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7 Things About Subway Kitchen Tiles We Bet You Didn’t Know

August 25, 2020 by Mandy

For all the wild ubiquity of subway tile, it turns out there’s still a long way to go. So what is a subway tile anyway? Where did it originate from? We did some legwork to help you know these seven interesting things about subway kitchen tiles we are sure you didn’t know yet.

1. It Began in Manhattan.

The primary subway tiles appeared subterranean—in New York City’s metro system. When it opened in 1904, planners Christopher Grand La Farge and George C. Heins were entrusted with a precarious task: design a surface that was handily cleaned yet would likewise feel recognizable, safe, and amicable to city-occupants using underground travel for the absolute first time. Their answer – tiles with marginally bent edges and a reflexive completion implied that the metro stations were clean, maintained, and brilliant.

2. You Can Get an Impression of the Original Subway Tile in an Abandoned Metro Station.

Investigators and structure obsessives who need to get a brief look at the main subway tile can go to the City Hall stop, New York City’s first-ever metro station which is presently deserted. The New York Transit Museum offers visits—yet New Yorkers have been known to secretly remain on the 6 train to get an impression, as well.

3. It Emerged from Hygiene Obsession.

Subway tiles emerged out of a Victorian-time obsession with hygiene. As a result of their polished, coated completion, they’re stain-safe, simple to clean, and reflect light. They immediately earned a notoriety for being utilitarian and sterile and turned into the wall covering of decision somewhere else, from showers and kitchen backsplash tile to butcher shops. These days, these equivalent properties settle on them the main decision for current kitchens, showers, and home renovation ventures.

4. The Exemplary Dimensions are Still Debatable.

What precisely is a subway tile? It’s somewhat hard to characterize particularly when you mean subway tile with a certain rectangular shape. While the great subway tile dimension is 3×6 inches, the definition is extending. These days, tiles that are twice the length and width are alluded to as subway tiles. What’s more, it turns out, they aren’t rectangular any longer: kitchen subway tiles can be square too!

5. It Comes in Glass and Stone, as well.

Also, in case you thought subway kitchen tiles could be characterized by how they are made, reconsider it. The official definition is a meager, low-terminated, coated earthenware tile. Yet those absolute first forms in the New York City subway were made of white glass. These days, “subway tile” is accessible in an assortment of materials, similar to glass, stone, and marble, just to give some examples. You can even find some unique patterns for your kitchen backsplash tile.

6. Subway Tile Can Cost Under $1.

Subway tiles vary fiercely in cost. The unfussy, home improvement store collections can ring in under $1 per tile or $8 per square foot. While handcrafted, craftsman translations can run upwards of $60 per square foot or more. For a collection of most popular kitchen tiles, you can surf for subway tiles in different materials.

7. Grout Matters.

After the idea and cost involved in buying and installing a tile, grout might be a bit of hindsight. However, it shouldn’t seem so. The grout you pick could totally change the look and style of your kitchen subway tile. You can get some inspiration from the numerous contemplations, ranging from dull to light and wherever in the middle at various tile stores.

So these are some interesting facts about subway tiles that we believed are new to you. Let us know if you knew or which ones were first-timer for you

Water Pipe Leaking FAQs: Plumbing Checks and Repairs

May 7, 2020 by Mandy

Plumbing problems can be a common occurrence in many homes, leaks in particular. Leaks are an issue most homeowners can expect to experience at least once. Whether it’s minor leaks like faucet leaks or major ones like slab leaks, it’s vital you address the leak as soon as you realize it’s there. Knowing a thing or two about leaks can be a great way to prepare yourself before it happens to you. Read on for some frequently asked questions to help get ready in case of a leak springs in your home.

How Do You Know You Have a Leak?

There are easy methods to locate leaks, especially if you’re trying to find them early and avoid water damage. Keep an eye out for these telltale signs.

Water Stains
Leaks in the walls can often cause visible signs of water damage (e.g. warped and discoloured walls and mould growth). Keep an eye out for stains and discolouration in the floorboards and walls, even if there aren’t any other signs of moisture. The stains can be signs that water is already pooling and causing damage, even if you can’t see water yet.
High Water Bills
Unexpectedly high water bills can point to a sudden leak. Water bills are generally consistent, so sudden spikes are usually an indicator of a problem. You can also compare your bills to your neighbours’; if there is a significant difference, it may help tell if there is a leak on your end.
Strange Noises
Strange sounds are often a clue that something is up with the house. Pay close attention to any hissing or dripping sounds near your fixtures (e.g. the toilet or sink). The sounds could mean that water is flowing where it shouldn’t.

Where Should You Look?

The usual locations for leaks in a house are the kitchen and bathroom. Check under the sinks for signs of water; those are very likely spots in case of a leak. You can also splash water around the shower door to see if it leaks outside. Inspect the caulking around your fixtures as well; cracks in the caulking can indicate the leak is coming from that area.

Why Are Repairs Important?

In case of a leak, it’s always vital you contact a plumber for a waterproofing service in Toronto. Leaks can cause severe damage to surrounding areas, making it vital you solve the problem before it has time to do too much harm. Leaks also tend to get bigger with age; get them looked at immediately to minimize the damage to your home. Too much water in the house can also present a health hazard in the form of mould growth.

How Much Do Repairs Cost?

The cost of repairs can depend on different factors (e.g. commercial or residential address, location of the leak, and how long it takes to locate). However, most plumbing companies like Plumbing Authority Inc. offer free estimates to give you an idea of what services for your home might cost for you.

In any case, regular maintenance is generally a more cost-effective option than waiting. Think of it as a way to keep your system running smoothly before any problems emerge. Consider getting an estimate for your system to identify potential problems early and avoid damage to your home.

CREATIVE TIPS FOR ADDING COLORS TO YOUR HOME

April 22, 2020 by Mandy

Source

People say that the residents of a house turn it into a home. And no property is worthy of being called home to anyone unless it reflects a part of their personality. That is why many individuals love to personalize their property, including their concrete patio Orange County, and tailor it in a manner to suit and comfort them.

People who are more vibrant than others in nature wish to live in an environment that lives and breathes. They achieve this by adding more colors to their residence and making it more lovable. Maybe it’s because they feel that homes mirror the soul of the people residing in them. Or it might be that being in a colorful environment makes them have a fresh and positive outlook on life. Whatever the reason may be, what’s important are the many options that they have discovered to do this. Some people renovate their houses with the inclusion of a study or an indoor gym, while others prefer to use more subtle ways with the help of decoration pieces and artworks. It has encouraged many interior designers to establish themselves and gain prominence by reshaping the houses of people in a manner that they feel more welcoming. But, even they use conventional methods to bring your home to life.

The upside of hiring professionals is that they will get the job done for you, but the downside is that the results produced won’t represent you. Regardless of the level of dedication, a designer will only be able to include what they think would suit you best, or what you ask of them. You can’t expect them to invest themselves as you would while decorating your home. A great example to explain this would be with the help of artwork. Like people in Australia have distinct tastes in art, and you might want to include a painting that you made yourself or get canvas prints in Australia at reasonable prices. You deprive yourself of this opportunity when hiring someone to do it for you.

If the idea makes you feel that you are not up to the task, then take some help. Here are some creative tips to add colors to your home that might make you feel motivated.

1. FLOORING

Start from the bottom. Flooring is often the most neglected option, but in reality, it can significantly change the look of any room and add new flavor to it. Your flooring options include wood, ceramics, and rugs, all of which can offer variety when it comes to adding color. Wood flooring is an elegant choice, but the other two options present a more extensive catalog. If you think that you can afford or would like to change how your floor looks like after some time, rugs are the best option for you. But you can still go ahead and explore.

2. FURNITURE

Furniture is what occupies the most space on floors, and if used right can add a good deal of colors to your home. You can go with the option of color-coding rooms and then choose the furniture accordingly. However, since it is often in your line of sight, it would be better not to choose colors that are too loud. You might grow out of it sooner than you think.

3. APPLIANCES

Technology and appliances are an essential part of any residence. With time, there are sleek and beautiful designs to choose from available for the customers. Don’t go with monotonous options when you can choose a lively design. Make sure that it proves to be an asset to you in more than one way.

4. ARTWORKS

You can paint your walls or put wallpaper on them, but they still would have room for improvement. Using your affection for art, cover them with pieces that suit your taste best. You don’t want to be a specialist to connect with good artwork. Anything that resonates with you is a good fit for your walls.

5. CURTAINS AND LINENS

Another area that you can use to improvise with colors is your windows and beds. Try to pick the curtains that are soothing for your eyes and would make you feel that there’s a world to explore outside that window. Similarly, you can choose linens that appear more colorful and comfortable when you look at your bed. This way, you won’t miss an opportunity to express yourself.

6. MOTHER NATURE

Nothing can help more when it’s about adding colors to your home than Mother Nature. Plants are colorful, they are practically alive, and they are also great for your health, which is everything you need to achieve when you think about adding more colors to your home. And the best part is that they are neither expensive nor too hard to maintain. Besides, you can get hung on gardening while trying to manage them, which is a healthy activity for spirited people.

SUMMARY

These were some instructions that you can use when thinking of personalizing and decorating your home to add more colors to it. You have to start at some point, if not with the project of your entire house. So you should get more educated on it and start spilling the shades of your lively aura. Who knows? You might discover that you have a skill for this job.

Benefits To Using A Zero Turn Riding Lawn Mower

April 21, 2020 by Mandy

We all need to mow our lawn. This is especially true in the spring and the summertime when the lawn tends to grow a lot faster then it does in the winter. During the warmer months, we are mowing our lawns at least once a week. You may have a big yard or a smaller yard. If you have a smaller yard it is easy to get the lawn mowed using a push mower. If you have a larger yard or even a couple of acres that need to be mowed, a riding lawn mower is your best bet. A push mower would not work as it takes too long and would be very strenuous to mow that big of a piece of property with a push mower.

If you do have a big piece of property then a riding lawn mower is what you would want to use. A riding lawn mower would make mowing a couple of acres easier and less stressful. Usually, on any piece of property, you have trees and bushes to get around. A simple riding mower would have a difficult time getting around those trees and bushes. A zero-turn riding mower is what you would need. There are many benefits to having a zero-turn riding lawn mower.

Maneuverability

Maneuverability is very important if you have trees and bushes that you need to get around. If you use a zero-turn mower they can get quite close to the tree and bush and cut the grass around it. If you don’t have a zero-turn you would probably need to go in with a weed eater and cut the grass close to the trees and bushes that way. A zero-turn is very maneuverable and can get close to the tree.

Mowing is done a lot faster

When you have a zero-turn mower you can get your mowing done a lot faster. These types of mowers can be operated at higher speeds than a normal riding lawn mower. They also have wider decks which mean that you can cut more grass with one pass. You can shift directions and turn around a lot faster on a zero-turn mower.

More comfort

You have a lot more comfort with zero turn mowers than you do with a regular riding lawn mower. This does not cause stress on muscles and your body as you are mowing.

Wider range of models

A zero-turn riding lawn mower comes in all kinds of different models. Whether you have a half an acre of a five-plus acre, you can find a zero-turn mower to fit your needs. These types of mowers also come with a lot of attachments which can make your mowing easier for you. You can buy the attachments in addition to the lawnmower to fit your needs. Whatever you need to make your mowing of the lawn easier you will be able to find.

A better looking lawn

When you mow your lawn with a zero-turn riding mower your lawn will look much better than with a traditional mower. The zero-turn mower will be able to give you perfect stripes on your lawn. They even have attachments available that can give you a more defined stripe in your lawn. Most of us who mow our own lawn know that we all try to achieve to have perfect stripes on our lawn. We like straight and defined stripes and a zero-turn mower will be able to give you that stripe.

We all have to mow our lawn. It would be better if we had a piece of machinery that would help us do it faster, better and do a complete job in the easiest way possible.

3 Ways to Transform Your Basement

April 13, 2020 by Mandy

Basements are pure, untapped potential measured in square feet. There is so much more that homeowners can do with all that space than letting cardboard boxes and old exercise equipment gather dust. A finished basement adds value to a home, and a basement revamped for a purpose adds even more. Depending on what is done, a basement can also become a source of income. No matter the choice, a finished basement makes a home more fun to live in and easier to sell in the Denver real estate market.

Apartment

One of the more common uses for basements is converting part of it into another bedroom. Why not go a step further and transform it into a separate living space? Owning a full apartment is an excellent way to generate passive income, and living above it means less hassle maintaining it and keeping an eye on tenants. In an era of boomerang kids, a basement apartment can be a practical way to help children get established in their adult lives while still giving them the privacy and independence they need.

Good lighting and bright colors are essential for basement apartments since there aren’t as many natural light sources. It should also be built with the needs of prospective tenants in mind. A college student won’t be looking for the same thing a young family just starting out would.

Business Enterprise

We live in an era of side-hustles where people either ply their hobby or a second job as a way to generate extra income. The great thing about side-hustles is that they can become someone’s main job and keep growing from there. They often just need a place where they can grow. Converting a basement into a business can provide that place. After all, Bill Gates started Microsoft in his basement.

Turning a basement into a business means renovating to suit the business’s needs. A bakery has different requirements than a hobby electronics shop or boutique hair salon. The same goes for any needed amenities like bathrooms for employees and customers.

A Multimedia Experience

Building a home theater, game room, or man cave is a good option; all those can even be one and the same, but why limit oneself? Telecommunications has morphed beyond electronics being made with a dedicated use in mind. How we utilize them in the home has also changed, as the various smart devices have shown.

Make a virtual family room where you can stay connected to distant loved ones via video calls. People living several states away can virtually visit and even share meals. The basement can also be made into a mini studio for those who create content for YouTube, stream games, or enjoy producing podcasts.

Any radical basement renovation project, or even milder ones like hanging drywall and installing a ceiling, will need things like permits and inspections. Depending on the nature of the project, there will likely be zoning issues to research before starting, and some neighborhood groups may require a vote for additions like an apartment or business. Get everything approved, and enjoy a home addition that adds value, enjoyment, and maybe even some profit.