislation, regulations, case law, secondary sources, fee-based databases and research guides relating to each country’s immigration law and policy. It will report whether each country has acceded to the United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and the United Nations Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees, two key international conventions concerning refugees. The guide will provide online and print resources for each country’s legislation, regulations, and case law relating to immigration, when available. It will also provide links to select resources relating to refugees for each country. Because of the breadth of the subject area, this guide is not comprehensive but selective. It provides an overview of the resources available and aims to serve as a starting point for those interested in conducting in-depth research in this area. Finally, sources marked with an asterisk were consulted in the preparation of this guide.

Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, who is also an elected member of Parliament, provides direction regarding DIBP’s administration of the immigration laws. The Minister’s website offers, among other things the Press releases and Minister’s profile.

Procedures Advice Manual and Migration Series Instructions: DIBP spells out its procedures and policies in the Procedures Advice Manual (PAM). The current edition of PAM is PAM3. DIAC also issues Migration Series Instructions (MSIs), which comment on specific issues relevant to immigration legislation and regulations. MSIs are eventually incorporated into the PAM.

Ministerial Directions: The Migration Act 1958 authorizes the Minister for Immigration to issue directions to a person or body who has powers or functions under the Migration Act 1958. These directions are usually called Ministerial Directions. Currently, there are a number in effect on a variety of subject matters, ranging from circumstances when DIAC should refuse or cancel a visa to the order in which DIAC should process various types of visa applications.

Migration Act 1958: The Migration Act 1958 is currently primary legislation concerning immigration. It sets out the law regulating entry and migration. To that end, it sets out the framework for various types of visas, establishes sanctions for violations of the law, outlines the regulation of migration agents and the judicial review of certain immigration decisions, and so on. The Act was first passed in 1958 but has been amended many times since then.

Life is Beyond Borders

story started over two decades ago when decided to dedicate careers to helping people immigrate to the United States. Since then, law firm has focused solely on the practice of immigration law, and have helped thousands of clients with their journey.

Employment-Based Immigration/Green Cards

There are various ways for a company to sponsor a worker for permanent residency (“green card”) or for a worker to obtain one individually. firm helps both companies and employees navigate this complex process. are the ways to obtain permanent residency under immigration system.

Persons of Extraordinary Ability – This category is for people with extraordinary ability in sciences, arts, education, business or athletics which has been demonstrated by sustained national or international acclaim and whose achievements have been recognized in the field through extensive documentation; who seek entry to continue work in the area of extraordinary ability; and whose entry will substantially benefit the United States.

In this category, the individual doesn’t need an employer to sponsor him or her, but it is a very high standard.  The individual will have to prove that they have risen to the very top percentage in their field through objective documentation from recognized experts in their field.

Outstanding Researchers and Professors– This category is for people who are recognized internationally as outstanding in a specific academic area; have 3 years experience in teaching or research in the academic area; and who seek entry for (a) a tenure teaching position, (b) a comparable position at a university or institute of higher education to conduct research, or (c) a comparable position to conduct research with a private employer if it employs at least 3 persons full-time in research activities and the department or institution has achieved documented accomplishments in the academic field.

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Dermatologist Moisturizer Recommendation

What a dermatologist can do for you?

What is a dermatologist?

A dermatologist is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of health conditions of the hair, nails, and skin. They can diagnose and treat more than 3,000 diseases of the skin, hair, and nails, as well as cosmetic concerns.

They are experts in skincare and have extensive knowledge and training in the management of cosmetic disorders of the skin (such as acne, warts, hair loss, birthmarks, and scars). They often deal with conditions that are more than just skin deep and may be associated with many diseases of the blood, organs, and organ systems.

Dermatologists may often perform specialized procedures for the diagnosis of conditions related to the skin. They may provide treatments such as:

  • Topical (externally applied), injected, and oral medicines
  • Ultraviolet (UV) light therapy
  • Several surgical procedures on the skin
  • Cosmetic procedures, such as chemical peels, micro-dermabrasion (a procedure to exfoliate the skin,) and sclerotherapy (a procedure commonly done to treat certain conditions of the blood vessels)

Dermatologists may have training and experience in areas such as:  

  • Electrosurgery (surgical use of high-frequency electric current for cutting or destroying tissue)
  • Cryosurgery (it involves freezing tissue to treat conditions)
  • Laser surgery
  • Excision surgery (involving removal by cutting) with appropriate closures (including skin grafts)

What exactly does a dermatologist do?

Dermatologists perform many medical procedures and non-invasive therapies to treat a variety of conditions. Your doctor can complete many of them in the office. Some of these include:

  • Expert diagnosis of skin conditions that may confound other providers.
  • Biopsies remove small sections of skin for further testing.
  • Chemical peels remove the top layer of skin to reveal regenerated skin beneath. These treat sun-damaged skin, acne, or for cosmetic reasons.
  • Cosmetic injections, such as Botox or collagen fillers, are used to improve the appearance of wrinkles and increase facial fullness.
  • Cryotherapy uses liquid nitrogen to remove skin lesions, such as warts.
  • Dermabrasion removes the top layer of skin to reduce scar tissue, tattoos, precancerous lesions and can lessen the appearance of wrinkles.
  • Hair restoration is performed through methods like medication or hair transplants.
  • Laser surgery treats skin and cosmetic issues, such as scars, tumors, moles, birthmarks, and warts, tattoo removal, and excess hair.
  • Lesion excision is a surgical procedure to remove a skin lesion to prevent cancer from spreading, to reduce the chance of an infection spreading, to alleviate symptoms if there is pain or bleeding, for cosmetic reasons, or biopsy.
  • Liposuction removes fatty tissue for cosmetic purposes.
  • Moh’s surgery removes cancerous cells.
  • Sclerotherapy treats varicose and spider veins.
  • Skin grafts repair damaged or missing skin.
  • UV phototherapy treats psoriasis, dermatitis, and vitiligo.

When should I see a dermatologist?

One common reason people go to a dermatologist is to treat acne. A simple pimple or two usually responds to over-the-counter treatments and products or can be treated by a primary care provider, but more persistent lesions can cause permanent scarring when left untreated. A dermatologist provides tailored guidance, advice on daily skin care, and when necessary, a prescription treatment option for long-term results.

Beyond acne, there are a number of reasons you may make an appointment with a dermatologist or receive a referral to a dermatologist from your primary care provider. These include situations when you:

  • Are experiencing general skin problems, such as redness, itchiness, or pigment changes.
  • Notice a mole has changed in size, shape, or color.
  • Have a rash that is itchy, swollen, or bothersome.
  • Have dry, itchy, or irritated skin that isn’t improving with over-the-counter treatments.
  • Want to discuss ways to improve signs of aging, such as smooth wrinkles or tighten skin.
  • Have varicose veins or spider veins.
  • Are experiencing severe allergic reaction, such poison ivy, oak, or sumac.
  • Have chronic or severe acne.
  • Notice thinning hair or bald spots.
  • Have a sore or cut that isn’t healing or looks infected.

Are there different types of dermatologists?

Some dermatologists may continue their medical training after becoming board-certified dermatologists. Specialties within dermatology include:

  • Dermatopathology: They specialize in both dermatology and pathology. They examine a piece of skin or tissue (biopsy samples) with a microscope to diagnose medical conditions.
  • Mohs surgery: Mohs surgeons perform a specialized procedure called Mohs surgery to treat skin cancer.
  • Pediatric dermatology: Pediatric dermatologists specialize in treating skin, hair, and nail conditions in children, including infants.

Things Your Dermatologist Can Do to Make You Look Younger, Faster

They Can Turn Small Lines Into No Lines

A new hyaluronic acid filler, recently approved by the FDA, can diminish the tiniest and most superficial of lines. And that’s big news. Belotero Balance spreads out evenly instead of clumping up like other fillers, so you don’t have to inject it deep into the tissue.The small particles and malleable texture make it possible to smooth shallow lines instantly while maintaining a bump-free surface. It’s perfect for filling in fine lines around the lips and even crow’s-feet. And because the needle only penetrates the skin’s top layers, there’s far less bruising involved.

They Can Give You a Ten-Minute Nose Job

One common sign of aging is as plain as the nose on your face. Actually, it is the nose on your face. The nose flattens and widens as we age. “One of the quickest and easiest ways to look younger is to reshape it with a filler. A hyaluronic acid filler (Perlane, Juvéderm, Restylane) injected right into the dorsum (the bony line straight down the center) slims the nose and even corrects bumps and imperfections. Doctors can also add a tiny dose of Botox under the tip for a more youthful profile. Your nose becomes more hooked as you age, which drags down the entire face. Botox lifts it up and takes off years in about ten minutes.

They Can Get Rid of a Bruise

When your face makes contact with an open kitchen-cabinet door, there are two things that will help ease the imminent black-and-blue (and purple and yellow) mark. The first is cursing like a sailor. The second is dialing your dermatologist. It takes about 48 hours for a bruise to develop fully. At that point, a patient can come in, and we’ll treat it with a simple V-Beam vascular laser. The procedure takes only 20 seconds, and the bruise will fade by the end of the day. Who the hell knew?

Easy Home Remodeling Tips

Things to Consider When Renovating Your Home

Whether a part of your house is in desperate need of a remodel, or you simply want to start all over with the decor and feel – there are vital things to consider during the renovation process. Here are the main things you shouldn’t forget when renovating your home

Meticulously create a plan of action before doing anything – and stay organized with it!

Like anyone else ready to renovate their home from the bottom up, excitement can make you forget that a lot of prep work needs to be done before diving into anything. Make sure you have a plan of action in how to handle deconstructing and gutting certain areas, make a schedule of when to commit to specific actions – such as painting and deep-cleaning, etc., and of course, stick to your plan! With an organized plan keeping tabs on everything you need to do, you never need to worry about feeling frazzled in the midst of the chaotic but exciting renovation process.

Know your budget – and stick to it

While building your dream house is the ultimate goal, it’s important to not get too ahead of yourself with what you can actually afford. Therefore, you need to be firm with yourself on a budget and prepare yourself for things going wrong. By knowing your budget while still having a cushion of extra money, you can rest assured that there won’t be any financial issues to worry about.

Your safety should be the most important concern

Accidents can happen, so you need to be prepared for them and take precaution to avoid hazardous situations all-together. Never skip out on wearing protective head and eye gear, keep gloves on at all times and dress in appropriate clothing that can handle dirt, grime, and unexpected elements.

Find a reliable contractor

Your contractor should always meet your expectations. They are the foundation for aiding you in tackling big projects, such as replacing the roof and tearing down or building walls. Check out online reviews of local contractors to find the best of the best, or ask your family and friends for referrals to ones they have done business with in the past.

Understand how tools work before you use them

Sometimes, things will work in a straightforward manner – that is rarely the case for power tools. When it comes to power-tools or any other necessary item from the hardware store, you need to fully understand what a tool is used for, how to use it, and how to be safe using it. This diminishes the possibility of any unwanted accidents from happening.

Home Renovation Ideas (Home Remodeling Tips)

Home Renovation Ideas

When it comes to remodeling and decorating your home, it’s always helpful to see what’s popular and trending. If you haven’t updated your home for a while, you’re in for a treat. Technologies have improved so that there are more durable and great looking options for more affordable prices, and many innovations have allowed more smart technology breakthroughs with more convenience

Open floor plans

This trend has been emerging for years now, and I’m constantly seeing home buyers look for open concept floor plans during the home buying process…or else they are checking to see which walls are load bearing and what they can knock down the week after they close on a home.   Open concept floor plans have so many advantages. Not only do they make your space look larger, but they also make the cooking, dining, and gathering spots more informal, flexible and cozy. Most often, the kitchen space is opened up into a family room space (even if that means eliminating the dining room). This way, mom can keep an eye on the kids without hovering over them. Friends and guests have an easy way to gather for coffee and chat.   In addition, open floor plans allow more light into the home, so it brightens the area up and makes it look more cheery. And, it gives you more flexibility in your space for furniture, addition of an island and multiple seating areas.

Let the sun shine in…more windows and more lights

During the day, everyone loves to have natural light. We are seeing larger (as well as more) windows that allow natural light in as well as leverage the view of the outdoor landscape. You will be amazed at what a difference replacing and enhancing your windows can make.   Many older windows have developed a haze on the glass (sometimes because the double pane has been broken) and the frames often have many layers of gunky paint. In addition, most newer windows are more energy efficient, so they will make the indoor temperature more comfortable while helping save money on your energy bills. With larger windows, more light poring in and updated white framing, it will give your room a whole new look.  On the lighting front (for the evening), we have seen a revolution in lighting. Not only do we see lighting in more areas (e.g. under cabinet lighting, over island lighting, kick plate lighting), but we are seeing many pendant lights that add style and personality to a room, especially in kitchens, entry areas, family rooms, dining rooms and living rooms. These can range from rustic/farmhouse style lights to super modern and contemporary lighting options. The possibilities are endless.   As a nice little side benefit, you’ll be happy to know that the new age lights are more efficient and longer lasting than the halogen or fluorescent bulbs. 

Master bedroom suites

The master bedroom suite has really become a true sanctuary, especially among luxury home buyers. The suite includes a larger and luxurious bathroom (often spa-like), his and her large customized closets/changing areas, a larger main room, and often an extra room which is sometimes used as an office or exercise room, or temporary nursery area.   Bathrooms tend to have all of the bells and whistles with an upgraded shower (i.e. larger and multiple shower heads, seating areas, glass enclosures. The vanities tend to include double bowls (undermount) and we are even starting to see smart and heated toilets, and of course radiant heat floors. Some are even opting for wireless music systems and warming drawers.

Smart home innovations

The appliances and homes are just getting smarter and smarter. We are starting to see refrigerators that will alert you when grocery items are running low (and soon, they’ll make it easy to reorder them, too). Coffee makers can be programmed to have your coffee brewed and ready for when you wake up. Lighting and heating systems can be programmed with to adjust based on time of day and they can be adjusted from smart phones and tablets. And, of course more and more people are using Alexa for more tasks.

Useful hacks to renovate your house on budget

Breathing life into an old home is a pretty challenging job. You start off with small renovations around the house but soon enthusiasm gets the better of you and you end up with huge bills for things that you may not necessarily need. If you want to avoid such mistakes and run the process smoothly, follow our house remodeling ideas to make budget-friendly improvements to your home

HOME IMPROVEMENT IDEAS TO RENOVATE YOUR HOUSE ON A BUDGET

Start off by making updates to your kitchen and living room as they not only make your home look good but can also increase its value in the eyes of the buyers.

Pre-planning

Before a single inch of your kitchen space sees the sledgehammer, focus on everything that might require remodeling. This is very important because one of the factors that usually blows away the budget is selecting supplies for the kitchen on a whim during the renovation. Pre-planning will also help you avoid the situation when the product you want is unavailable, and you are ultimately forced to pick an alternative that might be costly. You will know about the status of the product beforehand and you will work accordingly. This will also help you renovate your house at a reasonable price.

Picking Colours for Outdated Cabinet Design

Getting a new set of cabinets is one of the major expenses one could run into. Also, the procedure of kitchen cabinet refacing – adding a new sheet of wood to the exterior of the cabinets – is quite costly. If your cabinets are in a satisfactory condition, consider keeping them and perhaps just giving them a fresh coat of paint so they look brighter, cleaner and fresher. It is one of the best house remodeling ideas that you can use to make your house look elegant.

Lighting

Who wouldn’t appreciate a bright and well-lit area for cooking? Just a single installation of the light fixtures such as a pendant lamp or any overhead/ceiling LED light can make a huge impact, without busting your budget, enabling you to renovate your house in a cost-effective way. An under-cabinet light fixture or a ‘task light’ would be great for increasing luminescence on the cooking surface.

Top home renovation myths that we’re busting today

If you’ve recently made the decision to do some home renovation, you probably have a billion questions about how you can best go about doing so. Improving your home is going to require a hefty investment of your time, effort and money, so it’s important to ensure that you make the right choices from the get-go

Want to separate fact from fiction? Let’s go ahead and debunk some of the top home renovation myths out there which may be holding you back from achieving your perfect dream home.

You save a heck of a lot of money doing home renovation yourself

This is one of the most common home renovation myths – if you want to save money, it’s best to do it yourself instead of hiring a professional.

You should always choose the lowest bidder

When it comes to hiring an interior designer or contractor, many people believe that the best method is to get 2-3 different quotations and pick the lowest one. (Alternatively, some others believe it’s better to go with the most expensive option, as higher fees indicate a higher level of experience.)

Any remodelling project will add value to your home

This is another common myth – that any remodelling project you do will increase your home’s value.

Here’s when to renovate your home and when to move

Renovating your current home

If you decide to stay put and renovate your current home, the No. 1 thing to do is be organized, said. “So many people, they just jump into wanting to renovate right away, or they start buying products to put in their house, but they haven’t organized,” he said.

Buying a new home

There are some things you just aren’t going to be able to change about your current house. It may be that you need to send your child to a specific school district. The lot size or house size just may be too small, or it doesn’t have enough bedrooms to fit your growing family.

Another thing to consider is how much money you’ll have to spend on a renovation to get what you want. It may be better to move, instead. “There’s a capped value in every neighborhood for any house,” said.

“So it’s good to have a real estate agent do an assessment of what the value would be after a renovation and then compare that to what it would be for a house that’s big enough for what you need in a different neighborhood that has more space.” Also, if your renovation goes over the assessed value, you could be in trouble down the road.

“The easy rule of thumb is at any given point if you, in an emergency, had to sell the home, you want to make sure that you’re not upside down,”

Car Auto Repair Watch And Learn

Automotive repair and maintenance

Automotive repair and maintenance facilities have been declared an essential operation during the COVID-19 outbreak. As such, will remain open and be here to serve you. Please know that first concern is the safety of employees and customers. During this time, will take additional precautions in servicing your vehicle. These measures may include using a seat cover, steering wheel cover, and wiping down door and shift handles. will also ensure sick employees stay home. may close waiting room. Please call ahead for the most current information, but know that are here to serve you and keep your vehicle running during these difficult times

affordable automotive maintenance and repair services including 4×4 Services, Brakes, Car & Truck Care, Electric and Hybrid Vehicle , Electrical Services, Electronic Services, Engine & Transmission, Engine Maintenance, General Services, Heating and Cooling Services, Ignition Interlock Systems , Import Cars & Trucks, Miscellaneous Services, Quick Lube Services, Tires, Towing, Transmission Services and Undercar Services.

have experience servicing all makes and models of domestic and import vehicles, and honored to keep vehicles throughout the area reliable and well-maintained. skillful mechanics will take great care of your vehicle too, quickly diagnosing any problems and offering cost-effective solutions to get you back on the road.

Authorized Jasper Dealer

Give Your Vehicle a New Lease on Life with JASPER. That big oil slick in your driveway or those strange noises from under your hood don’t have to mean you’ll be saddled with a new car payment soon.

Cylinder Block

A cylinder block is the powerhouse for the motor vehicle. The solid cast car part houses the cylinders and their components (gaskets, valves, and seals) inside a lubricated and cooled crankcase. Since it is one of the most important parts of your car, the block is designed to be extremely strong and sturdy. Although strong and sturdy, the block is susceptible to failure resulting in a vehicle that won’t start. Cracked blocks, porous blocks, core plug, or freeze plug failure are some of the problems facing cylinder blocks

Know Your Rights in Auto Repair

Smart Shopping for Auto Repairs

You can help avoid trouble with an unreliable or dishonest repair shop by following these tips:

Use the “Find a DMV-regulated Business” service to find a registered repair shop in your area.

Ask your family, friends and co-workers for advice on reliable repair shops in your area, as well as those you should avoid.

Keep all records, including estimates, invoices, work orders, receipts, guarantees and warranties. Besides their importance in case you file a repair complaint, these papers serve as your record of service, and could increase your vehicle’s resale value.

If you authorize repair work by phone, write down the date and time, the name of the person you spoke with, any estimated price quoted, and other pertinent details.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Management of a shop should take the time to explain required repairs and prices, discuss problems, and tell you about the training and experience of employees.

Written Estimate

If you request it, the repair shop must give you a written estimate of the parts and labor necessary for each specific repair. The shop may charge a reasonable fee for developing a written estimate, but the labor charge for an estimate may not exceed the shop’s usual hourly labor charge.

Authorizing Work

A shop may not perform any services unless you give your permission. If the shop prepares a written work order, it must give you a copy. If you prepare a written work order, the shop must attach it to the invoice. If work is authorized verbally or by telephone, the invoice must show the date, time, and name of the person giving authorization.

Parts

You are entitled to the return of all replaced parts, except warranty and exchange parts, but you must ask for them in writing before any work is done. If you authorize work by phone, the shop must keep any replaced parts, and make them available when you pick up the vehicle.

Invoice

When repairs are completed, the shop must give you a detailed invoice listing each repair done, each part replaced, the cost for each, and the cost of labor. The invoice must show which replacement parts, if any, are used, or not of original quality. It must show the odometer reading at the time you left the vehicle for repair and when the invoice was prepared. If the shop promised a delivery date, that must be listed on the repair order. If you received a written estimate, compare it with the invoice and try to resolve any questions before you pay for the repairs.

AUTO REPAIR EXPERTS

has provided dependable auto repair and maintenance service to the community. are dedicated to becoming your dealership alternative by providing affordable auto repair and outstanding customer service every time.

repair shop for everything from check engine light diagnostics to heating & air conditioning repair. Using the same state of the art diagnostic equipment as your local dealership and our team is comprised of ASE Certified Master Technicians.

team works on all makes and models, both foreign and domestic. number one priority is your safety, and always deliver. understand the hassle that is involved with auto repair and maintenance. Moreover, are here to help alleviate some of that stress and get you and your car safely back on the road as quickly as possible.

help you avoid unexpected breakdowns and repairs. complete this by providing timely maintenance service. customized maintenance plans fit not only you the driver, but your vehicle as well. This includes tire repair & maintenance

promise to deliver technical expertise, fair prices, and a commitment to customer service. will remind you up upcoming service needed to help preserve your vehicle’s performance and fuel efficiency.

Auto Repair

Trust experts to diagnose, repair and maintain your vehicles, keeping you safely on the road.

QUALITY CAR REPAIR

rely on cars for important tasks, getting to and from work, shuttling kids to school and soccer practice, as well as running countless errands. That’s why any sudden knock, screech or shudder coming from cars can cause a ton of stress.

TAKE CARE OF YOU AND YOUR CAR

Leave the grease to and relax in clean, comfortable waiting area. Help yourself to a fresh cup of coffee even check in on Facebook with free Wi-Fi service. If your vehicle will be staying with for a while

It’s not a secret that if you want your vehicle to run smoothly and last a long time, you need to pay attention to its regular maintenance.

Your vehicle’s manufacturer has a detailed maintenance schedule for services suggested to be done at different times and at mileage points for you particular vehicle. This will guarantee the best possible care for your car, truck, or SUV.

Auto Repair & Maintenance Services

Engine Diagnostics Service

Is your check engine light on? The issue could be as simple as a loose gas cap or as complex as internal engine repair. Pairing up state of the art equipment with our professional certified technicians gives us the ability to diagnose the concern and determine what repairs are needed to get you safely back on the road.

Engine Repair

Take care of your engine, and your car has a better chance of lasting for the long haul. If you stay on top of your engine maintenance and tend to any engine repairs immediately, your car or truck will last longer. Our expert, ASE–certified technicians will be able to tell you what’s going on under the hood. From emissions diagnostics to car engine repairs, part replacement to general engine maintenance.

Brake Service

If your brakes squeal or grind, grab causing jerky stops or your warning light flashes it may be time for a brake system inspection. Our brake service package includes a thorough brake system evaluation, brake pad or brake shoe replacement, and off-vehicle resurfacing of drums or rotors

AC Inspection & Repair

When auto air conditioning systems break down, refrigerant leaks. Not only is refrigerant harmful to the environment, it’s also harmful to your car. Leaking refrigerant can damage your vehicle’s evaporator and compressor. Getting a car air conditioner service at the first sign of trouble will save you both money and time.

Tune Up

Regular engine tune-ups bring power and efficiency back to your car. For your car to get its best gas mileage and engine performance, it needs clean fuel injectors, air filters, and fuel filters. Plus, its spark plugs need to be in good condition. That’s why we examine your vehicle’s air filter when you stop in, and it’s why we recommend you follow manufacturer recommendations for replacing key components like filters and spark plugs when they’re past their prime.

Self Fullerton Mold Remediation Versus Professional Fullerton Mold Remediation

Mold Removal or Remediation?

Since microscopic mold spores exist naturally almost everywhere, indoors and outdoors, removing all mold from a home or business is impossible. Some restoration businesses advertise “mold removal” and even guarantee to remove all mold. This is a fallacy.

A qualified restoration company understands the science behind mold and mold growth. Professionals have the training and expertise to remediate the mold in your home or business. Mold remediation focuses on getting mold levels back to normal, natural levels.

Every mold damage scenario is different and requires a unique solution, but the general mold remediation process stays the same.

Do You Know How to Prevent Mold in Your Home?

Unless you are attempting to make blue cheese or penicillin mold is not something that you want to be messing with or run across in your home or business. Mold can grow anywhere with a lot of moisture present, such as around leaks in roofs, windows, or pipes as well as paper products, cardboard, ceiling tiles, and wood products. Mold can be a difficult and costly problem to fix, but it also can produce harmful allergens and irritants that can compromise your health.

According to the Mother Nature Network here are nine ways to prevent moisture indoors, and the mold that thrives on it.

Identify problem areas in your home and correct them.

Dry wet areas immediately.

Prevent moisture with proper ventilation.

Equip your home with mold-resistant products.

Monitor humidity indoors.

Direct water away from your home.

Clean or repair roof gutters.

Improve air flow in your home.

Keep mold off household plants.

Mold and Your Health

Exposure to damp and moldy environments may cause a variety of health effects, or none at all.  Areas that are likely to have mold, such as compost piles, cut grass, and wooded areas.

Molds are part of the natural environment. Outdoors, molds play a part in nature by breaking down dead organic matter such as fallen leaves and dead trees, but indoors, mold growth should be avoided. Molds reproduce by means of tiny spores; the spores are invisible to the naked eye and float through outdoor and indoor air. Mold may begin growing indoors when mold spores land on surfaces that are wet. There are many types of mold, and none of them will grow without water or moisture.

The key to mold control is moisture control. If mold is a problem in your home, you should clean up the mold promptly and ix the water problem.

Bathroom Remodeling After Mold Damage

When mold infests an home, the damage and the restoration costs can vary widely. If caught quickly after the mold begins growing, both are minor, and the emphasis stays on cleaning and removing mold from surfaces. If the mold has had months to grow unnoticed, then the focus can shift to removal and replacement of affected property, both personal and structural.

When this happens, Albany homeowners have a unique opportunity for remodeling their homes, especially the bathroom. technicians can remove the tiles, shower, bathtub, and other bath items, and replace them at the direction of the homeowner.

Problems with Mold

Microscopic mold spores naturally occur almost everywhere, both outdoors and indoors. This makes it impossible to remove all mold from a home or business. Therefore, mold remediation reduces the mold spore count back to its natural or baseline level. Some restoration businesses advertise “mold removal” and even guarantee to remove all mold, which is a fallacy.

Consider the following mold facts:

Mold is present almost everywhere, indoors and outdoors.

Mold spores are microscopic and float along in the air and may enter your home through windows, doors, or AC/heating systems or even hitch a ride indoors on your clothing or a pet.

Mold spores thrive on moisture. Mold spores can quickly grow into colonies when exposed to water. These colonies may produce allergens and irritants.

Before mold remediation can begin, any sources of water or moisture must be addressed. Otherwise, the mold may return.

Mold often produces a strong, musty odor and can lead you to possible mold problem areas.

Even higher-than-normal indoor humidity can support mold growth. Keep indoor humidity below 45 percent

Molds, Mildews

Molds are fungi that can be found both outdoors as well as indoors. Due to the fact that live are more prone to molds and mildews because of the over all moister in the air. Molds and mildews mostly grows in warm, damp and humid conditions such as ours. offer many services to our community, one of the being mold remediation.

Mold vs Mildew

Mold and mildew are both types of fungi, but they are strikingly different when it comes to size, color and texture. Both mold and mildew are attracted to moist warm areas, where they can grow and spread easily; such as food, walls, ceiling, showers, etc. Mold is usually fuzzy or slimy in appearance and shaped in spots that can have different colors, such as blue, green, yellow, brown, grey, black or white. Mildew on the other hand can be described as a specific type of mold, and has a flat growth that remains on the surface and can be easily removed.

A Little Bit About Mold

Mold sounds like a very scary thing. Most people have it in there minds that once you see or smell mold, that you are already sick. This could not be more wrong. Lets take a second real quick and learn a little about mold. Mold is a fungus, and it grows virtually everywhere on Earth. aren’t exactly sure how many mold species there are, but it seems to be in the tens of thousands. When addressing any mold growth in your home, it’s important to understand which type of mold you’re working with. It’s also necessary to be aware of the common places to find mold in your home. Not to mention, the environment in which your home resides in. If there is more moisture, there is more of a chances for mold.

Mold Remediation and Restoration

Mold, under the right conditions and with a little time can grow. What might seem like a small water leak can actually lead to a more serious mold problem. Mold is naturally occurring, it’s natures way of turning things back into the dirt; mold is a natural recycler. But in your home or in your business, it’s unhelpful and not welcome. When you find out that you have a mold problem it can be initially unsettling. Because mold has a seemingly good press agent and gets a lot of good coverage in the news, there is a lot of hysteria surrounding the subject. That coverage can be frightening. In a home or business, mold should be addressed properly, with the right tools and with the right training.

Understanding Mold

Confusion and misunderstanding surround the topic of mold and mold remediation. Some restoration businesses even make claims to remove all mold from a building. This is a fallacy. Mold spores occur naturally almost everywhere, both indoors and outdoors. These microscopic spores float along in the air and can enter a home or business through windows and HVAC systems.

Consider these facts:

Mold is present almost everywhere, indoors and outdoors.

Mold spores are microscopic and float along in the air and may enter your home through windows, doors, or AC/heating systems or even hitch a ride indoors on your clothing or a pet.

Mold spores thrive on moisture. Mold spores can quickly grow into colonies when exposed to water. These colonies may produce allergens and irritants.

Before mold remediation can begin, any sources of water or moisture must be addressed. Otherwise, the mold may return.

Mold often produces a strong, musty odor and can lead you to possible mold problem areas.

Even higher-than-normal indoor humidity can support mold growth. Keep indoor humidity below 45 percent

The Mold Remediation Process

Every mold infestation is different, from the amount of mold to the types of materials affected. Each scenario requires a unique solution, but the general process stays the same

The steps listed below illustrate our process for a “typical” mold remediation infestation:

Emergency Contact

Inspection and Mold Damage Assessment

Mold Containment

Air Filtration

Removing Mold and Mold-Infested Materials

Cleaning Contents and Belongings

Restoration

How to tell if your apartment has mold—and how to get rid of it

It doesn’t matter where you live a solid, old-school prewar or a brand-new modern building—you may still have to deal with the problem of mold.

a water damage and mold remediator at Restorations, a restoration company, reports that his company deals with newer buildings with mold problems more than older ones.

Newer buildings don’t breathe as much, and if there is some kind of leak or water damage, mold can grow.” Older buildings tend to have fewer materials that mold can grow on, whereas engineered flooring, sheetrock, and processed materials are “junk food for mold,”

Pro Tip: Many types of mold present a serious health hazard. And getting rid of mold is expensive. “Very often, your landlord, co-op or condo building should bear the cost.  To get them to act responsibly, you may need to take legal steps,”

“An attorney who knows what they are doing can find the leverage points of your situation. Sometimes, all it takes is a letter from your lawyer.”

Residential Cleaning Methods Step By Step Process

House Cleaning List

Are you always tired of playing catch-up with house cleaning ? Having a good list of things to clean will decrease your stress and make you more efficient. With this chore checklist app, you no longer have to worry if you missed a spot, saving you the embarrassment when you have guests over

you can easily create cleaning lists for various occassions – like when guests are coming over or for weekend cleaning etc. Customize it to your preference

PLEASE NOTE: All the features listed in the description are INCLUDED with the purchase. The in-app purchase option is used only if you want to purchase additional templates (in addition to house cleaning list).

Quick navigation – just swipe right to reveal the left pane. “Quick add” features. You can add notes, quantity and an additional measurement.

The app requires internet permission so that you can avail the cloud sync features. Internet is NOT needed if you do not register for cloud sync.

FAQ’S About Cleaning

Below is a list of the most frequently asked questions about our cleaning services. I hope they will be helpful

Q. Is a long-term contract required for service?

Absolutely not. Our services are provided as needed to suit your busy lifestyle. There are no long-term contracts or obligations required.

Q. Are you insured?

Yes. Alert Cleaning is fully insured with 1,000,000 liability insurance to protect your home and to give you peace of mind.

Q. What all is included in your cleaning service?

Please review our thorough house cleaning checklist for a list of services we perform for each type of cleaning.

Q. What is green Home Cleaning?

We pamper all our clients with our Ecofriendly House cleaning. There is no extra charge for this, The difference is that your home is cleaned with Natural Cleaning Products of harsh cleaning chemicals.

HOW TO FIND THE BEST HOUSE CLEANING PRICES

If you are looking to have your home cleaned by a professional company, one of the primary factors in your search will be the price of their services

While price is important, it is secondary to getting the right cleaning company for your needs. It does little good to pay a company that does not do good work or lacks other important requirements when better services are available. In finding the best house cleaning prices, you must first make sure that the company you hire can do the job right.

How Cleaning Companies Work

A house cleaning company will have trained personnel who bring the equipment, supplies, and their experience in cleaning houses to your home. Most charge package prices for regularly scheduled cleaning, such as once per week, once per month, and so forth. Plus, they offer deep cleaning services for spring cleaning and a one-time cleaning when you move out or into a home or when you host a party or event.

How to Find The Right Cleaning Company

The first step should be to consider the recommendations of trusted friends and family that use a professional cleaning service. This offers a good place to start, but keep in mind that getting recommendations is the first step. You still need to do your own research in finding the right company.

Licensed & Insured:

All professional cleaning companies in the states must be properly licensed and have insurance in case of an accident before considering them. Licensing means that they are properly qualified and recognized by the government to do the work. A company without proper licensing should never be considered. Being insured means that if they cause an accident in your home, their insurance will cover the damages. Otherwise, you might be left holding the bill.

Things to Remember When Starting a Cleaning Business

When starting a business in just about any industry, there are certain things you need to know and remember that will be critical to the survival of your company.

Don’t Spread Yourself Too Thin

By trying to please everyone in every segment of the cleaning industry, you are spreading yourself too thin.

Don’t Take on Every Client

Taking every available job that is thrown at you is just setting your business up for disaster.

Do Your Research

Before making a decision, whether it be on your niche or where you plan to offer your services, do your research!

Keep Costs Very, VERY Low

At the beginning, you want to keep your costs extremely low. When starting out, you don’t need an office space, and you don’t need the best of the best technologies; you just need what you must have to get by (while sustaining a good reputation, of course).

Cleaning Supplies and Cleaning Products Recommended

suggest the following cleaning tools to tackle household chores:

MICROFIBER CLOTHS: A professional housecleaner’s best friend, these specially-made nylon cloths grab and hold more dirt and germs than regular cotton cloths due to “hooks and loops,” and can be used wet or dry. Wash and reuse them repeatedly, but launder them separately and don’t use any fabric softener.

VACUUM: Do you live with pets? Allergies? Flights of stairs? Want fresh carpet and clean hardwood floors? Check weight, maneuverability, filtering system and accessories before you buy a vacuum to ensure it meets your requirements. Those equipped with HEPA filters (like the ones The Maids use) remove up to 99 percent of particulates, including dust and allergens, which is especially helpful for people with seasonal or animal allergies.

DISINFECTANT WIPES: These are perfect for in-between kitchen and bathroom cleaning, including sinks and countertops. When cleaning your bathroom, remember not to cross- contaminate wipes between toilets and sinks.

RUBBER GLOVES: When house cleaning, be kind to your hands, especially when using hot water or harsh cleaning products.

BRUSHES: An essential addition to your cleaning supplies! Whether kitchen cleaning or bathroom scrubbing, a few good brushes can transform a ho-hum cleaning job into a sparkling success. A toilet brush scrubs off stubborn stains. An old toothbrush releases mold and grime from tile, tight places or grout. A larger scrub brush is perfect for removing soap scum and other hard-to-remove substances.