Year: 2019

Questions to Ask When Having a Sprinkler System Installed
Plumbing Services

Questions to Ask When Having a Sprinkler System Installed

- by Avery James

You need to protect your business from the possibility of being burned down in a fire. The obvious way to do this is by installing a sprinkler system. These have saved thousands of business owners from complete disaster. It is a worthwhile investment. You will be very thankful that you paid to have sprinklers installed in the event that a fire does occur inside your business. You should never just randomly hire a company to install your sprinkler system. Here are a few of the questions that you will need to pose to any company you are thinking about hiring for this project.

1. What type of sprinkler system would you recommend that I install in by business?

You would be wise to get the opinions of professionals regarding the sprinkler system that you will be using to protect your business. There are many different sprinkler systems on the market. Some are much better at protecting certain types of businesses than others. Therefore, it is crucial that you have a firm understanding of the type of sprinkler system that will be right for you. Call a company that performs fire sprinkler installation California and ask for their opinion regarding the sprinkler system that you should use.

2. What sort of warranty will you give me on the work that you perform?

All of the most reputable companies in the sprinkler installation industry will give you some sort of warranty. The length of the warranty and the specific things it will cover are going to vary depending on the company that you are dealing with. You should never hire a company to install your sprinkler system if they refuse to give you any warranty on their work at all.

3. How long will the installation take?

Ask the company that will …

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Caring for a Hardwood Floor
Hardwood Tile

Caring for a Hardwood Floor

- by Avery James

While farmhouse hardwood floors are more durable than many other kinds of flooring, you still need to know how to care for them if you want them to look their best. Here are some tips that will help you.

Caring for a Hardwood Floor

Cleaning a Hardwood Floor

One of the best parts of having hardwood flooring in your home is that you don’t have to vacuum your floors every week. On the other hand, you will have to take a dust mop to your floors regularly. This will pick up the dirt and debris that may have accumulated over the last week without leaving scratches in your floor.

Once you’ve swept up all the dust, your next step will be to go over the floor with a liquid cleaner that is designed for wood surfaces. If you don’t have a store-bought wood cleaner, you can always make some with one part vinegar and 10 parts warm water with a few drops of liquid soap. The solution can be applied to your floor with a regular mop.

Avoiding Scratches and Gouges

Scratches and gouges are common in hardwood floors, but they can be avoided as long as you are careful. First of all, avoid moving furniture without placing pads underneath the legs. In fact, try to avoid furniture that doesn’t have wheels or casters that can roll smoothly across the surface. If you must move any furniture that doesn’t have casters, you should carefully lift it and move into place.

You can also avoid scratches and gouges to an extent by placing some area rugs in places that will have a lot of foot traffic. You might even consider placing these rugs underneath coffee tables or TV stands if you’re really afraid of your furniture leaving unsightly scratches in your floor.

Refinishing Your Hardwood Floor

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Kitchen Updates: Two Options That Make a Big Difference
Kitchen Backsplash Tile

Kitchen Updates: Two Options That Make a Big Difference

- by Avery James

The kitchen is a well-used, popular place in any home. It’s where we eat, gather and spend a lot of our time. If your kitchen is showing its age or displaying signs of heavy wear it may be time to update it. Here are two options that give you the most bang for your buck when it comes to livening up your space.

Kitchen Updates: Two Options That Make a Big Difference

Flooring

The flooring you have in your kitchen should be practical and beautiful. The kitchen is prone to seeing spills and messy clean-ups so you want to choose flooring that can stand up to the demands of your home life. Vinyl flooring is one of the hottest trends in flooring right now. Not only is vinyl flooring durable, but it is also available in numerous styles, colors, and designs. If you want the look of natural stone or rich hardwood but don’t want to spend that kind of money, vinyl flooring is your answer. Manufacturers have developed methods to create vinyl that looks just like expensive marble or solid hardwood at a fraction of the cost.  So whether you want vinyl flooring in Orlando, FL or Anchorage, Alaska, there is a style to match your taste. 

Cabinets

The color of your cabinets can really liven up the mood in your kitchen. If you have a large budget you could have a cabinet company design a whole new layout for your space. However, a fresh coat of paint can also work magic in your kitchen. Whether you want the clean look of white cabinets or you want to make a statement with bold navy blue, painting can be a great economical choice. If you prefer the look of wood for your cabinets, consider restaining them. A painter can usually sand down the current stain and either add a fresh …

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The Right Broker Can Help You Find the Right Home
Contractor

The Right Broker Can Help You Find the Right Home

- by Avery James

When you are looking for the right house, having a good broker can make all the difference. Someone with the right certifications, experience and local advantage can show you homes you may not have been able to find on your own and get you a better deal for them.

The Right Broker Can Help You Find the Right Home

The Right Certifications

Your broker should be certified to buy and sell homes in your area. This can help you have more confidence in the search and sale as well as get you the best deals possible. You can usually see the certifications for a real estate broker Spring TX company by visiting their website. With a certified broker, you can be confident that he or she knows all of the applicable laws as well as how to best negotiate a deal.

The Right Experience

The more experience a broker has, the more likely you are to get the best deal possible. This can be especially true when you are listing a home of your own. If you go with a novice, you can be in for a bumpy learning curve. However, if you go with someone more experienced, then you can have access to the working relationships he or she has developed along the way.

The Right Local Advantage

When you choose a broker, it is a good idea to find one with local experience. This can give you an advantage in buying property in a new location or selling your current home. Local agents will know other local brokers and can have a working relationship with them to get you into homes new to the market as well as hidden gems.

Having a broker can make all the difference in buying and selling property. He or she can bring the right certifications, experience and local advantage to your …

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Importance of Home Insulation
Home Repair

Importance of Home Insulation

- by Avery James

If your house has been cold this winter, it may be time to consider Pittsburgh fiberglass insulation. Your comfort depends on more than the efficiency of your heating system. The quality of your home’s construction, especially its insulation, also matters.

Importance of Home Insulation

How Insulation Works

Heat flows from hotter areas to cooler areas. Therefore, in winter, heat from inside the home will tend to flow out of the home. In summer, heat from outside will tend to transfer inside the home. Insulating materials trap air in its layers which resist heat flow. In general, greater numbers of layers will result in less heat transfer.

Contractors will discuss insulation materials in terms of its R-value. The greater the R-value, the more it resists heat transfer. You will want to select the material that suits your climate and heating system. Websites for government energy agencies contain information about recommended R-values for different climate zones. Keep in mind that the amount of insulation that was required at the time that your home was built may not match today’s standards. Government agencies have increased R-value recommendations.

Cost Savings of Proper Insulation

Heating and cooling needs contribute a large percentage of a home’s energy costs. Utility bills can fluctuate wildly depending on the weather and the time of year. Reducing heat transfer with insulation will help lower your energy bills and make them more predictable. In addition, you can ask your tax professional if your city, state, or country offers tax credits to offset the cost of energy improvements.

To enjoy the greatest savings, make sure that you also seal all air leaks in your home. A professional home energy audit, offered by many utility companies and local government agencies, can help you find the air leaks. Be sure to check around all doors and …

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