Robert Draper | Lark Creek

Reasons to Avoid DIY Water Restoration Works in the Home

08/14/202102/25/2022 Robert Draper0 comment

Once you discover signs of water damage in your home, the problem may not be too easy anymore to control because the damage must be widespread right now. Water damage is not easy to detect. More often than not, homeowners do not give much attention of the initial signs of the problem until it becomes worst. Another reason is the lack of skill to determine the telling signs that water damage is going on in some parts of their home.

Water restoration woks should never be postponed once you see puddling water on the floor and the basement is always wet. Discolorations on walls and ceilings and having a musty and earthy smell around your house are signs that you should go for water damage restoration. Other telling signs of water damage include, warping of hardwood, wooden walls soften and bubble, and there are formations of molds.

In any of the above cases, DIY solution should be discounted most especially if it is your first time to do so. It is always best to consult a professional when it comes to water restoration works in your home. Here are some of the reasons.

Safety Reasons

Working on water damages in homes can be hazardous to you and your loved ones and your property and belongings. If you do not have the skills, you are more prone to accidents. You may also make the matter worst which can result to further damage of your property. In cases where in the damage is caused by molds and mildew, you can be exposing your loved ones to some serious health hazards.

Faster Results

If you are alone with no help at all, you and other household members may have to bear with the discomfort off having your home in disarray for an extended period. For sure, you will not finish the job as fast as when you hire a water damage restoration company. This is because they have the skill, manpower, and equipment.

More Efficient Outcome

With the right water damage restoration company, the condition of your home will be rightly diagnosed. They will look for the root cause and trace all affected areas. They may also include potential source of problems in the future. How about you? You may only be looking at what is obvious which may not have long-time effect.

Considerations When Buying a Pet Vacuum Cleaner

11/10/202002/05/2021 Robert Draper

While most people enjoy the company of pets –canines or felines – in the house, the pets can be a nuisance due to shedding fur all over the place. And it becomes such a bother when the fur sticks on your clothes, carpet, and on the entire floor. What’s worse, some people are allergic to the fur, which may trigger their allergic reactions making some friends, family members, and other people stay away from your house.

These gadgets help vacuum clean the pet’s coat and leave your place habitable. But it would help if you considered several things as you buy a pet vacuum cleaner, and in this piece, we look into some of those things.

The Type of the Vacuum Cleaner

With so many styles of vacuum cleaners, it can be somewhat overwhelming to pick the best for your case. However, it should not be such a difficult decision because you need to choose the vacuum cleaner suitable for your home. You need to consider a few things like how much fur your pet sheds, your type of floor (carpeted or bared floor), and if you let your pet get on the couch, so you need to vacuum the furniture too. Some common types of vacuum cleaners to choose from including upright, robotic, handheld, canister, and stick vacuum cleaners. Mostly, for a pet vacuum cleaner, an upright or a canister cleaner are better options due to their versatility.

Whether Bagged or Bagless Vacuum Cleaner

There are bagged and the bagless vacuum cleaners, and it’s for you to choose the one that best suits your needs. The bagless cleaner will need you to empty the canister into which the debris and fur are collected before the next use, and you risk some of that dirt getting back to the floor. On the other hand, the bagged vacuum cleaners have bags into which the dirt collects, and you have to replace the bag before the next cleaning task, which adds to the costs, but avoid any debris getting back to the house or other place.

Whether Corded or Cordless Vacuum Cleaner

Vacuum cleaners also come as either cordless or with cords. You need to consider if you want a device that you will work with over a large area, so if you choose a corded cleaner, you get one with a long cord to avoid having to keep plugging into power sockets now and then. If you decide to buy a cordless, you still need to factor in cleaning a large area to choose one with a high capacity battery.

Choosing Smart Lock Tips

10/16/202006/01/2022 Robert Draper

Smart locks are tremendously gaining an increased reputation among owners due to their trendy style, keyless effort, enhanced safety, and seamless operations. They use cellular units, with the use of the remote to control your entry door.

Determine the Price Range

Price indeed dedicates the quality you shall get. Smart locks are expensive, which a good gesture. With its high cost, it simply means that it is good enough to offer the needed security. Although, there are less expensive smart locks out there in the market with little capabilities. Therefore, you need to be keen on conducting a thorough analysis by weighing out the options you may want before settling for one.

Check Compatibility

Mostly, improving the safety of your home or property by shifting to smart locks may sound intriguing. However, it would be best to consider the compatibility that comes with the good locks. Most of the good waves cannot operate with the 3 level lock doorways. So if your current entry door is not conventional, you need to customize it so as it can lime with the smart lock.

Find Reputable Manufacturers

Smart locks are not identical. Just like when you choose your cell phone, you are always tempted to select the most known brand, so should it be with the smart lock. By this, you can be assured of high quality and reliability. You should also never forget to read the terms and conditions of the manufacturer plus the warranty offered. All these aspects can help you determine the reputability of the manufacturer.

Consider App Connectivity

For optimum performance, smart locks should have well-functioning connectivity with a smartphone app to help you monitor and control them with a little difficult. The good part of apps is that you can download them from the play store anytime. They can help you to utilize all the features available in the smart lock effectively. In return, they facilitate the communication process between your devices with your smartphone. Besides the numerous features given to you by this app, it also can solve the problems encountered by the lock by offering a permanent solution.

Check Remote Access

Not all smart locks can be accessed through internet connections. Some depend on Bluetooth connections. Bluetooth technology allows only short-distance transmission. Although they allow direct contact with other locks connected with Bluetooth, they cannot be compared to those related to Wi-Fi. It is you to choose between the two devices and see which one will best suit you.

The truth is that smart lock is very beneficial in the current world, they not only offer security to your properties, but they also provide you with peace of mind. However, it is important to consider the tips discussed above rigorously before choosing one.

Tips for Choosing the Best Pest Control Company

11/21/201907/20/2020 Robert Draper

Pest infestation is a problem that causes havoc to many homes. The situation even gets worse when the homeowners try to treat the infestation on their own. Hiring a pest control expert is the best way to deal with pest infestation. The problem, however, is that finding a pest control expert that you can trust for quality services is not easy.

This is why people should do their homework whenever they are confronted with a situation where they are supposed to look for professional pest exterminatorIf you are on the verge of hiring a pest control expert, then you must put the following factors into consideration.

Experience

Eliminating pests can be a very complicated task some times. This is if you are trying to treat the type of pests that you are not familiar with. In such situations, you should go for a pest company that has a pleasant experience. Such companies not only have extensive knowledge of how to handle different infestations, but they also know the right chemicals to use. It is hard to find a pest exterminator that has been in the industry for a long time that cannot conclusively get rid of pests.

Reputation

Sometimes it is hard to gauge the ability of a company to offer quality services, especially if you have never done it before. When you are not sure whether the company that you have in mind can do a good job, you should ask for references and reviews.

People will always speak their mind when reviewing the kind of services offered by a company. If you come across a company that does not have a good reputation, it could be because they do not provide quality services to their clients.

Certifications

Lastly, you should check to ensure that you hire a company that is fully certified. Working with a pest control company will not only mean that you get shoddy services but can also put you in legal complications in case things go sour. It is, therefore, essential that the first thing to ask when looking for an ideal pest control company is the license. If the company in question fails to prove to you that they licensed, they are merely telling you that they are not the right ones, and you, therefore, should go ahead and look for a better company.

How to Pick the Ideal Vacuum Cleaner

10/10/201908/22/2020 Robert Draper

Imagine dust-free- floors and the visible vacuum lines; this makes you feel you’re in a clean house. If your mind about living in a clean house, then an excellent vacuum machine should be close to your heart. It will make cleaning your house effortless besides helping to fight allergies. When shopping for an ideal vacuum machine, what are the features you should look at?

Filters

Each vacuum cleaner is fitted with a filtration system. This allows you to blow air resulting in minimal dust. Some basic vacuum machines can have up to 12 filters. The modern vacuum machines are fitted with HEPA filters which are made of folded accordion and sheets of fiberglass. These filters can retain the smallest dust particles, which cause mayhem to allergy sufferers. When choosing the vacuum machine, get to know the filtration system in place. You will see unbiased reviews of these machines.

Bagged vs. Bagless

In the market, you’ll find both bagged and bagless vacuum machines. If you don’t want to incur additional costs buying bags, go for the bagless machines, but remember they also require regular maintenance like cleaning and replacing the HEPA filters. Additionally, if you such any allergic conditions such as asthma, you may have challenges emptying the bins of the bagless vacuum machines. The bagless machines have varying capacities for the dust but mainly range from 1.5- 5 liters. Check the labels on the machine to determine its capacity.

Noise Level

No one will love to work with a noisy vacuum machine. Most of us believe a powerful vacuum machine has to be loud, but this isn’t the case; modern vacuum machines have little vibration. If you purchase a noisy machine, you may have to use hearing protection. You should also remember the machine will be noisier when working on a room that has more echo. An ideal vacuum machine should have a noise level of 71-92 decibels. Although these specifications may not be labeled on the machine, you can turn on the vacuum machine to determine its noise level before buying.

Suction Power

Low suction power is ideal when cleaning rooms with smooth floor coverings; this includes large apartments with many upholstered furniture and carpets. Most vacuum machines in the market have a suction power ranging from 280-500W. If you are cleaning large areas with roughly textured surfaces, then a vacuum machine with a high suction power will be ideal.

An excellent vacuum machine should be made of high-quality material besides been durable. Additionally, it should have the latest filters and emit little noise. You also need to consider whether to pick a bagless or bagged vacuum machine. Choose a machine that will serve your needs.

Three Factors to Consider Before House Renovation

08/16/201912/20/2019 Robert Draper

At some point in your life, you will need to renovate your house. The reasons may vary. It can be due to the design that has become outdated. Or, you may need extra living space at your home, and you want to build a room addition there. Whatever your reasons are, you are going to involve a second party for those needs, the renovation contractor.

Your Experience in Monitoring Renovation

Monitoring a renovation in progress requires experience. You are going to waste your time if you do not know whether the builders do their jobs properly or not. It is not uncommon for contractors to commit frauds and make markups on the expenses without the knowledge of the house owners.

First, you need to specify which parts of your home that need renovation. After that, begin your research online. Watch DIY channels on YouTube and see how the steps to the installations are done. Even if it doesn’t give you real experience, you can still get the basics.

Second, read a lot about the materials’ quality and price. You can even try to contact home depots near you and consult them directly. Document your findings so that you can compare them with the ones provided by your contractor.

The Contractor’s Reputation

These days, you can measure a business’s integrity by checking their portfolios online. Referrals and testimonies are supposed to be accessible to you. Once you pick several renovation contractors, inquire further by asking them about references.

Moreover, you should also check the company’s rating on Google, Yelp, or any other local platforms that contain reviews on services. However, be aware of the authenticity of the bad ones since they are possibly made by competitors who just want to ruin the reputation of the contractor you are about to hire. Crosscheck everything before you make a decision.

Prepare Reserve Budgets

Renovating with a tight budget is a bad idea because you may find damages or extras that you have not foreseen before. The rule of thumb here is to prepare at least 20% of your original budget as a reserve.

Furthermore, please scrutinize the warranty terms provided by your contractor as unexpected faults may happen. And you need to know exactly who is going to be responsible in that worst-case scenario. Reserve is not meant to cover up expenses that are not your faults.

Three Improvement Ideas for Your Wet Bar

06/05/201909/06/2019 Robert Draper

Having a bar in the kitchen can be an excellent idea. First reason, it allows you to host a casual gathering at home. And believe it or not, it can be the key to your success. Why? The more people you can connect with, the more chances you’ll have to strike some business deals. Now, think about it! Second, a bar encourages your guests to relax. It shows how you can be an easygoing and welcoming person. If shots can’t break the ice of the conversation, then nothing can!

Here, we’ll discuss the wet bar model because the dry design is a waste of efforts. I mean, it’s only the sink that makes the difference. What harms could it bring to add a few millimeters for the sink?

1. An Undercounter Ice Maker

No drinks are appropriate to serve without ice. And if you think your fridge alone will be enough, then you should see for yourself once you invite five guests and try to make drinks for them all at once. You should learn more about undercounter ice maker before you draw any further conclusions because the web has complete reviews on the best products. For instance, the editor’s choice, U-Line U-BI95W-00A can produce up to 23 lbs of ice per day, while the smallest units can make 12 lbs. This rate is totally different from a fridge, which can roughly achieve 6 lbs per 12 hours.

Moreover, you should not worry about whether or not you’re going to need more space in your kitchen because undercounter ice makers are designed to fit flawlessly with most bar sets. However, you still need to be careful with choosing the color of the ice maker because they may bring an unmatching nuance. For example, a wood bar set may only match with a plain color ice maker, not the metallic ones.

2. Floating Shelves

Floating shelves are often the most overlooked part of setting up a bar table at home. Whereas, if you pick the wrong material, you’ll put your drink collections at risk of falling. And if that happens, you’ll surely regret it since it is actually preventable.

First, you need to know that there are metal shelves that are manufactured to look like wood. You do not need to worry about the aesthetic when it comes to the strength of the material. If you are a liquor enthusiast who loves to hoard your 6 years collection, then buy the sturdy ones!

3. A Classy Sink and Faucet

Your bar must surpass its practical purpose because there is where you can subtly flaunt your class. And you can achieve that goal by having a contemporary style sink and faucet. As for the faucet, get the carbon ones. Although this type may cost you $500 to $1000, the quality is worth the money. Carbon-made faucets are corrosion and tarnishing-proof. Therefore, you won’t embarrass yourself with having a low water pressure or smelly water.

Tips for Finding a Company to Move Your Items Across the Country

04/28/201809/08/2019 Robert Draper

Moving your home items can be challenging if you will not find a moving company. And it can be even more challenging if you want to move over a long distance. Regardless of the reason why you want to move, you need to know the cross country moving quotes so that you can choose your ideal moving company. But as you get ready to hire a company to help you move your belongings, you need to know if the company you are hiring is permitted, and licensed to handle those services.

You also need to inquire about the price and insurance for any fragile items. Fragile items can easily break due to careless driving. Do your research well and find excellent companies that have a refund policy. If you are planning to move and you have not found a mover company, then here are some guidelines for finding the best.

Google

The importance of using the internet to find a moving company is that you can narrow down your search to the companies available in your city. You will see different company profiles that will help you in your selection for the best from the rest. Finding a moving company on the internet is quick and easy since most companies now use the internet as one of their many ways of advertising.

Read Review

Information about different companies found on the internet can be overwhelming. Therefore, you need to come up with a way to pick a company that can do their job correctly. And the best way to select a company from the internet is through reading reviews. Many people tend to be ignorant about reviews which can be very costly. It is necessary that you create a habit of reading reviews whenever you want service from companies that advertise on the web.

Ask for a referral

When you want to move from one city to another but cannot find a mover, then it is necessary that you ask for a reference from the people around you. Workmates and relatives can be the best source for reference. However, the best recommendation should come from a person who has recently utilized the services of a moving company. But when making your selection, you need to find a few more companies for comparison.

Visit a Company

Having that one on one conversation with different companies can help you in selecting a moving company. Talk to different companies about your desire and note down their prices and advantages.

Advantages of Installing a New Roof

04/04/201804/30/2019 Robert Draper

Installing a new roof in your home is a big home renovation project. However, a time comes when you need to install a new roof. Before you think about replacing your roof, it is advisable to look for a good roofer.

Roofing work is very sensitive, and you need a professional to do the job.The bmroofers.co.uk roofing professional will make sure that the roofing work is done well and you will have a durable roof. Here are some reasons to consider installing a new roof:

New look

One of the reasons to install a new roof is to give your home a new look. If you feel that your house is old, a new roof might just give it a face life. A

new roof will make your house look modern and new. Installing a new roof might just give your house a contemporary look without spending a lot of money.

You don’t have to demolish your house to attain a new look of your home. Changing the design of your home will make your house look newly built. You can change your roof every ten years and transform the look of your home.

Increase home value

Installing a new roof will help in increasing the value of your home. When valuing your home, the valuation experts will check at aspects like the roof, structure and interior furnishings. The roof is a big part of the home, and it contributes a big cost to the house. If you have a new roof, the price of the house will increase. Before you decide to sell your house, changing the roof might be a good idea so that you can get a good price for the house.

Save cost on repairs

Replacing your old roof with a new one is a good way to save cost on repairs. If you have an old roof, then you are likely to call a repair expert many times. The cost of calling a repair expert every time is likely to cost a lot of money in the long run. It is advisable to replace the roof once and for all and deal with the problem.

Safety and security

Replacing your old roof with a new one is good for safety and security. It is important to make your home secure, and you can do it by putting a strong roof. A new roof will also protect you and your family from storms or other natural elements.

Reasons to Clean Your Carpet Regularly

02/15/201808/22/2019 Robert Draper

Cleaning your carpet regularly is the best way to keep your home. Carpet cleaning might seem like a difficult task, but the good news is that you don’t have to do it on your own. When doing carpet cleaning, hire a professional carpet cleaner.

When it comes to carpet cleaning, always choose a carpet cleaner with the skills and experience on cleaning. Here are some advantages of cleaning your carpet regular:

Avoid allergies

Cleaning your carpet regularly is the best way to avoid allergies. Most of the respiratory allergies are caused by dust that is accumulated in the carpet. Carpets tend to hide a lot of dust and terminates. It is possible to reduce allergies in the home significantly by doing regular carpet cleaning.

When the carpet is clean, it will be possible to reduce respiratory allergies in the home. Since people in the home will breathe fresh air, allergies will be reduced. It is advisable to do deep carpet cleaning at least every three months to prevent.

Keep the house clean

It is impossible to keep the house clean if the carpet is not clean. One way of the ways to keep your house clean is by cleaning the carpet. A clean carpet will make the rest of the house feel and look clean.

When you keep the house clean you will always feel clean air in the house even when the air conditioning unit is working. The carpet tends to spread dirt to the rest of the house and especially when the ac is working.

Maintain carpet quality

If you want to maintain the quality of your carpet, the best way is to do it is by carpet cleaning. When cleaning the carpet, you will be restoring the quality. Your carpet will last for a long time if you decide to clean it all the time.

Professional carpet cleaners have the skills and experience on how to do carpet cleaning. They usually have special cleaning methods depending on the type of carpet that you have in your house.

Remove stubborn stains

Regular carpet cleaning is a good way to remove stubborn stains. Stubborn stains can affect the look of your carpet, and they need to be removed as soon as they occur.

If you wait for too long to clean your carpet, it will be very difficult to remove them. Always remove the stains as soon as they occur to maintain your carpet look.