The Service Solution

Floor Coverings Comparison: Best Choices For Your Living Space

admin — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 00:00:00 +0000

When you are moving into either a new place or if you are living in the same place you have for year then it might be time for new floor coverings. No matter if you have carpet, hard woods, tile, or linoleum you can find something cost effect that will go great with your furnishings. The first thing you have to look at id your color palette.

You don’t want colors to clash or for things to look off because of a runner or area rug. Be sure to bring sample colors with you so you can compare while you shop for floor coverings. The other part of this is to be sure that the floor coverings you are choosing aren’t out dated.

I had friends who were crazy about using pieces of shag carpeting to cover up places in their carpet. This is a bad idea cause the visual textures put people off. So be sure to make a choice that matches not just the color but the texture of your other flooring.

Choosing the best floor coverings for you may seem like a difficult task but it can be fun. Just be sure to pick something stylish and that you are comfortable with. Never just settle for something but get more than what you want since you will be living with them for awhile.

How To Install Tiles Step By Step

admin — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Installing new tiles is not as difficult as it may sound; it just requires some patience and time to do the job.
The things needed to install tiles are, floor/wall tiles, a tape measure, chalk line, level, trowel, tile cement and grout.
Start by cleaning the area where the tiles are going to be installed. If it is, floor tiles that are being installed use the tape measure to find the center of the floor by measuring from one wall to the one across from it and mark the center then do the same thing for the opposite walls.
Use the chalk line to mark a straight line from wall to wall so that the chalk lines cross in the center of the room.
Begin by starting in the center of the room and use the trowel to spread tile cement along the chalk line and placing the tiles into the cement. Work in small areas until the floor is covered with the tiles except for the row closes to the walls.
When the last row is ready to be installed lay a tile against the wall and on top of the tile closes to the wall so a measurement can be made of how much needs to be cut off in order to place the last row of tiles in place.

Modernize Your Bathroom With These Unique Fixtures

admin — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Modern design is growing in popularity as many people enjoy its sleek, simplistic look. If you’re thinking about updating your bathroom to reflect a modern design, here are several unique fixtures you can include for a stylish space.1. Globe LightingGlobe lighting is one of the easiest ways to integrate a modern look into your bathroom. The round shape of the lamps has an inherently modern style, while the soft lighting also reflects the design. You can get the look with a single overhead lamp, track lighting or dual lamps on either side of the mirror.2. Stainless Steel FaucetsStainless steel is another prominent aspect of modern design, which makes it one of the best options for your faucets. You should choose an elegant, sleek shape for the faucets, as this will contribute to the minimalistic look of the bathroom. Use these in your shower and on the sink.3. Novelty DoorknobsSome people have found effective novelty doorknobs to complement their modern bathroom designs. Choose a doorknob that coordinates with other fixtures or paint colors in the bathroom. It should be simple and utilitarian, while still offering a fashionable look in order to get the modern look.

DIY decks

www.theservicesolution.com — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0000

There’s nothing like the feeling that comes with adding to your home with your own two hands. One popular project for amateur home improvers is adding a deck. These construction projects offer a great chance to show off your skills to your significant otherand to the neighbors when you invite them over for a cocktail party. With wireless internet service, you can even work outside when the weather is nice.They say the hardest part with any project is getting started. With deck-building, that’s both true and false. Obviously, if you want your deck to stand, you’ll have to do a lot of preparation in the beginning. Ask for help and do research to make sure all your questions are answered. This article is not meant to be a how-to guidefor that, see “How to Build a Simple Deck” at www.thisoldhouse.com or an equally reputable resource. Picking out materials and plotting out the location of your deck is actually relatively easy. Common decking materials include Southern pine, redwood, western red cedar, Hem-fir, and Northern white cedar. The size and type of lumber you choose will help you determine the spacing of your joists. Once you select a spot for your deck, you can attach the ledger, which will help secure the deck to your house. After these early steps, that age-old adage becomes more appropriate, because that’s when you’re faced with the prospect of digging post-holes and pouring concrete. After the posts are secured, though, it’s relatively easy to construct the frame and then lay down the decking. You’ll notice that the TOH guide demonstrates a deck located very close to the ground. Higher decks are possible, but as you get higher, you progressively increase the risk of collapse, so you’ll want to be very sure you know what you’re doing before you get started on one. Network with professionals at your local home-improvement store, or even consider getting some contracting help. After your basic deck is constructed, you can make it your own in a variety of ways. Deck staining adds gorgeous color to your deck and also helps protect it against the elements. All you’ll need is an oil-based wood deck stain (for best results), a canvas drop cloth, a paint pad with pole, and a brush for edging and other difficult areas. Adding a deck railing is another great way to add flair to your deck (and a necessity if there’s any risk of injury from falling off). You can build your own wooden railing easily enough, or you can purchase easily-installed railings made from aluminum, vinyl, or composite materials. Check out such sites as BuildDirect.com or Trex.com to see what options are available.

Show pests you mean businesswithout paying for it

admin — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 13:41:49 +0000

Any doctor will tell you that prevention is the best cure. The same goes for keeping pests out of your house.Human laziness is often one way that pests find their way in. Even though you may be exhausted after that huge Thanksgiving dinner, don’t be lax in cleaning up afterwards. The same goes for any other meal, and even snacks. If food is left out, someone of the creepy-crawly variety will find out, and they’ll tell all their friends. Other things that attract insects are standing water sources and garbage. Also, eliminate hospitable pest living places, both inside your home and close to the house outside. Don’t keep piles of wood near the home, and keep tree branches from touching the house.If you start seeing pests in your house regardless, take a step back and consider how they are getting in. There may be a visible crack or opening that is allowing them entry from the outside. If you can find it and take care of it yourself, fantastic. If not, you may have to call an exterminator to give your house the once-over.Of course, blocking off the exits won’t exactly get any early intruders out of your home. However, there are a number of ways to take care of small amounts of pests, depending on the species. For ants, you can combine a cup of sugar and a cup of borax to kill off ants. Sprinkling this around the foundation and baseboards of your house can also stop the problem before it starts. Borax powder in kitchen and bathroom cabinets will also take care of cockroaches. Hair spray will kill flying insects. Vacuuming will help eliminate fleas after an infestation, as long as you spray after. There are many other tips to be found for any specific problems you may run into. Do your research, and your home will be pest-free in no time.

Perfect painting the first time around

admin — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 13:40:15 +0000

House painting can be a time-consuming but rewarding task. If done right, it can completely change the way your house looks, and coincidentally also add value to your home. You can find many sites online where professional painters and builders share their expertise, such as House Painting Guide and Ask the Builder. Here are some of our favorite tips.

Read the paint can label. The label will let you know what primers work best with the paint, as well as the drying time. It will also tell you to only apply it to a clean surface, which leads to our second tip. Reading the label will also let you check the ingredients. Make sure that the paint contains urethane and acrylic resins.
Clean thoroughly–by hand. While pressure washing may give the illusion of completely cleaning your home, it’s just that: an illusion. There’s no substitute for hand-washing, even though it takes a little longer. Another benefit: pressure washing runs the risk of injecting water into the walls and causing paint failure.
Pick a style. Choose the method of painting that works best for you and the locations you want to reach. Most people prefer using paint rollers, which are easier and require less skill. If you feel up to it, you can try using a paint sprayer.
Be careful working on older painted homes. Homes that were built before 1978 often have lead hiding within their paint jobs. If you try removing this like other paint, you’ll open yourself up to ingesting lead dust, which is highly toxic and poisonous.
Don’t be afraid to get dirty. You’ll be leaning up against walls, climbing ladders, and scraping paint. If you’ve got a weak constitution, you might want to look into hiring a contractor.

Making home remodeling easy: a step-by-step process

admin — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 13:37:19 +0000

When people think of “home improvement,” most inevitably think of the television series first. With the image of Tim Allen bumbling around in their heads, it’s no wonder that the idea of house renovation quickly becomes intimidating. However, it doesn’t have to be if you follow these steps.

Run the numbers. Even if money won’t be an issue in your renovation, it’s still important to look at the project financially. First, it will help you determine whether it makes sense to go through with the project, or whether it’s more effective to purchase a new home. Secondly, it’ll make sure you at least have a pretty good idea of what you want to accomplish.
Visualize. This is a two-part process. It starts with researchlooking through magazines, stores, websites like LetsRenovate.com, and even friends’ homesto see how the finished product should look. Then, it’s your job to draw up plans. Don’t worry, this isn’t a blueprintjust a guide for the contractor. There are a variety of programs online you can use to help.
Hire a contractor. Look through the Yellow Pages, newspapers, craigslist, or another database of your choice to find the builder who’s right for you. Make sure that whoever you hire is a member of either NARI or NAHB (national builders’ associations). If you can’t find out, and they won’t tell you, it’s probably a good idea to find someone else.
Decide how involved you want to be. The contractor most likely will not let you put on a pair of coveralls and work alongside them, but you can still decide whether you want to approve every decision, or trust to the contractors’ judgment. Unless you have a strong background in the subject at hand, letting the contractors pick subcontractors, draw up the plan, and take care of plumbing and electrical issues is usually best.
When the contract is fulfilled, pay. Make sure that the contract is fulfilled to the letter before making any payment. That’s why it’s important that everything you want is in there before the project starts, since there’s little you can do about it after.
Enjoy your newly remodeled home!

Make a lawn that the kids will want to stay off of

pmirek — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 13:28:19 +0000

Lawn care for some is a blessing, for others a curse. While you may love spending your fall evenings on the lawnmower, others may look at the darkening sky and tremble. Luckily, we’ve compiled a group of lawn care tips for the coming season that’ll satisfy both groups.

Know your grass type. Knowing whether you have a cool- or warm-season grass will help you know what you have to do to take care of it. Cool-season grasses include bluegrass, bentgrass, fescue, and ryegrass. Warm-season grasses include Bermudagrass, Saint-Augustine grass, zoysiagrass, and buffalograss.
Don’t forget fertilizing cool-season lawns. Although it may seem counterintuitive, fertilizing cool-season grasses before the winter hits will help with the root growth that occurs at that time. The best fertilizers will be those that are high in both nitrogen and potassium. Don’t fertilize warm-season grass, as it could interfere with the hardening process these species undergo.
Don’t forget watering, either. Water is also needed for fertilizer saturation and root growth. Regular rain will usually do the trick, but if your location isn’t blessed with precipitation, make sure you are aerating and watering it yourself.
Overseed warm-season lawns. If you would rather not have your lawn looking like a brown carpet during the winter, you can put down a layer of annual winter ryegrass seed. This seed will die at the end of the season and let the warm-season grasses take back their rightful place in your lawn.
Don’t mow too short. Don’t cut your grass shorter than 2 to 2 inches. This way, you can leave the grass clippings in the lawn to help with fertilization. That way, you won’t have to rake up the grass afterward, and your lawn will be sure to thrive.

HGTV’s “Rate My Space” offered innovative interaction

admin — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 13:23:13 +0000

Since 1994, HGTV has been drawing in viewers looking to improve their homes. Many of their programs are worth checking out, from “Property Virgins” (focusing on first-time home buyers) to “Design Star” (where contestants compete for their own HGTV show). One, however, offered viewers themselves a chance to participate: “Rate My Space” with Angelo Surmelis. While there’s no word on an upcoming season, the show is still worth remembering, and the site is still active.The process begins at HGTV’s “Rate My Space” website, where users can upload videos and pictures of their own living spaces. Those images are then rated and commented on by the community. Visitors can find whatever type of rooms they’re interested in with the easy search function, or by browsing one of the categories such as “Basements” or “Closets”. High-rated spaces net their owners a feeling of pride and accomplishment. What did low-rated spaces get? Why, a chance to be chosen for the show, where host Angelo Surmelis made over the room so it could then be rated again. If you were lucky enough to be chosen for a makeover, the website came into play again, as you were asked to pick three rooms from the site for Surmelis to focus on in his design.Those chosen could rest assured that their homes were in good hands. Surmelis has been designing since the age of 6, when he started rearranging his parent’s apartment. He already had two shows under his belt before moving to HGTVClean Sweep on TLC and Merge on Lifetime. Angelo also runs his own design company, Swell Space, which may be taking him away from his TV aspirations for now.