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The main appeal of carpet as a flooring material is its ability to provide a cushiony, warm surface underfoot. Two characteristics of carpet are primary considerations when choosing a carpet: the type of natural or synthetic fiber used in the construction, and the pile—how the loops of fiber are attached to the carpet backing. Sacramento carpet dealers can show you how these characteristics determine the comfort of the carpet, how it feels underfoot, and its wear characteristics. When determining the quality and durability of carpet, start by finding out its pile height and face weight. Pile height is the height of the carpet fibers, excluding the backing. Carpet will typically be classified as low pile carpet, medium pile carpet or high pile carpet. Low pile carpet has short fibers that look and feel flat and dense. This type of carpet is easy to clean and durable; it doesn’t catch much dirt or debris, and it can stand up to a lot of foot traffic without losing it

Vacuuming is where most people start when maintaining their carpeting. That, then, is where we'll start this article on carpet-cleaning tips. But it isn't where the article will end. We'll present all sorts of guidelines for cleaning, removing stains, and dealing with various other problems. For now, though, we'll get to the basics: Carpets need to be vacuumed once a week and more often in areas of heavy traffic. Frequent vacuuming prolongs the life of your carpet by preventing a buildup of gritty particles that can cut carpet fibers. Every few weeks, take a little extra time and use your crevice tool for cleaning around baseboards and radiators and in other hard-to-reach places. To vacuum wall-to-wall carpeting, divide the floor into quadrants and vacuum an entire quadrant before moving on to the next. Take your time when you vacuum a carpet, especially a plush carpet in which dirt is sure to be deeply embedded. One pass with a high-powered upright is not en

From choosing the right lighting to deciding on the perfect mix of storage components, designing a closet is no easy feat. Custom storage solutions, convenient dressing areas, glamorous design details – you deserve a closet with everything you could want in a custom closet and then some. Make it an Extension of Your Bedroom "Your personal closet is a space that should not be overlooked and designed only for function, but rather made into an extension of your bedroom. For this closet, I wanted to create a jewel box atmosphere and to design not only a wardrobe, but a dressing room. I designed the layout of the closet, keeping the function of utmost importance. We also added beautiful wallpaper and plush carpet, and used lucite rods, mirrors and crystal lighting to add a bit of glamour. I wanted to my client to feel like she was shopping in her own closet!" — Kathryn Ivey Vary Storage Types & Incorporate Contrasting Colors Today In: Lifestyle “Planning a master

Money Saving Tips for Your Swimming Pool Over the years, I’ve come across some interesting money saving tips for your pool while working with swimming pool owners. These tips will help you cut back spending while actively trying to maintain a healthy, stress-free lifestyle, enjoying your pool. Store Your Vacuum Head Correctly The number one reason pool owners replace their vacuum head is because the brushes on the bottom of it have either flattened out or completely fallen off. Store your vacuum head upside down and out of the sun. Over the winter, be sure you keep it away from any chlorine. If you do this, you will double the life of your vacuum head, which can be expensive to replace. Use A Solar Cover With Your Pool Heater Solar pool covers capture the energy of the sun and transfer it directly into your pool water to keep it warm. Depending on where you live, a solar pool cover may not keep the water as warm as an electric or gas heater, but the tradeoff is that it can ac

Asphalt paving for your residential or commercial property is a big job that requires a professional, experienced company to ensure proper installation and long-term results. To avoid costly repairs from shoddy workmanship, it is imperative that you hire a reputable asphalt contractor for all your asphalt needs. Tips for Hiring an Asphalt Company Check References & Reputation A contractor who is licensed in the state of California and insured to complete commercial paving projects is essential for ensuring quality, safety, and good results. While many contractors choose the minimum amount of insurance required by state law, a reputable company will protect your property by having full insurance for their entire crew, including general liability, auto liability, workers’ compensation, and an umbrella policy. They should also keep an adequate crew on site. A properly staffed team consists of five to eight fully insured workers, depending on the size of the paving project. Find

Getting the right tile size for a small bathroom, whether for walls or floors, will have a big impact on making your small space feel bigger and brighter. But from the thousands of different styles, colors and designs on the market, where to start when choosing the best bathroom tiles for your tile contractor to install that suit and enhance your space? We’ve put together some tips to help you find the perfect tile size for floors and walls that suit your bathroom and enhance the sense of space. WHAT'S THE BEST TILE SIZE FOR A SMALL BATHROOM? Tile size shouldn’t be determined by bathroom size, despite what you may hear. A small bathroom can actually benefit from a large tile. With fewer grout lines the walls and floor are less cluttered and the room visually expanded. Using smaller tiles, such as mosaics, will give you lots of grout lines, which can give the bathroom walls a grid-like appearance that can promote the feeling of being boxed in – making your bathroom feel

Improve your curb appeal by fixing your concrete cracks. Here are some diy concrete tips Pressure Wash the Concrete To clean concrete effectively, use a power washer with a pressure rating of at least 3000 psi and a flow rate of at least 4 gallons per minute (gpm). Tape Off the Edges Tape off the edges where you don't want new concrete. Prepare the Concrete Patch Mix Mix only that amount of Vinyl Concrete Patcher that can be applied in 30 minutes. Under hot, dry or windy conditions, keep the patch moist for 24 hours by covering with polyethylene film. Product will support foot traffic in 1 day. Allow 3 days for wheeled traffic. Apply the Concrete Mix Roll on a layer of bonding agent. Use a square nose shovel to put some concrete mix onto the top step. Use two trowels, one to lean on while working with the other. Fill the Holes While working, use any leftover concrete mix that's getting kind of hard to fill the holes. Fill the hole and trowel over it to even it ou

What are the two biggest users of water in your home? Toilets and landscape watering. In fact, during the summer, half of all household water use can be for the lawn and garden. However, it's possible to dramatically reduce your water consumption, lower your water bill and still have a beautiful, productive garden if you institute water wise landscaping . Just follow these eight steps: Water deeply & Add organic matter to your soil. Work in 3 to 4 inches of organic matter such as well-rotted manure or finished compost. Mulch around your plants with leaves, wood chips, bark, hay or straw. Mulch retains moisture and cools the soil. Add at least 2 inches of organic matter each year. Grow cover crops or green manures. Deliver water to the root-zone. Soaker hoses ensure that up to 90 percent of the water you apply to your garden is actually available to your plants. Sprinklers can claim only a 40 to 50 percent efficiency. Drip irrigation and soaker hoses minimize evaporation

Reduce Your Air Conditioning Bills The United States now uses more electricity for air conditioning than a billion people in Africa use for everything. So really, we have to do everything we can to reduce the amount of air conditioning in Sacramento required, make it as efficient as it can be, and then reduce the non-renewable resources needed to run it. Here are some suggestions to improve air conditioner performance and making them more efficient in our homes right now. Seal the leaks Wherever you live, whether an apartment or house, the first and simplest thing to do is to seal the air leaks. "If you have an older house that's never been air-sealed, this may be a big part of your heat gain problem, especially if you have leaks from the attic. If you haven't had a blower door test, get one." Keep the sun and the heat out in the first place. Before there was central heat and air, people worked hard to keep the sun and heat out. Awning for your windows, qu

Looking for the classic win-win situation this winter? Look no further, your insulation contractor . has ideas for you. Warming up your house not only will it keep you more comfortable, but it will also save you money. And not to mention, the reduction of energy needs from the environment will have you sleeping better every night. And the best news? A lot of insulation tricks can be done at home, with only little effort and small investments. And here for you today, to get you started on a warmer winter, are some things to know about home insulation, and nine do it yourself tricks for you to take home with you: 9 Ways to Make Your Home Cozy this Winter Tip 1. Replace the Screen in Your Storm Door When fall rolls around it may be time to consider replacing the screen in your storm door with a solid glass pane. Even though you will most likely have your main door closed all winter, the extra layer of protection on the storm door will be a tremendous help preventing drafts and keepi

When it comes to going green, especially utilizing solar energy contractor , California leads the nation. Our solar industry is booming. It’s never been easier or more affordable to go solar. If you’re considering installing a residential solar energy system, there’s important information you need to consider so you can be “Solar Smart.” Once you've made the decision to install a rooftop solar system to reduce your electric bill and decrease your environmental footprint, the next step is choosing a reputable solar installer. As solar energy is gaining popularity on homes and businesses, the prevalence of installation companies is increasing to meet the demand. But not all solar installers can provide the expertise, high-quality workmanship, and reliable customer service to ensure your system performs efficiently to provide the highest return on investment. Here are some suggestions to help you find the best installation company: Make Sure Solar Power Right for You How Long

Now that winter has arrived in full force in Northern California, you need to pay attention to your roof. Your roof protects you from the harsh elements of the winter season, keep it in top shape by following five winter roofing tips from our home improvement experts. Trim Tree Branches Pruning during dormancy is the most common practice. It results in a vigorous burst of new growth in the spring and should be used if that is the desired effect. It is usually best to wait until the coldest part of winter has passed. Some species, such as maple, walnuts and birches, may “bleed”—when the sap begins to flow. This is not harmful and will cease when the tree leafs out. Remove Debris Clearing your yard of branches, leaves, and other debris is liberating, but you end up with a giant pile of yard waste. Here’s what to do with it. If you have plants, old sod, and trimmings left over after cleanup, you’re probably wondering how to get rid of them. Any plants that can be saved or potted c

Can you serve as your own handyman (or handyperson)? For complex jobs, you need a plumber , but simple maintenance can often be a DIY project. Simple Spring Plumbing Tips Spring is a time when many homeowners engage in maintenance tasks like spring cleaning and home renovation. It’s also a good time for homeowners to check up on their plumbing system to protect their home from clogged drains, leaks and water damage. Keeping up with this basic maintenance on a yearly basis can help keep your home functional throughout the year. Perform a Water Heater Check Up Temperature settings: on the water heater, setting the temperature very high in an attempt to obtain more hot water can be dangerous and lead to serious scalding burns for the building's occupants unless water tempering or mixing valves or other temperature safety controls are provided and properly set at the plumbing fixtures. At a temperature setting of 100 degF or below most water heaters are unlikely to scald an occupan