“Doing your own tiling is kind of fun, but try to remember that before you tackle any type of home renovation you must do the research first. If you jump in, all gung-ho because you found some marvelous tile, but don’t measure first, you may find yourself in a real bind mid-project,” said Champion Tile & Marble owner/operator, Dean Dupre. “The little details of any project are just as, if not more so, important than buying the tiles. So, measure twice, lay it once and you’ll be a happy camper.”
Many DIY aficionados head out the door first thing to buy tile, but forget to purchase all the tools they need to do the job the right way the first time. Make a list. This cannot be emphasized enough. Lists get any eager homeowner out of a tough spot when they start a job on their own and discover they might not have everything they need. If it is written down, it gets purchased, and the job is bound to be done right.
“The thing about tiling jobs is that they hold many surprises and need more tools than one might suspect,” added Dupre. “Do not cheap out on the tools. That old axiom about getting what you paid for is true. Buy cheap and you end up having issues and likely replacing them, which is not too budget friendly.” In other words, take the time to do the preparation work before starting a project.
- What tools are needed for a DIY tiling job?
- Durable, accurate tape measure
- Goggles for eye protection
- Float to apply grouting
- Trowel for adhesive application
- Sturdy file to reshape tiles
- Tile cutters
- Spacers
- Clean up supplies (sponge) to remove overflow adhesive/grout
- Correct grouting for the job’s location and buy enough to complete the work
- Right glue/adhesive for the job and buy enough to complete the work
Most home handymen do not understand the need to start in the middle of the floor. They figure starting in a corner makes sense. “Not so. Houses rarely have completely straight walls. If the tiles are aligned with the walls, the result may look out of line and very unprofessional. Work from the center of the room out and cut, trim and file tiles as you proceed. It’s a much neater job,” added Dupre. “Just make certain to buy more tiles than you might need, just in case.”
The post DIY Tiling? Start in the Middle of the Floor first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>One of the most common types of floating floors on the market is laminate flooring. However, if laminate is not installed correctly, it can be heard shifting when people walk over it. The main advantage of laminate is its durability and low cost. “However, low cost flooring may end up costing you more because it is much harder to clean, and in some cases, almost impossible to keep clean and streak free,” said Dean Dupre, owner/operator of Clearwater, Fla.’s Champion Tile & Marble.
In most instances when a floating floor is installed, there is a fair amount of movement in it because it is fitted over either cement or on top of another floor. If this is installed over an area with moisture issues, the result tends to be disastrous and the dampness disintegrates the laminate overtime. Laminate is not waterproof and a floating laminate floor does not remedy the moisture problem.
Floating laminate flooring keeps company with a few of its country cousins, engineered hardwoods. Not all engineered hardwoods are considered to be floating floors, because some must be nailed or glued down. All hardwood and laminate installations also require some form of underlay; so technically, the floor is not strictly free floating.
Before asking a contractor to install a floating floor or attempt a home renovation project that involves one, it is best to do the research required to select the correct product. For instance, if the floor is to go on top of radiant heating, there is a need to avoid nails and glues. Understanding the reasons why someone would require a floating floor are paramount to getting precisely what is required for various locations in the home. Other flooring may be less expensive and do a better job.
“Another fine choice for a floating floor, provided that is viable in your particular location, is using cork flooring. If cork does not hold any appeal for you, try sourcing vinyl. Some vinyls are floating floors, but choose carefully, because the rule of thumb with vinyl flooring is that most of them are ‘not’ floating floors,” cautioned Dupre.
Since it is so difficult to find a true floating floor, why would a homeowner wish to install one? Installing a floor over a floor, without ripping up the first one, saves times, money and labor. Or, a homeowner has an existing floor that does not handle glue well. There are also certain environmental considerations for putting down a floating floor. An example would be asbestos tile, making removal toxic and/or very expensive.
Floating flooring is a greatly misunderstood concept and it is best to discuss various options with an experienced flooring contractor before proceeding with any home flooring renovation project.
The post To Float a Floor or not to Float a Floor – a Tough Home Renovation Decision first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>Marble is subject to staining and fading over time. Rather than replacing the tiles, try using a light coating of wax to bring the shine and glow back. This extends the life of the tile, returns the stone to its once heathy shine and protects the surface from further fading and damage. Although this is not an ideal long-term solution, it does help to delay a major replacement.
Refrain from waxing white marble, though, as it turns the stone a dirty yellow. An acceptable alternative would be using a marble sealer. Sealing the tile also makes it easier to clean, requiring just a damp cloth. Another route many homeowners try is using commercial cleaners and polishes. Make sure to only use the products specifically designed to care for marble.
“Caring for marble can be as easy as occasionally washing the tiles with lukewarm water and wiping them dry,” explains Dean Dupre, owner of Champion Tile and Marble. “Streaking can be taken care of by using a damp chamois. And you only need to do a more in depth cleaning about twice a year, by using dish detergent and warm water, making sure they are rinsed well and wiped dry,”
Companies that sell marble usually carry special cleaning products and most flooring contractors that use marble in projects are able to advise homeowners on what to use to keep their marble looking good for many years. Stick with the polishes and cleaners that have been designed for use on marble, as any other product may damage the marble beyond repair or revival.
“If all else fails when it comes to bringing the luster back to your marble tiles, consult with a tombstone maker,” Dupre adds. However, it is usually easier to stay on top of marble care by meticulously maintaining it on a regular basis, rather than realizing years later that the surface needs to be repaired, replace or refurbished.
The post Faded, Stained Marble, No Problem to Clean first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>Always start a home renovation project with a budget, but be smart about it. “If you’re on a tight budget, measure the space you are redoing to determine how many square feet you need,” says Dean Dupre, owner of Champion Tile and Marble, Clearwater, Fla. “There is no point in buying tile you love at $6.00 per square foot and then finding out you can’t afford to do the whole room in question.”
Additionally, tiling jobs do not just involve the tile alone. They typically require sealer, grouting and perhaps special tools for a particular type of tile and/or contrasting tiles to create a different look.
“Some people get so gung-ho about their renovation project that they don’t take time to slow down and carefully figure out what they need and do the measuring more than once. While that might sound like a gigantic pain, measuring twice and cutting once saves money, time and frustration,” says Dupre. Always have a list detailing precisely what is needed to do the job from start to finish. Tile is not the only item needed to redo a bathroom floor.
Do the research before doing the job. Know what kinds of tile are needed for the look that is both desired and professional. For instance, there are two types of tiling needed for remodeling the bathroom: trim and field tile. Field tile comprises the actual job itself – the area being tiled – such as a bathroom wall or shower. It is the largest part of a project. To cover a large area, opt to use the most common sized tile of 12 inches by 12 inches.
“To figure out how much field tile you need, carefully measure the large area of your project, then figure out the square footage. Add in a couple more feet for those just in case moments,” suggests Dupre.
It is usually wise to factor in at least a 20 percent overage when working with tile. That does not just apply to mistakes, but also avoids running out of tile, finding out it is discontinued or on perpetually on back order, or discovering that the extra tile needed is a different lot number or shade.
Renovators usually buy trim tile for several reasons, as border or accent trim. Though one can do the job without trim, it does make the result look far more professional. Accent trim is great for the field tile layout, as a contrast or complimentary accenting, and border trim completes the finished project.
“Marble is indeed a superior choice for flooring, walls, countertops and backsplashes,” states Dean Dupre, owner and operator of Champion Tile and Marble in Clearwater, Fla. “More often these days, those with a bit of wiggle room in their budget are opting to have it installed. Admittedly marble is more expensive than many other choices on the marketplace, but it is often worth the extra money in terms of upgrading a home.”
Homeowners wanting value for their money, enduring style, the utmost chic in design and durability, may want to check out marble. It is favored by decorators, architects, designers and engineers for good reason. It withstands the elements of time, reflects opulence and class and may be used in a variety of places: from court yards to kitchens, front porches to laundry rooms and bathrooms to front hall entries. Once installed, it is there virtually forever and is no longer just used for floors.
An often overlooked use for marble is outdoor tiling. Many considering this kind of renovation to a patio area think that wet marble would be dangerous. It would be dangerous, if it were not for the fact that there are special outdoor marble tiles, carefully roughed up with a minimally gritty, slightly coarse surface.
“The traction that type of surface provides is excellent, even when wet. If you’re contemplating using marble outside,” adds Dupre, “then make sure it is frost-proof and unglazed and the moisture absorption rate comes in at 0.5 percent or less.” When shopping for the right kind of tiles to install outdoors, check the ratings on each exterior tile that indicates slip-resistance capabilities.
Marble holds a unique niche in the hearts of many who want flooring that appeals to their senses. Aesthetically appealing and sensual, it is also appealing for its non-allergenic health benefits. Nothing sticks to marble, unlike carpets, some types of wood flooring and area rugs. Simply put, marble is not vinyl, laminate or ceramic and changes a room’s ambience significantly.
The post Marble Goes With Anything, Anywhere first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>When planning any type of renovation project, particularly one that is intended to upgrade flooring, try something different for a unique look. Go for unusual sizes and not standard 2 ¼ inch red oak panels usually that most builders opt for. While they use that size and product for its relative inexpensiveness, they sacrifice originality by doing so.
If the budget is not a great concern, something out of the ordinary may be a good choice. Trying a random flooring pattern can also give a room that extra pizazz.
Those interested in green options for their flooring renovations need look no further than the United States. There are numerous varieties of interesting flooring available right at home, and buying here supports the local economy. Other countries do not necessarily have renewable resource or managed reforestation programs.
For a more unique take on what to do with hardwood floors, try white oak, cherry, maple or even hickory. “Also check for what is referred to as character grades – planks with personality if you will,” adds Clearwater’s Champion Tile and Marble owner, Dean Dupre. “The flooring with character is memorable and adds a ton of personality to a home.”
For a floor with character, then do not choose select grade wood. That means it is devoid of personality and shows no markings – markings that are the character of the wood to begin with. “Flooring with personality tends to bring out the untold stories hidden in the wood’s planking. Character grades are incredibly interesting,” said Dupre. And, opt for prefinished flooring.
Prefinished flooring is a smart choice, as it avoids having to leave a home while the contractor sands down, stains and refinishes a floor. No one likes dust on their furniture and prefinished flooring may be installed in just one day and not leave behind a mess.
With that said, be wary of flooring warranties. Read the fine print on all products under consideration for a home renovation flooring upgrade. Often the warranty being offered is for floor wear-through only. The chances of a pre-finished hardwood floor wearing through are almost non-existent, as the floor would require refinishing long before it ever wore through its finish.
The post Hardwood Flooring – Variable Options to Consider When Buying first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>“Before investing in white marble though,” says Dean Dupre, owner of Champion Tile & Marble in Clearwater, Fla,, “make sure you know the quality of the stone. This means taking the time to carefully examine the stones you want to use. You want only the best and most durable.” In addition, a tile should not show signs of filling: small, dull patches, seen when tilted at a 45-degree angle under a light. If the tiles are filled, they are not high quality, which affects their integrity and durability.
White marble stones may be polished, but the idea is that the finished product looks smooth and attractive. If the stone has been improperly buffed up, swirl marks are visible on the surface. This detracts from the stone’s beauty, while calling its quality into question.
When it comes to white marble tiles, there is currently no existing industry standard. That means any home renovation expert, or even a do-it-yourself kind of individual, needs to personally check the quality of any stones under consideration. Doing so requires carefully judging the material by looking at the back of the tiles first.
The surface must not have a net or mesh covering. “If there is a net or mesh on the back of the tile,” adds Dupre, “it is a weak stone and likely to crack or break and is susceptible to scratching and/or etching.” Make sure the stones have straight edges and are evenly shaped. Straight edges grouting will be easier once the project is finished. Imperfectly shaped tiles or stones are hard to shape for a complete a flooring plan, and installation of such misshapen tiles is difficult.
Most marble is notable for its veining, and white marble is no exception. Veining provides the stone’s character. If white marble tiles do show this characteristic, turn the tile over and check for cracks, or other surface imperfections, along the vein trail. These tiles may still be used in low traffic areas, or on walls. “If you do choose tiles with imperfections, still make sure they are a uniform thickness. Uneven tiles create dangerous floors, ripe for trip and fall accidents,” advises Dupre.
The post Know How to Judge the Quality of White Marble Before Starting Home Renovations first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>There are a number of ways to make the bathroom one of the nicest rooms in the house: painting, trimming, splashes of color, bright towels, decorative window curtains and even wall hangings. What is one to do when it’s time to totally redo the room and make it into something easier to care for, and even more eye-catching? Think natural stone tiles. Natural stone tiles are trending because they add a special, earthen ambience to the washroom.
Cared for by Mother Nature and polished to a smooth surface, many designers and homeowners love the beauty of natural stone. The stones may be used for flooring, walls, as decorative pavement or even as countertop. Glass mosaic tiles are running a hot second in the looks department. However, glass tiles do have some disadvantages when compared to natural stone. For one, their durability is lacking. While glass looks nice, it is more brittle than stone, and is prone to chip. Stone tile does not and has a reputation for being able to withstand just about anything.
Natural tiles never go out of fashion or style. They have a timeless quality that recommends them to any home, anywhere at any time. They also have the unique ability to compliment any décor in mind, but look especially awesome with splashes of bright color accenting their quiet presence. Stones also exude an inner warmth that glass does not, are easier to clean, and far more versatile. The warmth of stone is a presence in any room, but seems best suited to the bathroom, perhaps because of its timeless association with water.
If a bathroom upgrade is in the cards, give some serious consideration to using natural stones. They not only look good, last longer, and add class to a room, they increase the value of a home. They are a reasonable investment, if looking to sell, and one that typically pays off, as bathrooms play such a key role in everyone’s lives.
The post Natural Stone Tiles in the Bathroom Makes for a Stunning Ambience first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>The Chromatic Mosaic Tile collection is unique because of the bubbling chrome used inside the tiles. The tiles are then sealed in colored, clear or smooth glass. When viewed from different angles, surfaces show changing highlights, reflections and refractions. It can help create a child’s fantasy world or add a certain zing to a recreation or bar room area in the basement. These tiles make a stunning focal point in the bathroom and kitchen, livening up the view and brightening any area where they are installed.
“Not everyone wants sparkle and glitter in their homes, but if you have kids that love princess fairy stories or belle-of-the-ball tales, the Chromatic Mosaic Tile collection might be just the right thing for their rooms. You only get to be a kid once, and these sparkly, jewel-colored tiles add a touch of whimsy to any child’s room,” said Dean Dupre, owner and operator at Champion Tile and Marble in Tampa Bay, Florida.
There are a number of ways to install these tiles, but by using large block placement, the different colors inside the glass tiles stand out quite clearly. If the renovation budget does not allow for many tiles, consider using fewer to create an elegant border in the bathroom or kitchen. Mixing and matching tiles lets creative installers work on their own custom designs. “You’d never be at a loss for color choices,” added Dupre, “and the collection features some very rich, deep colors to enhance a home.”
These tiles never rub off or fade, and they add charisma wherever they are featured in a home. Beautiful shades add depth to any room, and no two custom patterns created by the DIY installer will be the same.
The post Glass Mosaic Tiles Add Fanciful Glitter to a Home first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>“Engineered flooring is a popular choice for homeowners on a budget. The surface is a sandwich of multiple wood laminations, with unfinished ply on the bottom and finished wood on the top. Its cross-grain construction looks clean and performs well in high-moisture locations,” explained Dean Dupre, the owner of Champion Tile and Marble in Tampa Bay, Florida.
Most engineered wood comes pre-finished, so the top layer is already sanded and sealed. Once installed, it can be walked on immediately. This type of flooring is budget-conscious for two reasons: it is made inexpensively, and it is very easy to install without professional help. “The almost-instant installation bonus of this nail-less flooring is very appealing, and it comes in a variety of attractive choices, including maple, hickory, bamboo and oak,” Dupre said.
Nails are not needed to install engineered flooring, but they may be used depending on the location of the installation. This floor can also be laid by floating, gluing or stapling it. The floating style is most common; long panes are laid by snapping or gluing them together. The sub-floor is not nailed during this process. Homeowners can also apply tongue-in-groove planks joined lengthwise. Laying an engineered floor is a very easy day’s project, and the composite much easier to work with than hardwoods.
Even though this type of flooring comes sanded, it may be sanded up to twice more (depending on its thickness) if the floor sustains dents or scratches. When in doubt, check with an experienced flooring contractor to determine if sanding is appropriate.
http://www.champtile.com/
“The UK tile market is exploding with the latest creative tile trends –- 3D glass tile with bold, snappy colors, ripple mosaic tile, stone or glass mosaic tile and metallic glass tile. They’re quite unique and very eye-catching,” said Dean Dupre, owner of Champion Tile and Marble in Tampa Bay, Florida.
These tiles are not the run-of-the-mill various colored tiles for a home renovation project, intended to look serene and sedate, classic and timeless. They are designed for creative individuals who want to add spice to their living areas and to feature stunning colors that create special effects.
“The interesting colors you’ll find in the UK tiles will allow for truly creative tiling,” added Dupre. “Homeowners can choose their particular brand of glass tiles and match them to other elements in the home. No matter what color you love, be it pumpkin orange or zesty raspberry, you can find it. And the tiles don’t just come in one shade. Sets typically have at least three variations on a theme to allow you to mix and match.”
Special-effects tiles come in various collections, patterns, colors and materials: from glass to stone, from futuristic to 3D. For those who thrive on mixing and matching, the temptation to do something really artistic may capture the moment. Mix in metallic glass tiles with gold, flaming red and deep-water blue. The only limit to working with these tiles is one’s imagination.
“History does repeat itself. This time, it’s taken an old page out of a design book but added vibrant, splashy colors for the entrepreneurial tiling aficionados who love to express themselves with color and new materials,” said Dupre.
The post Special-Effects Trend in Tiling Arrives From Overseas first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>“Some home projects, including tiling, can be easy and fun. But no matter how experienced you might be, a number of things can still go wrong. If you want a quality installation job, do it right the first time,” advised Dean Dupre, owner of Champion Tile and Marble in Tampa Bay, Florida.
Frequently, would-be installers fail to prep their surface properly. If the surface is not smooth and completely clean, the tiles may not adhere to the wall or floor properly. Grouting needs to go on slowly and smoothly. Clumps dry unevenly and create an uneven final surface.
“Do not dot the corner of your tiles. This does not, contrary to popular belief, make the tile bond stronger. Instead, it ups the chances that the tile will crack when the adhesive shrinks while drying. And speaking of adhesive – choose the right one for the job, or you’ll have problems later,” added Dupre.
Without battens, tiles cannot be positioned correctly vertically or horizontally. Crooked lines create a haphazard-looking floor. Battens prevent installers from having to tear out tiles to start a job over again. Mistakes need to be caught early before the floor is completed. The sooner an error is caught, the easier it is to repair it without dealing with hardened grouting.
“Scrape off excess grouting carefully and accurately. You don’t want the floor to have spots where the grout is protruding up past the tiling. Nothing says “amateur” like a lumpy floor,” Dupre explained. “Before you begin, assemble the correct number of tiles and add about 12 extras in case something goes wrong.”
If a bathroom wall or shower stall is being tiled, ensure the top row of tiles is sealed correctly with the proper sealant. Water gets in behind improperly sealed tiles. Seal tubs only after filling them with water. Tubs move when filled, which can crack sealant in use later.
The post Tiling Mistakes to Avoid at DIY Time first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>Tiling is not as easy as it looks. House, home and hearth need professional installation and finishing to look stunning. Those wishing to install tiling themselves should strive for a professional understanding. Read and study proper techniques. A poorly done job becomes a massive expense very quickly, especially if flawed grouting and sealing are involved. Installers can run out of tile because a job was not measured properly or tiles broke, then be unable to find a matching unit for replacements. Mistakes damage durability and jump out at the eye.
Experience in placing and fitting tiling is a major advantage. Start with a draft map design laying out the precise desired result. A reference keeps installers on track.
Rethinking the idea of tiling a bathroom or kitchen independently? It never hurts to ask a professional flooring expert for assistance. Many are happy to answer questions, and all are happy to step in and complete the work. The extra expense also buys confidence: the homeowner will know for a fact that the tiling will withstand just about anything.
Tiling is an investment in a home that makes it look the very best it can. A professional flooring contractor’s services are among the best investments to further that goal.
The post Tiling Projects Require Professional Handling first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>“You can have the elegance and benefits of marble even if you really can’t afford complete marble surfaces. You can pull off some seriously stunning looks by using marble as an accent,” said Dean Dupre, owner of Champion Tile and Marble in Tampa Bay, Florida.
Instead of doing a whole room, choose to update only the countertops or some other feature. Some homeowners lay marble tiles on the floor and complement them with ceramic sinks and backsplashes. Even as a small accent, marble fills whole rooms with its unique look. Well-edited choices create a quietly understated atmosphere.
Use color to your advantage. For high impact, choose marble with contrasting veins, like grey and white. Then, add more white into the room to highlight the veining. “If you can’t afford much, consider making a marble counter the focal point of the room, then build your design from its texture,” said Dupre.
Those with larger budgets may consider marble tubs the epitome of luxury. But your ceramic tub can light up in the same way with stone-to-stone accents. Limits are only set by the bounds of your creativity.
New treatments and finishes have made marble even more popular. Now, the stone can even stand up the humidity of the kitchen or bathroom. No matter where you place it, remember that your marble must be resealed regularly to ensure durability and keep moisture out.
The post Hints of Marble Add Elegance on a Budget first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>“Some wood looks great in delicate areas, but won’t do well in a busy home. Other wood stands up to just about anything. Know what you want before you shop,” advised Dean Dupre, who owns Champion Tile and Marble in Tampa Bay, Florida.
Wood flooring hardness is typically measure using the “Janka test.” A steel ball is pressed into a piece of wood forcefully, and the tester measures the amount of pressure needed to insert it. Soft wood, like pine, dents or caves under less pressure than harder woods require. “If you or the kids are prone to dropping things, a wood floor, particularly a softer wood floor, will dent on impact,” added Dupre.
Be wary of marketing generalizations. Today, most flooring options will claim to stand up to “general foot traffic,” but not all consider a busy home — with kids and pets constantly on the move — to fall under that definition. A handsome wood floor may deteriorate fast after the dog digs several gouges out of it and the kids ride their tricycles through the house for fun. For truly indestructible flooring, you should consider other materials entirely.
Wood flooring, no matter its natural hardness, also requires a finish. If that finish is breached, the wood underneath can start to deteriorate as moisture seeps in. All wood floors must be sanded and re-finished yearly.
Consider the location of the wood flooring installation and be aware of the traffic it will handle. Is the wood under consideration tough enough?
The post Does The Hardness of Wood Flooring Matter? first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>“Not many agents understand the difference between a partner and a reseller of quality leads, like Medicare supplement leads,” explained Clelland Green, RHU and CEO of Benepath.net. “A partner works with you toward success, but a reseller actually works against you by selling you chewed-up prospects.”
The senior care industry is booming. To be successful in this niche, it is crucial to choose a reliable lead generation company. Some offer older leads which are neither useful nor lucrative. choosi Others send leads that have already been worked, but still call them exclusive. “In a way, they are “exclusive:” your lead generation company is excluding you from profit in the scheme,” Green reported. “There are no benefits in working an exhausted lead or spending good money on it.”
So, how does an agent find a good partner? Choose a lead generation company with a good reputation who promises to stand behind its product. Its system should screens leads, pre-qualify them and provide them to you with complete information.
“Pay attention to the amount of help they offer you. Do they help you sell and market? If so, the company may make an excellent partner. If a company is willing to commit extra time to assisting you, you can can help each other succeed,” added Green.
The post Pick a Medicare Lead Provider to Be a Partner first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>“Bathroom renos can be fun and they can also be a huge pain,” points out the owner of Champion Tile and Marble in Tampa Bay, Florida, Dean Dupre. “The DIY crowd dive right in, often finding out later it was not a good idea, not reading any instructions. The experienced folks know to check twice, measure twice, and do it right the right time for an elegant and long-lasting, good-looking job.”
If the bathroom is the project for the day, be sure to use more full-size tiles; in other words, choose a size the suits the bathroom area. Smaller tiles make a larger bathroom look dated, and the installer has a lot of grouting to complete. Larger tiles offer a more modern ambience and less grouting. Edge installation goes relatively smoothly if you cut tiles to the amount of space left and use a wet saw. Creative individuals may want to try different colors and sizes of tiles.
To make the room look elegant and pulled together, try laying tiles in a symmetrical pattern. If the tiles are to be mounted on a wall, make sure the opposing wall looks the same. Different-sized tiles on either side of the room create an odd visual distortion. If the tiles are to be laid on the floor, begin in the center of the room with smaller ones and work out to the edge, and use large tiles to form a border.
“Before cutting anything, measure carefully first. Cutting is not the easiest task, even with a wet saw. So to ensure less damaged tiles, which cramps your design in mind, work slowly while cutting,” suggests Dupre. The cut tiles are generally used as edging, under overhangs, by walls and as borders. In other words, cut tiles are ideal for any area that is less visible. To enhance visibility in areas seen immediately, use full tiles to draw the eye to the point of attention.
“The best tip you will ever benefit from before attempting a tile reno in the bathroom is: Lay your tiles out on a dry surface to see what they will look like. When you have it right in your mind, go to town and get creative. It’s the most fun you will ever have with a renovation,” says Dupre.
The post If Bathroom Renos Are Pending, Pay Attention to the Process of Proper Tiling first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>When new trends hit the market, you tend to see a lot of homeowners rushing out to try the latest fad. Right now, the hottest trending new idea is to tile walls. According to a number of real estate agents, properties with elegantly tiled walls are selling very well. And why not? The tiling slabs add a whole new dimension to a home or office and the good news is that they can withstand pretty much anything.
The ability to stand up to whatever is thrown at it is the hallmark of a sturdy wall slab. Homeowners should consider this when tiling walls of areas such as the kitchen, laundry room area and bathroom. Tiled walls definitely create a unique look, and with the wide variety of colors, tones, patterns and shades on the market, there is a whole lot of latitude in creating just what you want. Hands down, tiling a wall beats painting it, when you consider that the minute paint comes into contact with the moisture that touches it on a daily basis, it begins the long, slow process of disintegration.
For those creative souls that love to design a room around a theme or hand-paint their own slabs, this newest way to make a room stand out is most welcome. Additionally, tiling walls is a much cheaper alternative than some other options out there. For instance, if you want to save some serious money, consider using ceramic wall tiles. They’re not only cost-effective, but they’re also attractively durable and they are not hard to keep looking good. It helps that they are also water-resistant.
If your budget is more generous, then you might gravitate to slate, granite, marble, quartz or travertine. The choice is yours for each room. For instance, try granite in the kitchen, marble in the bathroom and travertine for the study. The sky’s the limit when it comes to installing tiling on your walls. This is one trend that will definitely increase the resale value of your home.
The post The Latest Hot Trend Is Tiling Walls first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>Many DIY homeowners feel they can install their own flooring, and many do a fine job. However, when it comes to hardwood, there are a few extra things to be aware of; buckling and cupping are two of them. A warping process transforms wood flooring after prolonged exposure to humidity and moisture. The wood absorbs the moisture, retaining it until it dries. When it does dry, the floor warps, and it doesn’t matter if your floor is older or brand-new.
As surprising as it may seem, many homes have high levels of humidity and moisture. Humidity inside or outside the home can damage floors. Outside factors are outdoor climate, heat and humidity; so living in a rain forest is not good for hardwood floors. Inside moisture is generated in the bathroom, kitchen and laundry rooms. And for those of you who have lived through ruptured water lines and burst water heaters, you know how much damage that can do to the inside of your house. It helps to catch that kind of situation early, but that does not always happen.
If you’re going to lay hardwood floors, you want to make sure they are protected from absorbing moisture. After all, hardwood flooring is a significant investment. Make sure to seal the floor properly by glazing it and using a transparent sealant or waterproofing stain.
However, before the real work is done, always lay the planks on waterproofed and insulated layering. This gives the underside of the boards the protection they need from moisture. Now is not the time to cut corners, because this floor needs to last a long time. If you don’t install it the right way the first time, chances are you’ll be taking it up again due to water damage causing buckling. It is quite rare to have hardwood cup and buckle as a result of being defective. In nine cases out of ten, warping is related to improper installation and a poor job applying sealant, which allows moisture to work its way under the wood.
Take the time to research carefully how to install hardwood floors the right way. When in doubt, consider reaching out to an experienced flooring expert who is able to advise you on your project or do it for you. Ultimately, you want your home to look great. Make sure you do it up with class and attention to detail.
The post If You DIY a Hardwood Floor, Factor in Cupping and Buckling first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>“Most garages have a concrete slab, and that is not the best surface to work out on. In fact, it’s really hard on your joints. Aside from that, though, if you have expensive equipment in the garage, you won’t want it resting on cold concrete that may also be cracked and damp. Time to make some changes and make the inside of the workout zone safe and yet durable,” says Dean Dupre, owner of Champion Tile and Marble, Tampa Bay, Florida.
While the ideal flooring would be the kind in boxing gyms or other big-ticket fitness training centers, not everyone can afford it. Are there other options? “Yes, commercial flooring, rubber stall mats and interlocking rubber tiles. Each one of those choices has pros and cons. It is up to you to choose what works the best for your situation and location,” Dupre adds.
Commercial flooring is still too expensive for some. It is the kind found in large gyms, and it comes in a rainbow of colors. Right off the bat, the only way to determine a flooring budget is to ask for a quote. This may put a number of people off, as they interpret that to mean it is expensive. This kind of flooring also comes in a tiled version that may be worth considering because it can be less expensive.
Option number two is to use rubber horse-stall mats, which work out to be about $1.66 per square foot. A lot of garage floor area can be covered for a low price, for those with a limited, no-room-to-wiggle budget. Bonus: these mats are easy to cut down to fit any space and any odd corner. Additionally, they are very durable. Just be prepared to wait for the new-rubber smell to dissipate over time. Also, be aware that this type of matting is quite heavy, which means no bunch-ups when laid in a square.
“Another type of tile to consider is interlocking rubber tiles,” explains Dupre. “This option is the most economical of the three alternatives and is easy to find at sporting goods stores or online. However, the less you pay for something, chances are there may be issues with it. That old ‘You get what you pay for’ adage is quite true with these tiles. However, they do work well for some.”
Interlocking rubber tiles do not stand up to weightlifting equipment being dropped on them, but they may do well when placed under a treadmill or combination home gym rig. “It’s your choice, but at least you have a variety of options to suit your workout routines and equipment,” says Dupre.
The post Living Spaces Are Not the Only Areas That May Need New Flooring first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>Ceramic tiles offer beauty, flexibility, texture, color and value. Moreover, ceramic is exceptionally durable. Tiles have survived the test of time for centuries. Some have been recovered in sound condition from ancient Egyptian and Roman ruins. Your home will hardly need to become an ancient ruin for its tile to be appreciated. Ceramic enhances its beauty now and into the future.
Ceramic tiles have at least one feature that makes them unique — ceramic refuses to harbor germs, making it an ideal and popular surface for kitchens and bathrooms. The smooth surface is also easy to keep clean. Just make sure that the ceramic tiles you purchase all come from the same lot, which will ensure that they are uniform.
Additionally, make sure to choose the correct hardness for the job at hand. Ceramic tiles range in hardness from zero to five. If you want to tile a wall, then the best choices are tiles rated zero through two. For in-home floor use, go with a three-rated tile, and if you want tiles for a commercial application, a ranking of four or five would be suitable. Backsplashes, walls, floors and countertops all benefit from ceramic, as it is easy to maintain, very versatile, highly durable and reasonably priced.
Porcelain is considered a subtype of ceramic, and its clean look makes it a good alternative. Porcelain is the tile of choice for truly high-traffic areas, especially in industrial and commercial settings. The tiling you find in airports is almost always porcelain. Your personal tastes will determine whether you like that look for your home, but its extreme durability may not even be the driving factor in your choice. Usually, homeowners choose ceramic tiles due to their unlimited versatility.
Another alternative may be natural stone tiling, which is often considered to be an agglomerate/aggregate tile: it is a mixture of marble and other rocks held together by epoxy. Stone tiling comes in a variety of engaging colors and designs. If you choose to install it yourself, be sure to measure twice and cut once. Since stone tiling is man-made, measuring and cutting work needs to be very precise.
The post Think Tiling for an Elegant Home Renovation first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>Without a doubt, the kitchen is the heart of the home. Just about everything — from cooking to entertainment to homework — happens in its friendly atmosphere. People come. People go. People pass through and spend time. It’s always a room with stories to tell, and over time, the floor begins to show signs of its wear. So when a family upgrades their kitchen space, they want to make sure to find something durable, attractive, easy to maintain and within their budget.
Today, many Americans are choosing stone and tiling for this high-traffic room. Tile and stone are well-known to stand up to the demands of children and pets.
Nothing performs better than stone for resistance; it does not scratch as other flooring, like laminate or hardwood, would. Stone lends itself to a natural look, and it gives a room an interesting, warm ambiance. Slate, sandstone and limestone are most popular. While these choices do need to be treated to maintain their elegance, they are tough and sturdy.
If budget is a concern, you may opt to use porcelain tiles that look like stone. It takes some sleight of hand, but the solution is very appealing to the eye when all is said and done. Tile is also smoother underfoot than stone would be. Porcelain tiles come in multitudinous patterns, designs and colors, and they can even be ordered with a metallic finish. With an eye to quiet design, metallic-finish tiles energize a kitchen in an understated, elegant way. The right choice of tile will also withstand a virtual army’s worth of tromping.
Concrete flooring is a third, newer trend. Popping up on floors across the nation, concrete holds heat well and is one of the toughest floor materials on the market. These surfaces are nothing like the sidewalk material you may be picturing. Concrete can be acid-stained, colored, polished or honed. In many cases, the final result looks like another substance entirely. With coloring, you can choose between various shades of yellow, gray, white, red and even green. And concrete can even be used for countertops.
Your kitchen can be the inviting, central hub that you want it to be. Think about your choices and how they fit your budget before investing in any surface.
The post Flooring Choices for High-Traffic Kitchen Areas first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>There are a vast number of flooring options on the market today. So many, in fact, that it can be confusing to consider every choice. Would ceramic look good in the kitchen? Would marble work in the bathroom? What about hardwood flooring? They are all valid questions, and the simplest solution is to choose something that instinctively appeals to you. Find something you love on sight. After all, you will be living with your choice for a long time.
You may find yourself falling in love with a hardwood surface. Many people love how elegant hardwood flooring looks. It offers beauty, durability and class. Hardwood adds inviting warmth to the atmosphere and works to pull a room together in a very visceral, visual manner. If you have an open floor plan, hardwood may be the perfect choice. It is versatile and warm on the feet. It can be refinished without too much effort and, should you ever choose to sell your home, its resale value will bring your investment back to you.
Just be aware that hardwood does contract and expand in response to the level of humidity in the air, so it’s not a good choice for bathrooms, laundry rooms or the kitchen unless it is properly sealed. If you do choose hardwood for a high-humidity location, expect to reseal the floor every six years or so.
Not sure you want the work of sanding, refurbishing or sealing? You might want to consider engineered wood flooring. These surfaces are hardwood, but they come in layers. Their cross-grain construction makes them even stronger and more durable than solid pieces of wood on their own. Engineered wood flooring offers more structural integrity: it does not gap, buckle or warp. Engineered wood is perfect for the kitchen, and it can be laid directly on concrete without a subfloor if you are finishing your basement.
You might also consider bamboo flooring, especially if you are environmentally conscious. It does cost more than hardwood, but it is even tougher. It offers an excellent walking surface, and it acts to muffle sound. Bamboo is an excellent choice for high humidity locations, but it must be sealed. Be aware that if you plan to revamp your own floors, it can be tricky to cut bamboo. You may particularly wish to hire a professional installer for this job to avoid losing material to waste.
The post Consider Elegant Hardwood to Revamp Your Flooring first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>Green grass? Who would want green grass on their floor? Green grass is more commonly referred to say bamboo, and it is durable, tough and looks awesome. It offers each room it graces a whole new look and feel, not to mention the fact that it is super easy to take care of and clean. What could be better than an environmentally friendly flooring that is tough as they come, easy to clean and looks stunning?
Actually, bamboo may even be considered to be the new hardwood that was once so popular. They have not gone out of style yet, but because they represent a large tree kill, many younger, green conscious families, are opting for an alternative like bamboo. Most of the world’s bamboo flooring comes from Asia. Flooring contractors and companies are noticing the shift in attitude as well. People are trending more to what is best for Mother Earth when it comes to choosing new flooring or upgrading the old stuff.
Green grass, or bamboo floors are attractive and versatile, often being used in and outside. As well, they have an interesting story to tell before they become a part of your home. Before being turned into hard boards, the bamboo fibers are first sorted out and rinsed down to take out any debris in them, including sugar content. From there, the fibers are turned into hard board and sold in a variety of colors.
You can choose from solid bamboo, engineered bamboo, strand woven bamboo, and teragren bamboo. While that may sound confusing, it’s not. The solid bamboo is completely made of bamboo, does not expand and contract as much as hardwood, but looks like it, comes in stained flooring, horizontal or vertical strand flooring and all-natural or carbonized versions.
Engineered bamboo looks very much like engineered hardwood, featuring many layers of bamboo, banded for strength and glued to a base. It’s convenient to install and great for dry or humid climates.
Strand woven bamboo is created when the strands are cut, boiled, and laid out to dry. They are then hard-pressed to flatten them, preparatory to cutting them into various sized planks, which are stitched together and ultimately glued. Many homeowners like the green and eye appeal of this style of flooring.
Teragren bamboo is really amazing. The stalks are sliced into small slats, laminated with an adhesive and subjected to hydraulic pressure. They are ideal for interior design projects.
Even though bamboo has been around for years, it is just now starting to come into its own as a flooring alternative that helps keep Earth a greener place to live. It also helps that is an affordable flooring alternative as well.
The post You just might take a shine to green grass flooring first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>While it may be time to do something to upgrade the older, and perhaps unattractive, flooring in your home, today’s homeowners are far more environmentally conscious than ever before. It is imperative for an eco-focused consumer to choose flooring products which are sustainable.
Thankfully, designers, architects, interior decorators and home builders have been working on practical ways to work with sustainable materials, things that are environmentally friendly, both now and in the future. What does “sustainable” mean and why should you care?
Sustainable materials are those which carefully and consciously maintain balance in all of our natural resources, whether it is water or wood. If we do not have balance or maintain a necessary balance, it has an enormous affect on our lives. We must be willing to work with products that can replace themselves. This is vitally important with virtually everything we use today.
What are the choices in terms of flooring for those who want to go green and are serious about it? You can upgrade your flooring with sustainable options, materials that are easy-to-find and a snap to install. For instance, bamboo flooring is a good sustainable choice. Bamboo is water-resistant, hard as nails and has an innate anti-bacterial agent. If you want to install it like hardwood flooring, you can, or you can cut it into smaller planks during installation.
This next sustainable recommendation may raise some eyebrows: recycled leather. Where does recycled leather come from? The leather used to make car seats. The seats are ground up, and the resulting mixture is glued, using natural glue and fillers. The end result is tiles that you can install in any room. They look natural and are richly textured.
If your goal is to have aesthetically-pleasing and environmentally-sustainable flooring, think outside of the box and find out what other interesting options you could apply to your floors to make them look unique, yet classic.
The post Green flooring is important in today’s world first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>It’s a no-brainer that hardwood floors, or hardwood lookalikes, sell houses. Hands down, people love the look of hardwood and this type of flooring is one of the better investments you could make to increase the resale value of your home. Would you be surprised to find out that hardwood may even add up to 6 percent to the value of your sale price? Worth considering, right?
If you already have wood flooring in your home, that is half the battle. Keep those floors in tiptop shape and you likely have a quick sale on your hands. If you do not have wood floors, maybe it’s time to dust off the budget, take a good, hard look at your existing floors, decide which rooms need to be done and start some serious shopping. You do not need to put hardwood floors in every room, unless that is something you want to do and can afford it.
Many people simply start with hardwood floor upgrades their bedroom, but you may wish to begin in the kitchen or living room. If you have carpeting right now, you need to decide if you want to keep it or take it out. If you replace the old carpet with new carpet, stick to neutral colors if your goal is to sell your home. If you want hardwood flooring to capture the eye of a potential buyer, then spend time looking for the right kind of hardwood that suits your style and is simpatico with where you live. For instance, if you live in Florida, you might want to gravitate to tiling in the main living areas.
If you prefer hardwood, then check out the latest trending flooring, handscaped hardwood. Handscaped hardwood excites buyers with the country charm it lends a room and the aura of authenticity it brings. Some call it “vintage planking;” wait until you see how many different finishes and breathtaking woods are available to choose from. And the bonus? Handscaped hardwood blends well with every other kind of flooring on the market.
Do you prefer the wooden planks narrow, or wide? These days, wider planks are leading in the popularity polls, because that is they way they used to be when older factories and warehouses were turned into stores and living spaces. This type of flooring is a nod to history, but it works very well with today’s more modern interiors.
The post Handscraped flooring is hot for home upgrades first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>Flooring is an important consideration.
Home is where the flooring is, and home is the one place you find peace and tranquility. For some, looking at floors that have seen their day, first placed years ago, can take away from the enjoyment of owning a home. Flooring is far more important than many people realize. In fact, it is one of the first things a potential buyer will look at when you have your house on the market.
Homes are not just about flooring alone. They are a reflection of the people living there. Accordingly, you want the best-looking possible decor. You want compatible colors and/or wallpaper throughout the house, perhaps matching the furniture and the ambiance you wish to create. Think what the overall effect would be if the flooring was retro 1930s and the decor was 21st century.
Flooring sets the tone of each room in your home. If you want to change flooring in each room, you have the freedom of creativity to do so. Consider hardwood for the living and dining room, marble for the bathroom, rubber flooring for the kids play area and ceramic for the kitchen. It all depends on what kind of mood you want for each room. Decide what works for your imagination, figure out a budget, shop online and in person and stop by your local Tampa flooring contractor to see what they recommend. It’s time well spent.
Lighter-colored flooring makes a room look larger, while darker planking or other floor coverings, shrinks the room. If you have high-traffic areas to worry about with the kids and pets, then stick with a flooring that is not only durable, but does not show too much dirt. As an alternative, you could always opt to use runners to protect the floor or carpet.
The choices on the market in terms of flooring are so diverse, even if you are a dedicated go-green kind of person, there are flooring choices just for you such as reclaimed barn wood or bamboo. If you plan to do something different, just do the research first before investing your money in a floor choice you might not like once it is installed. You may even decide that since flooring comes in far more colors than it used to, to opt for colored flooring instead of carpets. The nice thing about shopping for floors for your home is the wide variety of choices.
And, if you are worried that wood may make a room look smaller, you’ll be happy to know that it actually makes it look bigger. This is due to the way the wood is cut, but also a result of how it is laid in longer lines across a floor. If you want the visual effect of a larger room, try wood flooring, as it widens and lengthens a room.
The post Your home is the biggest purchase you ever make first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>Protective flooring is also referred to as safety flooring, and its main distinctive feature is its flexibility to work in multiple environments. If you have young children, you know that any flooring that is hard-wearing, non-slip, virtually stain resistant and thrives on heavy traffic is a winner.
Although you tend to find flooring like this in factories, warehouses, hospitals, nurseries and so forth, the simple fact is this type of flooring is go to go no matter where you want to put it. It has a stellar record when it comes to safety by preventing falls or slipping, and what could be better than that with young toddlers?
Safety flooring does well in the kitchen and even the bathroom, but don’t let the name fool you into thinking it’s ugly and utilitarian. Sure, it is handy, does yeoman’s duty and can handle just about anything thrown at it. Putting it down in a kitchen would be a smart choice.
When considering safety flooring, take an inventory of what it is you need before buying anything. For instance, rubber vinyl flooring goes well in rooms designated as children’s play areas. On the other hand, you would want a non-slip surface in a kitchen or bathroom. If in doubt, ask your local Tampa flooring contractor what would best in your home.
People used to think that safety flooring was only something you hid behind a closed door. While that was true once, it is not now. It comes in beautiful colors and designs, and you can even choose what kind of finish appeals to you. Safety flooring is coming into its own and if you take a good look around the next time you are out, you’ll notice it in open areas frequented by the public.
Imagine being able to choose safety flooring that looks like wood, right down to the finish. It even offers quality acoustic abilities to reduce the happy sounds of children at play.
Whether you choose to install it at home or work, you’ll find you will be pleased with this hard-working, smart-looking and versatile flooring. It’s definitely a long-term solution for a reasonable price if you want to upgrade existing flooring.
The post Safety Flooring Protects Kids first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>Exclusive Medicare supplement leads are worth every penny you spend on them. They are a critical part of your business as well, since America is aging, and you have a growing, captive market. However, you do not want to waste time trying to find your own leads or deal with a fly-by-night lead generation company who might skirt some legal and ethical issues. Gone are the days of trying to beat out every other agent within a 50 mile radius to sell Medicare supplements —- unless you like doing business that way.
Before you invest in exclusive Medicare supplement leads, there are some questions you need to ask the company you are planning on dealing with. Were the leads checked against the “No Not Call” list? Do they come in the territories you want? Do they come as set appointments? Are they pre-screened and qualified, so you know you are not wasting your time? Those are just some of the things you might want to ask; you can custom order exclusive Medicare care supplement needs, based on what you want. Won’t it be nice to talk to leads that need and want your products and are qualified to buy them?
With exclusive Medicare supplement leads, you do not share with any other agent. You have genuine exclusivity to serve your potential customer to the best of your ability. Leads that come pre-screened and pre-qualified increase not only your productivity, but enhance your financial bottom line. No more wasting time on dead end calls. Just sit down, open your email, check your leads, pick up the phone and call your prospective customers to discuss what they would like and answer questions. It doesn’t get any better than that.
To begin with, you might want to do just one geographic territory, so you don’t feel overwhelmed, but remember, you have the choice to take as many leads as you want, or keep it to a small handful a day so you have time to work them all. In short, you get to arrange times and appointments and contacts according to times that best suit you. It’s a smart way to do business and one that will expand your agency’s financial bottom line.
The post When marketing to seniors use only exclusive Medicare supplement leads first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>Focusing on green products for the home is still going strong, and many people are giving serious thought to what kind of flooring to have in their homes. It’s about protecting our habitat and environment, protecting the earth and our forests. One alternative flooring that is piquing people’s interest is reclaimed rubber. Talk about cost effective flooring. It is even less expensive than natural rubber. While you may think it sounds too different and while you might not be able to visualize what your home would look like with reclaimed rubber floors, check it out online. The look is quite appealing.
While gyms, spas and fitness centers might come to mind, reclaimed rubber has a role to play in your home. You can’t beat it for maintenance. Imagine a floor that is completely stain-resistant and will not scratch up, not even if you have pets and busy kids. This kind of flooring lasts for years and years and years. If you have a need for safe flooring in your home for children or older or disabled adults, reclaimed rubber flooring may be just the thing for you.
As you might expect, reclaimed rubber flooring is made from cast off automobile tires. After processing, it ends up as rolls of flooring and as tiles. It is environmentally friendly in terms of a green flooring option. Recycled rubber also uses less energy, as opposed to creating new rubber, a process that requires an enormous amount of energy, which often gets wasted during its creation. Starting from scratch is not always a great idea. It is also more expensive than reclaimed rubber and if you are on a budget, reclaimed rubber is a great fit for you.
It might take some work to adjust your perception of rubber flooring as something you would only find in commercial buildings. Think “outside of the box” and you’ll see that rubber would be beneficial for many areas in your home —- the laundry room, playrooms, the garage, pantry or even a bathroom. The best use of this type of flooring is in a kid’s playroom. It cuts the noise level and prevents them from slipping and falling. Also, if you have pets, a rubber floor is a breeze to keep clean.
One further point in favor of using reclaimed rubber is that, contrary to what you may think, it is not pitch black, unless that is what you want. It comes in different colors, formats, thicknesses and designs, just like any other type of flooring. Why not give it some thought? It might be the right thing to do if you have concerns about preserving the planet.
The post Looking for something different in flooring – try recycled rubber first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>No matter where you go, you walk on flooring. It could be marble, rubber, wood, bamboo, ceramic or shale. Now, there is another unique choice —- chemical flooring. Really, the only thing you want to consider is how your floor looks in your home. That means some planning to determine what works best for your personal spaces. If you want more information about this alternative method to preserve and maintain your floor, talk to a Tampa flooring contractor.
One thing you may wish to consider when upgrading your flooring is what type of covering you want. For instance, do you prefer a soft covering, hard or wooden flooring or chemical flooring? Choosing something that suits your lifestyle might sound easy, but with the various options available, sometimes the choices are overwhelming. Start with the basics by considering whether or not you want carpets to cover your existing flooring. Do you have kids and/or pets? Would carpet work with your busy lifestyle? What kind of carpet would best address your needs? And what type of budget do you want to work with? Will you do-it-yourself or have someone install it? Then of course, there are various colors and textures to decide on as well.
Let’s say carpeting is not for you. What about hard flooring? In this category of floor choices you would find terracotta, ceramic and porcelain. Its material designed to withstand pressure. The bonus with hard flooring is that it is colorful, versatile, easy to clean, reasonably priced, easy to find and easy to install, provided you follow the instructions. For example, ceramic flooring can be a nice whimsical touch in a kitchen and liven it up considerably. Think resale value if you choose to sell your home.
If you don’t care for hard flooring, then wood may be a good choice for you. For instance, the marketplace has a full range of wooden laminates that come in various designs and colors. These days, many laminates very closely resemble hardwood, but are considerably less expensive than the real thing. The only issue you may have with laminate flooring is if you choose a very inexpensive one. They are typically hard to keep clean.
Why not consider chemical flooring? Simply put, this is polyester, epoxy or latex applied to an existing floor to provide a seamless covering. One of the more popular choices today is an epoxy coat that keeps the flooring from degrading and creates a strong surface, resistant to acid. This may be perfect for a high traffic area recreation room, a laundry room or workshop area. Check it out. It may offer you an alternative to the traditional types of flooring.
The post For eye-catching floors, try chemical flooring first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>Homeowners with hardwood flooring just love it. They couldn’t be happier. However, even though they love it, they notice early signs of warping and gapping. This has to do with variable moisture levels in your home. Your floors are also affected by what you bring inside with you when you come in. Although it is difficult to keep all the sticks, leaves and small stones outside, making sure you have an area rug right by the door will help protect your floors.
Since it tends to be drier outside during the winter, this also affects your indoor temperatures. It is warmer inside to stave off the cold. Over time, the hardwood dries out and the boards shift, leaving small gaps in the flooring. Dry, cold winters mean a lower moisture level, and when you remove moisture from wood, it shrinks. You know that horrid squeak you have in the middle of the living room floor that makes everyone jump in the middle of the night when the dog walks over it? Thank dry hardwood flooring for that, and take steps to increase the humidity level inside your home.
One way to increase the relative humidity in your home is to use a humidifier. However, before you invest in one and keep it running all the time, ask a flooring contractor what the level should be, ideally, for the climate you live in. For instance, if you live in northeastern U.S. area, you get really harsh winters, and a humidifier may be the answer to help keep your hardwood flooring from shrinking. Think stand-alone units or one that may be attached to your furnace.
Again, mats make all the difference in the world when making sure your hardwood floor stays as clean and debris free as possible. They also help absorb rain, slush and other gunk, like runny mud. Better to have it on the carpet that you can wash, than on your hardwood floor. A mat also keeps small stones embedded and off the floor, avoiding scratches and abrasions.
Although all of this might sound like a lot of work to keep a floor looking nice, it is well worth it. A home with hardwood flooring that is in good shape and has been well-kept, brings a better price on the market.
Dean Dupre is with Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company. To learn more, visit Champtile.com.
The post Winter can wreck your Tampa flooring first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>It’s never a good idea to cut corners too much when it comes to buying Tampa flooring tile for you home upgrade. This isn’t to say it may not be a steal of a deal, but when it comes right down to it, it won’t last as long as you want and you’ll be replacing it sooner than later. That means you haven’t really saved any money at all, just delayed the re-install a few years and then you need to put more cash out to fix or upgrade the floor again.
Another thing many do when it comes to selecting tile for their next home renovation project is choose discontinued tiles. Those typically come in at a really nice price, and are often high caliber, high quality tiles that will last longer and look good. However, check the bargain bin, because you will also find every day, not so wonderful tiles in the mixture as well. If you get lucky and find discounted marble, granite or limestone tiles, you’ve hit pay dirt and your budget will love you.
Certainly buying discontinued, quality tiles is a smart way to go, but be aware there are a couple of things you should know before buying them. The first thing is discontinued actually means no more tile like the one you are planning to buy will come on the market any time soon. So, what you see is what you get, and what you get will be all that you can get.
If the tiles are neutral enough to go anywhere and look good for years, this isn’t a drawback if you take care of them. However, if the discounted tiles are an interesting, brash shade of red or perhaps green, you might want to rethink buying them, unless you don’t mind replacing them in a few years when you tire of the color or a new color trend hits the market.
You may also get lucky on a hunt to try and match existing tiles in your home; the ideal solution to do the flooring in that laundry room extension you have been planning for years. The bonus here is that what you find should match flooring already down, making the job that much easier.
Or, you might only need a few replacement tiles to take care of the flooring you have right now. It might not be damaged now, but you can’t predict if it will be blemish free in the years to come. Pick up extra tiles for the “what if” things that happen in the life of your flooring.
Dean Dupre is with Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company. To learn more, visit Champtile.com.
The post Cheap is not always good when it comes to tile first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>“It’s a no brainer when people have animals, whether it’s cats or dogs, or both, that their floors are going to take a beating. Claws just take the top off most floors, no matter how often you clip the dog’s nails. And cats, well, let’s just say that more often than not they manage to decorate the floor with their dinner, making for some tough stain issues, and that goes for dogs too,” added Dean Dupre, who owns Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company.
Just about 60 percent, or more homes, in the U.S. have animals — that’s a lot of flooring issues, one way or the other. Hardwood floors are the worst when there are pets in the home, and carpets are nearly impossible to keep clean, although there are good stain products on the market today. Rather than pitch an uphill battle, cork flooring may be the ideal solution for pet owners.
Contrary to what many think, cork is highly durable and takes up to a 45 percent compression ratio and still rebounds to its original shape. “If you think of your cat that scratches the floor with their claws, you’d think it would shred it. It doesn’t. It compresses and releases, back to its normal shape. Even larger dogs with huge feet and longer nails will not make a dent in this type of flooring,” Dupre said.
Perhaps the best part about cork flooring is the fact that it happens to be water resistant. If a puppy pees on it, it’s not a major issue, other than getting it wiped up before it seeps under the tiles. Potty training with papers or pads, when combined with cork flooring, makes the dog duties easier. “That being said, you would, of course, make sure the house-breaking is completed to a point where there are fewer accidents over time,” suggested Dupre.
Cork flooring is also attractive for those who have allergies. In fact, it is often referred to as an anti-allergenic flooring. It does not hold pet dander or hair, pollens or harbor dust mites and molds. Just remember to keep it clean.
To learn more, visit http://www.champtile.com.
The post Cork Flooring Handles Pet Issues With Ease first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>“The kitchen seems to be the hardest room in the house to choose flooring for. Should it be vinyl for the spills, hardwood to be elegant, ceramic to be showy or carpeted and stain resistant? There are so many choices these days, it is hard to pick, but ultimately, no matter what you do choose, you want something classy and yet durable,” recommended Dean Dupre, who owns Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company.
“Other considerations for upgrading the kitchen floor revolve around color, texture, materials and eye appeal, and whether or not to do more than just the floor while you’re renovating,” added Dupre. Often this is the best time to make other changes while there is a chance to get everything done at once. Should ceramics be chosen, one consideration is whether to use tiles to create a backsplash behind the sink, or a sunken cutting board in the counter. The possibilities are endless.
Ideally, the main aim of upgrading the flooring in the house, whether it be kitchen floors or other locations in the home, is to create a uniquely appealing visually attractive floor; something that will ultimately increase the value of the home on resale. Being creative, while a good idea, is something to approach with caution, as not everyone would appreciate vibrantly colored tiles in their kitchen. Moderation is the key to tackling floor upgrades, a durable, classy, pleasing floor that withstands the test of time.
“Aim for visually appealing patterns, but not a bright melange that screams the tropics,” suggested Dupre. “If you happen to be a minimalist, go for subtle, clean and sophisticated patterns. It’s up to you. Just remember that if you plan to sell in the near future, you want something that appeals to a wider audience of buyers. So also choose a floor that is easy to maintain, stain-free and does not take on the qualities of a skating rink when wet.”
For those who choose to do it themselves, read the instructions and follow them to a T. There is nothing worse than a nice looking floor that is crooked in the corner because someone did not know how to lay the tiles the right way in tight spaces. It is all in the look, the kind of flooring, the color, the accents in the same room, the ability to keep it clean and whether or not it will withstand heavy wear and tear over the years.
To learn more, visit http://www.champtile.com.
The post Kitchen Flooring Needs to Look Good and be Durable first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>“It’s not just color and type of flooring that drives consumers these days, it’s also texture,” says Dean Dupre, who owns Champion Tile, a http://www.champtile.com., Tampa flooring, and tile installation company. “Texture has the added advantage of setting the surface apart and making it more noticeable.”
Distressed Clearwater flooring may feature transformative aging, hand scraping, and even interesting character marks, all of which make it look not only rustic, but full of character. Some people do not like the idea of having what they feel is a pock-marked, or damaged look to their flooring, but others love the ambiance it creates in each room.
This kind of flooring is highly appealing; in nine cases out of ten, people upon first seeing this type of flooring get down on their knees to touch it. It also has more than one visual option. “For those that like rustic, they would love the knots and graining. For those who prefer a more classic look, they would like a smoother texture. It’s your choice,” said Dupre. But those are not the only two options for homeowners who like some adventure in their environment. There are other options employed to change the distressed look to a real character product, like adding a darker finish, or aging the flooring. It’s possible to be creative.
“Think creative, and the flooring of your dreams is just around the corner, particularly if you want to take the further step of having the flooring customized to get the look you want,” Dupre added. An added bonus to distressed flooring is that it comes in all varieties of hardwoods, and may also include other exotic options.
While it may boggle the imagination to think of flooring being beaten with chains, being bleached or pickled in order to achieve the finished look, that may be just what the house needed to provide it with more character.
To learn more, visit http://www.champtile.com.
The post Distressed Flooring is a Good Option for Renovations first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>“If you’re working with ceramic tiles, you should be aware that they come in matt finish, high-gloss and Duraglaze,” advised Dean Dupre, who owns Champion Tile, a Clearwater flooring, Tampa flooring, and tile installation company.
Most ceramic tiles, no matter what their finish, look terrific in any room, and are a favorite of homeowners for their reasonable pricing and colorful, appealing patterns. This type of tiling is best laid indoors, in areas where there in only moderate traffic.
“If you want a high-gloss finish, your final installation will have great beauty and a superior shine. If this was installed in a high-traffic area, be aware that you will need to keep on top of maintaining it, largely because it scratches easily. Depending on where you want to feature it, you might be best advised to install it on the wall, or use it for a backsplash for your kitchen. Some prefer the glazed tiles in the bathroom for their ability to repel water,” Dupre suggested.
On the opposite end of the shine spectrum is the matt finish, which is often preferred for high-traffic areas. If the homeowner wants to turn matt into a glossy finish, they only need add sealant. On the other hand, for an aged appearance, or a rustic look and feel, do not use sealant.
For those who want a Duraglaze finish, they will end up with a very durable surface, one that rarely chips or breaks. They are versatile and flexible and come in so many colors it may take some time to choose just one, which is part of the beauty of working with these tiles. They are hugely popular and reasonably priced. “Just make sure that when you install them that the grout color matches, and blends nicely, with the overall décor of the room. The grout should not talk louder than the tiles,” Dupre advised.
To learn more, visit http://www.champtile.com.
The post Make Sure the Grouting Does Not Overwhelm Installed Ceramic Tiles first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>“I’ve seen a lot of less-than-stellar flooring products over the years I have been in business, and some of them have been touted as being ‘brand new.’ New is nice, but if the quality isn’t there, why spend the money on flooring that will not last?” said Dean Dupre, owner of Champion Tile, a Tampa flooring and tile installation company. “It’s a waste of your hard-earned dollars.”
When homeowners head out to shop for flooring to upgrade their homes, they need to be aware that just because something is marketed as ‘new and improved,’ it does not mean it will meet expectations after it is installed in a busy home. Newer products have an unfortunate history of being slapped together with glue and rushed to the marketplace to start earning the manufacturer money. Often the goal is to make money, not make consumers happy with the product.
“Some customers get the new flooring home, install it and it looks great. Six months or so later, they realize their shiny new floor is cracking and peeling, swelling and chipping and separating. It looks like an army of elephants have been using it for a runway,” said Dupre. “This product, made on the cheap, was not made to last. It was made to be new and dupe consumers. Older products that have been around for some time and have a slightly higher price tag, due to their quality, are often the better choice.”
Over time, the marketplace has moved from making quality flooring that often outlived the homeowner to shoddy imitations. There is no mystery behind this change on the part of flooring manufacturers. They sell cheaper products that do not last as long because the consumer will need to come back and buy more to replace it.
“Before you decide you want to do something about your floors, take a hard look at what you have right now. If it is quality flooring, think about restoring it first. The last thing you want to do is rip up good but older and worn flooring and replace it with something that won’t last long and may give you headaches,” Dupre added.
To learn more, visit http://www.champtile.com.
“If you’ve moved into a house with soft wood floors and you have an active family, plus pets, you might want to consider redoing the floors to something that takes just about anything you throw at it,” said Dean Dupre, owner of Champion Tile, a Tampa flooring and tile installation company. His suggestion? Tile.
Life is about balance. For many parents, that balance means more time with family and less time spent cleaning the house. For those who want a virtually care-free floor, one option that performs like a trooper is tile flooring. It’s easier to clean and more stain-resistant than carpet. “With tile, you just need to pass the mop a time or two and perhaps sweep now and then, which takes minimal time out of the day, leaving more quality time with the family,” said Dupre.
Tile flooring is well noted for its longevity, so in reality, it pays back the cost of installation over the years it stays looking good and remaining functional. It is typically years before tiles crack or need grouting cleaned. In other words, tile flooring is a good investment that will carry forward its good looks, even if you sell your house at some point.
Tile flooring installation offers a wide range of choices from tiny tiles to larger formats. “It depends on the look you want,” said Dupre. “The size of the tile you choose can change how big a room looks. Plus, there is a virtually endless selection of patterns and colors to coordinate with your decor.”
Another great benefit of tile flooring is the lower cost compared to other materials. “If your budget is really tight, go for the tile flooring and install it yourself. If you get stuck or have questions before you get started, check with a flooring company and get straight answers so your job goes well,” said Dupre.
To learn more, visit http://www.champtile.com.
“If you want a long lasting floor, one that still looks good forever and a day and is cost effective, you might want to consider ceramic tile flooring. It’s easy to clean and maintain and takes a good beating. Just remember not to drop anything on it. If you have kids, this might not be a good choice for you, as they tend to drop mugs and glasses and if you wind up with chipped or cracked tiles, this may permanently damage your floors. So, before you invest in ceramic tile, figure out if it suits your lifestyle or not,” suggested Dean Dupre, who owns Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company.
In a quieter environment, without the risks of floor damage, ceramic tiles stay delightfully cool during the summer months; a nice respite on a blistering hot day when standing on an oasis of cool is sheer bliss. The con side of that benefit is that these tiles are also cool to cold in the winter, depending on where you live. With that in mind, and before the flooring is installed, consider under-the-floor heating. “Your feet will love you for it,” Dupre added.
One other very appealing characteristic of using ceramic tiles is that the owner may create their own design to enhance each particular room. The tiles do not need to be laid in perfect symmetry. In fact, laying them with an avant garde pattern, such as a mosaic or zigzag pattern often creates a one-of-a-kind design, guaranteed to be the talk of the neighborhood. “
“If this is a do-it-yourself project, you might want to get smaller tiles that come on a mesh. This just makes them easier to lay down. However, this doesn’t mean you need to stick to a boring or routine layout. Mix and match things up for an eclectic effect,” Dupre suggested.”There is nothing quite like the finished design when you can step back and see the results of your hard work. If you are not sure how to do a credible job, contact a Tampa flooring contractor and discuss whether or not your surface needs to be leveled before laying tile.”
To learn more, visit http://www.champtile.com.
The post People Either Love or Hate Ceramic Tile Flooring Indicates Champion Marble and Tile from Tampa, Florida first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>“I’ve seen some nice flooring installed in a way that made me cringe. This was largely due to the fact that the person attempting to put it in used the wrong sealer, among other things. Not all flooring jobs need a professional installer, but many of the DIY jobs need one later,” added Dean Dupre, who owns Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company.
For those considering installing marble or granite, the results upgrade a home’s interior immediately. A once ordinary home, kitchen or bathroom, suddenly take on a regal atmosphere. Add in granite or marble countertops, and each room becomes a sophisticatedly elegant room with personality. “In short, you really can’t go wrong with marble or granite to upgrade the interior of your home,” Dupre added.
The one main thing to remember about working with marble or granite is that each stone needs to be sealed from things like includes water, cooking spills and other items that land on the floor. “If you work without sealer, you can expect a disaster later,” indicated Dupre, “because the sealer protects the stone from staining; an important point if the flooring is in the kitchen where items like vinegar, bleach and various other caustic agents are stored.”
Sealer is not just used on granite and marble, so it is not an added expense, but a necessity to complete a job. Sealant may also be used for pressed pavers, concrete, reconstituted stone and natural stone, so if there is some left over, there is always a use for it later. Make certain the sealer both impregnates and penetrates below the surface of the stone.
Marble sealer that is applied the correct way does not affect how the stone looks. The impregnator is the component that gives the stone a polished and smooth surface. Just sealing marble or granite leaves it open to scuffing and abrasions, as it does not properly bond.
“There tends to be a whole lot of confusion around impregnating and penetrating. To simplify things, the impregnator protects the stone’s interior from staining. It acts as a barrier to keep acid from soaking into the stone, but it does not protect the surface. That is where the sealant comes into play, which protects the surface and provides a stain resistant exterior,” Dupre explained. “The process of sealing a marble or granite floor is fussy, but the end results are stunning. If you have concerns about doing this on your own, just ask us. That’s what we do.”
To learn more, visit http://www.champtile.com.
“There are a whole lot of things you can do in the kitchen to upgrade the floor. Perhaps go with porcelain tile, a stone tile pattern, cork flooring or even laminate. But the most elegant of all the upgrades is a tile rug. They aren’t that common and are they ever a conversation piece,” suggested indicated Dean Dupre, who owns Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, a tile installation company.
Redoing the kitchen is about giving the room a style all of its own. It’s the heart of the home, the gathering place for everyone and a special place to relax, visit and eat. What would be better than upgrading the floor to make it appear like there was a mosaic rug laid down? Mosaic tile used in a complimentary manner to offset the shape and design of the kitchen is hugely popular.
“You can start by using a large tile, and pair it with a complimentary mosaic tile. For instance, both could be the same material if you prefer, but in differing sizes. Or if you want to really make a statement, use a completely different material, such as glass. The nice thing about being versatile and thinking out of the box is that your tile rug will be one of a kind; a really appealing, eye catching addition to the kitchen,” Dupre added.
Plan the pattern for the tile rug before the materials are purchased. There is no sense buying too much or too little of the various components and finding out later the job comes up short. Also ensure the right type of adhesive is used by reading the instructions in advance of starting the job.
“If you tackle something like this on your own, work with a pattern. Take the time to plot it out with great care. It needs to go down right the first time and if you don’t read all the instructions, you might find yourself making a run to the store to get something you forgot,” remarked Dupre. Many homeowners, not really wanting to see if they have the chuztpah to do-it-themselves, will often consider hiring this kind of work out. They realize that getting a tile rug done the right way is pretty important in terms of the look of the finished project.
The idea of a tile rug is to create it under the main eating area. The pattern is laid in that area and can have a decorative border to set it off. Ideally, it will set off the rest of the kitchen and pull everything together in a nice, harmonious blend of color and textures. “Start laying floor tile in the rest of the room in the usual straight set pattern. When you get to the tile rug location, use your imagination and go diagonal, use a different material or a mixture of tile sizes. Play with it on paper first and when you get down to the nitty-gritty, you will know exactly what to do,” he said.
To learn more, visit http://www.champtile.com.
The post Tile Rugs are Quite Eye Catching Reports Champion Tile and Marble, Tampa first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>“I’ve had a great many clients chose travertine tiles when they wanted to upgrade their flooring. Basically, they wanted something elegant, easy to keep and beautiful. Travertine can do all that and more, and because it is in such high demand, you will find the price is a bit higher than other choices out there,” indicated Dean Dupre, who owns Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company.
Despite that price though, travertine is a popular choice for its longevity, particularly if a homeowner foresees selling in the near future. It is also a highly favored choice for architects and interior designers, largely because it has such an interesting personality. “Travertine tiles tend to look warm and inviting and a bit on the worn side, almost like they have a story to tell,” added Dupre.
It is so interesting in fact that the demand for this style hovers around the 0.85 million ton mark in just the United States alone. What many Americans do not realize, is that travertine is not just found in Italy, but in the western U.S. region. This does tend to bring the price down somewhat since it is available domestically, but it will still be slightly more expensive than other floor tile choices.
“If you love travertine, you can get it in two finishes – natural stone and filled and polished. What’s the difference? The natural look is just that; natural with pitting and it looks worn and comfortable. The filled and polished style features a high-gloss finish, making it a breeze to maintain. This second category is the main choice of interior designers and homeowners,” Dupre said.
Interestingly, many have mistaken travertine tile for marble, as it looks like marble when it has been filled and polished. Others mistake the natural travertine for limestone. “Ultimately, the best thing is that travertine is a natural mimic that stands up to close inspection, graces a home with its natural beauty and can be called anything you like, but still remains utterly beautiful.”
To keep travertine floor tiles looking their best, just sweep the tiles with a soft bristled broom. After sweeping, wipe the floor with a damp mop. “Just how easy is that?” asked Dupre. “Travertine is really popular and if you think you might like to have it in your home, give us a call and we can discuss your project.”
To learn more, visit http://www.champtile.com.
The post Travertine Tiles Are Rising as a Flooring Trending Says Champion Tile and Marble first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>“The study showed that the table surface was a key component,” said Greg Grambor, president of Vascular PRN. “A big intervention that can help the patient stay comfortable and does more to prevent pressure ulcers is the Skin IQTM. It’s the latest negative airflow technology that prevents decubitis ulcers.”
The Skin IQ is also more budget-friendly than low air loss mattresses. The FDA has approved the Skin IQ for longer use, so the Skin IQ coverlet costs about $4.15 per day whereas a Low Air Loss mattress is about $30.00 a day. Perioperative nurses that can utilize a Skin IQ for patients and reposition them during and after surgical procedures will help patients stay comfortable and healthier.
“These strategies are easy to incorporate and relieve or redistribute the patient’s weight and wick away moisture,” said Grambor.
What is so unique about the Skin IQ is that it does have a foam layer, and two more layers of antimicrobial control. It pulls moisture down, cools the patient’s contact points, and performs 30 percent better than a typical medical mattress cover.
To learn more about the Skin IQ and how it can help in hospital settings or for pressure ulcer treatment, visit http://www.vascularprn.com/ or call 800.886.4331. On the site, visitors will also find out about Vascular PRN’s other products for sale or rent such as SCD boots, lymphedema pumps, and sequential compression devices. Vascular PRN has been helping surgery centers and hospitals, nursing homes, managed care organizations, and other institutions for decades throughout the United States. The Skin IQ is a registered trademark of KCI.
The post Long Surgeries Necessitate Better Therapeutic Surfaces for Patient Skin Integrity first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>“Sequential compression devices can be great for many patients who cannot walk or get around much in the first few weeks,” said Greg Grambor, president of Vascular PRN, which helps healthcare professionals nationwide fill prescriptions for SCDs and IPCs. “Patients should talk to their doctor about their risk for a blood clot, find out if mechanical compression is good for them, and be proactive before the day of the surgery.”
The American Journal of Surgery notes that compression therapy devices can lessen the chances of DVT post-surgery by 60 percent. Many patients get mechanical compression therapy devices along with medicine to help prevent blood clots. Knee and hip surgery carry a higher risk of blood clots, so patients should be prepared when they have these types of surgeries to address any concerns ahead of time.
“Blood vessels can get damaged during surgery and when you are restricted to bed rest, SCDs can help blood flow from the superficial veins to the deep veins,” said Grambor. “The devices are comfortable and there are some choices depending on how portable you want the compression therapy system to be.”
Vascular PRN is known for its full line of sequential mechanical compression devices for the full leg, calf, and foot. To learn more about renting or buying a Sequential Compression Device, SCD boots, or Lymphedema boots visit http://www.vascularprn.com/ or call 800.886.4331.
The post Big Spike in Knee Surgeries Calls for Compression Therapy Devices to Lessen Risk of Blood Clots first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>“Not a lot of people realize that if their bathroom or kitchen does not have wall tiles that they may have paint or wall paper peeling more often than they think. It’s due to the moisture in the environment and the fact that it soaks through the paint or paper, which is then is absorbed by the plaster,” explained Dean Dupre, who owns Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company.
For those that may be considering selling their home in the near future, having tiled walls makes good resale sense. Thus, for homes with kitchens and bathrooms without wall tiles, it may be a smart idea to invest in getting those walls tiled to preserve them. There is nothing worse than a damp wall that has never dried out over the years and then one day, someone goes to hang a picture or something else, and a portion of the wall crumbles. “Why leave it until it is too late to do a credible repair job on the wall,” says Dupre, “when you can be proactive and deal with it before it becomes a problem later?”
The good news is that even if the bathroom is not tiled, the tiles needed to accomplish the job are not that expensive. “Usually, you’ll find ceramic tiles in a bathroom, and they are not that pricey,” Dupre commented, “plus they have such a wide variety of colors, styles and themes, that everyone can find something they like for a reasonable price.”
Other choices on the market are natural stone tiles, which have an intrinsic beauty and durability. Stone tiles look very appealing on floors and walls, and in some cases, are a better choice for a bathroom or kitchen depending on the amount of traffic each room gets. For those families with kids and animals, stone tiles may be the better choice.
“The interesting thing about tiles is that they were used extensively in ancient Egypt to dress up the interior of various buildings and residences. Their appeal has not diminished over the centuries, and they are still a popular choice for today’s homeowners,” Dupre said. History shows that thatched roofing was eventually replaced by ceramic roof tiles. Soon, someone discovered that glazing those same tiles made them even more appealing, because they repelled moisture.
“For a little bit of ancient Egypt in your bathroom or kitchen, you might want to choose glazed ceramic tiles and have a blast figuring out what pattern suits your tastes. Home renovations are a lot of fun when you get to play with patterns, textures and colors,” added Dupre.
To learn more, visit http://www.champtile.com.
The post Save Bathroom and Kitchen Walls from the Effects of Moisture by Installing Tiles Says Champion Tile and Marble first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>“Medical professionals must think proactively when the patient is at risk, not just after a serious ulcer or wound has occurred,” said Greg Grambor, president of Vascular PRNSM. “There are treatment protocols to help a patient prevent or address these concerns when they are clinically avoidable.”
The National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel suggests that monitoring, evaluating and revising patients’ diets, repositioning them, knowledge of their hemodynamics, and support surfaces are critical to keeping ulcers and wounds under control. A key part of the medical professional’s role is to document all the steps taken to care for the patient, communicate to the patient and his or her family, and involve them in the decision-making process. Case studies show that a minimum of 35 percent of lawsuits for nursing home or hospitals involves poor documentation that does not sit well with a jury.
“The skin is such an important organ that is sometimes forgotten,” said Grambor. “There are very efficient, affordable products out there for medical professionals to rent or buy to lessen a patient’s risk and decrease their own liability.”
For example, a Skin IQ
is an electrically powered mattress coverlet that prevents skin breakdown and pressure ulcers as well as a LAL mattress. At $6 a day for the Skin IQ versus a LAL mattress at $30 a day, it also helps to minimize costs. For venous stasis leg ulcers that can be slow to heal, compression pump therapy products can stimulate venous blood flow and increase fibrinolytic activity.
“Everyone on the team needs to be well versed in wound and ulcer care,” said Grambor. “From a CNA to the dietician, and even new staff when turnover occurs, should be able to consult the patient’s file and the facility’s guidelines on preventing and lessening these issues.”
Best practices also include photographing a patient’s wounds or ulcers on admission, keeping accurate records of the patient’s care, and noting his or her compliance with the care given. Tracking how the issues are addressed in the patient file, along with precise staffing records and consistent use of best practices for care can dramatically decrease a facility’s liability.
“Medical professionals should be able to know their patient from head to toe,” said Grambor. “Vascular PRN is here to help you get access to the equipment you need to address ulcers and wounds proactively, and we can make a difference in your patient’s health overnight.”
Vascular PRN has decades of experience helping nursing homes, surgery centers and hospitals, managed care organizations, and other institutions with compression therapy pumps and the new Skin IQ. To learn more about a Sequential Compression Device, SCD boots, or the Skin IQ coverlet, visit http://www.vascularprn.com/ or call 800.886.4331.
The post Vascular PRN Helps Medical Professionals Address Patient Wound and Ulcer Concerns first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>“It’s not hard to lay ceramic tile over existing tile, but you do need to take care and take your time if you want an exceptional result and look,” remarked Dean Dupre, who owns Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company.
Typically, before even trying to put down a ceramic tile floor over existing tile, the condition of what is already down must be taken into consideration. If the existing tile is in good condition, the task will be a bit easier. Ceramic tile must be able to have a good and secure bond to what material is under it. “What you need to check to see if it is in good condition is to find out if the current flooring is still stuck to the subflooring and you don’t get hollow sounds underneath it. If those two things check out, you’re pretty much good to go,” Dupre commented.
The next step is to thoroughly clean the floor to get rid of any grease or dirt before putting anything on top of it. When done, scuff up the tile and grout to help the new mortar stick to the old tile. “Remember to trim your door jams as well, as adding tile on top of an existing floor usually raises the level,” cautioned Dupre. Throw in a new threshold plate and things should work well.
If the existing floor is not in good condition, then start the removal process by getting a sturdy pair of safety glasses. “This is not a fun job and if your eyes are not protected, you’re asking for trouble when you chip the existing tile away,” said Dupre.
If the subflooring is wood, and it was installed on cement backer board, this is a bonus. It is easier to remove. However, tasks such as chipping out the old flooring are better in the hands of a qualified Tampa flooring contractor, as they will ensure the results are professional.
To learn more, visit http://www.champtile.com.
The post Laying Ceramic Tile Over Existing Tile is Possible if Done Carefully Says Champion Tile and Marble first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>“Home decor choices are important to give a house its own personality, and to reflect your tastes as well. So, if you’re looking for something different to use when you upgrade your flooring, then consider Botticino marble. You won’t be disappointed that you did,” suggested Dean Dupre, who owns Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company.
Lately, this particular marble choice has been catching the eye of architects, homeowners and interior designers for a variety of reasons. It is just about unbreakable and is easy to maintain, two really good reasons to consider it for renovation projects. A slab of Botticino marble ranks very high on strength and durability, and that is what a cost conscious and smart homeowner is looking for to make their home stand out. “Whether you want to use it on the floor or for a wall, the end result is quite striking and you will have a look that lasts a lifetime,” added Dupre.
Flooring is an integral part of any home and many people overlook it in favor of that latest hot painting or sculpture, choosing vibrant colors for the walls and accents, but neglect the floor. That one mistake can change the whole feel of a room. “Make no mistake about it, flooring is far more important than some may even imagine,” said Dupre. “In fact, I’ve had customers tell me that they regretted not having their floors upgraded before they moved in, figuring they could get around to it whenever or do it themselves.”
While many homeowners are handy do-it-yourselfers, the vast majority would not know what to do with marble and grout to make it look professional. For this reason, should Botticino marble be chosen for the kitchen or bathroom, then consult a professional Tampa flooring contractor. “This is a job that needs to go well and have good results,” commented Dupre.
Botticino is a good choice for another reason – its moisture resistance makes it the ideal choice for use in showers, bathrooms, pool areas and kitchen backsplashes. Provided the marble is sealed properly, meaning the grout, there are no concerns about mold and mildew. An added bonus with this choice of marble is its stain resilience and ability to ensure heavy objects being moved on it. “Just sweep it regularly to keep ahead of the dust and hair and if you see a small stain, you may use oxygen bleach,” Dupre suggested.
To learn more, visit http://www.champtile.com.
The post Choose Botticino Marble for Flooring Upgrades Says Champion Tile and Marble first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>“There really is no limit to the kind of things a creative homeowner can accomplish on their own,” pointed out Dean Dupre, who owns Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company. “In particular, with the wide selection of various tiles on the market today, they are sure to find just exactly what they want to suit their style and personality.”
Many people do not realize that adding ceramic tiles in different areas of the home increases the value of their home later. This is because the extra style and flair make rooms with the tiles conversation pieces and add an air of elegance to what could have been something ordinary. Intricate styles often capture the attention of buyers who appreciate quality workmanship.
“So, if you do it yourself, do it right the first time, and take the care needed to make the project look stunning when it is completed,” added Dupre. “In other words, measure and work out the details of what you want at least twice before you proceed.”
One of the nice things about ceramic tiles is that they come in just about any size and shape a person could imagine. In fact, they have far more versatility than laminate or wood flooring, which is a very personal choice for a homeowner. Ceramic tiles are easy to use, and there is very little waste when a project is done, particularly if it is done the right way.
“What do you do to ensure things are done the right way?” asked Dupre. “No joke, but measure your available space at least twice before you buy any supplies. This will give you the parameters of what you need and the sizes and types of tile to use. Also, if you’re going to be working in a wet room, this limits your tile selection. So make a note of that when you go tile shopping.”
Once the project details are worked out, assess the different tile options available. What tiles will look good in the space? Get samples and take some home to try them out before buying anything. “You will have to live with your project for many years to come, so make sure you really like the tiles you choose,” Dupre suggested. If all the information for the project is available before it is started, this prevents the installer from running out of materials.
In the final analysis, if a homeowner does not want to try installing ceramic tile on their own, they can always make arrangements for a professional Clearwater tile installation.
To learn more, visit http://www.champtile.com.
The post Flooring Experts Recommend Measuring a Space Twice Before Taking on a DIY Project first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>“Hanover, Mass. had a situation recently where the town discovered bacterial contamination in their water supply,” explained Larry Wardell, who writes for H2olabs.com, a provider of water distiller systems that provide truly pure distilled water. “To be more precise, they found coliform and E. coli during routine water testing. Further testing showed that the town’s distribution system still tested positive for coliform bacteria the next day they sampled the water, but not for E. coli. They found this distinction encouraging.”
The distinction between the presence of coliform bacteria and E. coli may seem minimal to end users of water, but to the town administration, it meant the difference between issuing a boil water advisory and not putting out that warning. Their rationale was that coliform bacteria is always present in most animal and human feces and is not specifically harmful to humans, and that the bacteria are used to call attention to the presence of contamination in a water supply.
“I don’t know about you, but if I was told there were coliform bacteria present in my drinking water, I’d be buying a water distiller or installing water distillation systems in my home,” Wardell commented. “I would not want to take any chances with my health, or that of my family’s. To me, and to most other Americans, if their water is contaminated with coliform or E. coli, I’d boil despite what the town told me until I had a way to ensure I had safe water.”
The town was able to track down the source of the pollution and shut it off, which led to several rounds of extra chlorine being pumped into the water supply until their samples tested clean. In the meantime, people would smell and taste the after effects. In other words, their water would smell and taste like a swimming pool until the town was sure the water was safe.
“Actually, the easiest way for local residents to deal with this issue was to use water distillers. That way they would have access to clean, fresh and safe water on demand, and they wouldn’t have to worry about whether they should drink their water or not,” said Wardell.
To learn more, visit http://www.h2olabs.com.
The post Town Advisories to Boil Water and Admit Presence of Bacteria Show Homeowners They Need to Get Water Distillers first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>“This is one of the best times to start looking at your 2011 IRA contributions and one of the smartest things you can do is add mutual funds to the account,” said Evan Tunis, president and CEO of Next Exit Retirement. “If you don’t know what type of funds will work to your advantage, then just call me, and we can discuss what would work the best.”
The beauty of IRAs is that they have many advantages that will make a smart investor quite pleased with the prospects for their future. The IRA can help manage retirement plans with flexibility and allows funds to be used in the IRA to be invested in non-traditional investments. “And that means, you could choose to invest in businesses, tax liens, real estate or even loans,” added Tunis.
The bottom line is that IRAs are very good alternatives for those who wish to diversify their investment portfolio, and all of the investments can be done within the same account envelope or structure. “That means it is a very handy tool for investors wanting to look to their future retirement and who want to grow their wealth to be ready to retire,” Tunis remarked.
“LLCs are often used in situations like this,” indicated Tunis, “as LLC programs let people secure their investments. That means that IRAs, which are time sensitive, tend to be good choices for those wanting a safer investment option with total control over the investments and the retirement funds.”
IRAs are a great way to save for the future. “If this appeals to you, call me and we can review your options. The advice is free and the expertise and customer service you get is superior. This is my job and I work to ensure your money works for your retirement,” Tunis stated.
The post Last Months of 2011 a Last Chance to Review Individual Retirement Account (IRA) Contributions Reports Next Exit Retirement CEO first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>In particular, some cancer patients deal with lymphedema as a result of surgery or radiation therapy that causes a mechanical alteration of the lymphatic system. This chronic disorder can greatly affect an individual’s quality of life. It is critical that treatment for lymphedema occurs early on, as the disorder can worsen over time.
“Health care professionals need to do everything possible to keep the skin integrity and prevent further infection,” said Greg Grambor, president of Vascular PRNSM, a company that helps healthcare professionals nationwide with lymphedema pumps and lymphedema boots. “Compression therapy can keep fluid from repooling so that other complications do not occur.”
Over time, lymphedema can lead to cellulitis, disability, and psychosocial issues. Swollen tissues can create an environment where infections can reappear and cause irreversible damage to the tissues. Pain and difficulty moving can lead to a diminished quality of life, and affect other areas of a person’s social and intimate relations.
“With a doctor’s guidance, extremity pump systems and physical therapy can do a lot of good to regain comfort and lessen the issues that can ensue,” said Grambor.
To learn more about lymphedema boots, lymphedema pumps, and Vascular PRN’s other products for rent or for sale such as sequential compression devices or SCD boots, visit http://www.vascularprn.com/ or call 800.886.4331. Vascular PRN has decades of experience helping nursing homes, surgery centers and hospitals, managed care organizations, and other institutions with their lymphedema product needs.
The post Concerns About Lymphedema and Other Complications Rise As Cancer Survivors Increase first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>“You might recall that glass mosaic tiles have been on the market for a length of time,” remarked Dean Dupre, who owns Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company. “The interesting thing with those is that, over time, their popularity has been growing. The range of colors offered, the different sizes and the various choices of styles and shapes offer homeowners a really wonderful opportunity to get wildly creative doing home upgrades.”
Lately, there has been some controversy over the installation of the newer glass mosaic tiles, which has some contractors apprehensive. Overall though, with good planning and an understanding of how to install glass mosaic tiles, those apprehensions disappear once the job has gotten underway. It certainly is not the kind of project a homeowner would want to undertake on their own, and consulting with a Clearwater tile installation company will sort out any questions that may be on a homeowner’s mind.
“Generally speaking, these tiles offer a superb alternative for bathroom flooring, kitchens, patios, and entries. The designs are endless and the results can be quite striking,” added Dupre. For an installation to go without a hitch, good mortar mixing and spreading techniques and careful, accurate placement of the tiles is required. One problem that often occurs during placement is that the tiles lose bond. “More often than not, this is because high quality liquid latex wasn’t used; the kind that was specifically made for cement mortars,” said Dupre. “So, it takes more time to install and more care, but the end results are worth it.”
Take care in choosing the right kind of tile for the right kind of application. In other words, although you may use glass mosaic tiles just about anywhere from the spa to a pool and from the kitchen to the patio, it should be noted that high-quality tiles are the key to a superior finished product. Tiles are made to meet what is referred to as ANSI ratings for residential and commercial use and for inside and outside installations.
“The sky is the limit when it comes to choosing something you like when shopping for glass mosaic tiles. It’s an exciting world out there today, and it just keeps getting better and easier for homeowners to find something really smashing to enhance their living space,” said Dupre.
To learn more, visit http://www.champtile.com.
The post Glass Tile Back In Vogue For Flooring and Kitchens Reports Champion Tile and Marble first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>These types of symptoms can develop in the arms or legs and include pain, swelling, ulcers, and discoloration. Hundreds of thousands of people deal with these issues nationwide. Health care professionals are critical to helping a patient after they have dealt with a blood clot. Doctors can prescribe compression stockings, sequential compression devices, and Unna boots to prevent skin ulcers, for example.
“Doctors can be proactive and screen their patient for any new clots that might come up and if none are found, the physician can prescribe the right compression and course of action to keep the patient from further pain and complications,” said Vascular PRN president Greg Grambor.
The National Alliance for Thrombosis and Thrombophilia (NATT) states that these symptoms usually happen in the first six months after experiencing a clot, but can happen as long as two years after the original bout with a clot.1 The NATT recommends that patients who can exercise and maintain a correct body weight for their age and height can also improve their symptoms with the right compression therapies as part of a comprehensive approach to the problem.
“It is important that any prescribing physicians take the steps to ensure that contraindications for any of these therapies do not exist and that your progress is monitored as you get back to your daily routine and take on exercise,” said Grambor.
To learn more about sequential compression devices, SCD boots or Vascular PRN’s other products for rent or for sale to the medical community, visit http://www.vascularprn.com/ or call 800.886.4331. Vascular PRN has decades of experience helping nursing homes, surgery centers and hospitals, managed care organizations, and other institutions with their compression therapy product needs.
The post Medical Industry Discusses New Approaches to Lessen Symptoms After a Blood Clot first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>“Just when you think that you have heard just about everything, along comes a story that involves a lab that makes, uses and releases man-made chemicals into the environment, and is now offering water quality tests,” said Larry Wardell, who writes for H2olabs.com, a provider of water distiller systems that provide truly pure distilled water. “The chemicals they release ultimately contaminate water. How this is supposed to work, we’re not sure, but it does seem a bit like the fox guarding the hen house.”
This California lab either does not get the irony of what it is doing, or genuinely believes they are offering a valuable service for those worried about the quality of their water on tap. In either case this means the company is getting paid twice; once for their chemicals and the second time by someone wanting to test their home water for those same chemicals. What is wrong with that picture? To hold onto your sanity, get the safe and fresh water you deserve by using water distillers.
The analysis is touted as complying with an environmental laboratory accreditation program and is a certified full-service drinking water test that includes microbiological testing and shows low-level metals by inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy. There is no mention of whether or not these tests would also reveal any of the 2,100-plus contaminants already in the water. However, the lab does mention they know that drinking water quality is a major health issue given the high use of chemicals these days.
It is no secret that chemicals in our water are toxic and considered to be dangerous to human health, and may well cause symptoms that range from upset stomachs to diarrhea and even cancer or nerve damage. The stuff in our water today would scare any rational human being into action to ensure that they find a safe source of water for their families. That safe source of water, fresh and clean on demand, is accomplished by using water distillers or having water distillation systems installed at work and home.
Even if the lab is testing for other things like lead from old piping under a house, arsenic (which does occur naturally) and the detection of coliforms, it seems odd that on the one hand they would offer services for concerned homeowners to test their water quality and on the other, pollute with their own chemicals.
“Stranger things have apparently happened, but if you are concerned about your water quality and don’t know what to do about it, check out water distillers. That will make your life a whole lot easier and ensure that you are drinking safe water,” added Ward.
To learn more, visit http://www.h2olabs.com.
The post Research a Water Quality Test Company Before Spending Money first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>Where a person lives may be detrimental to their health. This is certainly the case with a man who lives on a piece of land currently being tested for dangerous chemicals from coal tar left behind from a former manufactured gas plant. Evidently, the gas came from various utility companies in the 19th century. Companies that heated coal created gas used for cooking, heating and lighting. The land the man lives on is the site of a gas company first built in 1880 and used continuously until 1949.
“Back then,” recounted Wardell, “there were no environmental protection regulations. The end result was that sites like this one were polluted with coal tar that leaves behind toxic benzene, a cancer-causing chemical. People who live in that area have legitimate concerns about their health and safety,” he added.
Despite the fact that the area is supposedly being cleaned up and investigated, there are no warning signs posted suggesting the public stay off the land or stay out of the local watering hole on the nearby river. The residents in the area are concerned not just about their own safety, but for the health and welfare of their children and grandkids. They wonder why there are no warning signs. They are also wondering why, if this particular investigation has been ongoing since 2005, it will take until 2013 to make any serious progress.
“The question on most people’s minds is what is taking so long to clean things up and why aren’t they more informed about water contamination and what to do about it,” Wardell pointed out. Facing situations like this is never easy for those affected and it is one of the many reasons why those in positions like this may want to consider installing water distillation systems.
The whole clean-up process in the neighborhood is slated to cost close to $5 billion, with about $2 million being earmarked for the piece of land this man lives on. One spot of good news is that in cases where residual coal tar is involved, it is typically at a depth of 10 feet below the surface and does not migrate that easily. Nonetheless, residents want to know about their water as there was contamination verified in the area groundwater.
In the meantime, with the ongoing investigation, soil sampling, digging, fencing and testing, area residents might want to consider another alternative for their drinking water. Water distillers are an alternative that would provide them with clean, fresh and safe water on demand. This will allow them to drink truly pure distilled water, without any concerns that it is contaminated.
To learn more, visit http://www.h2olabs.com.
The post H2o Labs Reports That Safe Drinking Water Options Exist When Nearby Land is Toxic first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>“Everyone walks on their floors hundreds of times a day, and thousands of times over a year,” stated Dean Dupre, who owns Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and Tampa tile installation company. “The wear and tear, stains and spills, scratches and scuffs and cracks and peeling will all start to show. The kitchen and other rooms in your house may look knock out wonderful, but if the flooring looks destroyed, it doesn’t matter what the room looks like. In other words, the floor is the foundation of your home. Take care of it and it will help you sell your house.”
What options are available for upgrading flooring? Typically, there are four and they include tile, laminate, carpet and hardwood. Many people choose tile just for their bathroom and kitchens because it is easier to keep clean and water resistant. “It also does very well in high traffic areas,” Dupre added. “Unfortunately, it does not retain heat all that well and if you live in a colder climate, you might need instant heating elements under it.”
Carpet certainly has its pros and cons, and largely, the choice of carpet depends on a homeowner’s lifestyle. If an individual has younger children, or cats and dogs, then carpet is not a good choice. A carpet trying to survive under those conditions would fail miserably.
Kids are notorious for spilling things and animals have their own unique contributions that get deposited on the carpet. For a family with no kids, carpet might just be the ticket. It warms a room’s atmosphere, comes in striking colors and a wide variety of styles and designs. A good realtor in the area can let a homeowner know if there is a demand for a certain type of flooring in the area.
Laminate looks like hardwood, but is a lot cheaper than hardwood. It does not last as long as hardwood, but for those on a budget, this is the ideal solution to adding a bit of style to their homes. Laminate can make a room look larger but it does have one drawback that irritates people – it is not all that easy to keep clean. It streaks if it is washed in the wrong direction and finding a solution to clean the floors is a challenge.
Hardwood is often touted as the ultimate kind of flooring to have. It is appealing, eye-catching, comes in a variety of colors and is highly durable. While it is often a pricey investment, that investment will be reflected in a higher selling price for the home. It is also easy to clean and maintain.
Dean Dupre is with Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company. To learn more, visit Champtile.com.
The post Selling a Home May Require Flooring Upgrades Reports Champion Tile and Marble first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>The guidelines recommend that ob-gyns assess if the patient has a history of blood clots, prior deep vein thrombosis, or a family history of occurrence. SCD boots, which are sequential compression devices, can be used to help increase blood flow. Each boot slips over the leg and mechanically pumps to stimulate blood flow up through the deep leg veins. Unless there is a time issue as in an emergency c-section or if the patient is using anti-clotting medication, the compression booties can work on many different types of women.
“It’s an easy thing to do that really does not cause harm and could potentially help,” said Dr. Erin DuPree, deputy chief medical officer Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York. Her medical center has used these compression devices for a few years at a cost of roughly $14 a patient.
SCD boots have been used in other surgical procedures and post-op settings and shown to lessen blood clot risk by two-thirds, says The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
“While warning signs in some women may be evident early in pregnancy, others will develop symptoms that manifest later in pregnancy or after the baby is born,” said Dr. Andra James, the founder of Duke University’s Women’s Hemostasis and Thrombosis Clinic. “It’s important for ob-gyns to adopt these recommendations to help reduce maternal death. The risk of VTE is increased during pregnancy and the consequences can be severe.”
Vascular PRNSM rents and sells compression equipment to companies that can provide the equipment for use in the hospital or home care setting. Vascular PRN is a leader in high-quality SCD equipment throughout the United States, and can send by overnight delivery when requested. Their website includes product images, sizing guides, and frequently asked questions to help professionals choose the right compression equipment for their patient.
To learn more about a Sequential Compression Device, SCD boots, or Lymphedema boots, visit http://www.vascularprn.com/ or call 800.886.4331.
The post Ob-gyns Need to Assess for Patient Blood Clots During and After Pregnancy first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>“When small town America discovers they have a contaminated water problem, nine times out of ten, no one really knows what to do about it,” said Larry Wardell, who writes for H2olabs.com, a provider of water distiller systems that provide truly pure distilled water. “People are left hanging, wondering about their water and authorities are struggling with how to make things better, by either cleaning things up, if possible, or piping water in from somewhere else, which may be another can of worms. Rarely do people think about using water distillers –the perfect solution to contaminated water.”
Take the story of Raspberry Falls. It has been at least five years since they first found bacteria in their well. Testing has been on a continuous basis since then, with the water being treated with low levels of chlorine (another contaminant). Eventually, the Virginia Department of Health said the liquid met public health standards. Residents are not so sure that is the case and are openly wondering about the safety of their families. They do not want their family to be drinking water with coliform present.
The matter is still under review to determine the best way to solve the problem. “Many local residents just want them to get on with it and give them safe water, not dilly-dally around with political issues, money questions and what if scenarios,” added Wardell. “In the meantime, residents are wondering what they need to do to ensure they do have safe water to drink.”
Some have suggested they will turn to bottled water, but in reality, this is not a good option as much of bottled water today is tap water from the same sources the community gets their contaminated water. In reality, residents would be far better served by installing water distillation systems in their homes. They would not have any further questions about how safe their water is with water distillers in the home. It is clean, fresh and safe water on hand and on demand.
To learn more, visit http://www.h2olabs.com.
The post Affordable Solutions Exist to Help Homeowners Combat Bad Tap Water first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>“While you may well have great ideas for your home, you might be stumped when it comes to knowing what kind of flooring is right for you,” said Dean Dupre, who owns Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company. “Honestly, just dive right in and go see for yourself what a terrific variety of choices you have. Just consider your lifestyle first and foremost, and go from there. For instance, if you have dogs, you don’t really want soft pine flooring. Or if you have kids, you will want something that withstands heavy traffic, toys, playing and other things thrown at your floor.”
“Is your budget a concern? No problem, you can tailor your project to your budget. Don’t like some of the wilder styles out there? No problem, you can choose something a little less ‘out there,’” added Dupre. “What you want is out there, all you need to do is match it up to your lifestyle and you’re good to go.”
Here are a few tips that will help in finding the right kind of flooring. What room will the new flooring go in? What does it look like now? How much is that room used? Once those questions are answered, consider how much maintenance the flooring needs and do not be afraid to ask tough questions at the flooring store. What other things need to be taken into consideration when upgrading flooring? Take the time upfront to figure out what is needed and the selection process will go smoothly.
“Before buying anything, consider the price,” Dupre cautioned. “Set a budget and be prepared to stick to it. Add a bit of wiggle room into it just in case there is a flooring option that might only be a couple of extra bucks that really grabs your attention. Remember to add installation costs to the tab if this is not a DIY project.”
Hiring contractors is not always an easy thing to do, but start by asking around for references and speaking to people who have used the company being considered. If there are no references forthcoming, move on and choose another company. The last thing anyone needs is to get ripped off by a flooring contractor who says they will show up and then they don’t, despite having been paid. Any reliable and reputable contractor will not charge up front. They should bill at the end of the job only when the work meets the buyer’s approval.
To learn more, visit http://www.champtile.com.
The post Choosing the Right Flooring Makes a World of Difference In a Home Says Champion Tile and Marble first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>“Additional cuts to skilled nursing and assisted living threaten access to quality care needed by America’s seniors and individuals with disabilities,” said American Health Care Association president Mark Parkinson.
Nursing home facilities will look to make staffing adjustments and put future expansion on hold. The stock market has already seen health care related real estate investment trust stocks dip dramatically. As nursing home administrators take a look at cutting expenses in every way, an efficient way to do that is examining the cost of Low Air Loss mattresses. Facilities use these types of mattresses with patients who are at a high risk of developing pressure ulcers.
“There are new, less expensive ways to give your patient comfort and make sure their skin integrity is maintained,” said Greg Grambor, president of Vascular PRN. “The latest product is called Skin IQ and costs roughly $6 a day versus a Low Air Loss bed that runs around $30 a day.”
For a 500 bed nursing home facility that utilizes 50 Low Air Loss beds each month, this could create savings of around $36,000 a month to just switch to a Skin IQ coverlet. The new coverlet also helps to prevent skin breakdown and a nursing home’s enemy, pressure ulcers. Facilities that already use it have found not only savings, but that it cools the patient’s contact points better than a Low Air Loss mattress.
“The Skin IQ brings air down through the mattress and wicks moisture and odor away,” said Grambor. “It can be used on top of the pressure redistribution mattress you already have.”
There has also been great feedback on how the Skin IQ controls odor, is easy to clean, and helps prevent infections. It can be used with individuals weighing up to 500 pounds.
Vascular PRNSM helps healthcare professionals nationwide with products to help maintain a patient’s skin integrity and lessen decubitus ulcers. The company has decades of experience in delivering high-quality products to facilities overnight at a great value. To learn more, visit www.vascularprn.com or call 800-886-4331. Vascular PRN’s website also spotlights industry news, frequently asked questions, and director of nursing and healthcare jobs.
To learn more, visit www.vascularprn.com or call 800-886-4331.
Vascular PRN
601 S. Falkenburg Road, Suite 1-4
Tampa, FL 33619
info@medsupplyoftampa.net
800-886-4331
Decubitis ulcers, postoperative deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolisms are serious events that some health care professionals have caused, the book shows. The medical errors, in some cases, were preventable and show a lack of patient monitoring, miscommunication between colleagues, adequate medication and therapies, and misdiagnoses. Medical malpractice claims rose because of these missed opportunities to carry out quality patient care.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services also calls these events that happen because of medical error “never events”. Patients have a right to take legal action for the injury they did not come in with. Loved ones who are also dealing with a wrongful death can pursue litigation when these events could have been prevented.
“It’s a sad situation because there are so many ways to stop these events before they go to the extreme,” said Greg Grambor, president of Vascular PRN, a national compression therapy equipment company. “Patients who are immobile, predisposed to these conditions or showing signs of increased heart rate, labored breathing, and limb changes need to be examined immediately.”
Error Reduction in Health Care found that the demands on modern health care workers can cause a lot of the error. Medical centers that succeeded in decreasing pressure ulcers and more serious “never events” created powerful tools to help remind them of patient safety. These health care facilities used:
scorecards that help examine a patient’s venous thromboembolism risk and utilize appropriate medicines and compression devices
songs that were played every two hours over the speaker system to remind workers to reposition patients, one song that really worked is “Roll Over Beethoven”
appropriate mattresses for high-risk individuals
a “Save Our Skin” sticker on the high-risk patient’s room door
“Patients are owed quality care each and every time they walk into a health care facility,” said Grambor. “There are centers that consistently provide the level of care patients deserve, but until the thousands of needless injuries and deaths stop occurring, individuals need to know there are ways to recover from these never events.”
Vascular PRN is known for helping the medical field with foot and leg sequential compression devices, bariatric equipment, and the Skin IQ mattress coverlet that drastically helps to prevent these never events. Vascular PRN has decades of experience helping hospitals, nursing homes, surgery centers, and other institutions with their compression therapy rentals and sales.
To learn more, visit www.vascularprn.com or call 800-886-4331.
Vascular PRN
601 S. Falkenburg Road, Suite 1-4
Tampa, FL 33619
info@medsupplyoftampa.net
800-886-4331
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) can become a serious complication after an operation, and can sometimes lead to an untimely death. Bariatric surgery can sometimes lead to a heightened risk of having a blood clot. Other triggers that could cause a VTE include increased age, higher BMI, male gender, and family history of VTE. VTE is the process wherein blood clots occur and travel through the veins. As hospital stays continue to get shorter after surgeries, the study showed that an estimated 50 percent of VTE incidents happened in the first month when the patient was back at home.
The study noted that 13 percent of patients were only given mechanical methods to prevent VTE. Eight percent were only given anticoagulation medicine, and 72 percent used both mechanical methods and anticoagulation. Mechanical methods include TED stockings, foot pumps, and intermittent venous compression devices. The risk for VTE was lowest when either mechanical therapies were solely used or a combination of mechanical and anticoagulation therapies was utilized.
“Compression machines can greatly assist in the prevention of blood clots, edema reduction, and wound healing,” said Vascular PRN’s President Greg Grambor. “There are machines like the PlexiPulse that can fit a patient no matter what size they are.”
Vascular PRN carries foot and leg compression equipment that helps bariatric individuals. These solutions are more effective than a SCD to encourage blood flow through the deep veins of the legs. Vascular PRN has decades of experience helping hospitals, nursing homes, surgery centers, and other institutions with their compression therapy needs. Their website includes product images, sizing guides, and frequently asked questions to help professionals choose the right compression equipment for their patient.
To learn more, visit www.vascularprn.com or call 800-886-4331.
Vascular PRN
601 S. Falkenburg Road, Suite 1-4
Tampa, FL 33619
info@medsupplyoftampa.net
800-886-4331
“There are so many flooring choices on the market today it is often really tough for a consumer to know what to choose,” remarked Dean Dupre, owner of Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company. “Here’s an idea – consider laminate flooring. It is a cinch to care for and long lasting. With the wide variety of selections, it really boils down to going the budget conscious route or spending a bit more for top quality. It is all up to you.”
Try not to just buy any laminate flooring or the results might not be what you expected. Even for those on a budget, it is best to shop around for reasonably-priced quality laminate, or the results can be lackluster. Wearability is certainly an important feature to consider as well. “Choose a reliable company, check around with family and friends to see if anyone else has bought laminate from a particular supplier, and make sure the company has a superior customer service department – just in case you run into problems of one kind or another,” added Dupre.
For those looking for a quick fix for floors that desperately need help, they should consider quickstep laminate flooring. It is a good choice for just about any room in a house and is highly versatile. It is also a very popular product because the panels connect easily. As with any other type of flooring, it needs to be cared for and looked after properly to preserve its beauty.
“There are at least three things you can do to keep you laminate flooring looking its very best, and the first one is to clean up spills as quickly as you can,” added Dupre. “Use a damp cloth and deal with things right away if you can.” And for those high traffic areas or locations where spills are guaranteed, such as the bathroom or kitchen, add a rug.
Make certain laminate flooring is swept regularly and use a dust mop to eliminate dust and those tiny particles of grit that make their way into the home on the bottom of shoes or a pet’s paws. It is easy get the dust and dirt up fast, but grains of sand can scratch a floor over time.
To learn more, visit http://www.champtile.com.
The post Laminate Flooring is a Good Choice and Easy to Maintain first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>“We were floored when we found the Skin IQ Microclimate Manager,” said Vascular PRN’s president Greg Grambor. “This KCI coverlet costs $6 a day versus low air loss mattresses that usually cost our clients $30 a day.”
Vascular PRN provides compression therapy equipment to treat ulcers, deep vein thrombosis, and lymphedema, so they uniquely know the pressures that nurses, hospital directors, and nursing home administrators are under to save money. Every day they help specialists in long-term and critical care centers to find the right products at the best value.
“Pressure ulcers are a major cost and cause more treatment, regulatory fines, and the potential for a lawsuit in health care settings every day,” said Grambor. “For KCI to address this big need is huge to prevent and manage a patient’s skin breakdown and pressure ulcers.”
The National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel says that, “Support surfaces are an integral part of any plan of care for the prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers.” The Skin IQ waterproof mattress cover promotes healing and addresses the variety of challenges an immobile person has. It reduces moisture from the skin’s surface, reduces skin temperature while maintaining a patient’s comfort, and has powerful odor control features. KCI’s case studies show that patients with stool incontinence, skin breakdown, bariatric concerns, and associated issues can greatly benefit from using the Skin IQ within days or a few weeks.
“The Skin IQ is 30 percent better than the average healthcare facility mattress cover,” said Grambor. “It is easy to use and fits over any pressure re-distribution mattress.”
The Skin IQ pulls air down through the mattress cover and cools a patient’s contact points while pulling moisture away. This is more effective than low air loss, which blows warmed room air up through the mattress. A Skin IQ mattress cover prevents new pressure ulcers and better treats existing ones, thus helping the health care field to lower their overall costs on the non-reimbursable, “never events” of decubitus ulcers.
To learn more, visit www.vascularprn.com or call 800-886-4331. Vascular PRN’s website at www.vascularprn.com is the go-to site for directors of nursing, nursing home administrators, and medical professionals to find out more about the Skin IQ MCM and compression therapy. The site spotlights industry news, frequently asked questions, and director of nursing and healthcare jobs.
Vascular PRN
601 S. Falkenburg Road, Suite 1-4
Tampa, FL 33619
info@medsupplyoftampa.net
800-886-4331
“This is a scary thought, but in actual fact it is a reality,” said Larry Wardell, who writes for H2olabs.com, a provider of water distiller systems that makes truly pure distilled water. “The fact is that a large portion of the bottled water sold across the nation is contaminated tap water. It is contaminated at the source and the bottler may just use a UV filter or reverse osmosis to call it safe. But it is not. Only water distillers have the capability to offer consumers safe, clean and fresh water you can rely on all the time.”
Undoubtedly everyone has at one time or another participated in the great debate over what is safer – tap or bottled water. There are many reasons for drinking one type over the other, but when both end up being the same, this is something that shocks consumers. “Kind of a waste of money isn’t it? If you are going to drink contaminated tap water, you might as well do it at home and save the expense of buying it in bottles,” added Wardell. “Oddly, most surveys show Americans think bottled water is the safest and it’s not.”
A recent study done by the Environmental Working Group revealed that the top 10 leading brands of bottled water have 38 chemicals and other contaminants in it, including solvents, acetaminophen, caffeine, bacteria, fertilizer and radioactive strontium. “And you’re drinking this concoction, thinking it is safe,” Wardell indicated. “Many of the pollutants came from tap water, which a lot of bottlers use as their source, and other contaminants leach from the plastic bottle itself.”
The thing that should concern people is that even though these contaminants were present in the supposedly safe bottled water, the brands tested meet federal health standards for drinking water. “Now what does that say about government trying to provide us with safe water? Sadly, there are no standards that mandate bottled water needs to be any better, safer or purer than tap water,” stated Wardell. “The other frightening revelation is that out of the brands tested, there were at least two that did not even meet the state standards. The only safe water to be drinking is water from water distillers.”
While it is true that tap water regulation is the responsibility of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), they do not seem to be too interested in doing much about it. Even limited testing on tap water shows at least 260 toxic pollutants in the water supply that people are drinking. The FDA has no safety standards in place for 141 of them. “The ultimate irony is that even the EPA’s scientists suggest there are at least 600 chlorine byproducts that should be tested for and regulated,” Wardell pointed out.
The bottom line – bottled water is not any less contaminated than tap water, but it costs around 1,900 times more. “Americans deserve and ought to expect better,” suggested Wardell. “Luckily we have the ability to get safe water by using water distillers or installing water distillation systems.”
To learn more, visit http://www.h2olabs.com.
The post Most Americans Do Not Realize Their Bottled Water is Contaminated Tap Water first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>“One of the biggest myths about water is that if it looks good, smells good and tastes ok, then it is safe to drink,” said Larry Wardell, who writes for H2olabs.com, a provider of water distiller systems that provide truly pure distilled water. “Unfortunately, that is not true. Many of the pollutants in our water cannot be seen, tasted or smelled, and frankly that makes them even more dangerous because we have no warning. We just assume that it is safe because it has been through a filtration plant. Filtration plant or not, your water is not safe to drink. Pretty much the only way to ensure you do have safe water is to use water distillers.”
Does anyone really know what they are drinking when they have a glass of water? The answer is usually no. Where are the contaminants coming from? “That is a good question and has a number of answers, but the largest single polluter is agricultural runoff that is a mixture of animal feces, fertilizers and pesticides,” explained Wardell.
Studies done on contaminated groundwater show millions of Americans get sick every year thanks to waterborne viruses, parasites and bacteria in our water today. Our planet once had clean, clear and safe water. People think drinking water comes from lakes and rivers. More than half of our water supply is from groundwater. Consider what that means and the bigger picture becomes clearer. If there are contaminants on the surface of the earth, they will end up in the groundwater when they soak into the soil. Once in the groundwater, they make their way to people’s taps.
“You can see what the problem is,” Wardell noted. “Not to say there isn’t some kind of filtration along the way, but most water filtration plants cannot keep up with the number of pollutants we actually have in the water, which is pushing 2,100.” In the end, it does not matter where the water comes from, just that it is polluted, and the only way to deal with it is to use water distillers or install water distillation systems at home and in the office. It is a guaranteed way to have clean, fresh, safe and good tasting water on hand when needed.
To learn more, visit http://www.h2olabs.com.
The post Just Because a Glass of Water Looks Clean and Clear Does Not Mean it is Safe first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>“Virtually everyone loves hardwood flooring, but many people feel they cannot afford it,” said Dean Dupre, who owns Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company. “You are in luck. These days there are a variety of affordable options, priced just for you and your budget. While it might not be genuine hardwood, the look-a-likes are quite appealing.”
Hardwood flooring captures the hearts of many homeowners, but when money is tight, alternatives are out there. “However, if your heart is set on hardwood, you will be pleased to know that you are not just buying it because it is beautiful, but because it has several other benefits you will be thrilled about,” added Dupre. “For instance, it is easy to maintain, rarely stains and ages well no matter what gets dumped on it. It did not used to be that way, but new finishes have made hardwood floors easy to keep.”
Additionally, depending on how much a person wants to spend, wood flooring is fairly reasonably priced. Thanks to the wide variety of hardwood styles, material and colors, a homeowner has just about unlimited choices for their home renovation project. “Tight budget? No worries, there is something out there for you,” Dupre pointed out. “And remember, hardwood flooring holds its value really well, as it is durable and stylish. When it gets scuffed and you can just refinish it and you’re back in business.”
Real estate statistics indicate that homes with hardwood floors get a higher price than those with carpet. Interestingly, even if a home has hardwood hidden by carpeting, it will still get a better price. People love their hardwood floors. “So if you are thinking about selling, then spend the money to install hardwood floors and get a better price when you sell,” suggested Dupre.
For the environmentally conscious and green aficionados, hardwood flooring is making use of a natural resource, and may be used over and over again. Some hardwood floors are salvaged from recycled building materials, barns and other sources. “And if you have animals or allergies, hardwood floors do not collect gunk and are easy to keep clean,” said Dupre.
To learn more, visit http://www.champtile.com.
The post For Superior Flooring Try Hardwoods Says Champion Tile and Marble CEO Dean Dupre first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>“Typically, when people want to do something to upgrade their home, they start with the kitchen. It’s the best place to start, as they can get just about everything in it made over to their preferences, from cabinets to countertops. They could also buy flooring and install it on their own. While this is doable for the handyman, we don’t recommend it, because often, less expensive flooring options won’t stand up to what you need it for in the home. In other words, you get what you pay for. If you’re going to spend the money on flooring, why not spend it on vinyl planks, that are far more durable than cheap flooring tiles,” said Dean Dupre, who owns Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company.
The luxury vinyl planks on the market today are ideal for high traffic areas, and if there are also animals in the home, they are even better. They do not scuff, scratch, get scraped and do not mind things being spilled on them. Talk about versatility.
“This product is well known for how fast it bounces back from any damage it may sustain, and it’s very popular as an alternative to vinyl tiles and laminate flooring. It doesn’t warp or buckle easily and looks good for a very long time. It’s stain resistant, cleans like a dream and easy to live with,” Dupre said.
The other nice thing about vinyl planks is the old flooring does not have to be taken up. So long as the floor is level, the planks can be cut to size before installation and glued down. Simple. Easy. Very appealing. Add base molding, and the overall look is quite clean and professional looking. This flooring does not take all day to install; yet another reason why homeowners really like it.
Caring for vinyl planking takes mere minutes, and only requires generic cleaning supplies. The only way to damage this flooring is to overuse bleach or other caustic chemicals. “How quick and easy is that? And, unless someone gets down on their hands and knees and feels the floor, no one will know the floor is vinyl planking. They will only know that it looks like stone, marble or hardwood flooring. Sweet,” Dupre said.
To learn more, visit http://www.champtile.com.
The post Vinyl Planks a Great Option for High Traffic Areas in the Home says Champion Tile and Marble first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>“Without exaggerating, there are so many choices on the market for flooring these days that people just take one look at the selections and throw up their hands in despair. What to choose? Pre-finished, unfinished, laminate, carpeted, engineered, antique planking, marble, ceramic tile – well, you get the idea. It’s daunting, but it does not have to be,” said Dean Dupre, who owns Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company.
There have been a number of changes in the market place, in that pre-finished and unfinished solid wood are not the only kind of flooring that may be considered to be hardwood. “There is now something referred to as laminate floors and engineered floors. These two newer players on the block have given homeowners more options in terms of style and affordability,” Dupre said.
Solid hardwood consists of every plank being crafted from one piece of wood, which is about three-quarters of an inch thick. Hardwood also reacts to changes in temperature and the humidity in the air, which means the planks expand in the summer months and contract in the winter months. “You would not want solid hardwood on top of concrete floors or in basements. Yes, hardwood is expensive, but for the areas that you can use hardwood, if you can swing it with your budget, it’s a good investment. It holds its value very well on resale,” said Dupre.
Laminate flooring is a surprise for most people, because they are not aware that it is made by pasting a photo to high density fiberboard, using heat and pressure. The picture is then covered with polyurethane, for scratch resistance. The better quality laminate a person buys, the better it is at resisting scratching, because it is infused with aluminum oxide. Laminates are very versatile, can be installed just about any place with a solid surface and contracting and expanding is not an issue. Bonus, they are less expensive than hardwood and never have to be refinished, largely because laminates cannot be refinished.
“The choice is yours. Have a bit of fun with it, and you will have a floor that suits your lifestyle and budget,” Dupre said.
To learn more, visit http://www.champtile.com.
The post Hardwood Flooring Choices Can Be Confusing Says Champion Tile And Marble first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>It was an ordinary day, until someone went to get a glass of water and reeled back in disgust when they got a good whiff of what came out of the tap. Those who were brave enough to actually try it, despite the taste, ended up spitting it out. If they had access to water distillers, those people would have been able to have that drink of refreshing water, without having to worry about the tap water.
Tests of the water showed high levels of xylene and napthaline, which in plain English are a paint solvent or thinner and something roughly equal to mothballs. Hardly something people would want to ingest. Turns out the chemicals were being leaked into the water system by a customer who did not know he had a back-flow issue, which is something that happens when lines or hoses are left open in a container holding other substances.
“The stuff gets sucked back into the line anytime there is a pressure change in the system,” said Larry Wardell, who writes for H2olabs.com, a provider of water distiller systems that provide truly pure distilled water.
In situations like this, it becomes starkly evident that people need to have another, alternative source of drinking water. One that they have control over and can produce what they need on demand. The perfect solution for dealing with a crisis such as this one is to invest in water distillers or have a water distillation system installed in their homes and/or businesses.
“Distilled water is the way Mother Nature intended it to be; fresh, clean and safe and it can be done on demand. Water distillers are worth their weight in gold, and anytime there is a problem with the tap water, it need not affect those with a water distillation system,” Wardell said.
To learn more, visit http://www.h2olabs.com.
The post Water that Smelled Like Diesel Fuel Shut Down Multiple Businesses Reports H2oLabs first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>“It’s a fact that our waterways are heavily polluted; the very water we need to rely on to drink, brush our teeth, bathe in and cook our meals. When what we regard as our mainstay in life is threatened, we need to protect ourselves and our families, by investing in water distillers to have safe water at home,” says Larry Wardell, who writes for H2olabs.com, a provider of water distiller systems that provide truly pure distilled water.
Rivers, lakes, ponds and other once clean sources of water are struggling to stay alive. Fish that are slowly coming back to these places are still not safe to eat, as they are loaded with toxins from poisoned sediment; sediment built up over decades, thanks to steel mills, meatpacking plants and chemical plants spewing their garbage into the water.”If the water is so polluted that fish barely survive in it and people can’t eat them, what makes us think we could possibly ‘drink’ the same water?” asked Wardell.
“Obviously, we can’t drink the water, and what we get on tap in our homes leaves a great deal to be desired in terms of being safe. The water in our nation today has over 2,100 toxic chemicals in it, most of which can’t be filtered out at any water treatment plant. The only safe way to make sure we have water we can trust is to use water distillers,” he said.
It is not a stretch of the imagination to think that rivers and other water sources can indeed be cleaned up, but the task is a long and arduous one, with more remaining to be done. The larger question is, “Will mankind stop polluting?” No one has the answer that thorny question. And so it goes. More disgusting crud gets dumped into our waterways and makes its way to America’s taps, where those that do not realize what the benefits of owning a water distillation system are, continue to drink water that has the potential to harm or kill them.
Who is concerned enough to do something about this?
To learn more, visit http://www.h2olabs.com.
The post Many Rivers So Polluted That They Stink Says H2oLabs first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>“In this particular story, you’ve got a homeowner voicing concerns about the ground and surface water that comes downstream to her land from a feedlot just up the road. It has a huge holding pond that has been breaching its sides, spilling manure contaminated water that runs into neighboring properties. This is obviously a major concern when it comes to the quality of the groundwater, and ultimately, what comes into their homes for drinking water,” said Larry Wardell, who writes for H2olabs.com, a provider of water distiller systems that provide truly pure distilled water.
It is not known whether or not the locals are aware of the safety of using water distillers to provide them with safe water, whenever they need it.
“It’s not just the contaminated groundwater that is a concern. The manure stinking and filthy water is now in the local ditches and pooling in area fields. You have to know it is going to end up in the groundwater,” Wardell said.
It seems the feedlot’s holding pond dam burst in 2003 and 2005. Testing in 2005 showed the fecal count was extremely high. In view of this kind of a history, the regulatory agency for the area issued an enforcement order on the feedlot in 2008. The order stated they needed to separate run-off from a spring that was on the feedlot property. One wonders why the agency waited so long to issue an order. According to the agency, the feedlot was built to provincial standards, including a catch basin to hold surface water and culverts to mitigate the runoff problem.
“It doesn’t look like the plant’s system is working, which prompted complaints to the agency,” Wardell said.
The feedlot manager says the water is not seeping into the ground. If it is not, then where do they think it is going? While the agency is investigating the situation, residents could put their minds at ease by checking into installing water distillation systems in their homes. Without a doubt, for those that want the safety of fresh and clean water, at anytime, water distillers fit the bill and produce pure distilled water on demand.
To learn more, visit http://www.h2olabs.com.
The post Living Downstream from a Feedlot Affects Local Groundwater says H2o Labs first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>“Nashville has themselves a problem,” said Larry Wardell, who writes for H2olabs.com, a provider of water distiller systems that provide truly pure distilled water. “Their proposed adventure play park is right next door to a company that had been dumping significant amounts of contaminants into the river, such a metal, sediment and hydrocarbons. Hardly an ideal discovery considering what they are trying to do to clean the area up.”
Evidently, the company’s website says it recycles scrap in an environmentally responsible way. However, dumping their waste into the river does not qualify as being environmentally responsible. It seems that the water they use to hose off their mills, which sluices down and puddles in a shimmering sheen, funnels into a drain that leads right to the river. Metal contamination kills fish and other aquatic life, not to mention that it is dangerous to people who come into contact with it or eat fish from the waters.
“The truly shocking thing is that the contaminated water is going right into the local drinking water supply. Even if the city has a relatively good water filtration plant, they cannot get everything out of the water. Over time, the combination of many chemicals and pollutants will affect people’s health, even at low levels,” Wardell said. It is not known how many people in Nashville are aware of the safety of using water distillers to supply their drinking water, etc.
Sadly, the company, when they were notified what they were doing, replied they thought they had been dumping into a drain leading to the sewage treatment plant. They were actually dumping straight into the river and no one knows how long that had been going on. “Despite being told what they were doing wrong, when inspectors checked back in two months, they found the company had done nothing to remedy the situation. This is not only an environmental problem, but it will soon turn into a political flap, as a local councilman has his name on the sign for the new play park,” Wardell said.
Those in the area that are concerned about their water, whether or not it is due to this latest revelation, will be interested in knowing that they can have water distiller systems in their homes and businesses that provide truly pure distilled water, whenever they need it. Pollution then ceases to be an issue.
To learn more, visit http://www.h2olabs.com.
The post Nashville has Water Problems they need to Address reports H2o Labs first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>“Life happens, and yes, sometimes marble tile floors will crack because of the wear and tear they have received over the years. If you notice your tiles cracking, it’s time to do something about it, before it gets too far gone to repair,” said Dean Dupre, who runs Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company.
The sub-flooring needs to be completely even and completely clean. This is because the tiles will come into direct contact with the floor. If there are any spaces between the sub-floor and tiles, this increases the tile’s susceptibility to pressure; hence, cracking is more likely. To repair a crack in marble tiles, the sub-floor needs to be resurfaced, likely because the grout has become unstable or is disintegrating.
“You’ll need tar paper, replacement tiles, grout, a chisel and sweeping brush. Take out the cracked tile, and the ones next to it. Make sure the sub-flooring is even and don’t stop scraping and chiseling until it is completely level. Then get rid of the dirt and other debris. Cut the tar paper to fit the whole you’ve opened up in the floor. Start grouting, and then, set tiles from one side to the other. Do not put the middle tile in first. You are positioning them first to make sure they will all fit when you are done,” Dupre said.
If the cracks in the tile are not serious enough to take the whole tile out and redo it, there may be a chance to repair the crack by concealing it instead. For this task, try epoxy glue, but make sure it is used right between the crevices. For completely broken off or chipped pieces, wipe the edges with acetone, and then use the glue or marble repair cement to replace the broken piece. Keep a steady pressure on it until the glue dries.
”Not into glues? Try a marble sealer or other concealing agent, such as powders. They hide cracks very well and all you have to do is apply glue, apply the agent on top to make the colors blend and voila, you are done. Just make sure to remember to follow the grain of the marble when using a concealing agent,” Dupre said.
To learn more, visit http://www.champtile.com.
The post Marble Floors are Susceptible to Cracking Says Champion Tile and Marble first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>“If you want a really elegant home and one that will hold its value on resale, think natural stones – granite, travertine and marble in particular,” said Dean Dupre, who owns Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company. “For those little touches that make a house stand out, you will appreciate the fine beauty of natural stones.”
When homeowners consider renovations, many of them these days are thinking about marble. In some way, shape or form, it is present in millions of homes across America. It can be used for tables, walls, countertops and flooring and comes is a rainbow of attractive colors.
“You only have to look at a home with marble in evidence in a room or two, to know that the look speaks of the finer things in life. Plus, it’s pretty easy to take care of as well,” Dupre said.
A good alternative to marble is travertine tiles. It is a rock, as well, and usually incorporated into patios, paths, garden stairs or even bathroom floors for an unusual look. The appealing texture and character of this stone means it stands out no matter where it is laid. In other words, it is quite distinctive, whether it is inside the home, or outside in the garden.
Granite is also a good choice for some homeowners, as they are attracted to the grainy texture, making it a natural choice for worktops, floors and even tables. It too comes in a wide variety of colors and designs. The only limit to working with granite is imagination.
“If you want to do some thinking a bit outside the box, start considering any of these natural stones for your business location. That gets people’s attention and adds an air of professionalism not always readily found these days, at least when it comes to a business. Building a home or building a business is an investment, and one that people want to maximize to the full potential. Choose your materials well to enhance your environment, and you won’t regret your decision,” Dupre said.
To learn more, visit http://www.champtile.com.
More than 50 years after the fiasco that was Pacific Gas & Electric Company’s release of chromium 6 contaminated water into the groundwater around Hinkley, Calif., the company is now forming an advisory committee related to the cleanup of contaminated groundwater. The committee is to be comprised of local leaders and residents to act as monitors and share their concerns on the company’s environmental programs.
“None of those involved with the committee has made mention of the possibility of using water distillers or installing water distillation systems to deal with this issue,” said Larry Wardell, who writes for H2olabs.com, a provider of water distiller systems that provide truly pure distilled water.
The story behind the story here is that PG&E used chromium 6 to kill microbes and give their cooling tower corrosion protection. This went on all through the ’60s and ’70s, long before anyone cottoned on to the cancer risks of chromium 6.
The company also drained chromium 6 contaminated water from the cooling tower, into unlined ponds; where it promptly leached into the town’s groundwater. “If residents had known that was happening, they could have handled the issue by checking into the effectiveness of water distillers. If they wanted clean, fresh and safe water, water distillers would have been and are the best solution,” Wardell said.
Flash forward to 2011 and the town wants to implement civil penalties against the company for not controlling the spread of a chromium 6 contaminated plume beyond boundaries that were set out in 2008. It seems that not much was really done to deal with the problem that initially resulted in a lawsuit that settled in favor of the town residents for $333 million.
Apparently the company has been discussing, for a long time, how to clean things up. The town now feels the time for discussion has passed and it’s time for action to clean up the groundwater. “What the future may hold for Hinkley is anyone’s guess, but suffice it to say that cleaning up their groundwater, something that should have been done a long time ago, is a good place to start. Town residents might want to do some research into the benefits of water distillers to ensure clean and fresh water, on demand,” Wardell said.
To learn more, visit http://www.h2olabs.com.
The post PG&E Is Looking Into Cleanup Of Chromium 6 Contaminated Water More Than 50 Years Later Says H2o Labs first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>“While this story is not as bad as it could have been, it does still point out the need for a different and better backup if you are faced with contaminated water in your town. For instance, water distillers that provide clean, clear, fresh and safe water when you need it; anytime. However, many don’t seem to be aware that there are other alternatives to drinking their tap water, or doing without when their water system may be breached,” said Larry Wardell, who writes for H2olabs.com, a provider of water distiller systems that provide truly pure distilled water.
Bethlehem’s water may have been OK, but the town officials were not taking any chances. They issued a boil water advisory for their 2,200 residents. And then, testing began to determine coliform levels. The cause of this emergency was a massive water main break; a high-volume main feed that carried 5 million gallons. The 34-inch pipe cracked wide open, 24 feet underground, which made it really hard to locate. In fact it took town crews two days to find it.
During this period of time, if town residents had access to water distillers (for those who had water still available) or water distillation systems, there would have been no concerns about the safety of the water. “Water distillers have an excellent reputation for providing only the cleanest, freshest and safest water you could ask for; truly pure distilled water,” Wardell said.
Unfortunately, five schools lost their water completely and had to close, but reopened shortly thereafter with bottled water on hand. While the town is fairly certain there were no other contaminants in the water supply, as a result of this break, the advisory was issued for the sake of safety. “Leaks of that size have the potential to suck contaminated ground into the water system,” Wardell said.
To avoid the possibility of ever having to go through another boil water advisory, town residents would be well advised to do some research into the safest way to provide fresh water on demand. Chances are, they will find out that water distillers are the perfect solution.
To learn more, visit http://www.h2olabs.com.
The post Water in Bethlehem Still Being Tested for Contamination Reports H2o Labs first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>“Marble flooring isn’t just something you look at and love, it’s something you live with, enjoy, and take great pride in. It’s a choice in flooring that will provide durability, style and yet, is ultimately cost effective. Despite the stiff competition on the market of new flooring materials, marble has retained the number one spot in people’s hearts,” said Dean Dupre, who runs Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company.
While it is true that marble flooring has good and bad points; that is also true for many of the other types of flooring on the market today. “Marble is not noted for its stain resistance, so if you have dogs and cats and kids all at once, you have to know you will have stain issues. This may not be the flooring for you, at least, not in the kitchen. That does not mean you could not consider it in other locations of the house, like the bathroom,” Dupre said.
Choosing marble for a home will definitely increase the resale value later, and for this reason, many feel it makes sense for them to splurge now and reap the benefits later. It is a personal call to choose marble and many do so because they like the wide variety of patterns, colors, styles and designs. Marble has the unique ability to blend with just about any home décor and make it look stylish, downright gorgeous and very appealing.
When it comes to cleaning, marble is pretty easy to take care of with a bit of commitment to regular sweeping and washing with warm, soapy water. “If you’re into the ‘greening’ movement, then you may like marble for another reason – it’s a natural building material. Since the environment is vitally important now and for the future, what we choose as building materials is important,” Tampa flooring’s Dupre said.
Marble has been around for centuries and it has all the appearances of being around for many more centuries, yet another reason to have marble as part of a home’s interior. The timelessness of this stone is well worth the initial investment; an investment that has the potential to pay off handsomely later, not to mention the sheer pleasure of reveling in the beauty of a stone that has many stories to tell.
To learn more, visit http://www.champtile.com.
The post Choose Marble Tiling for the Lasting Look of Elegance first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>“When it comes to contaminated water, it isn’t just one or two homes in a community that may suffer the effects of questionable water; it’s typically the whole community or a large segment that may be serviced by a different aquifer or well. If homes are being affected and there is contaminated water in the taps, then you can pretty much bet that businesses and even schools are also dealing with questionable water,” said Larry Wardell, who writes for H2olabs.com, a provider of water distiller systems that provide truly pure distilled water.
Just recently, a report was released that revealed that most schools in the nation have drinking water that is loaded with a variety of toxins.
“What were the toxins found? Shockingly, the study revealed that the water in most schools tends to contain a wide variety of toxic chemicals, lead, pesticides, drugs, hormones, bacteria and viruses,” Wardell said. Could a school benefit from the installation of water distillation systems? Most definitely, thus ensuring the children are drinking truly pure distilled water.
It seems that not too many people are checking into this and that includes the government. In fact, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, over the last decade, just about 20 percent of what schools were tested, came back with results that were in direct contravention of the Safe Drinking Water legislation. That makes one wonder what the point of the legislation is if no one is going to enforce it or do anything as a follow up to a dismal water quality report.
Again, it is not just schools or just homes or just businesses with a drinking water problem. Contaminated water is usually a community wide issue and when that issue threatens children, something needs to be done. In many cases, homeowners and others could install water distillation systems to guarantee their water is fresh and safe; anytime they want it.
The most troubling component found in school water is the lead, as kids are very vulnerable to lead. They may experience hearing damage, mental disabilities, brain injury, stunted growth and other serious health problems. “It should be mentioned that if the landlord of a rental property doesn’t tell the tenant there is lead in the drinking water, they may be prosecuted. Children don’t have the same protection,” Wardell said. How bad is that?
To learn more, visit http://www.h2olabs.com.
The post Chances are the Water at Schools Is Contaminated If Tap Water at Home Is Indicated H2O Labs first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>“It’s no secret that many homeowners these days are choosing marble flooring to bring that extra special atmosphere to their living space. They also realize that down the road, if they need to sell their home, that having marble flooring enhances the resale value,” said Dean Dupre, who runs Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company.
Marble flooring is naturally beautiful and beautifully natural and eminently suited to everyone’s lifestyle and living spaces. The most endearing feature of marble flooring though is its durability; that it will be there long after the homeowners have moved on.
“This is perhaps one of the main reasons why people prefer to spend the time and money on choosing marble tiles to punch up their homes appeal. It’s hard to not like marble flooring when it adds so much more to a home,” Dupre said.
Marble is aesthetically pleasing and one of the most popular choices for home renovations, even in a tight economy. People realize the investment value of using marble. Another equally elegant stone to choose as an alternative would be granite; a popular choice for kitchens and a nice modern touch to add that extra something special to a home.
Many people are worried about their walls, furniture and other appliances matching and being good looking, but in the process of choosing colors and deciding where to place things, the floor often gets overlooked. If the floor is an afterthought, the whole balance of the room is off. Spend time deciding what the floor should look like and the rest of the décor will fall into place. Marble flooring is a good place to start for an end result that makes a home look really pulled together.
“Whether or not you choose honed or tumbled tiles is up to you. It just depends on the look you want when you are done. This is why you want to have a solid mental picture of what the room should look like when you are done. That will also save you trying something on a whim and then not liking it later. Choose wisely and your flooring will do you proud for years to come,” Dupre said.
To learn more, visit http://www.champtile.com.
The post Marble Flooring is Naturally Beautiful and Beautifully Natural for Home Upgrades Suggested Champion Tile and Marble first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>“When it comes time to sell your home and move on to greener pastures, you might want to think about adding the elegant touch of marble to your new home. Just by adding this naturally beautiful stone to your rooms, you will increase the resale value of that home for the future,” said Dean Dupre, who runs Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company.
It is a real win-win situation when the walls and floors of a home meet in complete harmony of color, texture and elegance. This may be achieved with the haunting and timeless beauty of marble. “And these days, pricing is not usually a barrier to getting what you want. There are many options out there that are priced reasonably and still offer that look of class and distinction,” Dupre said.
Even though America seems to be in love with ceramic tiles, marble is one of the best options for a highly durable and good looking floor. Time and time again, marble flooring is chosen because of its well-known properties of strength and durability. It does not need to be kept on the floor, as it elegantly blends into one’s surroundings in the form of tabletops and on kitchen and bathroom walls.
“Design wise? Consumers have choices in this area and they include sand tiles, polished tiles and honed tiles. The honed variety has a matte finish, meaning they are not polished to a high shine. Polished marble, as you may guess, offers shiny, glazed looking tiles and if you want an antique-type look, sand is mixed into the marble. It’s quite the interesting look,” Dupre said.
Do not think that marble tiles come in uniform patterns and colors though, because they do not. That is the whole beauty of marble in the first place. It is unique in patterning and because of its veining, done courtesy of Mother Nature. This is actually one of the main reasons people love marble so much – because it has character hidden in the depths of its beauty.
Flooring designs have unlimited potential and can become the focal point of any room or even just an accent. The choices are up to the homeowner. While they are deciding what would look best in their living space, they might be interested to know that when it comes to marble tiles, there are usually two varieties to select from – glazed and unglazed.
“If you are partial to the glazed marble tiles, then you might like a gloss, matte, satin or dull finish in black, white, green or blues. They are water resistant and would do well in showers and bathrooms or kitchens backsplashes,” Dupre said. Just remember that when choosing marble tiles, keep in mind which room it will be used in, and make an informed tile choice to suit the room.
To learn more, visit http://www.champtile.com.
The post Marble Flooring is the Perfect Choice for an Elegant Home indicated Champion Tile and Marble first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>“Water quality is a genuine concern all across America today. If you read the news, you will see stories daily about various communities in every state experiencing boil water advisories or struggling with their deteriorating water treatment plant. You will even read stories about people who have contracted various illnesses from drinking contaminated water. Yes, even in America in the 21st entury,” said Larry Wardell, who writes for H2olabs.com, a provider of water distiller systems that provide truly pure distilled water.
The facts are that America, and other places on Planet Earth, are battling the worrisome scenario of not having enough fresh and clean water for their citizens. As it stands right now, virtually every tap in the country is pouring out water with contaminants in it; contaminants that may harm you over time, the more you drink.
“Unfortunately, if you want to make sure your drinking water is safe and fresh and free of things that can make you sick, you need to have you own way of creating that kind of water. That’s easily done by investing in water distillers,” Wardell said.
One of the major reasons the nation should not rely on local authorities to make sure their drinking water is safe is because budget cuts means water treatment plants have to do more, with less. They can also only do a limited amount of “purification” based on how old most of the plants are and their rapidly disintegrating infrastructure.
“Put another way, often saving money comes before public safety and if the local authorities can do a ‘lick and promise’ job of treating water as cheaply as possible, then they can’t be said to not be doing their jobs,” Wardell said.
Unfortunately, even those water treatment plants that do a passable job of treating water for human consumption, are faced with over 2,100 contaminants and no way to eliminate all of them, or even a good portion of them. This is why one of the leading sources of fresh and pure distilled water is water distillers. Concerned homeowners have truly pure distilled water on hand anytime they want it and do not have to worry about what is floating in their glass that they cannot see or taste.
To learn more, visit http://www.h2olabs.com.
The post DIY with Water Distillers to Assure Safety With Fresh and Clean Water Says H2O Labs first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>“In today’s world, we have a major water contamination problem. It’s so bad that we can’t even really rely on the water treatment plants to provide us with safe drinking water on tap. Did you know that there are over 2,100 toxic chemicals swimming in your drinking water? Not many people do, and when they find out they are shocked at what they are putting into their body,” said Larry Wardell, who writes for H2olabs.com, a provider of water distiller systems that provide truly pure distilled water.
If a water treatment plant handles the water and cleans it up before it delivers it to homes, it should be safe. Unfortunately, water treatment plants are so out-of-date that they cannot keep up with the ever-increasing load of new pollutants in the water sources. There is just about everything, including the kitchen sink, in water on tap in American’s homes. Think sex hormones, street drugs, herbicides, pesticides, agricultural wastewater, chemical runoff from fracking for gas, and bacteria.
“Get as creative as you like and chances are you will hit the nail on the head when you list what you think is in your water – the water you are about to sip from your glass. Best think twice about that and do some research into water distillers and water distillation systems if you want truly fresh, clean and safe water at home and work,” Wardell said.
Typically speaking, water, before it gets to a home, is pre-treated. That means it is pumped in from the source, pre-screened to pick out the large debris and is stored. The next step is typically pre-chlorination and pre-conditioning. For instance, the facility may try to play with the pH level. “If the pH level is under 7, the idea is to bring it up to 7 or above, making the water alkaline,” Wardell said.
Acidic water is a hazard to one’s health and may cause a body to leech nutrients from teeth and bones to level the acidity of the water. Long-term consumption of acidic water is not healthy. Despite that, in some treatment plants, the pH step is skipped to save time and money.
“Like to see your water clear and appealing? Since looks count, the plant may step the water into the flocculation process. This means that plant workers toss some small particles into the water and any material present that colors the water will stick to these particles and rise to the top and are skimmed off; sort of like skimming fat from the top of gravy,” Wardell said.
The next step for the water is the filtration or treatment. Unfortunately, most municipal facilities still only use a sand-bed filter, which is not very effective and leaves behind a lot of stuff that should not be left behind. As the water slowly drains through the sand, those items or particles that are smaller drain through.
This works if the sand is fine enough, but in many instances, the sand is coarse and that leaves a long laundry list of bacteria, viruses and chemicals behind. “You also have to remember that there are now synthetic chemicals that are even smaller in size than a water molecule, so they won’t get filtered out either,” Wardell said.
To add insult to injury, most water is still treated with chlorine, a chemical proven to be bad for human health. “When you go swimming, the pool test kit is supposed to register 1 part per million of chlorine. On the other hand, drinking water is allowed to be at 3 parts per million. That’s food for thought,” Wardell said. It is enough to prompt people to drink wisely and invest in water distillation systems for their home and office.
To learn more, visit http://www.h2olabs.com.
The post Water Treatment Process Does Not Treat Everything in Water Says H2O Labs first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>“It is a well known fact that America’s tap water is contaminated; polluted with at least 2,100 toxic substances that we cannot even name, never mind want to drink. While those people might think that well water is better for them, they would, in many cases, be wrong, as well water may be even worse than tap water. It tends to depend on whether or not there is gas and oil drilling, intensive livestock or other chemical plants in the area,” said Larry Wardell, who writes for H2olabs.com, a provider of water distiller systems that provide truly pure distilled water.
The trouble with natural gas drilling, besides the fact it is plundering natural resources, is the fact that it means toxic chemicals are injected into the ground to push out the gas deposits. The chemicals, used in the process called “fracking,” have a nasty habit of seeping into underground aquifers; the very same aquifers that many city and residential wells use as the source for their water supply. This is more than enough reason to invest in water distillers to make sure there is fresh and safe water on hand.
To this day, most gas drilling companies refuse to divulge what chemicals they use in their hydraulic fracturing process, aimed at getting to the deeper pockets of gas on planet Earth. “While they say the chemicals are harmless, if they were, why would they not just tell people what they are and be done with it?” Wardell asked. Nine out of every 10 gas wells use fracking to extract natural gas from shale formations.
“If you do not think that injecting a chemical soup into the ground to extract natural gas makes any difference to your water, since your water is higher than the pocket the gas company wants to access, then ask yourself this question. Why do many communities located near fracking projects find chemical slurry components (chemical and oil pollution) in their drinking water?” Wardell asked. It is a good question. For those that do not like the answer, their safest option is investing in water distillation systems.
While the gas companies claim their chemicals are trade secrets, many legal experts think they say that to avoid the liability that may be attributed to them should a lawsuit be filed by someone whose health has been seriously harmed by polluted well water. Just about 300 chemicals go into the fracking mixture, and it is a fact that 65 of them are hazardous. The list includes benzene, which is a well known carcinogen.
To learn more, visit http://www.h2olabs.com.
The post Well Water is just as Contaminated as City Water Says H2O Labs first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>This particular marble has the added benefit of being adaptable enough to be used in kitchens, bedrooms, bathrooms and even powder rooms and laundry areas. It is a stone that is consistently chosen by property developers and architects when they are working on a project aimed at appealing to those who appreciate the fine look of marble.
Cappuccino marble tile is often one of the first choices made for an area where the homeowner uses water frequently – the kitchen, bath or powder room or laundry areas. It is stain proof and nonporous and easy to clean; another advantage to time pressed homeowners trying to hold down a job and still keep their house clean.
“The interesting thing about this type of tile is that because of its coloring, it always looks clean, even if you do not have the time to wipe it down,” said Dean Dupre, who runs Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company.
This tile is very popular, largely because it is neutral and will go with just about any theme or motif the homeowner has in mind. Residential and commercial properties are ideal for cappuccino marble tiles and its smooth look, cut and appearance set the tone and ambiance no matter when they are installed. They offer a classic look with a modern edge that appeals to many looking for something just a bit different in their homes.
“If you do not care for the cream and honey colors, you have the option to choose light walnut, honey, light brown and beige. The only limit you have is your imagination, after that these tiles take over and make your living space something very special. They are also very durable and will last a very long time,” Dupre said.
For the finest in natural looking marble tiles that give elegance to any room, consider cappuccino marble tiles. They may be just the thing to make a home over into a refuge of quiet splendor.
To learn more, visit http://www.champtile.com.
The post Drink in the Versatility of Cappuccino Marble Suggests Champion Tile and Marble first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>“Cork flooring is typically regarded as sustainable flooring and it has the neat ability to offer some terrific benefits to the home owner and the environment. Consider it to be green flooring, if you will,” said Dean Dupre, who runs Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company.
The nice thing about cork is that it is a really terrific alternative to hardwood floors. The cork hails from cork oak trees, typically grown in the Mediterranean. Part of the interesting story about cork oak trees is that the tree is not harvested for 20 years, as that is when its bark is ready to use. It is taken off the tree by hand, so as to not damage the tree.
It will take another nine years for the bark to grow back, and thus goes the cycle of harvesting cork bark. The trees are rarely cut down, unless they are more than 250 years old and past their prime for offering viable bark. This spectacular tree provides benefits to the environment during its life cycle; benefits for the animals and people where it is harvested and for those who make use of its bark in various forms. “If you want a really unique floor, then cork is a good choice for you,” Dupre said.
Cork is actually a better choice for flooring, simply because it does not need to be killed or cut down to harvest, unlike hemp, rattan, jute and bamboo. “Interestingly, hardwood trees take up to 120 years to mature. Cutting them down is a pure shame because replacement and re-growth is a major issue,” Dupre said.
The process to make cork into floor tiles is relatively easy, which also keeps down the expense for the homeowner. Once the bark is off the tree, it is ground up and mixed with low VOC (volatile organic compound) adhesives, then compressed into blocks and cut into flooring tiles. “You will like the fact that the cork flooring looks like hardwood, because it has a natural tan color and also sports a grain – just like hardwood. But its properties are different,” Dupre said.
One of the most outstanding qualities of cork flooring is the way it acts as an acoustic and thermal insulator. Cork makes for nice quiet floors, even if you have the kiddy and critter parade, and yet it is not hard on the feet or pads. It is a great floor to use for high traffic areas, largely because when weight is added to cork, it snaps back into shape when the weight is removed. This elasticity is one of the more endearing facets of choosing cork flooring for your home.
“For those with allergies or asthma, you will love the fact that cork has suberin in it; a substance that makes it anti-microbial and mold and fungus resistant. It also means your floor will be water resistant and fire retardant. The only other choice for flooring with people that need non-allergenic floors is bamboo,” Dupre said.
To learn more, visit http://www.champtile.com.
The post Corking Good Floors are an Interesting Alternative to Wood says Champion Tile and Marble first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>“Have you checked what is in your water at home? Is it safe? Did you know that most of the over 2,100 pollutants that do lurk in your water have a high potential to make you sick? Since water is crucial to all of us to survive, we really should make it a point to know what’s in it,” said Larry Wardell, who writes for H2olabs.com, a provider of water distiller systems that provide truly pure distilled water.
For those who have already realized that their tap water at home is less than what their expectations were, they may wonder what to do about it. How do they get clean, fresh and safe water? “Since we need to stay hydrated to stay healthy, it is vital we have access to water that will not harm us. One of the best solutions for Americans today is using water distillers. That way, they have clean, fresh and safe water on hand, on demand. It gives them the control over what is in the tap water,” Wardell said.
As an added safety feature for a home or business, the installation of water distiller systems makes good sense, economically, physically and mentally. “Mentally, you would be at ease knowing that you have only the best and safest water available, with no worries about drinking the tap stuff. Physically, your body will be much happier with fresh and contaminate free water. As for economically, by drinking less polluted water, you will make fewer trips to the doctor. Water distillers are the perfect answer for the health conscious,” Wardell said.
It is a well known fact that humans are mostly water and that water is needed every day to keep people mobile and healthy. Water helps the digestive system flush out toxins in the body. Water is a major component of blood. Even joints need the supportive presence of water.
Staying hydrated is a number one concern that many do not pay much attention to until they are older and desperately need the fluids. The fact is that everyone needs a regular fluid intake, daily, to feel their best. Only uncontaminated water fits the bill to accomplish that goal. Never underestimate the healing and rejuvenating properties of pure, fresh, safe and unpolluted water.
To learn more, visit http://www.h2olabs.com.
The post H2O Labs Promotes Body Hydration with Quality Water first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>Who thinks about what they are drinking when they pour themselves a glass of water from the tap? Mostly, people are thirsty and just want something to drink. They are not wondering what is actually in the water they are swallowing. Perhaps they should be.
While Americans have it pretty good in terms of drinking water, meaning they will not die within days from drinking it, like in Haiti, they are still drinking liquid of questionable purity and safety. Not only that, they are also paying for the privilege monthly.
“If you have done any research on contaminated water in the U.S., you will be shocked to discover our drinking water does contain highly harmful compounds. Yes, it goes through water purification plants, but they are aging and unable to keep up with the newer contaminants found in our water supply these days; contaminants that can’t be seen or smelled, but are there lurking in what appears to be clear and fresh water,” said Larry Wardell, who writes for H2olabs.com, a provider of water distiller systems that provide truly pure distilled water.
People need to take action on their own if they want to make sure that the water they are drinking is genuinely safe and fresh. Taking personal action for water in the home is the only way to take back control over contaminated water. The safest way to ensure fresh, safe and clean water without contaminants in it, is to use water distillers or install water distiller systems in the home and business locations.
For those that don’t know there is arsenic in the water, be aware that it occurs naturally and drinking it has been shown to increase the risks of bladder, lung and skin cancers. Oddly, it is actually legal to for the water on tap in America to have 50 parts of arsenic per billion. If someone drinks two quarts of contaminated water every day, and some do, they have a one in 100 chance of contracting cancer.
“If the small chance of getting cancer doesn’t phase you, you might also want to think about the over 2,100 other chemicals, toxins, bacterial and viral water borne freeloaders that slip through the water purification process at local water plants. Do you seriously want to be drinking hormones, street drugs, herbicides and pesticides?” Wardell asked.
Contaminated water in America is not something many people really want to think about. It is not a part of the American Dream. However, it is increasingly a part of the American Reality.
To learn more, visit http://www.h2olabs.com.
The post H2O Labs Points Out Most Tap Water In America Has Contaminates In It first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>“We find that one of the quickest and visually appealing upgrades inside a home is to install new tile flooring. It is a look that can lift years off the appearance of any room and a look that is easy to maintain without a lot of extra work,” said Dean Dupre, who runs Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company.
These days, tiles come in a rainbow selection of shapes, forms and colors. This means homeowners can create any look the like for their home, no holds barred. The only limitation to their creativity would be their imagination and in some cases, depending on what they want to spend, how much money they have on hand. The other huge benefit of tile flooring is that is provides a new look for home owners on a budget, but does not look cheap.
The choices are literally endless and in accordance, the pricing may range from really great to really wow, but by and large, just about everyone can find what they need. For those wanting to seriously upgrade their interiors with an eye to selling, they might want to check granite or limestone tiles, as well as marble, as they are very durable and visually appealing.
One of the main selling points for tile floors is that they are super easy to keep clean, even with just a damp mop run over them now and then. If you have the kiddy patrol or pet parade happening during the day, this many mean a few more swipes daily, but it does not take long.
“The beauty of the stone tiles is that they can actually be wiped with just about any alcohol based sanitizers if you are worried about germ protection. Additionally, water will not hurt this stone, so if your kids slop water while doing the dishes, it will not harm the stone slab,” Dupre said.
There is a big move on to change wood floors to marble or stone tiles for the simple reason that not only are they easier to keep than wood, and less expense, they are also quieter. “Anyone with a herd of cats that play at 3 a.m. swears they are hearing elephants in the house when they have wood flooring. Stone tiles are so much more elegant and do a great job of cushioning the noise,” Dupre said, with a grin.
To learn more, visit http://www.champtile.com.
The post Clearwater Flooring Company Recommends Tile Floors for Durability and Aesthetics first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>“Nowadays, people are quite concerned about their budget and want to save money in as many ways as they can. This does not mean that they do not want to also upgrade their home to give it a new look. Many of the things a homeowner can do may be done on a do-it-yourself basis, and the results will look great. For example, installing a marble countertop. Yes, you can DIY with a few tips,” said Dean Dupre, who runs Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company.
First of all, make sure the job has the right tools. Installing a marble countertop means proper safety goggles and gloves. The next thing on the list is to make sure the countertop is laid on a flat surface. In other words, position it so that it is secure, flat and there is nothing in the way to make it uneven and off balance.
“Your best bet to cut marble is on a flat table or work bench and remember, measure twice, cut once. Use a grease pencil and mark out where you want to cut as clearly as possible. If you use the grease pencil, you will be able to see where you will be cutting. The line should go from edge to edge and you need to take one extra precautionary step here, and that is line up a metal edge with the grease pencil line before you saw anything. Tape the straight edge down firmly,” Dupre said.
After the right cut has been made, take care to move the product safely to stop it from being damaged. For instance, use a pallet to move a flat piece. If this seems like too much trouble, consider what would happen if the piece were damaged or dropped. It is an expensive proposition to replace the marble. Taking infinite care right at the beginning of the project will ensure eventual success.
“With the line marked, connect the hose to the wet saw and turn the water on. Do not, and this bears repeating, do not cut marble with a dry saw. If you do not have a hose, use a spray bottle or sponge to keep the saw wet. Keep the hand steady and cut straight,” Dupre said.
From cutting to installing once the pieces have been cut is not that big a leap and many DIYers can handle things like that just fine. It is when they get into trouble that it is a good idea to have the phone number of an expert Clearwater flooring company on hand.
To learn more, visit http://www.champtile.com.
The post Clearwater Flooring Company Offers Advice for DIY Marble Cutting first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>“It’s rather ironic that in the desire to avoid drinking contaminated tap water, we are OK with drinking water out of a drinking station or cooler at work. Unfortunately, most often, the water in those bottles is just tap water, which rather defeats the purpose of trying to drink healthy water,” said Larry Wardell, who writes for H2olabs.com, a provider of water distiller systems that provide truly pure distilled water.
It’s been proven over the years that bottled water, and water in a cooler or drinking station that is also bottled, is not all it’s cracked up to be. This is largely because there is really no contamination regulation in the industry, and while some filtering may have been done, by and large what’s in the bottle isn’t good news and is just as contaminated as the water at home that comes out of the tap. For those that happen to use water distillers at home, this isn’t a problem, but if there is no water distillation system at work, it’s likely safer to stick to what water is brought from home.
Unfortunately, the water at work may sit there for days on end; the bottle may not be cleaned out properly or replaced very often. If tap water is being used it is full of harmful bacteria, chemicals and metals. In fact, there are over 2,100 known toxic contaminants in the drinking water at home and in that bottle at work.
Throw the fact that the bottles at drinking stations are made of polycarbonate, which, when exposed to direct sunlight, can dissolve a chemical called bisphenol-A into the water. This is a chemical that is definitely associated with cancer. It is likely best to take water to work that was produced by water distillers. That way, there is no doubt the water is safe, fresh and clean and does not have any contaminants floating around in it.
To learn more, visit http://www.h2olabs.com.
The post Water May Be Everywhere At Work But Not Fit To Drink Indicates H2o Labs first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>In the ever-evolving wireless industry, cell phones are becoming more and more intelligent and jam-packed with cool features. There are more and more apps that hold sensitive information – such as online banking account numbers – and hackers are lurking in the wireless world’s water, seeking their prey.
What is more disconcerting is the fact that the wireless industry is currently faced with even more security challenges, especially now that organizations are demanding more open networks on their devices, applications and content. With that in mind, wireless network carriers are still working hard to protect their consumers. When and if wireless security breaks wide open, it will be totally up to the consumer to protect his/her own data from spam, viruses and other threats.
What spyware does is what the name says; it “spies”. Data can be collected and extracted from text or instant messages, e-mails or contact lists. Software physically embedded on cell phones can be used to eavesdrop and can even be utilized as a GPS tracking tool that can remotely monitor the cell phone owner’s location.
“Although the wireless industry does try hard to protect consumer’s confidential information, it can only go so far,” said Jeff Gasner, owner of CPR – Chicago Cell Phone Repair. “To protect your phone from spyware, make sure you know where your phone is at all times, meaning don’t lend your phone to anyone or leave it unmonitored. This gives someone a chance to tamper with it. Also think about password protecting your phone.”
Other types of malware, on the other hand, are data extraction tools that collect data for unscrupulous companies or persons that use it for identity theft purposes. Viruses can be also be distributed through websites and e-mail attachments.
“If you think your cell phone has a virus, take it to your wireless network service provider or to an independent cell phone repair shop like CPR,” Gasner said.
To learn more visit: http://www.chicagocellrepair.com
The post Chicago Cell Phone Repair Offers Advice on How to Protect Wireless Devices from Spyware and Viruses first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>“Many people have no idea that the food they eat, tobacco they smoke, the laundry detergent they use and the seafood they consume contains arsenic. Shockingly, our drinking water may also have naturally occurring arsenic present. Something you don’t want to be drinking on a long-term basis, if at all, since it’s known to cause kidney problems, vomiting, confusion, convulsions, sleepiness and vomiting,” said Larry Wardell, who writes for H2olabs.com, a provider of water distiller systems that provide truly pure distilled water.
Continued exposure to high levels of arsenic has been identified as the root cause of numerous cancers, including liver, lung, skin, kidney and lymphatic cancer. Being exposed to arsenic over a long period of time is, unfortunately, quite common for people who work with and handle pesticides and other agricultural chemicals, toil in mines and labor in the copper smelting industry.
Over time, the exposure will lead to arsenic being deposited in hair follicles, in the skin and the fingernails. It’s insidious, odorless and deadly. Arsenic will not be found in water produced by water distillers and more homes in America may want to check of the benefits of water distillation systems to ensure they always have fresh and clean water on hand.
It’s not common knowledge, but arsenic is used in animal food, in the making of lead alloys for bullets and shots, in fittings for plumbing and to make integrated circuits to convert electricity to light (gallium arsenide).
“For those who have been drinking arsenic laced water over a long period of time, it often results in arsenicosis, not to mention multiple organ failure. The dangerous thing is that arsenic is found in underground water and is completely natural in origin, having come from the soil. There is also speculation that arsenic tainted drinking water contributes to the possibility of people contracting H1N1 flu,” Wardell said.
The long and short of it is that no one really knows what is in their drinking water and what it may do to their health. No one knows what kinds of pollutants they are introducing into their own bodies and the bodies of their family. That is a frightful thought given the fact that water is essential to survival on this planet. What is the solution to not knowing what is in the drinking water? Make sure the home has water distillers on hand to produce fresh and safe water on demand. Never again worry about what is coming out of the tap.
To learn more, visit http://www.h2olabs.com.
The post Arsenic Poisoning a Reality with Contaminated Water Warns H2O Labs first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>Smart phones are noted more for their sleek design than their durability. That’s why, as most s smart phone users can attest, all it takes is one drop and the thing goes kaput. One way to keep from damaging the smart phone’s sensitive body is instead opt in on purchasing one of those military-certified handset phones that are practically water proof, shock proof, and bypass all the cool apps and features of smart phones.
The BlackBerry smart phones, for instance, have had been noted for trackball issues. The newer BlackBerry models boast new track pads to answer the old trackball malfunctions. However, there have been reports that some of the newer BlackBerry track pad models seem to be very sketchy and flighty. Some users find their own way of dealing with the issues, such as balancing on one foot and applying the right kind of pressure with one finger in order for it work just so.
So, what is a wireless consumer to do when his or her high-tech smart phone decides to go south just when it is needed most? For one, the consumer can take it to the wireless service provider, hope that it came with a good replacement insurance plan, or shell out more money for another phone. There is, however, another option.
“You can simply bring it to us!” said Jeff Gasner, owner of CPR – Chicago Cell Phone Repair. “We are an independent cell phone repair store that can help you with most of your cell phone woes, we can also in most cases, retrieve your lost data for you, even when your phone is non-responsive.”
Chicago Cell Phone Repair can also help with broken BlackBerry trackballs or track pads, broken BlackBerry camera lenses, broken Blackberry screens or keyboards and damaged housing, to name a few.
So before any poor owner of a broken BlackBerry phone chucks it or digs deeper in his or her pocket for a new phone, perform CPR on it – bring it to a qualified CPR – Chicago Cell Phone Repair Specialist, that is—and let them fix it.
To learn more visit: http://www.chicagocellrepair.com
The post Chicago Cell Phone Repair Can Help with Blackberry Woes first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>“Living in the 21st century is exciting for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is you can do just about anything you want in your house with just about any component. Flooring choices are so varied, it’s almost overwhelming at times trying to choose what will work in your home,” said Dean Dupre, who runs Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company.
Some people gave old tired tiles in their houses. Some are not sure they can change them. “There are a lot of people who didn’t even think they could change their tiles to something newer, brighter and fresher; something more up-to-date. They didn’t think of changing them, because, most figure once the tiles are slapped in, they become a permanent fixture. Truth is, you can change them out anytime you want for anything you want. This is where the element of choice comes into play,” Dupre said.
For warmth, texture, versatility, elegance and a way to liven up interior rooms, consider glass, granite or marble tiles. It is not that hard to find something appealing. The only problem that may arise is the difficulty choosing something from the vast array of Tampa flooring tiles on the market.
“For instance, if the bathroom is due for updating, why not think about glass tiles on the wall with granite on the floor. Think about that for a minute and imagine how beautiful that would be. The visual appeal is what you’re striving for and with granite, you can choose just about any color that your heart desires,” Dupre said. Granite has the added attraction of lasting for a very long time before it would need to be replaced.
If the living room or family recreation area needs updating, the ideal Tampa flooring would likely be marble tiles. They’re smooth, cool, durable, classy and exceedingly elegant, plus able to withstand heavy traffic. If you have pets, this is also an ideal tile to handle the pitter patter of clawed feet.
“If it’s the kitchen you want to redo, think glass tiles for a back-splash. Use different colors and create a design or family monogram. Really, the only limit to using glass tiles is your imagination and the terrific thing about glass tiles is that they will add a unique and specifically customized ambiance to the home,” Dupre said.
Kitchen countertops take on a whole new appearance when they are done with granite tiles. They’re durable and can take just about anything thrown at them. Overall, there is no end to what can be done inside a home with the innovative use of various tiles. The one thing to always keep in mind when upgrading a home’s interior is the resale value later. Strive for the simple, yet elegant touches that will enhance a home’s beauty.
To learn more, visit http://www.champtile.com.
The post Tile Floor Versatility Improves Resale Value Urges Dean Dupre of Champion Tile in Tampa first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>“You might not know this, but the kind of installation a flooring contractor does impacts on the overall price of the job. But, don’t shop your job by price alone. Find out what type of installation will be done. This affects the tile’s ability to stand up to wear and tear. So, ultimately, you need to know that there are three types of installation. It’s up to you to figure out which one will work for you,” said Dean Dupre who runs Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company.
The first type of install is referred to as mortar and wire reinforcement. Broken down, this means the contractor spreads mortar on the floor for a foundation. Mastic or glue is next, which makes the tiles stick to the mortar. This installation method takes longer that the other two methods and because of that, it is more expensive. The thing to remember is that while it may be expensive, this type of install produces a much more level and stable floor.
“Your other option would be mortarboard, which is usually classified as a mid-level option. It is almost the same as mortar and wire reinforcement, but the mortarboard is pre-cut. This saves time and money, but, ultimately, the tiles may crack where the sheetrock and framing meet,” Dupre said.
Some people opt to have the contractor stick the tiles directly to the floor with glue. This kind of installation goes very quickly and is really inexpensive. “As you might guess though, it’s risky, as it’s easier for the tiles to crack and break. Frankly, if the budget can handle it, your best install would be the mortar and wire reinforcement, but that is strictly a personal choice,” Dupre said.
Keep in mind that there are other costs to factor into a tile install job and one of the biggest considerations is how complex the job happens to be. If there are a lot of fiddly cuts and angles, this means extra time and extra money. The more intricate a design or pattern, the higher the price. The cheaper the installer, the higher the price paid later to fix any mistakes. “It’s a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to things you have to factor into a tile job, but if you take your time, choose wisely and ask an experienced contractor, your floor will do you proud,” Dupre said.
To learn more, visit http://www.champtile.com.
The post How Tile is Stuck Down Affects a Budget Advises Dean Dupre of Champion Tile in Tampa first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>It’s always a smart move to find out what the family is really drinking when it pours a glass of water from the kitchen or bathroom sink. While the water may look good, smell OK and taste OK, unfortunately, this does not guarantee that it is OK. In addition, even with low levels of what the government considers to be acceptable pollution, the cumulative effects of drinking bad water may cause serious health problems; problems that could well be avoided by using water distillers.
The very basic of the most basic tests to see if water is OK is the smell and taste routine. There’s a bit of a process to this, in that when the water is poured into the glass, the glass needs to be covered for a few minutes. Then, take off the cover and smell and taste it. There are times a disinfectant smell will waft up into the nose – a sure sign bleach/chlorine is in the water. The sad news is that even if the smell is not present, the chlorine is, because that is how most water plants treat their water. This is a deadly toxin if ingested over long periods of time.
There are home testing kits that some people prefer. They’re not too expensive and the test will show the presence of chlorine and reveal how hard the water happens to be. Having hard water means there is a lot of calcium and magnesium in the water. If it builds up in the taps and pipes in a home and in the water heater, what does it do internally to the person drinking it?
Some test kits, which are a bit more expensive, will test to see if there are bacteria, nitrates and even E coli. What kit is purchased largely depends on the water source for the home; tap or well. If water distillers are used, there is no need to test the water, as they produce the freshest and cleanest water next to Mother Nature.
Those who still have questions about what happens to be lurking in their water can actually go online and Google the search string – local drinking water information – or words to that effect. The research results returned should provide information on the drinking water in the area requested. This isn’t a guarantee that those searching will find out all they need to know about their tap water, but, it’s a start.
The government tests water in much the same way a homeowner would if they bought a water testing kit, except the results are far more comprehensive and they search for more chemicals. Unfortunately, the cost of having the government test home tap water frequently enough to stay on top of problems is prohibitive for most families. However, the cost of using water distillers more than pays for itself over time.
To learn more, visit http://www.h2olabs.com.
The post H2O Labs Says Know What Is In The Water On Tap In The Home first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>One of the most common and costly incidents that cell phone owners suffer is water damage. The experience of dropping a phone in water – whether it’s the toilet or pool or some other bizarre location – can break even the most indestructible of phones. Water damage more often than not deems a cell phone inoperable.
There are some things people can do to help revive their cell phones from water damage, but they must be done fast. It helps to immediately turn off the cell phone and remove the battery and SIM card before removing excess water with a towel. Using a hair dryer or any heating element on the cell phone or its battery is a bad idea as it can damage the internal elements. After drying the cell phone off, the cell phone should be set out to dry. This process can take up to three days.
People can save themselves some time by going straight to an independent cell phone repair shop like CPR – Chicago Cell Phone Repair instead of doing it themselves and waiting three long days and praying that it will come back to life. Cell phone repair technicians might have to actually repair the exposed parts, which would be near impossible for consumers to do on their own.
“There are a lot of cell phone repair tips out there to save your cell phone from water damage,” said Jeffrey H. Gassner of CPR – Chicago Cell Phone Repair. “One thing that you have to remember is that they don’t always work. When your cell phone doesn’t respond, you should bring it to us and let our qualified technicians fix it for you and save you the headache.”
To learn more visit: http://www.chicagocellrepair.com
The post Tips to Save Cell Phones from Water Damage from CPR – Chicago Cell Phone Repair first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>