September 2017 - GTS Home Network

Advantages of polished concrete floors

Posted on September 10, 2017 by Norman Laverty Posted in Home improvement

Polished concrete floors are have become popular in the recent past. The flooring option is preferred for industrial areas, residential floors, and the commercial spaces. There are several contractors who have come out to install the polished concrete floor that is of high quality at a very reasonable price. The popularity of the polished concrete floors is due to the several benefits that are associated with it. If you are planning to do a floor in your house, then you should think of polished concrete floor. Listed here are some of the benefits if having a polished concrete floor.

Very durable and sustainable

The polished concrete floors are made in such a manner which makes them very durable. The floor once installed it can last for up to ten years. Compared to up to other flooring options like linoleum, ceramic tiles and vinyl flooring the polished floor is very sustainable.

Environment friendly

The polished floors do not need very hazardous chemicals when they are installed or when being maintained. The surface of the floor does not encounter appearance of mold, allergens, and mildew. On the other hand, the floors are very efficient in regards to energy. This is because the floor accumulates heat from the sun which helps in reducing consumption of energy hence lowering your bills.

Very affordable

Flooring alternatives such as vinyl flooring and hardwood are very expensive compared to polished concrete flooring that is much affordable. The cost will only differ depending on the customer’s size of the area to be covered. For floors that have concrete already installed then you will not incur a lot of money when doing the polishing.

Less maintenance

When it comes to maintaining floors, the polished concrete floors are the easiest type to maintain. The activities that you will be required to do on the floor will only be mopping, sweeping and sometimes damp mopping. The activities will play a significant role in preserving the gloss and avoid accumulation of dirt from forming on the surface. In a case where the floor is well polished, you will not require re-polishing for up to ten years.

Stain free

The polished floors are very protective such that they do not allow the occurrence of stains. It is for this reason that the polished concrete floors are very suitable for residential houses, commercial spaces or warehouses. The floor does not leave any scratches or tire marks.

Increased ambient lighting

The polished concrete floor is gleaming and smooth which makes it able to absorb light and illuminate your house rooms in an excellent manner. The illumination enhances the whole appearance of the room.

Best Leaf Blower Buying Guide

Posted on September 4, 2017 by Stanley Allison Posted in Uncategorized

Are having a leaf problem in your yard. Do you get tired of constantly racking away the leaves and are looking for a more efficient way of handling the leaves that fall? Then it is time for you to consider getting a leaf blower machine. These equipment are designed to blow leaves collectively so that one can pick them up or vacuum them to dispose them and leave the yard looking neat. What features does one look out for, below is a guide to buying leaf blowers?

Leaf Blower Buying Guide

Consider kind of blower

One needs to know the basics of leaf blowers. This is considered by what type of blower one want to buy. There are three type of leaf blowers that one can purchase. These include the handheld type, back pack and movable wheeled leaf blowers. The hand held type is the most popular and is used by being held in the hand. They are usually lighter to carry and some come with a vacuuming option that also enables one to mulch the leaves. The backpack leave blowers are bulkier and more powerful as compared to the hand held ones. They are strapped on the back and are also easier to carry for the weight is well distributed. Finally, we have the movable wheeled leaf blowers, this is the heaviest of the three and is used in yards and fields that are big. They also have more power.

Classified according to power source

Secondly one needs to consider the power supply. Leaf blowers are classified into three types. These are the corded electric type, the battery and the gasoline leaf blowers. The corded electric leaf blowers use an electric power supply. They are usually light to carry. They also tend to be limiting in usage depending on the area of yard work that one needs to do due to the electric cord. The second type is the battery leaf blowers. These have a chargeable battery. They are easy to maneuver for they have no restricting cord. The last type is the gasoline leaf blower. These are traditionally used leaf blowers and are found to be the most popularly used. They also tend to be heavy due to the gasoline.

The weight and speed

The weight is an essential element to consider. The weight will vary from one leaf blower to the other. One needs to consider the amount of yard work they plan to do, this will affect how long they hold the leaf blower and ultimately the weight. Secondly, what speed would you like the leaf blower to have? Look for one that has a variable speed that will not damage flowers and plants in your yard and has the proper cubic feet per minute (CFM) to blow the leaves.

Noise level

Leaf blowers tend to be noisy to both the handler and also people around. It is important to consider the noise levels as one plan to purchase. Some communities have noise policies that require residents to adhere to hence knowing what they are, will guide one in purchasing the right leaf blower.

Reasons For Removing Asbestos Professionally

Posted on September 4, 2017 by Stanley Allison Posted in Home improvement

It is advisable for an individual to hire the services of an expert who is licensed in carrying out the removal of asbestos in one’s home. For an area which is measuring less than ten meters squared and has the presence of asbestos, a person is allowed to remove asbestos. A qualified specialist or any person having a license in asbestos removal should be considered when removing asbestos in the area which is measuring ten meters and more. A license can be attained by any person by attending a suitable training course offered by a registered training institution. Asbestos which is considered to be loose or friable should be removed by a professional and not by the house owner.

Safety

In situations which an individual consider removing asbestos by himself or herself, one should take precautions seriously. Asbestos removal is regarded as a complicated and dangerous process. In most cases, professionals who have got licenses are hired to remove it most safely and dispose of it according to the set rules and regulations. When an individual is dealing with materials which have asbestos, he or she should make sure the release of small particles, dust, and fibers are at a minimal. Powdered asbestos can only be removed by a specialist having a friable asbestos license.

Working safely with asbestos

One should cover himself or herself up and wear personal protective equipment. A dust mask should also be worn when working with asbestos. When the Personal Protection Equipment is being used, a person should seek the information from the manufacturer. One should make sure his or her mask has two straps so that it should not fall while working. Safety glasses, gloves, hat and disposable coveralls which include a hood should also be worn. In the work place, one should not smoke, drink or eat since he or she may eat or inhale dust in the process. One should wash his or her face or hands with soapy water when finishing working with asbestos on a daily basis.

Preparing the area

Plastic sheeting should be placed on the location where the task is done so that contamination of the ground is avoided at all cost. The play equipment for kids should be moved away from the work area. Vents should be sealed, and doors and windows closed to eliminate the chances of the dust entering the house. Curtains, rugs and soft furnishings should be removed from the work area, and in scenarios which cannot be moved, they should be sealed in a plastic bag or material.