Are you ready for a free-standing bathtub?

The bath design world is currently in the thrall of the free standing bathtub and for very good reason. Nothing sets a new bath design apart quite like one. They're the rare centerpiece of a bath that's also a fully-functional, not to mention thoughtful, addition that people will use as much as they love to look at it.

Free-standing tubs take a mundane necessity and turn it into something attention grabbing and they make an impression like few elements can.

What is a free-standing tub?

Free-standing tubs are exactly what they sound like - bathtubs that stand alone. They're finished on all sides and are intended to be set away from the wall. They read as much as a piece of furniture as they do a plumbing fixture. They come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and materials, and allow for an opportunity to express more creativity in a bath's design.

Do free-standing tubs cost more?

No, they don't always but they can. It's important to shop and look for free-standing bathtubs from a wide variety of sources. Free-standing tubs scream luxury product and when they first started their comeback they were certainly priced accordingly. Now that they've become more popular, their prices have begun to fall.

It's also important to remember that aside from the cost of the tub itself, the fees to the plumber to install it will also increase so bear that addition expense in mind when you're planning your bath renovation.

Just remember to tell all of the tradespeople you're working with that your new bath plan includes a free-standing tub so they can provide you with guidance and honest prices ahead of time.

Can free-standing tubs be combined with showers?

Generally no but you can try. However, it'll be difficult to get a shower in there without ruining the effect you're trying to achieve. It's a much better idea to plan for a separate shower from the start if you're going to use a free-standing tub.

Can free-standing tubs be accessible to people with disabilities or mobility issues?

Yes, free-standing tubs can be made to be more accessible, but it's less than ideal.

The keys to bathtub accessibility are rails (which help you to lift yourself in and out of the tub) and transfer benches (which allow you to easily move from a wheelchair to the tub).

Using these tools with a free-standing tub can be a challenge. If your tub is placed too far from the wall (which is often the case), you won't be able to install rails on the wall and will instead have to install them on or near the tub.

On top of that, if you have mobility issues it can be very difficult to get into a free-standing tub (or any tub, for that matter). And it's even harder to get out, since you have to raise yourself even higher while you're soaking wet.

While it's possible to make a free-standing tub accessible, it's not easy and it might lessen the visual effect. You'll probably be better off with a doorless, curbless shower.

So if you're in the process of thinking about a new bath, keep free-standing tubs in mind. They're a wonderful addition to any home.

Consolidating Time Spent Doing Redundant Tasks

What Is Redundancy?
A redundant task is any that replicates activity already taking place. For example, having someone sweep the same spot on the same floor twice, just because they don't seem to have anything better to do with themselves, is an exercise in redundancy. You're wasting personnel and resources on a task that's already been done, and doesn't need repeated.

The only way to really justify such redundancy is as a form of discipline or punishment vis-a-vis the military; but even there, wasting money on such efforts doesn't make sense.

Consolidating resources is a better option, and so often as a means of punishment, military personnel have trainees do work that actually benefits a given base of operations—like cleaning toilets, or something of that ilk.

Eliminating redundancy in your operation can save time, money, resources, and your reputation. Following are several ways you can cut costs without diminishing value and without relying on managers who are using the latest brain enhancers.

Solar Energy

A solar panel system increases property value and decreases reliance on the grid simultaneously. Additionally, solar energy costs nothing but the expenses involved in purchase and installation. Power is essentially free for ten years under warranty. That means no power outages for a decade, if you install the panels right.

In the Netherlands, they've created a building that runs entirely off solar energy and manages to curtail water costs through the collection of rain. Think about the savings here. If that building spent $3,000 a month on water and energy, they just cut $36,000 from their yearly operational budget.

Curtailing Redundant Departments
Many departments today seem useful, but that is only because managers above them aren't cognizant of recent technological developments. The internet has expanded beyond computers into smartphones and even things like your thermostat and garage door opener, as well as your lightbulbs—if you've decided to pursue the Internet of Things (IoT).

As a result of this expansion, it's now possible to use a program as a means of eliminating the primacy of the payroll department. Basically, the software used clocks employees in or out based on the proximity of their smartphone. They can also clock in or out remotely, curtailing losses from weather days where workers can't make it into the office.

This has the additional advantage of more directly identifying time worked as well, and shaving unnecessary seconds from monthly budgets. A person can be clocked in—should they be on the premises—the second their shift begins. Likewise, they can be automatically clock out when it's over. No more clock milking.

Clockspot points out that “online time clocks make time-sheets and payroll painless.” It's very true, and in modernity, both are kind of redundant. How much do you pay a single employee in your payroll department? $35k a year? Not unless you're really lucky. It's probably closer to $50k/year, when you iron out all the benefits.

If you've got ten employees in payroll at $50k/year, that's $500k you're just flushing down the toilet on an annual basis. If, additionally, your employees (of which there are 1,000) milk the clock for an average of two minutes a day per employee, that's 2,000 minutes you lose on a daily basis.

Over the course of a month, that boils down to 40,000 minutes lost. If your employees are getting paid $15 an hour (including benefits), that means you lose $10,000 a month, or $120,000 a year, through sloppy timekeeping.

You could potentially save $570,000+ every year if you run a 1,000+ employee company that has yet to consolidate its timekeeping to a modern methods. (You're still going to need to keep at least one payroll employee to ensure the software matches up with employee expectations.)

Consolidation Saves

From solar energy to payroll clocks that are automated over the web, there are plenty of costly activities that regularly permeate an office. Cutting them saves time and money, and allows for more profitable expansion.

Author Bio
Kevin Bennett
Title: SEO Marketeer


Kevin is an SEO marketeer with OutreachMama and Youth Noise who designs value-rich content aimed at increasing clientele for expanding businesses. Networking, building partnerships, and providing quality products with shareable value make this possible. He's an author (Amphibian and The Thief and the Sacrifice to his credit) whose professional writing follows business trends in technology, marketing, SEO application, and much more.


Images:
Solar Panels: https://pixabay.com/en/solar-panel-sun-electricity-energy-1393880/
Cash: https://pixabay.com/en/money-dollars-success-business-1428594/

Increase Your Property's Value

The Beauty Of Remodeling
Any property can be expanded from virtually nothing to a centerpiece of the community through well-done remodeling. And any property can degrade into a ruinous heap through neglect. If you want your property to maintain its peak value, and even increase on that value, you should consider remodeling your property routine maintenance. You're going to need it eventually.

It doesn't matter how well the carpet was made initially, if it's in a room where there's a lot of foot traffic, it will become saturated with dirt particles and fragmented dust from the air. It will become heavier, and it will need replacing. Sure, you can shampoo it every couple months or years, but this is only prolonging the inevitable.

A flooring option that has a lot more versatility and a certain class about it is wood. Switching a carpet to wood can increase property value if done correctly, and that increase could end up ultimately recouping your investment over time.

Beyond wood there is tile, and even stone—though these options can be cold to the feet, so plan accordingly. Following are several other ideas you can play with as you consider what may be the best portion of your property to begin remodeling.

Rooms In The Attic
The attic remodel is often a great way to save money and make it at the same time. Unless you've got some valuable treasure in your attic, there's probably just a conglomeration of old junk that would do better being sold at a garage sale than it does cluttering up the top portions of your property. So have that garage sale, throw away what can't be sold, and if there are valuable components, put them somewhere else in the house.

Then sweep the attic, put in some throw rugs, get some wallpapering, and add some furniture. Viola, you've got either an additional bedroom or study, whichever your real estate agent says will bring your property greater value in your particular market.

Now, you've got to be careful; some attics may have structural instability, and could be a hazard. If your property doesn't already have reinforced flooring in the attic, that may be a necessary expenditure of remodel. The cost of this can get high, so be sure to know your attic before you start such a project.

Building A Deck
A deck is like an outdoor room of the house, and adds an exceptional amount of utility. Whether you go the patio route, or attach a full on deck to your property that extends from a second or third floor, you're going to want to utilize decking contractors who understand the process backwards and forwards, and are willing to be completely transparent with you.

According to deckremodelers.com decking contractors in NJ offer: “award winning deck designs... incorporate your homes existing elements while using custom details, shapes and patterns.”

Each deck will have different idiosyncrasies which will make it more or less expensive than another. What kind of property you have, how big you'd like the deck to be, which floor it will be coming from—these things can change the price substantially, and you'll want a decking agency that is willing to give you the good news and the bad news without downplaying it or over-emphasizing it. Or, you could just build it yourself; though if you don't have architectural acumen, that could be a very bad idea.

The Kitchen
This one can really be a mixed bag because depending on what you want, costs very easily multiply on themselves. The key here is upgrading utility and functionality. If you get too stylistic with it, prepare to spend more money. That said, you will very likely bring your property value in the process; but the value brought may not be equal to the costs involved in attaining it.


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Author’s Bio

Wendy Dessler

Title: Super-Connector at OutreachMama

Wendy is a super-connector with OutreachMama and Youth Noise NJ who helps businesses find their audience online through outreach, partnerships, and networking. She frequently writes about the latest advancements in digital marketing and focuses her efforts on developing customized blogger outreach plans depending on the industry and competition. You can contact her on Twitter.

Garages: The Untapped Space

What do you do in your garage?  What do you have in it?  Most peoples’ answers to those two questions would be: 1) park the car and 2) lots of stuff.  Garages are for cars and storage right?  But what if they don’t have to be just used for storage?  Garages are usually pretty big spaces and chances are that with a little reorganizing you could free up a lot of space in yours.  This is space that can be used for almost anything.

Whatever you decide to do with your garage, make sure to look at your garage doors, does it suit the new use of the space?  Will it allow in enough light and air?  Maybe you simply need screen doors that are specially made for garages.  These allow for beautiful wall-to-wall natural light exposure, airflow, as well as easy entry and exit.

Below are just a few ideas of new ways to re-imagine your garage’s purpose.

Man Cave
A classic garage space use.  Man cave can mean almost anything your, or his heart desires.  You could decide to make it a cozy nook with a leather couch and TV.  Maybe add a rug to cover cement flooring.   The point of using your garage space for a “man cave” is to create a space where you or your partner can go for some “me” time.  So anything they like to do can be put in the area.

Art Cave
If you are crafty, a painter, or almost any other type of artist, you can turn your garage space into an art room quite easily.  Garages are great areas for these kinds of uses because you probably don’t have to worry too much about splattering paint accidentally on carpets or walls.

Workshop
If you are handy you might want to think about using your garage as your woodworking and DIY area.  Garages are a perfect area for this because you don’t have to worry about breaking any furniture or cleaning up wood shavings immediately after.

Gym
A gym is another way you can utilize your garage.  Instead of sweating at a gym where you need to pay a membership fee, or out in the cold air, you can convert your garage with equipment tailored to your workout.  Then you don’t need to worry about cardio equipment time limits and can enjoy blasting your own music!

In short, your garage can be an important part of your home design if you are looking for a little extra space!

Here's How You Can Enjoy Utmost Privacy at Home

When most people are at home, they expect a certain level of privacy. You don't want your neighbors to see what is going on inside your home. If you are sitting outside in your yard, you don't want your neighbors, pedestrians, or the cars passing by to see what is going on in your yard. If you want to enjoy the privacy of your home, there are a few ways to make your home more private while improving its appearance at the same time.

Install a Fence

One of the best ways to make your home more private is to install a fence. It will provide privacy in both the yard and the home. There are several types of fencing materials available, and each provides a different level of privacy. For example, wooden fencing and certain styles of PVC fencing are great options. If you are working on a budget, you can install a chain link fence with privacy slats. A fence will block the view of your yard and your home from the neighbors and the people on the street.

Window Coverings

In order to keep people from seeing inside your home, you should choose the right window cover to fit in with your individual style. Some people prefer window blinds, some prefer shutters, while others prefer shades. Window treatments will provide privacy and they will also keep the sun from coming in the home early in the morning. If you choose blinds or indoor shutters, you can control how much sunlight you want to come into the room. If you install shades, you can pull them down halfway, but you don't have much control.

Hang Drapes

If you want to add some privacy to your home, you should consider hanging drapes. You can close them when you need your privacy, and you can keep them open when you want the sun to shine into the home. The best part about drapes is that they can dress up the inside of your home. You can find drapes in many different colors and styles. The options available are endless. You will likely have no problem finding the right drapes to fit in with the individual style of your home.

Tint Your Windows

Many people tint their car windows to give them additional privacy and to make their car look sharp. Today, more and more people are using residential window tinting to add more privacy to their home. When the windows are tinted, it will keep people from being able to see inside, but you will be able to see outside. Another benefit of home window tinting is that it will keep the sun from shining too brightly in the home. This can help you save on your cooling costs during the summer. It is a relatively inexpensive solution to your privacy problem and unlike drapes and window coverings, you won't need to replace them regularly.

Install Replacement Windows

If you want privacy from people outside hearing what is going on inside, you should consider installing replacement windows. Older windows will not muffle noise the way that replacement windows do. Not only will your neighbors not be able to hear what is going on in your home, the windows will also keep you from hearing the noise that is going on outside.

If privacy is important to you, there are a few ways that you can increase your level of privacy when you are at home. Most of the options are relatively inexpensive and are very effective when it comes to making your home your own private sanctuary.

Select Quality Lights For Your Makeup Mirror

You have an essential occasion at your office and you have ensured that everything is organized appropriately. In the wake of drying your hair you are good to go for your cosmetics. Before long – everything looks picture great.

You get into your car and choose to have another fast look. All things considered, it's vital to cross check and check whether your cosmetics is in its perfect spot.

In any case, sadly, you see that your establishment is uneven. Your eye shadow isn't the right shading, similar to you anticipated that it would be. In this situation, in the same way as other ladies, you are a casualty of poor cosmetics lights or awful wellsprings of lighting around your mirror.

We should investigate to how you can handle this kind of circumstance and dependably go ahead top! 

8 stages to enhance your make up lighting

1. At whatever point conceivable – use characteristic light: 

For your cosmetics application, common light is the least expensive and most effortless approach to get the best lighting.

To give your face an even, unadulterated wash of enlightenment – have a go at setting your vanity stand or reflect near a window that will permit a lot of regular light. Along these lines, you will at any rate know precisely what you're attempting to take away from or improve.

"For cosmetics application, you require diffused, encompassing light so that there are no shadows highlighted on the face," says Katie Anderson, Principal at Katie Anderson Interior Design Consultants.

Draw near to a window and look straight into the light. Your face should be all around lit up and don't give the light a chance to hit stand out edge of your face. On the off chance that essential utilize a handheld mirror.

2. Post for lighting that has a high CRI – Color Rendering Index: 

With regards to cosmetics, how you see distinctive hues is to a great degree urgent. Under a specific light, an establishment shading may seem as though it coordinates your skin tone.

In any case, if the wellspring of lighting has a low CRI – and once you venture out into the sunlight, you will later acknowledge it doesn't coordinate by any stretch of the imagination.

When you are applying your cosmetics in the restroom, you have to ensure your vanity lighting has a high CRI. Along these lines you will have the capacity to see the genuine nature of your eye shadows, establishments and that's just the beginning.

It is genuinely basic – you have to keep your wellspring of light's CRI above 80. With an impeccable lighting CRI of 100, keeping in mind the end goal to light your vanity you might need to run with radiant knobs.

3. Try not to depend on overhead lighting as it were:

You more likely than not saw that when you are in a fitting room, the cruel overhead lighting will increase each and every defect on your body. Additionally, your experience will be the same when you have a solitary overhead light when you do your cosmetics.

When you depend just on wellspring of lighting, particularly when it is an overhead light – you will cast shadows underneath your eyes and it won't help you amid your cosmetics procedure by any means.

A solitary flush mount apparatus or pendant light won't give you the even brightening or delicate lighting that is imperative for a decent cosmetics.

4. With regards to wattage – don't try too hard:

You have to ensure you pick the right sort of lights for your cosmetics territory. What's more, you have to manage as a primary concern – a high lumen yield and wattage does not suggest that it is quality cosmetics lighting.

Anything that creates a delicate light and isn't horrendously brilliant is viewed as the best lighting for cosmetics. This sort of impact is best reproduced by lights diffused through glass or shades. You may see them on pendant lights or sconces.

5. Make it simple by having various light sources:

It is redundant for a decent cosmetics process – to have yourself encompassed by lights like motion picture stars have them in their changing areas. Your face can in any case get the perfect measure of light from various light sources.

One approach to accomplish all the more even enlightenment is to utilize a restroom vanity installation, with more than one light. Then again, a superior choice would be to utilize light sources on both sides of your face.

All regions of your face will be sufficiently bright and highlighted, when you have two light apparatuses put on either side of your face at eye level.

6. While in restroom – cross brightening is the way to great lighting:

You have to picture a couple of light apparatuses – in a perfect world mounted 18 crawls separated and 36 inches from the centreline of the sink. As indicated by compositional lighting fashioner, Randall Whitehead, it is alluded as side lighting. Be watchful for pendants, mirrors or scones with illuminated segments of iridescent glass.

Mounted at eye level around 5' 6"off the floor ought to be the most brilliant part.

On the off chance that two people are sharing a solitary mirror and there is a distinction in their stature – for this situation, a perfect arrangement is a long vertical configuration. Also, when you incorporate an inside roof piece, it will supplement the vanity lighting.

Whitehead further says that you ought to look out for lights that are settled just over the mirror. This will light up just your temple and you will need to tilt your head too far up keeping in mind the end goal to apply cosmetics with exactness.

7. Buy the right globules: 

For preparing jobs that needs to be done, having warm light at 75 to 100 watts for each side – as a feature of your lavatory installation will give brilliant and even brightening.

"Despite the fact that I'm about vitality effective lighting in 98 percent of my light sources, the one spot I've stayed with radiant light is at the washroom mirror—I cherish that warm brilliant shading," says Whitehead.

A dimmer is a decent expansion as well. You will have alternatives like tweaking the brilliance as indicated by your requirements and changing components, for example, daylight and seasons. Furthermore, when you are not prepping you can make some fine encompassing lighting.

8. The cosmetics you apply can be affected by knob tints: 

An excessively brilliant white can look unflattering and cool fluorescent white can look brutal. Keeping in mind the end goal to compensate for absence of shading all over, both these components can lead you to exaggerate on the redden or bronzer.

Things being what they are, which light is the best alternative for excellence?

As per inside architect Katie Anderson – it is warm white. It works at 3200 Kelvin and by and large, this light is the most lovely on everybody.

You will confront an ashen skin appearance when you have a yellow light in your lavatory. It will make you look drained and sick. For this situation, there is an inclination to apply a lot of powder keeping in mind the end goal to kill it, or there are chances you may go after a tinted preliminary in the wrong shading.

Your composition will look sound and lively with blushing globules. Be that as it may, you may slack a bit with regards to the concealer – on the grounds that your skin will seem energetic in the mirror. However, when you go out in normal sunlight you'll understand that you have missed a spot.

The 4 noteworthy light wrongdoers and why you ought to maintain a strategic distance from them

With regards to applying your cosmetics these four are the host horrendous lighting conditions:

1. Fluorescent Lighting: 

It is not you. Fluorescent lighting is not great to anyone.

The white glaring light is over splendid and absolutely unforgiving. This sort of lighting will totally bamboozle you. It can make you overcompensate your cosmetics like influencing your establishment, bronzer, or become flushed – while you endeavor to make up for the lack of shading all over.

2. Downlighting:

Downlighting tend to sparkle down on wrinkles and pigmentation. They cast shadows under your eyes and will in a split second make you look more seasoned. In specific occurrences you will seem to be tired or depleted, regardless of the possibility that you are most certainly not.

3. Yellow Light:

Do you look drained and wiped out? The yellow light is the guilty party!

In the push to kill your face and shroud dim recognizes, this wellspring of lighting may make you go over the edge on the powder and concealer.

4. Rosy Light: 

Rosy light can be greatly deluding. They will make your composition seem dynamic and solid.

Considering the brilliant appearance in this sort of lighting, ladies have a tendency to run simple with the concealer. Be that as it may, its lone later you will understand that you've passed up a great opportunity for a dim spot or a booming imperfection.

Buy your next makeup in the best lighting 

The lighting at the retail establishment is not exceptionally accommodating. It won't generally give you the most precise results. There will be an occasion, where you thought your establishment was great. In any case, this was at the store.

Presently, when you apply it on at your home, it doesn't coordinate your skin shading consummately – as it did prior at the store. It is the lighting.

All in all, what is a brilliant way to deal with this issue?

When you are wanting to look for cosmetics, go out amid the day. Along these lines, you can exploit the characteristic daylight. Bring a mirror alongside you too. Haul out your mirror and stroll over to the nearest window with normal light coming through. Presently test your new establishment, bronzer, or any sort of cosmetics.

Before you make a buy, this brilliant trap will permit you to look at your cosmetics in the right lighting.

How to Pick Perfect Sinks and Taps

Sinks and Taps are two essential parts of any kitchen, but unfortunately they are most neglected pieces in the kit. It is almost impossible to imagine a kitchen without them. With the advancement in technology, they are now more advanced and good looking, but it does not mean you can pick any sink and tap for your kitchen. You have to think hard and select those pieces that match your kitchen type.

Sinks
Your sink is the most usable part of the kitchen, especially if you entertain lots of guests regularly. For this purpose, a deep rectangular sink is the perfect choice, as it can manage roasting pans and casseroles. On the other hand, if you own a big kitchen, double bowl sinks would be an ideal option. You can use both side by side and save time. For hand-washing or vegetable preparation, we recommend one-and-a-half-bowl sink. Other options include small circular or square prep sinks and sinks that feature accessories.

Modern sinks are accessible in a variety of materials. The choice depends largely on the type of kitchen you have, your budget and preference. Stainless steel sinks are one of the best in the market owing to their germ-free properties. There is a variety of designs and price ranges, so you are sure to get the one under your budget. It is suggested to buy a sink with 18% chromium and 10% nickel mix to make certain it’s strong and rust-proof. If you own a classic or country-style kitchen, Belfast or butler sinks are ideal. They boast porcelain-coated fireclay polish, which makes them defiant to heat and stain. For a flawless look, you can go for Corian and quartz composite materials.

Taps
In the last decade, the tap designs advanced tremendously. Nobody ever wondered such an evolution. The new kids in the block are  filter water taps, boiling water taps, sparkling water taps, pull-out sprays and light emitting diodes displaying water temperature. The latest taps even show water saving and flow control measures.

The most important aspect in selecting a tap is making sure it is compatible with the water pressure in your kitchen. It does not matter if you pick a traditional bridge mixer or a modern monobloc with hi-tech features all of them work on the same principle. You must know that a low-pressure tap usually needs 0.3 bar, a high-pressure tap 1.0 bar and special-style taps 1.5 bar.

In the market, you would find chrome, stainless steel or nickel-plated brass taps. Polished chrome and stainless-steel taps are perfect for modern kitchens, but they reveal finger marks. Look for matt brushed or satin finishes to avoid this issue.

Never go for a cheap tap, it will rip you off in the long run. It is recommended to buy a tap boasting the new ceramic disc technology, a stable scheme that competently controls the surge of water, which is excellent for old rubber washers and do not require frequent fixing. Aerated flow is another excellent eco choice.

Taps featuring spouts that rotate will aid you in providing greatest reach near your sink for cleaning and filling pans. Before set out buying the tap, it is wise to examine the size of your biggest pan to make sure your tap spout rests high enough to put in the pan beneath to load it.

A partnership with Harvey Jones, scheming and creating kitchens from their Cambridgeshire workshop for over thirty-five years.

What is the best compost for growing vegetables?

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Whether you’re growing tomatoes or turnips, carrots or cucumbers, getting your soil right is vital for growing bumper batches of tasty veg. Because vegetables require a lot of nutrients to grow to their best, few gardeners will have the perfect soil already in their garden. However, with the right products and gardening know-how, they can boost their soil and enjoy tasty home grown goodness.

If you’re just starting your vegetable patch or want to improve your crops this year, Compost Direct is here to help. Read on to find out how to choose the best compost for growing vegetables.

What compost is best for growing vegetables?

As we’ve already mentioned, you’ll need compost that’s packed with vital nutrients for your plants. While standard multi-purpose compost does contain some plant food, for the best results, we recommend choosing a specialist compost for growing vegetables. For example, Veggie Gold Compost contains high levels of organic matter, so is suitable for vegetable patches.

However, the type of compost you require depends on the vegetables you plan on growing and the existing condition of the soil. For example, carrots and cucumbers grow well in alkaline soils, while potatoes and parsley are best grown in acidic soils. Before you get started, check what conditions you’ll need to create before you purchase your compost.

Can I use grow bags?

Grow bags are a great option for those looking to grow their own without the need for a vegetable patch. Perfect for smaller gardens, grow bags contain quality compost with lots of nutrients for less. If you do choose this method, look for a thick, large bag, as this will provide lots of room for your plants’ roots to develop.

Will manure help my crops?

Because it is a natural, nutrient-rich material, manure will act as a compost and benefit your crops — but only if it is well-rotted. If it isn’t well-rotted, it may be too rich for your plants, as the nutrients haven’t been broken down into manageable forms the plants can use. Likewise, it could spread disease to your plants and carry an unpleasant odour.

Well-rotted manure, on the other hand, contains plenty of useful nutrients and has a crumbly, soil-like texture. Often, it’s only necessary to use either manure or compost, so choose the one that’s right for your vegetable patch.

How do I apply the compost or manure to my vegetable patch?

To apply your chosen organic matter to your vegetable patch, you should dig over the soil to a depth of around 37.5cm to 45cm. As you dig, incorporate the manure or compost into the soil.

Home remodeling don'ts

Whether you are working alone or with the help of a general contractor, getting a peek into the contractor’s mind might give you a new perspective about remodeling projects.  What you do is just as important as what you do not do. Sometimes, your instinct can affect your home renovation project negatively. How do you know whether you are hurting or helping the project? Here are some remodeling don’ts:

Do not delay decisions

If you want your remodeling project to go well, you should make your decisions before the work starts. A good contractor will be able to talk you through the number of situations that could come up during the project. Decisions about things like faucets, trims, and paint can cause a delay. As small as these things seem, when your contemporary kitchen faucets are two weeks late, the plumbers will have to reschedule the remodeling.

Do not purchase your own materials

Although this seems like the most cost effective option, you should not buy your own materials. A builder might get a better price than you might for all materials. This means that even if he marks up the price after buying, you might not notice the difference.

Do not work without contingency funds

If the work that you plan to do will cost more money than you can afford, you should reconsider the project. Most people do not usually set up realistic funds for their projects. For this reason, you need to set up a contingency fund in case the project runs out of budget. If you make every decision in advance, you might not even have to use the contingency fund.

Do not keep changing your mind

Even if changing your mind is inevitable, you should know that doing it too much results in a change of order. As minor as the change may seem, it will add to the overall cost of doing the project. The scheduling of your project will also be affected when you change your mind. Every person working on the project needs to be aware of the new schedule, resulting in delays and disruptions.

Do not waste money

Although the contractor might not tell you this, some houses need to be knocked down instead of being remodeled. You might be putting new cabinets in a house with a saggy foundation or wasting money on a high-efficiency furnace in a house that has no insulation. To avoid wasting your money, you should keep an open mind and listen to what the professionals tell you.

Do not ignore what your house wants

When making changes to your house, make sure that they go hand in hand with the type of house that you have. For instance, would an ultramodern kitchen fit into your Victorian brownstone? It can if you hire the right contractor. Of course, a house can evolve with the times, but you have to ensure that you can pull it off. Get to know your house and do some research before hiring a contractor.

Do not live in the home

Many people ignore this because renovation is costly and moving out only increases the cost. If you cannot afford to move during the whole project, make sure that you set up a clean area in the house to stay. This will not only keep you out of the way while the job is being done, but also keep you from coming to a dirty and messy construction site. If you can afford to stay away for the duration of the renovation, that would be great.

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Author’s Bio
Wendy Dessler
Title: Super-Connector at OutreachMama

Wendy is a super-connector with OutreachMama who helps businesses find their audience online through outreach, partnerships, and networking. She frequently writes about the latest advancements in digital marketing and focuses her efforts on developing customized blogger outreach plans depending on the industry and competition.

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2016 Design Trends

So you’ve been thinking of renovating your kitchen and you’ve decided that 2016 is the year you’re going to do it… but have you thought about making sure your kitchen style will be up-to-date? If you’re going to spend all that money on a kitchen you need to make sure that you’re happy with your choice in style and features. We’ve put together 5 key kitchen design trends so that you can be certain that your kitchen is not instantly behind the times.

Open Shelving

For several years now we’ve seen the kitchen design industry leaning towards minimalist design with barely a thought of practicality. Designers have hidden away every personality trait of your kitchen behind imposing glossy cabinets. However, there is now an emerging trend of using open shelving to show off all of your kitchen accessories. This gives you an opportunity to give your kitchen some personality, but also it makes your kitchen more practical; you can now find what you’re looking for much easier. Of course you won’t want everything on display so it’s best to combine shelving and cabinets.

Impactful Wallpaper

Walls are often forgotten and neglected as part of the kitchen design; they are predominately just left as a single color. Incorporating wallpaper into your design is proving to be a big trend this year, but not just any style – we’re talking about the big pattern and multi-color wallpaper. Adding this patterned wallpaper is nothing new; it has been used for feature walls in bedrooms and lounges for years, but it is rarely used in the kitchen. Wallpaper can give you the opportunity to complement the architectural elements throughout your kitchen and add stunning contrast to what would otherwise be a simplistic color palette.

A Mix Of Old And New

In recent years there has been a definite pursuit of the minimalist and modern design with the traditional styles being left behind. Homeowners are now shunning these ultra-sleek designs in favor for the best of both worlds: a combination of the traditional and modern design. These designs bring the clean lines and simplicity you see in a modern kitchen with the character of the traditional design. Plain door fronts are out, and instead people are going for classics such as the Shaker doors; gone are the stainless steel worktops in exchange for marble or wood.

It is a very delicate balancing act between the two designs, but when done right can result in a warm, homely and yet practical kitchen. Those looking to give their traditional style kitchen an update could certainly benefit from this approach.  By simply adding a few modern design elements it is possible to achieve the latest look whilst avoiding the cost of a whole new kitchen.

Furniture-Style Cabinets

Furniture-style cabinets look set to become big in 2016; there have been a few brilliant examples of these cropping up for a few years now, but this year they are really taking off. These are non-imposing cabinets for your kitchen which give your kitchen the same feel as a living room or dining room. They celebrate the different elements that can make up a kitchen, rather than thinking of your kitchen as just a work station. You can also mix and match items; giving your kitchen that personal design touch.

Sleek And Warm Black

Black never really went out of style and probably never will; it has always been used to make a bold statement in design. However, kitchen designers have always been too afraid to use it in any big way. Until now. There is an emerging trend of using black as the main color in the kitchen by making all of the cabinets black or painting some walls black. If done right it can make the kitchen look sleek and modern, yet still warm and homely. It can provide a stunning contrast to colorful walls or patterned wallpaper, really highlighting the wall and making it even more of a feature. If you’re not set on a color or want something a little bit different then black could be the ideal solution.

Injections Of Color

If you love the white kitchen, but are not a fan of how plain and boring it can sometimes look, you need to inject some color. More kitchen designs are taking the minimalist kitchen and throwing some color in the right places. This can be: using a colorful splash back, colorful lights or even just by displaying colorful items around the kitchen. Adding splashes of color allows you to inject some of your personality into your kitchen. Plus, because you’re using the plain white kitchen as your canvas it means you can add the color once the rest of the kitchen has been installed.  Moreover, you can easily update your plain white kitchen without much hassle.

2016 is set to be another exciting year in kitchen design with some incredibly innovative designs being shown off. As always, we’ll see some surprises and some designs that simply don’t take off. In time we will be able to see which have evolved into trends and which become a distant memory.  But in the meantime if you incorporate whichever of the above styles or features that take your fancy, you can rest assured that you will be the proud owner of a trendy kitchen that will look good for years.

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This guest blog was written by Designer Kitchens for Less, the UK based supply of cheap designer kitchens. Get in touch for a quote on your dream designer kitchen. Visit us at: www.designerkitchensforless.co.uk.

How To Choose The Right Bar Stools For Your Kitchen Counter or Island

A bar stool to a kitchen area is like a fine glass of wine to a Friday night - an addition that can only make things better and inject a vibrant feel to your home. As wonderful and versatile as they are, choosing the right set is only a matter of taste and the style that already prevails your space. The most important factors to consider are material and style.

Material

Wood
Nowadays, most wooden bar stools are made of hard rubber-wood due to its durability, but there are other wood materials that are also appealing. There’s also rattan, wicker and teak wood, although they might not be as sturdy. Fortunately, wooden bar stools are generally quite easy to maintain and clean.

Metal
Stainless steel is by far one of most strong and resistant materials for kitchen bar stools. If you are one of those people that want to buy a  kitchen bar stools set once and have a piece of mind for a long time, this is the material you are looking for. Make sure that the stools you get feature at least 80% of steel as a part of their construction. If you want something lighter than steel, aluminium could seal the deal by offering similar quality, low maintenance and contemporary design. Metal kitchen bar stools easy to disinfect with a quick wipe down.

Upholstery                          
These bar stools are the mightiest tool if you want to match your interior just right because they come in an endless array of covers, be it leather, linen, faux suede or vinyl. They can easily become a part of the seamless blend you are aiming to achieve. People also love these due to the comfort they provide with the convenient padding for the back and as an addition, many of these kitchen bar stools feature a footrest as well. One minor disadvantage is the fact that they are not as easy to clean and you will have to be very careful not to spill something on the upholstered surface.

Plastic
If you’re all about easy maintenance, this material can surely offer that, but with so many amazing choices of material that come with more sturdiness and class, plastic is regarded as probably the last one you should opt for, if you want your interior to speak volumes about your taste, that is.

Recycled materials
If the process of choosing the perfect type of material is to receive an extra pair of wings, that can undoubtedly be achieved with a sustainability factor. If you want to excel at both - helping our planet and decorating your home, this is a great way to do it and you can find all of the aforementioned types in the form of their recycled counterparts, except for upholstered.

Style

Futuristic
Simple, straight, strong, new age – these are the qualities you should look for if you’re after a futuristic feel. The best material choice for this style is by all means steel. Make sure that the chairs you choose are easy to assemble and feature PVC seats. This style simply pours that modern vibe into the area and with minimal effort you'll be able to pull off a very cool futuristic style.

Traditional
If you can imagine yourself sitting on one of your bar stools, hands wrapped around a warm mug, a quiet jazz song playing in the background, then wooden bar stools from top to bottom might be right up your alley. Just make sure that the rest of your décor can respond to this vintage challenge because you wouldn't want it to look as if you've kidnapped the stools from a retro times and now you are desperately trying to adapt them to your modern design.

Middle Earth
Being unable to choose between traditional and modern is actually a pleasant design symptom. It can allow you to have the best of both worlds in a very unique way. Talk about a style that defies classification. This style can be best achieved by opting for a set of bar stools that feature black metal frame and wood. The wooden part will add to the traditional appeal, whilst the black metal frame will speak of futuristic simplicity, easy maintenance and a keen eye for elegance.

Hand held versus fixed shower heads – which is best?

If you are thinking of having a new shower fitted in your home you may be wondering whether it makes more sense to have hand held shower or a fixed head shower. There are people who swear by both. The question is; which is the best option for you? Everyone is different so you have to make your own decision.

To help you make your decision you can check out reviews of the best fixed shower head and the best hand held shower head. In the meantime, we are going to take you through some of the things you should consider before you make your choice.

Why it makes sense to have a hand held shower
There are several reasons why having a handheld shower head in your bathroom makes sense.

• Easier washing enabled. If you are able to hold the shower head in your hand it makes it a lot easier to wash exactly where you want to wash. You do not have the same ability to direct the water if you have a fixed shower head.
• Ability to wash around the shower or tub. One of the great things about a hand held shower head is that you can use it to rinse around your shower or tub. This means that soap scum is less likely to build up making it easier for you to keep the shower or tub clean.
• Conservation of water. If you have a fixed shower head in your shower then a large amount of water just goes straight down the drain and is not actually put to any real use. If you use a hand held shower head then the water is directed where it is needed so there is a lot less wastage. You can see how a hand held shower head helps to conserve water.

How to get the best of both worlds
There are some people who prefer showering under a fixed shower head; they believe it has more power and enjoy standing under a steady stream of water. If you cannot decide which type of shower head you prefer then it is possible to have both. Having dual heads in your shower means that you have the option of using either; this is especially useful if different people living in your household have different preferences as to which is best. It also means that you have a complete showering experience.

If you are having a new shower fitted in your home then you want to make sure it gives you the experience you want. We have shown you that a hand held shower head makes sense if you want to conserve energy and have a more directed showering experience. However, some people just prefer to stand under a fixed shower head. Having both types of shower head may be the best way to keep everyone happy; the decision is yours.

Top 5 Kitchen Design Tips to Revamp a Small Kitchen

If you’re not blessed with the virtues of a roomy kitchen, the notion of a renovation or redesign might seem a little redundant to you. You might find it hard to see how spending money on such a limited space could be worthwhile. Yet, the truth is that there are plenty of clever ways to give small kitchens some serious personality and life.

There are some dreams that you may have to give up. If there’s barely enough room to make toast, never mind swing a cat, that sprawling American style Smeg fridge is just not viable. However, most redesign ideas can be easily adapted to fit kitchens with a limited amount of space. It’s all about being smart, flexible, and inventive with design.

1. Start Doubling Up

A favourite trick, used by skilled kitchen designers like Brentwood Kitchens, is to double up on space. So, a stylish breakfast bar can also be used to incorporate storage for pots, pans, and other kitchen accessories. Things like stove tops can be adapted to pull down over hobs and turn into extra preparation space. Integrated appliances are great for this, because they take up less space than standalone devices; they also fit more seamlessly with the kitchen.

2. Stick with Light Colours

If it’s been said before, it’ll be said a hundred times more; light colours give the illusion of space. The minute that you cover the kitchen walls with heavy greys, greens, or blues, it’ll start to feel cramped and restricted. Open up the room that you have with whites, creams, light greys, and pastel tones. Also, mirrors are great for tricking the eye into seeing more space, so think about investing in a mirrored splashback.

3. Take Cabinets Higher

In most kitchens, there’s a really useful band of space that is left wasted, because cupboards stop short below the ceiling. While super tall cupboards might have you standing on a chair to access the cookie cutters, it’s not too much of an inconvenience if you store only items that you use irregularly up high. Cake tins and ‘once every so often’ items like food colouring are ideal for storage in this type of space.

4. Choose Sensible Appliances

If you have a small kitchen, you’re going to need appliances that are on the smaller side too. For families with young children, this can be tricky, because it means extra loads in the washing machine and dishwasher. What you can do to make this easier is invest in eco-friendly, economical appliances. They’ll help you to save on your energy bills, even if you have to keep refilling. When it comes to the fridge, pick an appliance that is thinner, but deeper. Never pay retail prices either. There are always Lowe's Coupons to be had on the web, keep an eye out for them and shop accordingly.

5. Call in the Experts

For homeowners who have a fairly robust budget, hiring an expert design team is an alternative option. They will take over all of the practical considerations, so that you don’t have to worry about finding the right sized fridge or picking the perfect colour palette. Plus, you can have as much or as little direct input as you please; you can either let your designers surprise you with something wonderful or point them in a specific style direction.

How to Create a Kitchen That Makes You Happy

The bottom line is that every kitchen, no matter how small it is, can be helped to shine with the right tweaks and improvements. If you do need some inspiration, head down to a showroom and check out some of the designs on offer. The added benefit of browsing in person is that you can get one on one advice from the experts.

What Materials are Available when it Comes to Shower Trays? Your Important Guide

 

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So you’ve decided to get a shower tray for your bathroom – we congratulate you on your wise decision. After all, there are many advantages to having a shower tray in your bathroom. Firstly, they ensure that there is no unwanted water in the rest of the bathroom, and this ensures that there are no problems with electricity as well – or mould which can form from water seeping through some unseen cracks. Secondly, you’ll have a much easier time to maintain and clean your bathroom, which is always a great plus. And let’s not forget the time and money you save. However, how do you choose the right shower tray for your needs? What materials are available? Here is a quick guide on which materials are available when it comes to shower trays.

Steel

There are many advantages to steel – advantages which many of us may have forgotten. Steel shower trays are hygienic, resistant to acid, and are very durable. In fact, they can take a punch; they tend not to deform and don’t deteriorate due to scratching or impact. Furthermore, they now come with anti-slip coating and can be fitted with an insulation system as well.

Acrylic

The great thing about acrylic is its insulating property; this means that, together with a hard foam laid out around and underneath, no heat will be lost. It also means that the heat is contained and not transferred to physical energy (such as expansion that may happen with steel), and so it prevents cracks and irregular fitting in the long term.

Solid surface

The solid surface is made of mineral particles – it contains a very high percentage of them – and so the surface feels very smooth indeed. This innovative design also allows it to come in various styles and finishes, which makes it easier for buyers to make a choice which is especially designed for their bathroom. It’s non-porous, which means it’s very hygienic, durable, and easy to clean.

Ceramic 

If you want a long-term investment, then ceramic is probably your best choice, as it is the most durable of all. They’re also great to look at and fit perfectly into any bathroom. As with all the other choices, they can also be provided with anti-slip coating should that be required.

As you can see, there are many kinds of shower trays out there – from an offset quadrant shower tray to a rectangular one, a square one, and more - and whilst we’re sure there’s the perfect one for you, you’ll need to check carefully and consider the choice an investment. There are, after all, advantages and disadvantages to each one of them. Perhaps the best way to begin is to list down your own priorities and then see which material fits best with your needs. 

Top 10 Factors to Consider Before Renovating Your Kitchen

Decide what you want to achieve

Before you get out the sledgehammer, it’s important to know exactly what you want to achieve from your renovation. Are you looking to add a purely aesthetic change to your space. Perhaps you want to add functionality? Or maybe you want the space you’re in to better reflect your lifestyle. Whatever your purpose, there are many options for kitchen renovation in Melbourne that will be able to suit your needs, so do your research.

Visualise your decor 

Collect samples of colours, textures and furniture that you want to exhibit in your new and improved space. Keep this mood board handy, so you can stick to a central theme when making every decision about your kitchen. This will ensure you don’t have any colliding aspects, and your kitchen will be both practically and aesthetically coherent.

Choose timeless trends

Another thing to be wary of is choosing timeless trends that won’t age or date. The last thing you want is to spend time and effort on a renovation that is going to be out of date in a few years’ time.

Don’t forget about the details

When renovating your dream kitchen, it can be easy to overlook the fine details, as the tradesmen and contractors you hire won’t pay any attention to these. The true beauty of designing a new space is in the exquisite details, so make sure you consider those smaller styling elements as well.

Choose fitting appliances

A kitchen is usually the room in the house with the most whitegoods and appliances visible. Therefore, it is vital that you choose appliances that go with the rest of your decor and your overall theme. These days, there are a wide range of colours and styles of appliances you can choose from, and more often than not you can choose appliance sets, so they will all be matching.

Timing is key

It’s important to be mindful of the order in which each step of the renovation process is carried out. Of course, sticking to a strict schedule usually doesn’t go specifically to plan. However, it’s a good idea to have a process of when and how you want things to be done.

Be prepared for the long haul

A kitchen renovation can be quite a big job. Don’t be put off by this, but do keep in mind that it’s going to take a quite a considerable amount of work and time to achieve your dream kitchen. You only get out what you put in!

Don’t demolish

Before you hold your own demolition party, bear in mind that many elements of your old kitchen may be able to be reused or recycled. Take care in dismantling your existing kitchen, as it could save you a small fortune.

Small touches are vital

Does your kitchen really need a whole renovation? If not, there are several simple and affordable touches that can add up to create an entirely new look without hurting your wallet. Concentrate on updating just the focal points of your kitchen such as new bench tops and a splashback which could make a huge difference.

Remember, a renovation should be an investment

It might seem enticing to keep costs down by skimping on certain elements of your renovation. However, it is important to remember that a renovation is an investment which adds value to your home and cutting corners could end up costing you more in the long run.

Take heed of these 10 helpful tips when you’re renovating your kitchen, in order to get the most out of your space as possible. Happy renovating!

The Warning Signs of a Potential Plumbing Disaster

Blocked drains are a common problem for homeowners, but it doesn’t mean that they’re not still pretty stressful. Taking the plug out of the sink and having the water go nowhere is clearly worrying. So too is flushing the toilet and having it come close to overflowing. These problems trigger alarm bells, because they are an unmistakable sign that something is wrong.

Fortunately, there are plenty of reliable plumbing companies that are used to dealing with blocked drains in Melbourne. If you fear that you might have a problem, you need to get in touch with these experts right away. They will come round to your home, diagnose the issue, and get to work on solving it. You’ll have your drains back to normal in no time.

This guide to some of the most common warning signs of a potential plumbing disaster will help you identify the problem quickly.

Sluggish Draining

You probably have a blockage somewhere if you take the plug out of the sink and the water empties very slowly or not at all. This type of damage can also occur in the shower. If left untreated, it will get worse. There is a risk of whatever is blocking the pipe (usually food waste) from rotting and flooding back out of the sink.

Nasty Smells

If a clog is preventing dirt and debris from moving down the pipe, as it usually would, you could start to smell a bit of a nasty whiff coming from the drain. This happens because hair, dirt, and food waste is building up behind the blockage and slowly decomposing. It is a really unpleasant symptom and most homeowners can’t go longer than a week without calling in professional help.

Gurgling Noises

Sometimes, blocked drains can cause fixtures to make a bubbling, gurgling sound. This might be an indication that you have a main sewer drain clog, particularly if you hear it while you shower as well. On the other hand, all drains are different. If you do hear strange noises, watch to see if the water leaves the drain reasonably quickly.

If it does, you should be fine. If it doesn’t, you may need to call in a plumber to fix what could be a blocked drain. Make sure that you give a plumber all of the details about the problem that you can, when you first speak to them on the phone. It will help them identify the issue faster.

Unusual Flushing

A blocked drain or pipe can sometimes manifest itself in the form of abnormal flushing responses. So, when you flush the toilet, the water either rises much higher than normal or there is a lot less water than usual in the bowl.

If you experience either of these things, deal with the problem quickly, because it can lead to toilet water rising up through sinks and shower drains. Once again, get on the phone to the professionals. They will be able to find a solution in no time, so that you can get on with life and keep your home functioning smoothly.

Washing Machine Back Ups

If your washing machine causes the sink in your bathroom to start gurgling and spewing water, you definitely have a clog or blockage somewhere. As the water in the appliance drains, there should be no obvious activity in the bathroom pipes.

It can be difficult to trace the source of blockages without expert help, so don’t delay. The faster that you address the issue, the less risk there is of it turning into a flood hazard. Though rare, this can happen. Address potential blockages quickly and efficiently.

What is the best coffee machine you can get for under $300?

If your day is only complete when you have had a great espresso, then you need an impressive espresso machine to produce it. There are many espresso machines on the market but not all of them produce the high quality results that you need. The ideal product that you are looking for is one which comes at an affordable cost while producing the delicious espresso that you crave.

We know that choosing an espresso machine can be a difficult task which is why we have taken a look at some of the advice available to help you decide. You can take a look at some of the details of the machines you can purchase for $300 or less. Here is an overview of the information we have found.

What to look for in an espresso machine

If you are looking for a reliable espresso machine for less than $300 then there are a few points you may want to consider when making your decision. We had Amanda from Coffee-Channel.com help us come up this list thorough list:

The speed with which you can get an espresso

If you love an espresso then you are probably not going to want to spend ages waiting to produce one. You should think about buying a machine with a large water tank as a well as a dual boiler; opt for a machine that can brew and steam milk at the same time. All of this things mean that you will have a machine that is quicker to produce that espresso you want and quicker to recover afterwards.

Ease of use

How important this is really depends on how often you are going to use your espresso machine. If you are intending to use it regularly then you do not want to have to spend ages setting it up every time. You may want to choose an automatic espresso machine which is probably the best match to your needs.

How easy is the machine to use?

If you do not want to have to spend time learning how to use an espresso machine you should choose one that really just involves using a few buttons. If you do not do this then you are probably going to stop using it pretty quickly which is a complete waste of money.

How good is the espresso?

Of course, one of the most important things about an espresso machine is the quality of the espresso it produces. Getting a great espresso does not have to involve spending a lot of money; many more reasonably priced machines produce excellent results.

Which machines represent great value?

Given the points you should be considering, here are a few espresso machines costing under $300 that you may want to consider.

Breville ESP8XL Café Roma
Type of machine: semi-automatic
Dimensions: 9 x 9 x 12"
Warranty: one year
This espresso machine comes with a warming tray for your mugs. It is easy to clean due to the slide out drip tray and is really simple to use. You can check out the current available deals for this machine.

Capresso EC PRO
Type of machine: semi-automatic
Dimensions: 8 x 11 x 12"
Warranty: one year
This machine can brew at different temperatures. It has a built in cup warmer and excellent frothing ability. If you want to check the latest prices for this machine click here.

DeLonghi EC330-s
Type of machine: Semi-automatic
Dimensions: 11 x 8 x 12"
Warranty: one year
Once this machine is warm it is self-priming. It is also extremely durable and has a deep and easy to clean drip tray. Check out the latest price information for this machine.

DeLonghi EC680 Dedica
Type of machine: automatic
Dimensions: 13 x 6 x 13"
Warranty: one year
This simple to use machine heats up impressively quickly. It also produces barista quality coffee and is easy to clean. If you are interested in buying this machine you can take a look at the latest prices.

All of these machines are capable of producing high quality espresso at an affordable cost.

Installing granite countertops

This photo was taken from Caesarstone Canada official site 

Installing granite countertops isn’t exactly a simple process, but it’s not terribly difficult either. There are a number of basic steps to follow that can all but guarantee you a result you’ll be thrilled with.

It starts with a visit to a counter fabricator’s showroom. Do an internet search for granite fabricators in your area and you’ll find more than a few of them. A granite fabricator has the equipment and the experience to work with not only granite, but other materials such as quartz composites and solid surface materials too.

Once you’re at the fabricator, you’ll see many slabs of the material you can use for granite countertops they have on hand and you’ll notice that their materials when in slab (uncut) form are grouped by color. You’ll find that helpful because the first decision you’ll have to make is the color of your counters. Deciding on the pattern of that color comes second, after you’ve narrowed down your color choices.

At the fabricator too, you’ll see the sink options you have available as well as a selection of faucets. It’s usually less expensive to buy sinks and faucets from a fabricator than it is to buy those same components from a plumbing wholesaler.

If they’re not clearly labeled, ask to see what edge options for your granite countertops you have to choose from as well. 

After you’ve made your selections, ask to set up an appointment for a template.

Custom granite countertops cannot be made ahead of time, they’re always made from a template of the cabinetry where those counters will be installed. It takes a little longer this way, but it’s only then that you can be sure that your new granite counters will fit perfectly.

Your estimate will always include labor. It’s only a qualified installer who knows how to install granite countertops.

Once your new granite countertops are installed, follow the installer’s directions exactly once they leave. In most cases, you won’t be able to use your new counters for a day or so after they’ve been installed. Your fabricator and installer will also have some useful tips and products to help keep your new countertops looking new for a very long time.

Once you’ve gone ahead and had your new granite countertops installed, take a breath and enjoy them. They’re a beautiful addition to any home and not only that, they add real value when it comes time to sell your house.

Why is the drain gurgling and slow to clear?

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If a drain is clear and clean then water should clear quickly and without any noise. If the water is taking longer to clear down the drain than normal, and you can hear a gurgling noise after you have used the sink or shower, then you will need to check for problems if the drain or with the vent pipe. You should never ignore a problem like this, because chances are it will only get worse. If you are at all concerned about noises coming from the drains then you can make a choice to call a professional, like an emergency plumber. They can help deal with the problem and put your mind at rest. We are going to take you through the causes of a gurgling drain that a plumber may discover.

A build-up of grease and grime

The most obvious reason for you to hear gurgling noises, and notice the water is disappearing faster than usual, is a build-up of grease and grime in the drains. When the drain is clean both air and water can flow down it freely; this does not happen when a drain is clogged. This can happen in individual drains in your home, or in the main pipe for all the drains. You will be able to tell if the main pipe is involved if the noise is present for any drain. It’s a good idea to try and prevent items such as oil, grease and hairs from going down the drain in the first place. However, if a blockage does happen you can try and remove it by pouring boiling water down the drain (only if you have metal pipes; for PVC pipes use hot water). If this is not successful you can try using a plunger or a drain snake to solve the problem.

 A blocked vent pipe

 If the vent pipe for your home is blocked this can cause you to hear gurgling noises. The vent pipe connects to all the pipes in your home and vents out through the roof. Problems can occur when debris gets into the vent and prevents air from getting out. The air has to go somewhere and will usually try and escape through the last part of the system that was used, such as a kitchen sink. This escape results in the gurgling sound. If you think you have a problem with a blockage in the vent pipe for your home you should call a professional plumber to take a look for you.

These are the main reasons why you may hear a gurgling noise after you use the sink or the shower. If you experience these problems then you call a licensed plumber to help. They will be able to take a look at the problem and resolve it for you, giving you peace of mind and getting your plumbing back in full working order.

What you need to know about pest control in the kitchen

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No room of your home is immune to pest infestation. You may not like the idea, but your kitchen could be especially popular with pests because there is a potential food supply close at hand. If you discover a termite and pest problem in your kitchen, or any other room of your home, you may need to carry out certain actions before the pest control experts arrive.

If you hire a Wheaton exterminator to deal with your pest problem you should ask for advice about what you will need to do in preparation for the extermination taking place. In the meantime, we are going to take you through some information that you may find interesting to know.

Making sure your kitchen is prepared for the extermination process

If you are having extermination work carried out in your kitchen you will normally be required to empty your kitchen cupboards. You should always make sure that the contents of the cupboards are stored in another area of your home, under a covering. Once you have emptied the cupboards you should clean them out.

Doing this removes any traces of food which may serve as a distraction to pests and reduce the effect of any baits that are put in place. It’s also worth remembering that you will not be able to clean any of the cupboards directly after the extermination process as to do so could adversely affect the treatments used.

It’s worth noting that for certain treatments, such as that for an infestation of spiders, the process you need to follow may be different as any webs will normally need to be left intact.

Action to take in the rest of your home

It’s often not just your kitchen that requires treatment during the extermination process. In any area of your home that is being treated you need to make sure that the exterminator has full and unrestricted access. You should always make sure that the floor space is clear. There is a particular process that you need to follow if you have an aquarium in your home which is too heavy to be moved.
You should ensure that the aquarium is completely sealed and that you have switched the pump off. Obviously, the fish cannot be without a pump for very long so if the extermination is going to take a long time you need to find a way of filtering air in from outside of your home.

These are probably not the only preparations you will need to make, prior to the arrival of the exterminator. You should always ask the pest control expert you have hired about what they need you to do. Once you have confirmed what preparations are necessary you should always make sure you have enough time to complete them. You do not want to end up rushing so always start early clearing your kitchen and any other rooms that are being treated.