Residence Style

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• What Are The Advantages Of Pool Deck Specialists?
• 8 Ways to Do Sustainable Gardening
• How to Repair Garage Door Cable
• Top Books on Finances
• The Future of Smart Homes: What can we look forward to?
• 3 Things To Look For In a Real Estate Agent
• House Painting Tips from the Pros

What Are The Advantages Of Pool Deck Specialists? Posted: 29 May 2021 03:06 AM PDT A pool with a beautiful deck is what most people dream of in a house.  Many people spend a fortune on pool décor. They use the most expensive of materials to build their dock, to get the aesthetic they desire. But no matter what material you use to build your deck it will deteriorate after a while.  Firstly, to get a beautiful deck around your pool one need not spend too much money. Concrete is the viable alternative for those who desire to get the results while avoiding major expenses. Although concrete is known for its durability and strength it is prone to cracks. This means that no matter what at some point your concrete deck will show cracks, this deck cracking is inevitable. Despite the material you use to build your deck, repairs will need to be made after a certain period by experienced deck specialists like Stilus Design And Construction. Concrete pool decks are cost-efficient, low maintenance, affordable, and very easy to customize. It can also deliver the aesthetics you wish to achieve without having to spend on expensive pool decking materials.  What Are The Causes Behind Deck Deterioration? Depending on the material used for building the deck the deteriorating signs will vary. For wooden decks, you might see loosened boards, molding, etc. A common deck building material is concrete. The telltale sign of damage in concrete decks is cracking. Concrete cracking is a common issue regarding pool decks. What causes these damages? Pool deck damages are usually caused due to one of the following reasons: Ground movements Changes in temperature Poorly mixed concrete Structural settling Poorly placed expansion joints As mentioned above the causes behind deck damage varies with the material used. With decks made of stone, concrete, marble, etc. weather plays a major role in its deterioration. With temperature change, these substances undergo thermal expansion which leads to cracking in marble and concrete. Wooden decks are easily prone to rot, fading and discoloration. Even the most well-constructed deck will only last for a decade or more, after which major repairs will need to be made. To avoid huge repair costs, you might want to pay attention to regular repairs.  What Are The Advantages Of Pool Deck Repairing? Low cost, high efficiency Has your deck seen better days? Is it filled with cracks, discoloration, rot, and stains? Well, why wait for the situation to worsen. Tackling repairs at the earliest will help you avoid major expenses in the future. Also, with the summer season upon you, this might just be the best time to get your deck in working order.  Skid resistance If you have a concrete pool deck, peelers and cracks are an inevitable occurrence but not repairing them in time will compromise the sealers and paint used on the deck. This will not only affect the coating of your pool deck but also your safety. Sealers and paints are what provide traction on the deck surface, hence eliminating skids and slips.  Heat deflection Sealers and paints also help in heat deflection in concrete pools. It is seen that without proper paints and sealers your deck can be up to 30 degrees hotter, this will ultimately lead to burnt feet and slips and falls. Affordability Smaller repairs are far more affordable than having to entirely change your deck. If you avoid these repairs periodically it will lead to bigger damage. Which in turn means having to spend a lot more money. Durability Performing regular maintenance on your pool deck will not only increase the longevity of the deck but will also make it stronger. Repairing the weak points of your deck will make your slabs and concrete durable. The post What Are The Advantages Of Pool Deck Specialists? appeared first on Residence Style.

8 Ways to Do Sustainable Gardening Posted: 29 May 2021 01:49 AM PDT Tending a garden is not only beneficial to the overall aesthetic of your house but also the environment. It can cut down CO2 in the atmosphere in its own little way and it also provides shelter to birds, butterflies, and bees which all take part in beautifying the space by pollinating flowering plants. But did you know that gardening, if done right, can help Mother Nature even more?   If you're a certified plant mom or dad, don't get us wrong. We know that you're already doing a great job. What we're suggesting is that you can take gardening to a higher level which can benefit you, your community, and ultimately, the environment. And you could do that by following these sustainable ideas in your gardening work: Fixing your garden layout The layout is more than just the arrangement of plants and bushes in your yard. It can dictate how everything works in your garden. And you can take advantage of the overall design by making it more sustainable. For example, instead of simply arranging your plants by height or colour, you can lay them out depending on their growth requirements. Because some plants love the summer sun while others prefer the shade. Also, some species are more comfortable with moist soil while others are not. Arranging your plants depending on what they need helps you incorporate water conservation and soil preparation techniques easily. And once you've mastered these skills, you can reduce your environmental footprints. Compost all your natural waste Every time you're cleaning up your yard, make good use of the dead leaves, branches, dried flowers, trimmed grass, and yes, even your dog's poop! Your organic waste can be used to build your compost pit. Collecting all your natural waste and piling them up in a pit will certainly save you some cash. Because instead of buying fertilizers every now and then, you can simply harvest the rotten waste to enrich your garden soil. If you don't like to get your hands dirty when harvesting the fertilizer, you can simply dig up the area of your garden you want to enrich and bury all the waste there. Use the garden insects to your advantage Believe it or not, your garden has its own pest control. And that's all thanks to the harmless insects living there. If you see ladybugs peacefully resting on a leaf, leave them alone because they help get rid of aphids. Beneficial insects also help reduce the number of caterpillars and mites that pillage your beautiful garden. Don't worry, these helpful insects won't harm you, your kids, and your pets! Try mulching Mulching is an old gardener's trick of covering your garden soil with tree barks, wood chips, dead leaves, and other types of mulches. This practice will help preserve the moisture and enhance the condition of the soil. Below are some of the benefits of mulching to your plants: It prevents the drying of the soil caused by the sun's heat Gets rid of the unsightly weeds Provides additional nutrients to the soil Keeps the soil intact to prevent erosion Ditch your gas-powered lawnmowers Your gas-powered lawn mower is one of the biggest contributors of CO2. So if you're committed to reducing your environmental footprint, use manual lawnmowers instead. Yes, switching to manual is a laborious task. But hey, at least you can get some exercise! Using eco-friendly gardening supplies like a manual mower is good both for the environment and for your health. Not only will you be able to trim some grass, but you'll be able to trim down some fats, too!   Conserve water The ultimate goal of sustainable gardening is to utilize natural resources only, as much as possible. That's why a sustainable garden is not complete without a barrel or drum for the rainwater collection system. Collecting or storing rainwater is one the best ways to conserve water. Not only will it be enough to sustain the needs of your plant babies, but it will also help you save money. Just place an empty drum below that downspout that's connected to your gutters and just let the water flow into it. It's better if the drum has a pre-installed faucet so you can access the water easily.  Use wood scraps as fences If you've recently planted saplings in your garden, and you want to protect them from your curious pets, you can use dead branches or wood scraps as fences. This is a much more cost-effective technique than buying brand-new fences in your local store.  Use seaweeds  If you live in a coastal area, you can take advantage of the seaweeds that drift by the shore. Seaweeds are rich in nutrients that promote healthy growth in plants.  Collect as much as you can, dry them out under the sun, then dry them again in a dry location like your shed, then crush them into coarse powder. Once you've done all these, your seaweeds are ready to nourish your plants! Go for homegrown native plants Native plants are the type of plants that naturally grow in your area or your region. They require less water and less effort to maintain in general. That's because by default, they are already accustomed to the soil type in your garden, the weather conditions, and climate changes in your region.  These are only some of the sustainable gardening ideas that you can follow. Keep in mind that these practices are not rocket-science. All you need’s a little bit of knowledge, some tools, and a firm commitment to making this whole sustainability thing work.  Since these are all easy to do, you can teach your kids a thing or two about it. Don't worry, it’s okay if they get their hands dirty. Since they'll be the ones to tend your garden when you grow old, it's better to (like they alway say) start them young.  You'll be surprised how sustainable gardening could be a great bonding activity for the whole family! Author's Bio Penny is a stay-at-home mom who loves blogging about home cleaning, gardening and other home-related tips. She also loves helping other struggling moms to strike a balance between raising their children and maintaining a clean and sustainable home. The post 8 Ways to Do Sustainable Gardening appeared first on Residence Style.

How to Repair Garage Door Cable Posted: 29 May 2021 01:37 AM PDT Having a working garage door is important for keeping the outside world out. Most garages work on a cable system that is wound up using springs to keep the tension. Common issues include tangled cables. Although dangerous, garage door spring repair can be carried out following expert instructions down to the letter. (Source: https://247kostex.com/garage-door-repair-glenview/) What You Will Need Before you get started on the repair, you're going to need a few things: 2 x cable 2 x cone Bottom brackets Cordless drill Hammer Wrench Winding bars Locking pliers Ratchet set Clamps Lock-In the Door You need to make sure the door isn't going to swing up and send you flying once the new springs are in place. To avoid this, take your clamps and clip them on the track just above the runners. Also, you may want to disconnect the opening cord by giving it a yank. Loosening the Spring Take your winding bars, putting one of them through the hole in the bottom of the cone (start with the working side). Holding the bar in place, remove the screws on the cone. Brace yourself for impact as the spring will release powerful torque once they're removed.  Unwind Unbroken Spring With the screws removed, place another winding bar in the hole at a 90-degree angle to the other. Remove the bottom winding bar and unwind the spring a quarter turn – and repeat until fully loosened.  Disconnect Spring Bracket In the center, there will be a bracket. You need to unscrew the bolts that attach the spring to the stationary cone. Once you've released these, slide the spring towards the end brackets. Secure Tension Tube You need to clamp the torsion tube to stop it slipping. Take your locking clamp and attach it to the central bracket to hold the tension. You can now proceed to remove the screws on the left and right cable drums and remove them. Remove Old Spring Now, all you need to do before starting to replace the parts is slide the springs off the torsion cable. Start by removing one side, pushing the torsion cable in the opposite direction as you do.  Install Left Spring Once you've got your new parts sorted out, it's time to re-assemble. Start by sliding the new spring over the torsion bar (stationary cone facing the central bracket). Then, take the drum with the wire and attach it to the left-side bearing bracket.  Hook Up Stationary Cones For this stage, all you need to do is reinstall the stationary cones to the central bracket.  Replace Brackets Take this opportunity to re-attach the bottom brackets and snap over the replacement cables. If you have any rusted parts at the bottom, replace them at this point. Thread and Anchor Cable Run the cable straight up between the rollers and doorjamb and slide the lift cable through the slot on the drum. Lock up the torsion tube and wind the cable up through the grooves – wind as tight as possible before replacing the screws.  Wind the Tension Springs Using the same method as step 3, but in the opposite direction, wind the tension springs as directed by the manufacturer.  Stretch Springs Once the spring is fully wound up, take your hammer and stretch them out to about 1/4 inch. Then, replace the end cone screws around 1.5 turns.  Test the Door Now that you've finished, take some quality lubricant and apply it to the tension springs and cables before testing the door (be sure to remove the ladder and yourself before you do). Congratulations, you've successfully repaired your door and saved yourself a fortune in labor costs. Bear in mind that this project is dangerous and can cause severe injuries if not carried out correctly. The post How to Repair Garage Door Cable appeared first on Residence Style.

Top Books on Finances Posted: 29 May 2021 01:20 AM PDT According to the 2020 TIAA Institute-GFLEC Personal Finance Index, financial literacy in the United States is improving steadily. Some US adults took a poll and answered 52 percent of questions correctly, but that figure has been increasing at a rate of around 1% per year from 2017 to 2020. If you’re like most Americans, you may not have learned much about money management from your parents or colleges, which is why finding reliable educational tools like personal finance books is so important. You can use Payday Depot funds to purchase the books listed in this post to invest in your financial literacy! These top finance books deliver useful information that’s also engaging, motivational, and relatable: 1. The Wealth Choice Dennis Kimbro’s book “The Wealth Choice: Success Secrets of Black Millionaires” is an excellent read for those interested in accumulating wealth. It is both inspiring and informative. In this 2013 book, Dr. Kimbro, a college professor, motivational speaker, and writer for the Napoleon Hill Foundation, seamlessly combines years of in-depth experience with compelling success stories. The page-turning storytelling style, combined with his financial savvy and general life experience, will undoubtedly make it a personal finance read that will resonate with a wide audience for many years. 2. Investing 101 There aren’t many books on investments that look good enough to keep on your coffee table, but Michele Cagan’s “Investing101” is one of them. Readers will find a well-written guide to investing between the covers of this volume. This book, like the rest of the 101 series, is part manual and part textbook. It won’t tell you how to beat the market, but it will make you understand how different financial vehicles operate, the distinctions between various types of assets, and how to create a well-rounded portfolio for long-term growth. 3. Easy Money "Easy Money," written by Gail Vaz-Oxlade of the Canadian personal finance TV show "Til Debt Do Us Part," is a brilliant read. In this short guide, Vaz-Oxlade’s writing style and years of experience as a personal finance educator come through, directing readers on how to prepare a financial plan and what to include in a budget. Vaz-well-honed Oxlade’s budgeting scheme needs no tools, no applications, and no math or engineering expertise, while other budgeting books rely on constant monitoring and optimizing. 4. Dollars and Sense The notion that our spending choices are solely based on rationality and schooling has been debunked for a long time. We now understand that our feelings and subconscious wishes often influence our financial choices. Readers are introduced to the inner workings of the human mind when it comes to coping with money in Dan Ariely and Jeff Kreisler’s book “Dollars and Sense: How We Misthink Money and How to Spend Smarter.” 5. Perfect Credit The tone of Khalfani-Cox gives the impression that the reader is receiving sound advice from a trusted friend who also happens to be a former Wall Street Journal reporter. The book often addresses common but frequently neglected issues such as negotiating with borrowers and controlling spending to avoid potential credit overuse. Our list of the top-5 books on finance is designed to give you the information you need to feel motivated to take charge of your finances and bring them to a whole new level. A decent book on personal finances will provide you with useful advice about handling your spending, earnings, mortgage, and investments. The post Top Books on Finances appeared first on Residence Style.

The Future of Smart Homes: What can we look forward to? Posted: 28 May 2021 10:42 PM PDT As our lives become more connected with each advance in technology, where we live is also becoming smarter. New devices and gadgets are taking ‘smart homes’ to the next level and taking on a growing number of jobs. But what does it actually mean? What exactly makes a home ‘smart’? And what does the future hold in store as new technologies hit the market? What is a connected home? A smart – or connected – home is one in which domestic gadgets and consumer devices are linked together using your cellular or wi-fi connection. It’s all made possible by what’s called the Internet of Things (IoT), which combines the latest tech with wireless communications in the hope and expectation of making our lives easier and more convenient. Even if you don’t think your home is particularly smart, you may be shocked by how much it actually is. By the end of 2019, it US households owned an average of 11 connected devices. From smartphones or internet-enabled TVs to app-controlled lightbulbs or thermostats – the range of devices that can make a home ‘smart’ or ‘connected’ continues to grow. How to start going smart The idea of going smart at home isn’t a complex one. It can be achieved in a few easy steps – so no full-blown renovation and no dystopian makeover. And you can start out small, scaling over time – rather than investing a fortune in a myriad of devices straight away. So, it might mean starting off with a single lightbulb or a voice-activated speaker. It’s your choice. One thing that you need to make sure, however, is that your internet connection is up to the task. That could be a question of choosing the right provider in the first instance. Or you may  need the right connectors to give you a stable and reliable connection throughout the home – otherwise you might find that your smart devices aren’t so smart after all! The future of smart devices So, what does the future hold. Even now, what is possible is pretty incredible if you compare everything to five or 10 years ago. But we’re perhaps only at the tip of the iceberg when you look at the bigger picture. Trends such as artificial intelligence and machine learning may be able to make our homes truly “smart” in ways that were only previously seen in the movies. Imagine, then, smart lighting that can detect when you’re in the room and change itself to fit the level of natural light. Or how about smart locks that know when your courier delivery has arrived and can open up to allow the courier to safely leave your parcel inside? Even the next generation of TVs and 3D printers will contribute to the evolution of the smart home. And what an exciting future the smart home could have as a result of that evolution. The post The Future of Smart Homes: What can we look forward to? appeared first on Residence Style.

3 Things To Look For In a Real Estate Agent Posted: 28 May 2021 10:25 PM PDT When you’re looking to purchase a home, finding a great real estate agent is critical. A lot of people believe that they can go through the process on their own, and while it’s entirely possible, there’s an enormous amount of responsibility and pressure involved. Whereas a real estate agent has the know-how to help you navigate the often complicated world of real estate and facilitate the contract process.  From negotiating to getting to know the local market, a real estate agent is your greatest asset in finding the perfect home. When looking for a real estate agent, make sure that they have the following qualities. Experience  A common mistake that people make is hiring a real estate agent who doesn’t have enough experience under their belt. Having a real estate license alone doesn’t qualify you to be the best person for the job. Make sure that you take a good look at how many clients they’ve had over the last year as well as how long they’ve had their real estate license.  Make sure that their clients are similar to you. For example, were they looking for homes within the same price range as you? It helps to bring on someone who has experience finding the kind of homes that you’re specifically looking for.  Positive Reviews  Thanks to the internet, it’s easier than ever to see the reputation of a real estate agent before working with them. Make sure that you dig through their online reviews and get to know whether they have a history of happy clients.   Make sure that you look for specific compliments and criticisms to get the best feel for their reviews. Sometimes people can leave a negative review that has no basis. By reading every review carefully, you’ll know which reviews to weed out and which ones to hang on to. No single review should convince you. You should take it all in and judge for yourself based on the total picture.  Great Communication Style Communication is everything when working with a realtor. You want to make sure that they get back to you as soon as possible. Nobody wants to contact their realtor about a house they are interested in, only to wait for them to get back to them for what seems like ages.   In addition to timely communication, you also want to make sure that they have quality communication.  Since you’re trusting this person to negotiate for you, you want to make sure that they’ve got the right kind of communication style that works for you. Are they clear? Are they friendly?  Take  all these things into account when searching for a real estate agent, and you should find the perfect person for the job! The post 3 Things To Look For In a Real Estate Agent appeared first on Residence Style.

House Painting Tips from the Pros Posted: 28 May 2021 09:26 PM PDT Painting is both work and fun at the same time. It could be a past-time activity during the weekends or it could be a second job to earn a little cash. However, if you are going to engage yourself in painting, you should learn some trade secrets to the craft. These secrets make your work faster, smarter and neater. Painting can be a bit messy when you don't know the rules to follow, so here are some expert steps to help you get through your painting. 1. Sandpaper rough surfaces When you paint, the goal is to have a smooth coat all over and not bumpy spots. Some surfaces expand and leave bumps on the surface of your walls or ceilings due to heat and moisture. To get a perfect coat of paint on such a surface, you need to smoothen the surface out. The sandpaper helps you work this magic. It has a grit surface with which you remove or flatten patches, nail holes, creating a blend on the surface. So, before you start, take care of the contours. 2. Choose colors for paint Choosing the perfect color can be a daunting task for many. There are a variety of colors out there to select from, and one can get easily overwhelmed. Choosing the proper paint sheen or finish is everything when it comes to painting. Paint sheens come in different forms, from high gloss to flat sheen. Depending on the part of the home, the choice of paint matters. Some paints, when dry, allow you to clean your walls easily, and these could work perfectly for the high traffic areas of the home. Others are pretty good at hiding imperfections on walls. It is essential to check out the different sheens, what they do, and where they fit before making your paint choice. It is okay to seek professional help if it gets too intimidating. 3. Buy high-quality brushes When you buy quality brushes, they could last a lifetime. Do not negotiate the quality of your paintbrushes because it also affects the quality of your painting. Some paintbrushes begin to pull out during painting, leaving you a poor finish with strands of brushes on the wall. The type of paintbrush also determines how well the paint blends with the surface of the walls. More so, if your painting is a job, you would want to deliver the best quality to your customer. It saves you the cost of having to replace brushes frequently. 4. Cover furniture and switches The cleaning up after the job can be stressful when the paint spills on too many objects. It is also a bit difficult moving property in and out of places you want to paint. The best option is to cover them with plastic sheets and tape the bottom to protect them. You should cover the switches and sockets, so they don't get smeared. 5. Paint from up top to bottom Painting any other way can be tiring and produce the wrong result. So, after you have cut in your edges and base using the brush, allow your roller to finish the job by rolling from top to bottom. Ensure you finish painting one wall before going to another. While painting from top to bottom, you might spill some paint, so it is wise to use canvas drop cloths. Make sure you use an extension pole or rod, so you don't hurt your back. Take breaks in between to stretch your arms and exercise your neck. Are you planning on painting your home or picking up a painting job? You would do great if you followed the expert tips in this article. The post House Painting Tips from the Pros appeared first on Residence Style.

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