As everyone knows, cleaning carpets is a regular chore. They must be maintained, vacuumed, and cleaned on a schedule if you want to keep them looking clean and maximize their life. You can do most of this maintenance yourself, but there are many factors that go into how often you should have your carpets cleaned. For example:
- What type and color your carpet is (certain styles and colors don’t show spots as quickly)
- How often you use the carpet (some areas will have high traffic and other rooms barely get used.
- If you have allergies
- If you have indoor pets
- Some carpet manufacturers require professional hot water extraction every 18 months or your manufacturer warranty is voided.
High traffic areas will need to be cleaned more often than low traffic areas. If you have pets or are more sensitive to allergies or have asthma, you will want to clean your carpets more often. Vacuuming can only do so much and even steam cleaners that you buy at big box stores are not good for deep cleaning.
The only way to keep your carpets in the best possible shape is to follow this formula:
- Vacuum your carpets between 1 and 3 times per week.
- Spot clean as soon as spills happen or as soon as you notice a spot. There are great spot cleaners that you can pick up at any store that sells vacuums.
- Have your carpets professionally cleaned every 12 to 18 months.
Again, this formula largely depends on how often you use the carpet. For example, you may only need to have the carpet that sees heavy use professionally cleaned every 12 months.
Professional cleaners can get down deep into the carpet fibers and catch everything that normal cleaning doesn’t. If you don’t get your carpets cleaned professionally you risk the chance of shortening the life of the carpet.
Learn more about the Home Care Division at Paul Davis Tri-State and contact us if you would like an estimate on getting your carpets professionally cleaned.
As with all industries, restoration technology has changed and evolved with the times. Restoration companies now have the technology to save things that couldn’t be saved a decade ago. Whether it is due to normal wear and tear, fire damage or water damage, the things in your home could be saved and restored to their formal glory. Here is a little more about the process:
What is it?
Contents restoration can be broken into three categories: soft, hard, and electronics. Soft contents are things like clothes, blankets, cloth furniture, carpets, etc. Hard contents are things like jewelry, china, crystal, ceramics, etc. Electronics explains itself. Contents restoration is when you take items that have been damaged to a restoration company and they try to remove all signs of damage.
How does it work?
Depending on the company and their capabilities, contents restoration uses different methodologies to restore your valuables. For example, hard contents restoration uses ultrasonic techniques that agitate the item in liquid which cleans all the debris/damage off of it.
Soft contents restoration utilizes hydraulic pressure systems that reach down at a very deep level to completely clean, deodorize, and sanitize soft items.
How long does it take?
When your items are first damaged, time is of the essence to get them into the restoration process as soon as possible. The longer the damage sits in the contents, the harder and longer the restoration process will take. If you wait too long, the items may not be salvageable at all.
The time it takes to restore the content item depends on what it is, as well as how long and to what extent it has been damaged. Contents restoration can take up to a few minutes with items like jewelry with little to no damage, to a few days or weeks for heavily-damaged curtains, carpets, quilts, etc. However, the restoration company usually will release the items as they clean and process them. If you have many different contents that are being restored, you will more than likely receive them as they are being cleaned.
Paul Davis Tri-State has a state-of-the-art contents division that specializes in cleaning and restoring content and valuables. Visit our website to learn more, and contact us with any specific cleaning questions you have.
Tired of looking at that old tile in the shower? Is your bathroom not functioning to your needs anymore? Are you on a budget or do you have the money to do a complete remodel? There are plenty of things that you can do yourself or hire someone to do to give your bathroom a facelift or to add thousands of dollars to your home’s value.
What you can do:
An easy, cheap, and trendy tip you can do in one day is paint. Use bright and bold colors on your walls and ceiling to make the room look bigger, or use deep and rich colors to give your bathroom a luxurious feel. Carry the color onto the ceiling so the room doesn’t look clunky and broken up.
If you can’t afford to get a new vanity, consider resurfacing the countertop. Granite is very popular, so is painted porcelain tile.
Invest in an amazing shower curtain and valance. You can have one custom made for under $200. Add some personality and choose fabric that you love.
You would be surprised at how much of a difference hardware can make. The shower rod, the handles on the vanity, the medicine cabinet, and light fixtures are on the cheaper side of remodeling, and yet they can make all the difference in the world.
What a professional can do:
Bathrooms add a lot of value to your home if they are remodeled by a professional who knows how to remodel for marketability. In fact, bathrooms (on average) will add as much value as you put in. If you are planning to sell your house in less than three years, it’s worth the money to hire a professional.
Some of the changes that a professional remodeler can do include making your bathroom bigger, installing a large, luxurious tub, installing a two-headed walk-in shower stall, or adding designer floors. The best part of all of this is that you don’t have to deal with any of the hassle. No sleepless nights, no costly mistakes and no headaches.
Whether you hire a professional or do the changes yourself, there are many ways that you can fix that unsightly bathroom. Change is good, so change your bathroom now!
Grilling is a popular summer activity and a great excuse to have friends and family over for dinner! While barbequing is a fairly common practice, many people do not know how to properly use their grill, which increases the chance of house fires. Did you know that there are over 1,000 fires every year due to the improper use of grills?
Paul Davis Tri-State has laid out some grilling safety tips for you to reference this summer. Also, check out our article on the proper use of a fire extinguisher in case you have a grilling mishap.
Charcoal Grills:
Even though gas grills have taken over in popularity, charcoal grills are still widely used, especially when camping out. When grilling with charcoal:
- Don’t use any more lighter fluid than what is necessary.
- Don’t grill close to your house, RV, or any other wooden structure.
- Don’t ever start a charcoal grill with kerosene, gas, or diesel as it could explode.
- Keep the top off the grill until you are ready to cook and once you have started cooking, make sure the vents are opened on the lid.
- Once you are done grilling, let the ashes and coals cool for at least 24 hours and then place them in tinfoil and dispose of them in a trash can that has no other combustible substances in it.
Gas Grills:
Gas grills are the more popular choice for avid barbequers. Not only are they cleaner, but they are easier to use. However, they can be considerably more dangerous to use because you are using combustible propane.
- Before every use, make sure that there are no blockages from the tubes that lead from the tank to the burner.
- Make sure there is enough propane in the tank.
- Never leave a propane tank sitting unused for a long period of time and do not expose it to sunlight.
- Check for gas leaks. If you find one, do not attempt to turn on the grill until the leak is fixed.
- Keep all combustible fluids and cigarettes away from the grill.
- Always follow the instructions of the owner’s manual.
Just by following a few precautions, you greatly decrease your chance of being one of the 1,000 grill fires that happen every year! Stay safe this summer from Paul Davis Tri-State.
If you work outside, especially during the hot, humid summer months, you know how important it is to stay hydrated. You should drink plenty of fluids when you first get out of bed (limit caffeine intake) and regularly throughout the day, even when you’re not particularly thirsty.
It’s also important to learn to recognize the signs of dehydration:
- Dry mouth
- Excessive thirst
- Infrequent or dark urination
- Muscle weakness or cramping
- Headache
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Tiredness
- Sunken eyes
- Inability to produce tears
According to OSHA, workers new to outdoor jobs are generally most at risk for heat-related illnesses. In 2005, they investigated 25 incidents of heat-related illness. In almost half of the cases, the worker involved was on their first day of work, and in 80% of the cases, the worker involved had only been on the job for four or fewer days.
To raise awareness and help keep workers safe, OSHA has created a smartphone app that lets workers and supervisors calculate the heat index for their worksite. Based on the heat index, the app displays a risk level to outdoor workers. The app also provides reminders about the protective measures that should be taken at that risk level to protect workers from heat-related illness.
Download the app here and stay safe while working outside in extreme heat.
It’s summertime in Northern Kentucky and we all know that summers around here are hot, hot, hot. The forecast over the next few days is calling for temperatures at or near 100 degrees with very little chance for rain.
As we approach this hot and humid time, it is good to take certain precautions in case we were to enter a full-fledge drought. One simple thing we can all do is carefully monitor our water usage. Things like cutting off water to decorative fountains and ponds, turing off irrigation systems, and limiting the amount you water your yard and flowers are easy steps to take to conserve water.
Here are other measures to consider before, during, and after a drought:
- Clear dry debris—such as dry grass or vegetation that is a fire hazard—from around buildings.
- Remove leaves and other debris from gutters.
- Collect rainfall water during the spring months and keep a supply in storage barrels as preparation for future droughts.
- Avoid burning brush and garbage.
Use common sense during dry seasons and if you ever have a question about safety issues, contact the local fire department or us here at Paul Davis Tri-State.
When something suddenly catches on fire, you may not be able to think clearly. Knowing exactly what to do can help you to respond faster and put out the fire quicker. Fire extinguishers are the easiest and quickest way to put out a small fire and they can usually be found in every building and house. Even though most people have a fire extinguisher, not many people know how to use one. If this is you, learn how to work one right away…before you need one.
There are 5 simple steps to using a fire extinguisher properly:
- Know where the fire extinguisher is located. It does you no good to have a fire extinguisher if you don’t know where it is. You don’t want to be frantically searching for the extinguisher when your kitchen is ablaze.
- There is a silver pin located on top of the extinguisher that keeps the mechanism from spraying when not in use. Pull the pin out.
- Once the pin is out, take the nozzle in your hand and point it at the bottom of the fire. This is very important as this will snuff out the fire right away, whereas spraying the tops of the flames is ineffective.
- Now that you are aiming at the base of the fire, squeeze the trigger firmly. Do not let the trigger go or the discharge will stop.
- The best way to put out a fire is to not only aim the extinguisher at the base of the fire, but to sweep across the area that is on fire. Do this by slowly going from left to right or right to left while squeezing the trigger.
You will only have a few moments to accomplish these five steps to ensure that you put the fire out and keep everyone in the vicinity safe. The fire extinguisher only has 10-15 seconds worth of discharge so you will have to use it correctly. Once the fire is out you must make sure that it is completely out and you should refill your extinguisher as soon as possible.
Outdoor rooms can be described as a room that you would have inside your home, but outside in your yard. It can be attached to the home itself or it can stand alone. This trend is gaining popularity because it provides you with another chance to express yourself and give you a place to relax or entertain guests. Putting a plan and design in place can help you avoid costly mistakes and make the process as painless as possible.
Plan and Design:
Before you start spending money on your outdoor room, plan where you are going to put the room, figure out how much space you need and check the legalities of whether you can add an addition to your property.
Some HOAs, covenants, or even entire cities can have laws against what constitutes as an addition or just decoration. If your plans are considered an additional structure, you may need to obtain a permit.
Designing your space beforehand can save you loads of time, energy, and money. An outdoor room is decorated and furnished like any other room. You should have furniture that can fit in the space, look nice, and is weather resistant. You also should consider a heating and cooling source if you want the space to be functional year-round. The last thing you should think about is visual appeal and buy decorations to make the space comfortable and pleasant.
Building:
Constructing an outdoor room can take a lot of time and energy and you may want to hire a contractor rather than build it yourself. Hire a reputable contractor that has experience in outdoor rooms and knows what you want.
Things you should think about include your style and budget and how you will construct the room. Many popular styles are completely natural with fences as walls that foliage grows on or actually erecting walls like you would in a home. Another great choice is to buy a gazebo or tent that a home and garden store carries. If you are going the natural route, you’ll need to plant the seeds and tend to the garden everyday to keep it looking nice.
No matter what your design, or whether you decide to build it yourself or hire someone to do it for you, outdoor rooms are a labor of love. Treat it right and you’ll be enjoying your outdoor space for years to come.
Just because the Tri-State area has a warm and humid climate doesn’t mean there are not special circumstances under which you must grow your plants and manage your landscape. Generally speaking, the red clay (that is the major component of the soil) makes it difficult to sustain a viable garden. However, with a few tips you can have a beautiful yard and garden with a minimum amount of hassle.
Know Your Style and Commitment Level:Knowing what type of look you want beforehand will give you a sense of control when managing your landscape. Do you like flashy, impressive flowers or do you like the more subdued, natural look? Boisterous flowers are harder to grow, but natural plants grow faster and need to be cut back more. Know how much time and what type of tending you want to devote to your landscape before you pick and plant your flowers.
Know Your Light:Knowing how much light you have in your yard is crucial to picking the right plants for your gardens. Brightly colored flowers generally need more sun than shade, so if you have a yard that doesn’t get at least 8-10 hours of sunlight per day, you need to choose more native plants that prefer partial shade and sun.
Raise it Up:Because the natural soil composite is not the most conducive to growing non-native plants, a raised garden bed is the best choice for those living near Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati. This can be made very simply out of a wooden box, with newspaper in the bottom to prevent weeds coming through. Then just fill it with a good top soil. This will give you control and make it easier for you to maintain your lawn.
Make a Statement:If you want to take your landscaping to the next level and really impress your neighbors, try adding lighting accents to make your garden stand out even at night. You can also use statuary and other decorative fixtures to tailor your landscaping to your unique style.
You don’t have to let bad soil stand in your way from getting the lawn you want. Landscaping your yard is a great way to create a relaxing atmosphere while adding value to your home. Nothing says I care about my home like a well-planned and beautifully manicured lawn.
Mold is everywhere; mold is outside and inside your home. Mold is in your kitchen, your bathroom and in your attic. Even though mold spores are everywhere, most of them are harmless; some types of mold are even good for us because they keep our immune systems strong. However, when there are too many spores or a toxic species invades your home the mold that helps us live can also kill us.
How Does Mold Get In?
Modern building materials and techniques create an environment that is perfect for mold to grow. Wood, stucco and drywall are great food sources for mold and as homes are built for increased energy efficiency, they are also increasing the efficiency in which we trap mold spores in our home.
How Do You Know You Have Mold?
There are over 50 toxic species of mold, and unfortunately you probably won’t know you have it until you or a member of your family or one of your pets are already sick. While most molds are not deadly and only cause mild respiratory issues, some species can kill a healthy adult. Individuals who are young, elderly or who have chronic illnesses (especially immune deficiencies) are highly susceptible to mold.
Some of the common health issues that arise with a toxic mold infestation are: respiratory illness, a runny nose, continuous sneezing, allergic reactions such as hives, swollen face or hands and trouble breathing.
There are also signs in your house that you may have mold growing somewhere. A musty smell with no visible source is a sign you have mold. Another sign is water intrusion, such as water spots and peeling wallpaper. Surface mold is the easiest way to tell you have mold. If the spot is larger than a 3 foot square, that is a sign that the problem is bigger than just surface mold.
What Do I Do If I Have Mold?
There are not products on the market that can kill mold. Some products can encapsulate the mold spores and other prevent further mold grow. Some mold you can remove yourself (if it is a small patch). Make sure that you have a respirator on and either use a sealer to encapsulate the mold or remove the material (usually drywall) where the mold is visible. If that does not take care of the smell or there are large amounts of mold, it is crucial that you call a professional. Professionals have the knowledge and equipment to clean the mold in a way that is safest to your family.