Home-Improvement Articles
Types Of Vacuum Cleaners
(category: Home-Improvement, Word count: 840)
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In the world of vacuum cleaners there many types of vacuums each having its own specific task. Residential vacuums are usually inexpensively priced and are light weight. Commercial vacuum cleaners come in two common forms, the upright vacuum cleaner and the back pack vacuum cleaner. Floor maintenance personal will usually utilize a wet dry vacuum for removing old stripper and water from newly refinished floors. Contactors and construction crews will usually use a commercial heavy duty vacuum for construction cleanup and renovations.
Residential vacuum cleaners usually sell for under $400 dollars and can have a life expectancy of up to 5 years. Residential vacuum cleaners have a plastic body and one motor that drives both the brush and operates the vacuum motor. The cord on a residential vacuum cleaner does not have a ground fault plug and the overall unit is often smaller than commercial vacuums. The most common brands of residential vacuum cleaners are Hoover and Eureka each about 20 vacuum cleaners in its vacuum cleaner line up. Residential vacuum cleaners come in both filter bag and non filter bag cyclonic models and are made to be used occasionally up to 5 times a week over a 5 year period.
Commercial vacuum cleaners are made with either plastic or metal bodies and are made to withstand more punishment than residential vacuum cleaners. Most commercial vacuum cleaner cords are at least 50ft long and contain a ground fault protector. An easy way to tell if a vacuum has a ground fault protector is to make sure it has three prongs at the end of the plug. Having a ground fault protector will help to ensure the safety of the vacuum cleaner operator in case the cord is severed by either the vacuum or a sharp object pressing against the cord. Commercial vacuum cleaners usually have two motors one that runs the brush and one that drives the vacuum.
Upright vacuum cleaners come in both residential and commercial models. Upright vacuum cleaners usually have a base that contains the beater brush and motors, and the bag or box enclosure that contains a filter bag or canister for debris. Upright vacuum cleaners can include many features such as front lights, brush height controls, on board hose and attachments and different power modes. Upright vacuum cleaners are great for flat open areas and small stairways.
Back pack vacuum cleaners are usually made up of a canister that is attached to a harness and a wand with a long hose. On back pack vacuum cleaners the canister is worn on the back and is usually made from light weight material like plastic or resin compounds. The canister on the vacuum cleaner usually contains a motor at one end and a filter bag at the other. The hose is usually connected to the top end of the vacuum and can be fitted with attachments for all types of cleaning jobs. Back pack vacuum cleaners are great for cleaning hard to reach places and large stairways. Because of the portability of these vacuum cleaners they are used commonly in commercial cleaning environments.
Wet dry vacuum cleaners are great for residential and commercial use. Disposable wet dry vacuum cleaners range from $20 to $500 dollars are are usually fitted with under powered motors or seals that will degrade over time. These vacuums usually have a life expectancy of about 3 years depending on how they are used. Most disposable wet dry vacuum cleaners have a plastic or resin tank and rigid plastic hose. Commercial wet dry vacuum cleaners are made for heavy duty applications such as construction cleanup and floor maintenance. Commercial wet dry vacuums come with heavy duty motors and replaceable seals and can have a life expectancy up to 10 years depending on how they are used. Commercial wet dry vacuum cleaners usually have a metal or hard resin canister with a heavy duty motor mounted on the top. Some commercial wet dry vacs can be fitted with a front mount squeegee and are great for floor maintenance cleanups or for cleaning up wet floors. When purchasing a wet dry vacuum make sure it has a three pronged plug and has ground protection circuitry for safety.
Wide area vacuum cleaners are wide vacuums which can measure up to 3 feet wide. These types of vacuum cleaners are perfect for large open areas such as conference centers, hotel hallways or banquet halls. Wide area vacuums can cut vacuuming time in open areas up to 50% compared to regular upright vacuum cleaners. Wide area vacuum cleaners have a beater brush that runs the whole length of the vacuum and large commercial heavy duty motors to create super powerful suction. The debris area within the wide area vacuum is usually quite large and can go for hours without empting. Wide area vacuum cleaners usually come in two types, walk behind and ride on. Ride on wide area vacuum cleaners are similar to a lawn tractor and contain a high power vacuum systems.
An Essential Guide To Buying Bathroom Products
(category: Home-Improvement, Word count: 912)
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Tips and advise when buying your bathroom suite:
Your bathroom is probably the most intimate space in your home.
Many people invest excessively in renovating their bathrooms in the belief that the reflection of their
personality can be found in the design of the bathroom. When your guests use your bathroom,
they take the time to look around and examine the style and accessories decorating the bathroom.
Your wealth and style will be reflected from the perfection of work and the material you use.
Below are some tips and advise when considering buying a bathroom suite or adding accessories.
POTTERY:
Also known as sanitary ware, ceramics, porcelain and ware.
There are four basic areas that affect the quality of pottery and its expected lifespan:
The depth of the glaze:
The glaze is the glass-like surface coating which is fired onto the pottery in the kiln when it is made.
The glass enables the pot to be waterproof and protects it from chemicals, such as bleach etc, over its life.
The thicker the glaze generally the longer the life. Once this glaze goes, wears out, the pot becomes porous, absorbs water and eventually cracks.
The more you use and clean the pottery the faster the glaze wears out.
To make the glaze thicker you have to apply it a layer at a time and each time fire it in the kiln. This process results in breakages within the kiln.
For example, if I fire 100 pieces of pot once I may get 99 back in one piece, so the 99 pays for the 100.
If I then fire the 99 again I may get 80 back in one piece, so now 80 have to pay for 100.
If I then fire the 80 I may get only 50 back in one piece, so now 50 have to pay for 100. You get the gist of this by now.
If you assume that each layer of glaze lasts approximately 5 to 7 years you can soon see how the system works.
If you glaze once you get a less expensive cost to manufacture but the product does not last as long in a house. The thicker the glaze the longer the pottery lasts.
Quality of the clay:
The quality of the clay that is used to make the pottery is very important.
The reason for this is that the finer the clay the smoother the finish will be on the item being made.
If you use a poorer grade of clay it will have more grit in it and the surface will have a more rippled appearance.
You may also find that because of the increased grit content the pottery is heavier than an item of the same size made with a finer grade of clay.
The finer the clay the more tonnes of rough clay you have to use to refine down to make it.
It is therefore less expensive to produce pottery with a coarse grade of clay.
The overspray or colour:
The white colour, or whatever colour it happens to be, is applied to the pottery before the glaze.
Each manufacturer mixes their own colour to try to match it to the colour of the acrylic baths.
The white colour of the acrylic bath is a worldwide standard set by the acrylic manufacturers.
You need to be aware of this if you client tries to mix and match pottery from different manufacturers.
Its usually acceptable to have a toilet and basin from one supplier made to match the bath but if you put a basin
from one supplier and a toilet from another and then the bath together it will stand out like a sore thumb.
The thicker the colour is applied, the less fading on the edges takes place and the colour is even over the whole of the item.
The colour as with the glaze is applied in layers and then has to be left to set before the next coat can be applied.
The fewer coats the quicker the product can be made and the less cost is involved.
The design of the item:
The more intricate the design the more expensive the mould is to make and the more chance there is that you will not always remove it from the mould without damage.
Plainer shapes are usually less expensive. You should also note that basins, toilets and bidets are made as matched sets.
You will often find that the foot of the pedestal on the basin matches the foot of the toilet pan and that the back of the basin matches the toilet cistern lid.
One general point to be made is that pottery is often sold in what is known in the trade as a four-piece set.
That is a basin, pedestal, pan and cistern. Unfortunately the retail customer sees the set as two pieces: the basin and the toilet.
If you use the term four-piece set to a retail customer they may think you mean a basin, toilet, bath and bidet.
So always explain what you mean by four pieces if you should choose to use the term.
How Durable Are Air Mattresses
(category: Home-Improvement, Word count: 304)
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Air mattresses are a great addition to any household, whether you choose to use them as an extra bed for unexpected guests or cushion a hard ground while on a camping trip. Many air mattresses come with their own built in air pumps, allowing you to inflate them in seconds without a great deal of huffing and puffing. Furthermore, air mattresses of today are unlike their fragile, brittle ancestors that probably popped, split, or leaked immediately after use. Although the instructions on air mattresses should still be followed to prevent any problems from potentially occurring, air mattresses tend to be durable enough to hold even the most rambunctious child.
If you are choosing an air mattress for camping purposes, consider your options to ensure you choose a mattress that best suits your needs. First, look to the size of your tent to make sure that the air mattress you choose will indeed fit into the enclosure. Additionally, consider how many people will be sleeping on the air mattress and consider purchasing a double mattress instead of two twin size mattresses. Also, determine the amount of loft you want in your air mattress since there are several options on the market. Spend an extra bit of money on an air mattress to ensure the quality is high and the mattress will be durable enough for nights spent on sharp rocks or uneven ground. Furthermore, consider investing in self inflating air mats that are a great deal lighter and easier to carry than traditional blow up air mattresses.
Regardless how many beds you have in your home, purchasing an air mattress is always a good idea. Having an air mattress on hand for the holidays when everyone seems to be in town or for a child's sleepover can make everyone's night
Mps Champion Anti Scalding Campaign
(category: Home-Improvement, Word count: 378)
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MPs have backed a call by Mary Creagh, MP for Wakefield, for a change in the law that could see fitting of anti-scald taps and controls on baths and showers made compulsory.
Creagh tabled a Private Members' Bill, Prevention of Scalding Injuries (Bathing in the Home), in the House of Commons in April with 80 MPs showing initial support. She has now asked the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and DEFRA to include her proposals to make thermostatic mixing valves (TMV) a legal requirement for all new builds alongside their other current considerations for changes to building regulations. A decision could be reached after the summer.
Creagh says: "The tragedy is that scalding accidents can be prevented. Thermostatic mixing valves can be fitted to domestic boilers to regulate water temperature and a law to this effect is being introduced in Scotland this month. I am calling on the Government to do the same south of the border. We need to change the law to stop these horrific accidents from happening."
Every year, around 20 people die as a result of scalds caused by hot bath water, and a further 570 suffer serious scald injuries, with children and the elderly particularly at risk. Mira md Roger Wilson applauds the campaign. He says: "Sadly, scalding injuries are much more common than most people realise. Perhaps it is not also realised that the solution - thermostatic control of taps and showers - is already an available, straightforward and proven technology. We urge specifiers, in private and public sector housing, to include thermostatic controls on their baths and showers."
Mary Creagh's initiative has cross-party support with backing from Liberal Democrat MP Annette Brooke, who is also championing the 'Hot Water Burns Like Fire' campaign, fronted by actress Amanda Redman.
The House of Lords is the venue for a special needs platform this month presented by the BMA's commercial director Yvonne Orgill, who is also chairman of the National Home Improvement Council. She will submit considerations for improved bathroom design awareness for 10% of the population who suffer from various degrees of disabilities.
Written on behalf of www.victoriaplumb.com an online retailer of bathroom furniture and bath related products serving the United Kingdom.
Types Of Carpets
(category: Home-Improvement, Word count: 425)
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When you go out to look for carpeting it's best that you do some homework first. Before you go to the store you should know a bit about the available carpet types you're going to be presented with. Have an idea of what each of the carpet fibers have to offer as far as durability and ability to repel stains.
Most wall to wall carpet is produced of man made fibers such as olefin, nylon, polyester, acrylic or blends of these fibers. PET is made of recycled plastic. PET is one of the strongest man made fibers and is stain resistant.
Acrylic carpeting is very similar to wool (wool is considered the best carpeting available) and is sometimes called man-made wool. It resists moisture, fading, mildew, crushing and staining but is not recommended for high traffic areas in the home. Nylon carpeting is popular due to it's durability. It resists mildew, staining and soiling. Nylon carpet is recommended for all traffic areas. It is one of the most expensive of the synthetic fibers but cheaper than wool. Olefin is a very low cost easy care material that is often used in indoor/outdoor carpeting. Olefin is colorfast and strong and easy to clean. One drawback to olefin is that it can be easily crushed depending on the pile. Polyester is luxurious and durable however is not good for high traffic areas in the home.
Another consideration would be the density of the carpet. You want a high number of fibers per square inch. A closely packed pile is an indication of a well made carpet. Check the carpet backing closely to make sure you don't see any bare areas.
The two most popular types of carpeting today are loop pile and cut pile. Loop pile has individual strands of yarn pulled through the carpet backing twice, creating a small loop. Cut pile has the loop cut at the top, leaving tufts of yarn that stand straight up. A cut pile carpet is generally more durable than a looped pile carpet. Cut pile carpets come in a variety of styles such as shag, textured, saxony and velvet or plush. Loop pile carpets would be a berber, cable or sisal. Loop pile carpets are a good choice for high traffic areas.
Ask to see the manufacturers performance rating guidelines on any carpet you are interested in.
Doing your homework before you purchase goes a long way to insuring you make the best decision. The old saying "an informed consumer is a happy consumer" hold true.
Why Microfiber Sofas Are Becoming So Popular
(category: Home-Improvement, Word count: 369)
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Microfiber sofas are becoming popular because they offer easy maintenance. Increasingly, homes are incorporating microfiber sofas into their decoration schemes. Microfiber is the tiniest man made fiber possible with today's technology. It is one hundred times finer than a human hair. It is very popular because fabrics produced from microfiber are soft, lightweight, and easy to care for. Additionally, the fibers leave no lint or dust, so they are highly recommended for allergy sufferers. These fibers are used to create clothing, cleaning cloths, polishing cloths, and all types of furniture including headboards, chairs, and sofas. Cleaning a microfiber sofa should not be a difficult process.
Microfiber, by its very nature, is stain resistant. As a result, stain products like Scotch Guard or other fabric protection materials are usually unnecessary with this type of sofa. Some furniture retail outlets offer protection plans that will help with stain resistance, so if that is one of your big concerns, contact your retailer to see if a protection plan is right for you. For general cleaning, though, a drop or two of mild detergent, like dish soap or laundry detergent, combined with a bit of water should clean your microfiber sofa in no time. Odors like urine can be easily eliminated by blotting the stain with white vinegar and distilled water, applying baking soda, then vacuuming. For the most part, cleaning will be an easy process if it is true microfiber. Imposter materials, though, may be more difficult to clean.
The majority of microfiber sofas use polyester as the base fabric because it has the ability to absorb color better than other materials. As a result of this chemical process, the color is forced to stay in the fiber, and no other treatments will ever be necessary. It may be necessary to occasionally have your microfiber sofa steam cleaned. It is fairly safe, but a professional cleaning service might not only do the best cleaning job, but also do the best job of protecting your microfiber sofa. Finally, to clean lint from your sofa, a simple lint roller (the kind that is sticky) should be the best option. Vacuuming might help in some cases as well.
Outdoor Kitchen Islands
(category: Home-Improvement, Word count: 515)
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Kitchen islands have long been loved for extra cooking and storage space in the kitchen. Now they are available for outdoor cooking and entertaining. An island outside is very functional for cooking and eating outdoors in nice weather. It also eliminates the need for running in and out of the house when cooking in the yard.
Planning Outdoor Kitchen Islands
A summer kitchen is a big investment. You want to spend as much time planning for it as you would for an island in the kitchen. Consider how it will be used and how much use it will get. Consider the climate where you live. Will it be used only in the summer? In some warm climates, an outdoor island may get year round use.
Once you have decided on how the island will be used, take a look at a variety of islands. Pool and patio stores are a great source of information. Many have a variety on display and have brochures with others. See what's available and set a budget for how much you are willing to spend.
Most have a cooking grill that is as good as an indoor range for cooking foods. They are high quality cook tops. The sizes of the grilling area vary. Larger sizes are good when you are cooking for a crowd. Side burners are great for preparing vegetables at the same time as grilling the meats. Multiple zones are great for cooking more than one food. This allows you to use different temperatures for each food.
Grilling Kitchen Island Choices
Grilling islands are available in custom or pre fabricated models. Permanent custom built grilling islands are masonry islands. They are generally made of stone or brick and are a permanent fixture in the yard. They are also very expensive.
The nice thing about custom islands is they can be made to match your home or pool areas. The tiles can match your pool on counter areas. These increase the value of your home. They are a good choice if you plan to use the island frequently and want something that will last for years.
Pre fabricated islands are manufactured in a factory and delivered to your home. You provide the measurements of the cooking surface to be used. Sizes range from a five to six foot rectangular shape and L shaped islands. Round table ends are also available to provide additional space for eating.
There are a variety of finishes, styles and designs available in outdoor kitchens. There are nearly as many options as indoor islands. Durable granite islands or tiled countertops provide function and style. As with custom islands, you can match the tile to your pool and the island to the style of your home. Multiple levels are available for separate cooking and eating areas.
Summer kitchens also provide storage space in cabinets and drawers. This gives you a place to keep cooking utensils and outdoor eating supplies. Storage space makes entertaining easier without having to carry everything outside every time you want to cook.
Hiring The Right Contractor
(category: Home-Improvement, Word count: 297)
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If you own a home and have a project your thinking of, you may need a contractor, BUT you run a risk of being scammed by a fraudulent one. Contractor fraud in the home improvement industry is one of the most complained about industries at the Better Business Bureau. If you think fraud victims are just little old ladies, think again. Some unscrupulous contractors can be so clever that it makes them a hazard to all of us.
Be careful of the so-called "free" inspection or "my crew is in the neighborhood on another job". They seem to have extra materials left over and want to offer you a great discounted price, so they offer a free inspection and guess what? You need work done! The chances are the materials aren't the best, the workmanship is going to be shabby and the price he gives you will be so good you won't be able to pass it up. Oh and I almost forgot, you probably don't need any work done at all!
Things To Look For When Hiring A Contractor:
Check the contractor for a license and insurance
Get references of his previous jobs
Check with The Better Business Bureau for any complaints against his company
Get at least 3 estimates from other contractors
The good guys
The vast majority of home contractors are honest, reputable small-business owners who work hard to make sure that they do high quality work, use good materials. They are dedicated to your satisfaction and earnestly want to earn your recommendation. Many contractors are members of professional organizations or unions that actively work to weed out contractor scams and fraud.
By doing your part to protect yourself, you can prevent getting taken by clever, manipulative contractors.
The Modern Watches And Precise Clocks Part 5 Of 5
(category: Home-Improvement, Word count: 584)
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In the evolution of watch and clock making, mechanical clocks became the foundation upon which other types of watches and clocks were made. The theory that a mechanical mechanism could "tick" of time in specific, set increments is the basis of both the quartz watch and the atomic clock.
The Quartz Watch
The Americans, Swiss and Japanese all played a part in the invention of the quartz watch. One of the first quartz watches ever built for mass market distribution was made by the Sinclair Company. It had the right idea, using quartz crystals to complete an electrical circuit that would move a mechanical movement in precise increments, but the outer casing and primitive use of the quartz proved disastrous.
Sinclair's "Black Watch" was a digital model quartz watch that was introduced in 1975. It had all kinds of problems from losing or gaining time during the changes in hot and cold weather to creating static that would affect its time keeping abilities simply by walking on nylon carpet or having static due to clothing or air conditioning. In addition, it had a battery that could only hold a charge for 10 days. There appeared to be as many returns of this watch as there were sales!
The quartz watch was still a desirable option to explore and many other companies had models of digital quartz watches in the experimental stages and ready to sell. However, the reliable early quartz watches were still about $125 or more - very expensive for the mid-1970s. These newer, more expensive watches were at least able to keep good time. In fact all well-made quartz watches kept very accurate time and in 1976 Texas Instruments introduced a model at the Chicago Consumer Electronic Show that could be produced in mass quantities for a mere $20.
The makings of a quartz watch started with the first watch battery in 1954. Next came the development of the integrated circuit in 1959. With light-emitting diodes (LED)being developed around 1962, all of the elements were in place for a digital quartz watch. In fact, the very first prototype, the Beta 21, came out in 1967. The development of liquid crystal displays (LCD) in 1968 gave digital watches the look they have today. Pulsar is credited with creating the first digital watch in 1970.
The Atomic Clock
Universal time is measured by an atomic clock which runs by using the element, cesium, to keep it going. Just one gram of cesium is enough of a "fuel" to run an atomic clock for one year. Cesium is found in granite and the one gram supply can be extracted from a piece of granite that is about a cubic foot in size.
This silvery metal is in liquid form at room temperature and is considered the most electropositive and alkaline element in the periodic table. It is used as a catalyst in photoelectric cells to react with hydrogen and create the necessary movement of the atoms which create a microwave frequency and natural resonance to define a single second. This cycle used to measure a second is actually made up of exactly 9,192,631,770 oscillations of the cesium atom's resonant frequency.
Of course the atomic clock is not the type of clock one keeps in their home, but it is the national standard for keeping time in America. For home use, today's quartz clocks and watches offer a highly precise way of keeping time.
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