eHome and Habitat

Here are several reasons why tile and grout restoring makes more sense than replacing your old tiles. The simple fact is that your tile and grout can be restored and updated to bring new life to your floors .

In this tough economy, it could be very costly to install a new floor, which could cost up to $9.00 per sq. feet. First, you have to remove your existing tile, which is quite a messy project. In some cases, you  people have had to temporarily move out of their homea. Then you have dump what usually turns out be a lot of debris.

Finding a good quality tile can cost a few dollars per square feet. And of course, find a reliable and reputable installer is not that easy. Most of them actually don’t show up. After all of that, you still have to seal your grout.

There are ways that you can chemically clean your floors, recolor your grout, and seal it. Usually, matching the grout color to the tile will give your floor a much larger appearance. If you have hollow tile, that too can be repaired with minimal counstruction mess. All this usually costs under 1.00 a sq. ft. You do the math.

Call you local tile and grout restorer a call for an estimate. The chances are,  they can save you a quite a bit of money. As far as your showers are concerned, they can also be chemically cleaned, regrouted and sealed to look like new for a  fraction of the cost to replace!

Well, this is Mace Budin of M&M Tile and Grout Restorers, hoping this little bit of information is useful and can save you money. Look for more articles online at www.macetilegrout.com

Remove all the clutter and all of your personal items. Buyers don’t want to see your hair brush, tooth brush or your cat’s litter. (Honestly this is what I walked into one day…) Now is the time to sort through what you really need to keep, give away, sell or throw out. Recycle where you can. Counter tops should be clear with the exception of a few accessories.

Clean until every single thing sparkles in this bathroom. If you have a shower curtain buyers will pull it back to see the condition of the tub so clean all the grout until it is white. One of the biggest changes and best investments is painting your walls. Choose a paint colour that will go with the colour scheme of your home which will be in a neutral colour. Light blues and/or greens are easy on the eye colours in bathrooms – think ’spa’ and calm – a warm beige is always a safe colour.If your lighting fixtures are old then replace them. You can buy very current brushed nickel light fixtures for very reasonable prices at Home Depot, Ikea, Canadian Tire or Rona. The old brass plates just don’t have the look home buyers want. Flooring does not have to be an expensive item for your bathroom update. There are many excellent products on the market. Peel and stick tiles work beautifully in small bathrooms and powder rooms. Linoleum works well in bathrooms. Choose a neutral tile not too dark and not too bright. Avoid using carpet in a bathroom. If you have an old sink and counter tops you can purchase some inexpensive replacements at ReStore Habitat for Humanity, Costco, Home Depot, Canadian Tire and/or Rona. There are many excellent low cost laminates that you can use for new counter tops. Double sinks are the rage right now but not worth the investment for selling. Toilets that are dated in colour such as green, pink, burgundy or blue are to be replaced with new white toilets and toilet seats. Try and keep all of the furnishings in the bathroom white or off white. Tubs and shower stalls can be more of a challenge if they are old and full of mildew. At the least clean as much as possible. Sometimes you can create a cleaner look simply by cleaning with a strong environmentally friendly cleanser and a toothbrush; then add a new grout. If you need to buy a new tub or stall while they may seem inexpensive it is the labour that will cost the most. Buy a new shower curtain in a fabric cloth rather than plastic as this will add warmth to the room. White is always the best colour but other colours will work if they match your towels. Think ’spa’ and hotel ensuites. You may need to call in the experts if your bathroom really needs fixing up! Cupboards and shelving should be white or off white. If you have wood such as oak now might be the time to consider painting it. You can buy a primer and then a latex paint to update the look. Keep the contrast of colour to a minimum in the bathrooms. If your mirror is cracked or slightly damaged then replace it. The current trend is to individual mirrors if you have double sinks, or one large mirror with a brushed nickel-like border around it. Find a mirror that suits the style of your home. Home Sense, Ikea, Home Depot, Canadian Tire and/or Rona are good sources. Depending on the size of your bathroom hang some art that is restful to the eye and in soft colours. Abstract art is not a good choice in the bathroom but ocean scenes & florals are good. Home Sense is a favourite store for accessorizing for staging. Select contemporary accessories for the finishing touches in the bathroom:Towels – choose towels that are big and fluffy – white, beige or matching paint colour towels are a good choice. Make sure everyone in the family knows that these clean, new, fluffy towels are for show only at this time. Put them away when you are not having a showing. An orchid or small plant or vase can be a nice addition to any ensuite, bathroom or powder room. If you have space wrap some hand towels up in a basket and put them in a corner or center if you have double sinks. Avoid using bathmats when showing a bathroom. You can cozy up the room with your paint colours, towels and shower curtain. Keep the floor clear and clean. Avoid potpourri in the bathroom and the use of heavy deodorizers. Try putting some fresh lemons in the bathroom in a glass bowel.

Attention to all iPod users. Try not to use your iPod in the bathroom. Is it that important to listen to Unchained melody while sitting on the toilet? A lot of iPod users reported iPod malfunctioning after accidentally dropping their iPod in the toilet. If the toilet was clean and empty before the drop, then the problem is recoverable, but you still have to act quickly.

Here is some advice if your iPod accidentally falls into the toilet water:

1. The following is really hard sometimes. Try to immediatelly pull your iPod out of the toilet water. Use some towel or cleaning material to quickly clean and dry the external parts of the iPod.

2. Quickly turn off your iPod. As you probably know, water and electricity just won’t mix. Water may seriously damage the electrical connections. Just turn it off as soon as you can!

3. Rinse your iPod. Use an air hose or something to blow air and remove any water that’s stuck inside the device. Shake the device well before blowing any air.

4. You might need to erase and restore all your data from the hard drive. The iPod hard drive is a quite sensitive hardware part.

5. Place your iPod in a safe and warm place. Try to forget and start praying. Hopefully, everything will be fine. Wait for a day or more before turning on your iPod. Do not use the device unless you are sure that it’s completely dry!

6. Chances are your iPod will also need a hardware check. Visit your local repair store and tell them that your iPod fell into your toilet. Be sure to warn those guys if the toilet water was not so clean.

If you are lucky your iPod will survive the water encounter and work again. A lot of electronic devices can be recovered from water immersion. Just remember to immediately turn off the power.

In San Diego, knowing what to do and what not to do for emergency fire damage restoration is tricky, but it is an important thing that you can do to help your fire damage restoration contractor repair your home faster. By following a guideline of dos and donts after fire damage, you can save some of the attributes of your home and speed recovery along.

First of all, do not touch the walls or ceilings. Our first instinct is to clean up; however, starting to clean absorbent surfaces yourself after fire damage can cause harm instead. Let the emergency fire damage professional tend to the ceiling and walls. Next, anything that is in your home that has chrome trim on it, like kitchen appliances, you can help to protect after fire damage. Before the San Diego professional begins cleaning, coat the chrome trim with petroleum jelly or other oil. Also, any kitchen or bathroom faucets, tub fittings, or towel bars can also be coated in oil to prepare for the emergency clean up.

If you have any animals or pets, especially birds in the home, it is best to remove them from the house to other safe, clean environments temporarily. Animals have much more sensitive respiratory systems than we do, so the danger of inhaling dangerous air particles is much greater for them. Also, you should wash plants off with water, preferably on both sides of leaves. Open any windows you can for emergency fire damage restoration, as this will help send the bad charred air out and let the good San Diego air in. Change your furnace filter as soon as possible after a fire, and make sure that the blower in your furnace is operational as it should be.

Before your fire restoration contractor arrives, even though you shouldnt try to wash the walls, what you can do is vacuum the smoke particles from things like your furniture, upholstery, and any drapes and your carpeting. Using a HEPA filter in your vacuum will be an added bonus in a fire damage emergency as well. Do NOT use your vacuum or any other electric appliances, however, until they have been cleaned and tested, including any stereos or TVs.

For fire damage emergency restoration, if you do not have electricity running to your home, make sure to completely empty your refrigerator of any and all foods that are being stored in it. Make sure that you do NOT close the refrigerator door; slightly keep it propped open with something, such as a roll of toilet paper or paper towel. Also, If any of your canned goods or other food items may have been exposed to high or prolonged heat from the fire, do not use them, and discard them immediately.

And finally, clothes unfortunately have a way of absorbing smells, and the fire damage smell is no different. Be careful not to take smoked clothes to an ordinary dry cleaner. Cleaning your smoked garments the wrong way can actually set in the smoke and odor for good. For more great advice on emergency fire damage restoration, make sure you contact your San Diego professional right away. After fire damage is done, time is critical, so dont wait!

If you are not putting up Giclee Art on Canvas Prints all over your house or business then you are not in the cool crowd. The latest craze is uploading your digital photo or photos to make Giclee prints.

With online ordering, pictures can be turned into Giclee prints with several different picture effects options. These include difference photo canvas borders, borderless, photo correction and restoring services, artistic photo effects, collage, and other Giclee print options.

To back up for a second, what is Giclee on canvas you ask? Giclee is actually synonymous with photo canvas, or a digital photo on canvas. It just so happens that Giclee canvas prints has become the term of choice.

So here are some ideas if you want to be in the cool crowd.

For your house, you can put up Giclee prints in the living room, bedrooms, and even bathrooms. Use family pictures, pet pictures, dog and cat or puppy and kitten photos, special occasion pics, wedding and other anniversary pics, an old black and white family photo, old childhood pictures, and other unique photos you may have saved up.

Now what?

Upload your digital picture to an online Giclee on canvas website. You can upload your picture and create your very own Giclee prints.

Now use your imagination… Imagine were you will be hanging your Giclee on canvas art.

If you are putting it in the living room, online photo canvas ordering websites offer all the options you need to create some artwork. One popular choice is the “Oil Painting’ effect. If you want to get a little more crazy with your Giclee prints, then apply some of the other picture effects.

If you’re offering your photo as the new office center piece, you could upload a picture or the product or products you are selling and apply a picture effect to it to make it unique. You will now be known for contributing the coolest thing to the company. Who knew your Giclee on canvas would bring some optimistic hope and creativity to the company.

Good luck, join the Giclee canvas prints club, and be in the cool crowd!

The current economic climate may have many of you thinking your dream of owning a property in Portugal is slipping further from your grasp. But there is a way, even in these difficult times to achieve your Portuguese property dream without breaking your bank balance.

Renovating, restoring and modernising a run down property is a route more and more people are following, which can be financially beneficial.

Your ideal property may feature a stunning kitchen, modern bathrooms and a swimming pool, but purchasing a house completely ready to move into and enjoy, means you will have to pay full market value to a private individual or builder.

 

However by buying a property requiring modernisation and restoration work, which has potential, can save you money. Allowing you to add value with each stage of works. In most cases once finished renovation projects will have cost less than purchasing a property already completed.



Ruins & Restoration

Rural Cottages

Character Property

Historic Manors

The financial advantages of renovating and restoring are immediate as these types of properties often cost a great deal less to buy with reduced purchase price, costs and taxes. By spreading the cost of the repair work over a longer period of time can also be less taxing on your bank account. And by carrying out some of the work yourself, savings on labour costs can be made.

 

Renovating and restoring a property is not for the faint hearted though as there are many pitfalls to be avoided to create your dream property. Especially so in a foreign country where there are added complications of language barriers and different rules and regulations. But it is possible and with the minimum amount of stress.

 

By choosing to renovate a property you give yourself plenty of choice. Portugal is a country blessed with a wide range of properties many in varying states of disrepair, to suit all tastes from rustic cottages through to baronial mansions. Look at any estate agency website and you may be surprised at the amount available for sale from as little as 20,000€.

 

However the key to a successful renovation and restoration project is selecting the right property. Simply purchasing the cheapest property available is not always the most financially sensible thing to do.

 

Generally restoration property falls into two categories, those requiring full planning permission and those that don’t need permission but can be restored immediately as a DIY project.

 

“Although there are many ruined properties available in Portugal, most at really attractive prices” says Derek Harper of Chavetejo Estate Agents in Tomar. “Buying one in very bad condition without public utilities connected doesn’t always make financial sense in the long run. Getting mains water and electricity connected isn’t as simple as making a phone call and in most cases can mean a lengthy and costly planning application, delaying the start of renovation works by months and sometimes years.”

 

Choosing a property in a slightly better condition with utilities already connected can save you thousands in the longer term and mean renovation work can begin as soon as you have decided on the finished design.

 

Avoiding properties requiring planning permission also means you can save money on the renovation work, carrying out some of the less skilled jobs yourselves. However even if you choose to bring in the professionals it doesn’t have to cost the earth.

 

Deciding to employ a builder in Portugal doesn’t have to be financially painful. There is a wealth of skilled tradesmen available and despite the fall in the exchange rate, they charge a fraction of the cost of their UK counterparts. Reputable builders can charge as little as 10€ an hour with labourers earning around 8€ an hour.

 

Generally the quality of workmanship in Portugal is very high, but it is important if you do decide to employ outside help, to get at least three quotes from reputable builders as well as references from previous clients. Being able to inspect jobs they have carried out will also give you peace of mind on the quality of your finish.

 

Getting your lawyer to draw up a contract with the builder you decide to use is not only a good idea, but will put paid to any demands for extra money and allow a clear method of stage payments for the each section of the work as it is carried out.

 

Checking out local builders merchants and DIY supermarkets is a good way of ensuring you are not being over charged for goods by builders and it will help you decide on the finished specifications of your property.

 

Remembering not to get carried away on the renovation work is also imperative. Taking into account the possible resale value of the property, thinking carefully about what you want to achieve during your design period will help you budget accordingly. Common mistakes made during some property renovations are adding expensive features, which don’t necessary add value to the property.

 

If you are not going to be present in Portugal for the duration of the renovation work, but hundreds of miles away in the United Kingdom it is worth investing a little of your budget employing a project manager.

 

Although it may not be a cost you initially think about, it is well worth spending a little extra on a project manager who can oversee the job on a day-to-day or week-to-week basis, reporting back to you frequently to ensure works are carried out on time and to your specification. In the long run this can save you undue heartache and sleepless nights.

 

So if you want a home in Portugal and are willing to tackle a renovation project, now is the time to do it. Property prices in Portugal may be stable, but owners are keenly aware of the world wide economic climate and room for negotiation even on cheaper properties is more likely and you could bag your self a bargain, which you and your family can enjoy designing and renovating.

 

For more info on portugal

www.gekkoportugal.com

www.chavetejo.com

 

Plumbing is a part of daily life. But, unless we start having plumbing issues, we don’t think about plumbing or bother to contact a plumber for periodic “health check-ups” of our sewer or water lines. Without warning, a problem with your plumbing can crop up. But, by using the right kind of plumbing techniques, supplies and tools, we can once again put plumbing issues to the back of our minds. Plumbing repairs for slab leaks, blocked drains and sewer repair may arise unexpectedly and bring on a great deal of stress

Blocked drains can make day-to-day life a real headache. Here are some of the symptoms of blocked drains:



When toilet is flushed and waste does not discharge

The toilet may fill up then recede slowly

Drainage overflow

Bad sewer odor

Water fills up and recedes slowly in sink or bathtub



Sewer line replacement through the Trenchless method is a process in which a sewer line is replaced without disturbing the land. This process saves your property from damage, yet gives you a new and functional sewer line.

Get Trenchless Sewer Replacement and Sewer Line Replacement for great results.

Benefits of the trenchless sewer repair and sewer root control:



No damage to the property

An affordable alternative to sewer replacement

CIPP helps to restore structural integrity of the sewer line and prevents from future drain blockages

The trenchless sewer replacement process comes with a lifetime warranty



For all major slab leaks and other plumbing repairs choose the trenchless plumbing process

Need plumbing repairs services? Look into Trenchless plumbing

Trenchless plumbing is a revolutionary method of plumbing repair that is a cost-effective alternative to the traditional plumbing repair process.

Today, The Trenchless Co. is the largest plumbing repair and drains cleaning company in the Sacramento, California area, and has helped revolutionize plumbing repair

So, if you are fighting with the clogged drains in your kitchen, bathroom or toilet and need a specialist to open clogged drains. 

Water damage restoration is a very difficult task, especially if you are doing everything all by yourself. To avoid the problems and mistakes that could turn up to be a disaster, one should hire a water damage restoration service company. If you go in for a company with experienced team of personnel it will be good for you in long run. They have the experience of restoring things from water damage very easily and try to avoid the big losses.

Before starting their job they analyze the situation. After this they get the necessary equipment and use appropriate things that would assist them in overcoming the hurdles that will come in their restoration plan. Once they have the clear idea then only water damage restoration process starts. Here are few ideas, which will help you in clearly knowing whether the professionals are working in the right direction or not. May be you can also assist them in getting restoration work done more efficiently in less time. If you want to be the part of their rescue operation team then wear the protective gear.

Once the plan is analyzed ask them the procedure they will undertake. If necessary switch off the main power point, this will ensure that no electricity is generated in water (remember the basic physics lesson that says water is the good conductor of electricity!) and cause threat to lives of all.

The next things is to help them in locating the various things like furniture, small items like mat, antique things that were placed on the ground. Further ask them to prepare a list of things. This will help you in claiming the insurance. But before going to the insurance company read the document signed by you for them. See what is been excluded and will they make the payment for the damage. Don’t expect too much from them. They will pay the genuine amount to you.

Once the water is extracted, you need to get the home completely cleaned – floors, walls of each and every room. In addition to this see that water is completely dried from interiors and from the objects to prevent the mold growth. Meanwhile ask them to check for structural damages if any. By chance if some thing is damaged then get it repaired instantly to avoid a catastrophe in the future.

Ask them to use a quality disinfectant and see to it that it does not have any harmful ingredients. If so tell them to go in for a safer one.

Only upon the complete satisfaction, make the complete payment to the water damage restoration company.

Chromotherapy is sometimes called colour therapy or light therapy and is based upon a premise that certain colours are infused with healing properties. In the early Egyptian culture the subject of a relationship between light and healing was a secret only available to the priests. They used this information to heal with colour in various ways and even considered it a religious duty to bathe in the spectral light of the sun.

Light therapy is a way of treating people with colour to bring their bodies and emotions back into harmony thereby restoring health and wellbeing. This type of therapeutic healthcare could be described as a science which uses different colours to change vibrations of imbalance to vibrations of health.

Colorology as it is sometimes known uses the seven colours of the rainbow to promote healing in the mind and body. Every colour has a specific beneficial effect on our wellbeing. By selecting a colour to match the ‘How you feel at the moment mood’ the beneficial effects can be felt in the bathroom available to everyone either by lighting in the bath, shower or bathroom lighting.

Holistic healthcare relate the seven colours of the spectrum to specific areas of the body called chakras. The therapeutic action of colour is related to the chakra they represent.

RED - the first chakra or base of spine. Red is the symbol of life and vitality, it is a powerful energizer and stimulant. Blood cell production is also helped and this increases energy and improves blood circulation. All the sensory nerves benefit, so smell, sight hearing taste and touch are heightened.

ORANGE - the second chakra or pelvis or sacral area. Orange promotes pleasure, enthusiasm and sexual stimulation. It also expands the lungs helps calm muscle cramps and disperses depression.

YELLOW - the third chakra or solar plexus. Yellow works with the skin, improving texture, healing scars and eczema. It strengthens nerves and stimulates mental activity. Yellow also purifies the bloodstream and activates the lymphatic system it is excellent for the brain promoting wisdom and clarity of mind.

GREEN - the fourth chakra or heart. Green is the middle of the spectrum and because of this promotes balance and harmony Green is also cooling soothing and calming both physically and mentally. It has antiseptic and disinfectant properties and also helps to relieve tension.

BLUE - the fifth chakra or throat. Blue is the colour which symbolizes inspiration, devotion, peace and tranquillity it possesses cooling properties and reduces temperature pain and an over stimulated heart. Blue builds vitality, promotes growth and acts as a tonic on the body in general. Blue promotes communication and knowledge.

INDIGO - the sixth chakra or brow. Indigo is useful for purifying the body and gives relief from swelling and pain. It promotes intuition and because this colour relates to the mind can have a powerful effect on mental complaints. It is also electric, cooling and astringent and can be uses as anaesthetic.

VIOLET - the seventh chakra. This colour relates to spirituality, self respect and dignity. It promotes enlightenment and inspiration. Violet stimulates the building of white blood cells, regulates tension in blood vessels and lowers high blood pressure. It purifies the blood, is good for bone growth and is calming in cases of mental illness.

Chromotherapy can be administered in any number of ways but is often combined with hydrotherapy and aromatherapy.

A full bathroom renovation will cost some thousands of dollars, but there are many things you can do to jazz your bathroom up and they need not cost a great deal. So to make a dingy bathroom feel just as nice as the other rooms to walk into, you can change it by: -

- Adding accessories in a deeper shade of the colour already in the bathroom. If it is white go for chocolate or charcoal.

- Repaint the walls with an enamel of your choice. If renting ask the landlord first and detail specifically what will be changed.

- Tiles can be repainted with White Knight Tile Paint.

- If the grouting is worn and ugly, replacing it might be the best choice. Then wash it all down with sugar soap to remove grime and restore the shine. Adding accessories in a deeper shade of the colour already in the bathroom. If it is white go for chocolate or charcoal.

- If the bath is totally horrible, have it re-enamelled. A professional will charge more, but give you better results.

- If you have worn gilt fittings around the shower, repaint with metal paint - or keep the same colour and add a gold mirror to play it up.

- Changing taps and cupboard handles can make a big difference to the look of the room. Add matching accessories for a harmonious look.

- Add elegant storage from places like Ikea. A luxuriant pot plant will also add depth.