March 21st, 2009 at 01:03pm
Under Home-Improvement
Mold is everywhere and no one can escape it. You’ll find it in the air, on surfaces, in the refrigerator, in the house or office, and outside. Like karma, it’s one of those things that you can’t run from. You can’t hide from it. Mold will creep into everyone’s lives and homes at some point or another.
While mold is not a health concern for many people, it can create moderate to severe allergic or asthmatic reactions for others.
Aside from health considerations, mold is an ugly fungus that damages your home or office. It’s something you don’t want.
The first step in dealing with mold is to identify and correct its cause. The rule of thumb is this: No mold can grow without moisture. If the amount of mold is not too big, mold remediation in your home can be a do-it-yourself job. The sooner you can get rid of the mold, the better. This is because the longer mold is allowed to grow the more difficult it is to clean up.
Molds reproduce by spreading tiny spores. These microscopic spores float on air currents until they can find a suitable spot to grow. If you have existing mold spots, the spores obviously do not have trouble finding good breeding grounds. With a mix of moisture and other conditions, these spores will germinate and produce new mold growth.
When inhaled by some people, these spores create allergic reactions or exacerbate asthmatic conditions. If you are suffering from allergic reactions to airborne mold spores, you might consider using a negative ionizer (or negative ion generator). Negative ions are able to remove the spores from the air.
Having mold in your home is certainly not uncommon. It’s a little known fact that 70% of homes have mold in their wall cavities. Some homes are worse than others. Homes with bad mold damage might have mold spores growing from the shower head that become airborne and then take over large portions of bedroom or other walls. Obviously, homes that have had flood damage will also fare worse in the mold department than others.
If ignored, small moldy areas will grow larger over time, so it’s important to remediate little patches of mold as soon as you see them. If mold is visible, it is not necessary to test for mold. Take care of it straight away.
Remediation is the term used for the cleanup and removal of the mold infestation or growth. If the job is small enough, mold remediation might be something you want to do yourself by drying the area, scrubbing away the mold and using bleach to kill the mold. There are also antimicrobial coating products on the market that you can use to remove mold and prevent its re-growth. Any product that touts mold killing abilities should have an EPA registration number on the label. No cleanup or remediation is complete until you have repaired the water or moisture problem that contributed to the mold’s growth in the first place.
Mold is something that everyone has to deal with at some point or another. The best way to handle mold in your home is to stop it early by reducing the moisture that contributes to the mold growth. Use a negative ion generator to remove spores from the air. As soon as you see small mold patches, remediate them before they become a bigger problem.
Mold will eventually find you, no matter how much running, hiding, or ignoring you do. Discover how to fight back by visiting http://www.mold-mildew-info.com
Author: Urbain Beck
Keywords: mold,allergy,asthma,remediation,moisture,spores,home,fungus
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By admin
March 21st, 2009 at 01:03pm
Under Home-Improvement
Are you thinking of buying an aquarium? If you love fish and want to have an easy pet that doesnt need to be walked and definitely doesnt make a mess on your floor, youll love having fish. But, you cant just head to the local pet store and scoop them up. Your first task will be to invest in quality products and that starts with the right aquarium. Buying an aquarium isnt really hard, as long as you know what to look for.
Here are some tips to help you sort it all out.
* Size counts. Of course, you realize that the bigger a fish is the more room it needs. The size of the aquarium also will dictate how many fish you can put into it. A large sized aquarium is recommended if you plan to invest in many fish. But, size counts in other ways too. The larger it is, the more support youll need to give it. That means that youll need a strong enough place to store it.
* Maintenance is needed. Dont be fooled into thinking that you wont have to clean the water in your tank. You will. The best way to know what maintenance youll need is to get to know your fish. Learn about what the species needs and then provide it. Some fish need oxygen filters; others dont like the water to drop below a certain temperature. And, when cleaning the tank, youll need to insure you dont shock the fish. If this all sounds hard, make sure that when you purchase an aquarium, you purchase one that is equipped with everything your fish needs.
* Filling it. You may be tempted to purchase cute little castles and plants for your aquarium. While you will likely be able to, you should also make sure that you choose the elements for it that the fish will enjoy. Some fish want a dark area to hide. Others will munch on plants.
It is also important to purchase the aquarium from a reliable producer. The right aquarium should come with virtually everything that you need to maintain a healthy and enjoyable atmosphere for your fish. Doing this will allows you to get more enjoyment out of the aquarium.
Jacqueline Mitchell is an editor at HouseImprovementTips.com where you can find more articles about /new?tag=day2soft-20′title= ‘: Newly tagged products at Amazon.com’> tips.
Author: Jacqueline Mitchell
Keywords: buy an aquarium
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March 21st, 2009 at 01:03pm
Under Home-Improvement
The Stone Fireplace can provide a mysterious look to an interior of a house, using stone structures to add warmth and depth to a room is not an uncommon feature in interior design. People who choose to have a stone fireplace in their house should be aware that the stone has a very dramatic and strong presence in the room, and it will not go un noticed, some feel that the stone gives a room a medieval feeling and does not compliment modern furniture and style, but this is obviously a choice of the home owner.
Adding extra features next to a stone fire place will combine the elements into a solid design statement, if the people living in the house would not object to having more stone or iron furniture placed in the vicinity of the fireplace you can create a flow of stone and iron elements and create a sort of medieval, 1500s sort of look, which can be great in some spaces, especially if it is a room that is not used on a daily basis.
In the past fire places designs were very traditional, and usually comprised the same material and same basic building plan, this made most of the fire places to look the same and feel the same in any given room. In the last 20 years there have been enormous changes to this market, especially due to the fact that people wanted a unique fireplace, this is especially true to places where winter is hard and long and the fireplace is a focal point in the house.
There are modern designs that combine stone, wood and metal, to create a very plain and strong industrial look, emphasizing the usability of the features in the space and letting unique and specially designed parts to speak for themselves, this is why a stone fireplace will be perfect in this kind of an environment, it is also possible to paint the stone, or bleach the bricks so they will not appear dark but have a more bright color, this will bring more luminosity into the room and will also allow the home owners not to break to color theme if they got a light colored living room.
Combining wood and stone can create a very impressive fireplace, both natural materials and are also the base of the fireplace essentials, a wood frame to a stone fireplace base will create a feeling of warmth and will probably not disturb any existing design statements that may already be in the room.
Last but not least, stone made fire places sound great but not everyone likes them, you should make sure that you can live with a stone fireplace before you even start shopping around for one, for those who already know that stone designs are their favorites there is not a question here, but what kind of stone fireplace will it be.
Winter is almost here, and a Fire Place is just what you need to add character and warmth to your home. Discover how to plan, buy and place your Fire Place in your home by following Daniel Roshards Stone Fireplace articles and Fireplace related articles and tips.
Author: Daniel Roshard
Keywords: fireplace, fire place, fire places, stone fire place, stone fireplace, stone made fireplace
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March 21st, 2009 at 01:03pm
Under Home-Improvement
One of the best ways to increase the value of your investment property is to undertake some home improvements. But where to begin? The following are a few tried and tested tips on what to improve in order to raise the value of your house.
1. Improve the propertys exterior
Always start with the outside of the house because thats the most important part of the property. It is what potential buyers see first and it is usually what makes them decide whether they want or are interested in the property or not.
2. Dab fresh paint or set up new sidings
Would you believe that a simple paint job can increase the value of your property significantly? Only a few weeks ago, an effective re-painting job pushed the value of one of my investment properties to rise by $25,000.
3. Landscaping
This is also related to upgrading exteriors. Some people simply find landscaped lawns magical, especially the woman of the house. There is really something about a nicely-manicured lawn that is adorned with esthetically arranged plants, rocks and ornaments that makes people stop and stare.
4. Parking areas always matter
Parking is so hard to come by these days in a lot of places that having a house with parking space automatically makes it worth more.
5. Interiors are what make the house a home
When thinking of upgrading the interiors, the most sought-after rooms are usually the bathroom, kitchen and master bedroom. Start on these first. Think of a new bathtub, shower stalls, tiles and the like. Put up a full-length mirror. Paint the interiors as well as the exteriors. Try to have lots of space in your kitchen that can fit in a table, lots of storage space, counter top, double sink, garbage disposal system and the usual appliances. Good carpeting and tiles are a must, and it would be ideal if they were new. Carpets that are good to the touch make a good impression. The kitchen and bathroom should have quality tiles or tasteful vinyl rugs. A hardwood floor can add a lot of value to the dining area.
Kadence Buchanan writes articles on many topics including Home Improvement, Shopping, and Home
Author: Kadence Buchanan
Keywords: Home Improvements, Interiors, investment property, exteriors
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March 21st, 2009 at 01:03pm
Under Home-Improvement
The bathroom is an area of importance. It enables one to maintain personal hygiene and should be a private, personal space, designed for comfort and peaceful retreat. Bathrooms perform different functions, often depending on space or the lay out of a house. Regardless of type, it is an area that needs a great deal of careful planning and thought.
For large families, the installation of a new bathroom is worth considering. Not only can it put and end to morning queues, but should help reduce wear and tear on the existing bathroom. It can also increase the value of a house. For those blessed with enough space, ensuite bathing areas that incorporate shower cubicles, baths or full suites are a viable option. However, people with less room to work might want to consider the inclusion of a simple washbasin or shower in their bedroom or spare room.
The bath is the focal point of the room. For design purposes, its a good idea to integrate it into the overall design of the bathroom, whether with the flooring or wall decor. The shapes and sizes of baths vary so it shouldnt be difficult to find one that suits your bathroom best. For example, sunken baths can prove very attractive enhancements. They tend to blend in with a bathroom in terms of operation as well as appearance. However, they tend to require a little extra work to install and are more expensive than standard versions. If room is a problem, you might want to consider a corner bath. Useful at saving space, they could enable you to include other bathroom features such as a bidet or even an extra washbasin.
Choosing a bath not only effects the overall look and feel of a bathroom but can also save money. For example, acrylic versions tend to keep water heated longer than iron and metallic baths. Moreover, an efficiently designed bath may require less water to fill it than other types, thereby reducing the monthly water bill.
Bathroom fittings are often expensive and difficult to move around which means that alteration is problematic once installed. So careful, considered planning should prevent the need for revision once installation has taken place. The fittings and material used must of course be durable and waterproof. To protect the decor and prevent mould, the edges of baths and washbasins should be sealed - plastic sealant or sealant strips are easily available from leading bathroom retailers.
Like most rooms in the house, storage is a major issue. Sometimes bath products seem to colonise all corners of a bathroom. So adequate storage products are an important feature, integral to the successful operation of a busy bathroom Cabinets and cupboards can solve these space issues and are commonly available in fixed or free standing versions. Most good bathroom and furniture merchants stock them in large numbers.
Bathroom lighting should be thorough but not glaring. Many bathrooms have white fittings that can reflect bright light to an uncomfortable degree. Simple wall lights are an option that should provide sufficient illumination for performing every-day tasks, while complimenting the decor. It is very important that all types of lighting are approved for use in the bathroom and are carefully sealed. Switches should be placed outside, or a string pull installed to ensure safe operation.
Finally, if you plan on installing a tiled floor, the inclusion of bath mats is of great importance. With the amount of water that can be displaced in a bathroom area, mats can provide a non-slip surface that means added safety. They often come with adhesive strips that fix them to the floor and provide further stability.
John Shelabarger has worked in the affiliate industry for a number of years. He promotes a broad range of bathroom accessories including baths,through his site Ornate Homes.
Author: John Shelabarger
Keywords: Bathroom installation, bathroom accessories, baths, washbasins, shower attachments
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March 21st, 2009 at 01:03pm
Under Home-Improvement
Building a house with a swimming pool is no longer a luxury nowadays. With its feasible function as well as its financial advantage, swimming pools are now considered as hot portion of a house.
Experts say that the presence of swimming pools in /new?tag=day2soft-20′title= ‘: Newly tagged products at Amazon.com’>s create a higher market value, bringing /new?tag=day2soft-20′title= ‘: Newly tagged products at Amazon.com’>s at a greater perspective. No wonder why /new?tag=day2soft-20′title= ‘: Newly tagged products at Amazon.com’>s with swimming pools that are on resell have higher resale values compared to those that do not have pools.
For this reason, more and more people are now opting to build or refurbish swimming pools in their /new?tag=day2soft-20′title= ‘: Newly tagged products at Amazon.com’>s. In a survey, 8 out of 10 respondents have stated their desire to build or renovate swimming pools.
However, the process could be very tricky and the financing ability of the /new?tag=day2soft-20′title= ‘: Newly tagged products at Amazon.com’>owner is such a big issue. Building a swimming pool is not such an easy task and requires a lot of tools, materials, and labor force. Hence, there is usually a big amount of money involved.
If you cannot afford to pay the expenses in building or renovating a swimming pool, it is best that you get swimming pool loans.
Swimming pool loans fall under the category of /new?tag=day2soft-20′title= ‘: Newly tagged products at Amazon.com’> loans. These loans are usually used to add value to a certain house. Hence, the resale value becomes higher and more profitable for resell.
However, getting a swimming pool loan is not that easy. Loans are one of the most sensitive money matters and must be dealt with accordingly. Hence, it is important to know the basic rules and tips in getting swimming pool loans to avoid financial problems.
Here is what you need to do:
1. Do your /new?tag=day2soft-20′title= ‘: Newly tagged products at Amazon.com’>work
Remember that not all swimming pool loans are created equal. Most of all, loan quotes are not provided in the same context in all situations and in all companies. It is imperative that you personally get in touch with your contractor and ask them the possible quotes for the construction or renovation of swimming pools.
The point here is to get as many quotes as possible. This will make your budgeting easier to deal with. It gives you a generalized scenario of the market. In this way, you will be able to deal with the matters as professionally as possible.
Also, it is imperative that you know the lending institution that you will approach. Check on the background information of the company. How long have they been on the business? Are they worth your time and effort?
2. Look for lower interest rates
Most private lenders that can provide you swimming pool loans, their interest rates can be astronomical. When opting for lower interest rates, financial experts suggest that you compare the interest rate and swimming pool loan tenure offered by your lending company.
The concept is that if your loan is extended over a longer period in years, then your monthly amortization is lower, but the interest is higher.
3. Collateral matters
Most lending companies are particular with three main factors before they can grant you with loans such as swimming pool loans. Factors like the collateral, ability to pay, and the borrower’s character.
Among the different lending companies, banks are the ones that are very particular with character. Some may have the capacity to pay but many may not be of good character. Collateral is another issue. Not any lot will do. The location has to be considered.
4. Read the fine print
An important reminder of all: Read the fine print before signing. Things to look out for: high interest rates, pre-payment penalties, and balloon payments. These are all adding up to bury you further into debt.
5. Capacity to pay the loan
Experts suggest that you borrow money only if you have plans of selling the house together with the swimming pool of course in the future. This is because /new?tag=day2soft-20′title= ‘: Newly tagged products at Amazon.com’> s such as swimming pools add up to the resale value of the whole estate.
So before you get a swimming pool loan, make an assessment first. If your cash flow or even your future profit taken from the resale value of the house is higher than the interest rate, then go ahead and borrow.
So the point in swimming pool loans is to know exactly where you are heading. You do not just borrow because you need a swimming pool. You should also take into consideration its future stake.
6. If possible find a broker with experience in /new?tag=day2soft-20′title= ‘: Newly tagged products at Amazon.com’> loans and swimming pool financing. A bank equity loan is not the same as a this type of loan and will almost certainly cost you more.
Yvonne Garcia is the author of various websites including a Swimming Pool Builder Directory which she created while working for a pool company. Find her recommendation for swimming pool loans can found at the pool directory.
Author: Yvonne Garcia
Keywords: swimming pool loans
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March 21st, 2009 at 01:03pm
Under Home-Improvement
Restroom cleanliness is one of the most common complaints cleaning companies receive. When cleaning restrooms, keep in mind that they should not only look clean, but that they should feel and smell clean. An important part in maintaining a high level of cleanliness is making sure the floor grout is clean. Grout is porous, so over time, moisture, contaminants, and even dirty mop water can discolor it. These circumstances can lead to staining, odors, and aid in the growth of bacteria, mold, and mildew.
There are several reasons is it so difficult to clean floor grout:
* Using a cleaner that doesn’t float contaminates to the surface.
* Using a cleaner that contains detergents that settle into the grout with dirt and oils.
* Sealers may have been improperly used in the past. Instead of keeping out dirt and oils, these may now be trapped in the grout.
* Acidic or high pH cleaners make grout more porous and fragile with the result being the grout re-soils faster.
* Cleaners used in the past may have left residues that become dirt magnets.
Before starting to clean tile and grout it is important to analyze what dirt and contaminants you’re dealing with. Then based on that information, select a cleaner designed for cleaning that type of soil and is suitable for the flooring being cleaned.
Using the right cleaner and using it correctly are important steps to keeping grout clean. To avoid soap scum, daily cleaners must be salt free. When deep cleaning, the cleaner needs to be free of high levels of potassium and sodium salts. The cleaner you use must be able to float contamination up as well as transfer it to the mop so the grout comes clean. Carefully consider the pH of the product you are using. Acidic based cleaners (low pH) bleach rather than clean and basic cleaners (high pH) tend to be high in salts. Be cautious about the use of citrus products. Many of these products leave unwanted residues that make floors feel sticky. It is important to use the right chemical as bacteria can get trapped into grout and tile. It may be necessary to use a germicide cleaner, especially around toilets and urinals, to kill bacteria and remove any urine that has dried into the grout or tile.
Cleaning grout is often labor-intensive at times even requiring scrubbing by hand, which may not be practical in a large restroom. There are procedures you can follow to help keep grout clean. First, use a chemical proportioning system to dilute chemicals accurately. When you use too much chemical, sealants break down faster. Second, have adequate ventilation to help prevent the build up of odors and speed up drying. Frequent changing of mop water and mop heads helps to make sure that contaminants are picked up and not pushed back into the grout. Consider switching to microfiber mops as they have proven to be the most effective at removing contaminants from floor surfaces.
When cleaning, liberally apply chemicals and don’t allow the floor to dry before scrubbing. Always allow proper dwell time, which is typically between 5 and 10 minutes. The next step is to use the right tool to scrub the floor surface. To effectively clean the surfaces use floor brushes. After thoroughly scrubbing the floor, remove the excess liquid. A wet vacuum works well as it will pick up the excess water, dirt, residue and cleaning chemical used on the floor.
New and innovative equipment can also make cleaning grout faster. High-pressure water systems (up to 1200 psi) can effectively deep clean, loosen, and remove soil. Some systems also heat the water, which aids in the cleaning process. Grout cleaning systems also have auto-feed/auto-dump capabilities so you can use them continuously without stopping. The machines pick up loosened soil and leave no residue. Another option is using cylindrical brush technology. These machines do not use pads like rotary buffers, but instead use rotating brushes. These brushes penetrate and loosen the dirt in grout and tile.
To keep grout and tile looking their best it is important to train your staff and make sure they continue to follow the proper procedures when cleaning grout. Having written procedures and checklists can help to assure the proper cleaning techniques are always followed.
Lack of attention, carelessness, and the wrong types of cleaners used will lead to dirty grout and the entire floor looking dull and dingy. Paying attention and spending a little extra time when cleaning grout will keep not only the floor, but the entire restroom, looking and smelling clean.
Copyright (c) 2006 The Janitorial Store
Steve Hanson is co-founding member of The Janitorial Store (TM), an online community that offers weekly tips, articles, downloads, discussion forums, and more for anyone who would like to learn how to start a cleaning business. Visit The Janitorial Store’s blog and get inspired by reading cleaning success stories from owners of cleaning companies.
Author: Steve Hanson
Keywords: clean grout
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March 21st, 2009 at 01:03pm
Under Home-Improvement
Ceramic tile countertops can remain great looking, if you know a few simple tricks. When brand new, ceramic tile has got to be one of the most beautiful countertop choices you can make. The vast array of choices these days in style and patterns, make it easy to find an appropriate tile for any taste, in any situation. While the tile is great looking, it is also very durable, and almost indestructable. What is not quite so resiliant though, is the grout that fills the gaps between the tiles. It will, over time absorb moisture, and stain.
An Ounce of Prevention
One of the best ways of keeping the grout looking good and dry is to use a grout sealant. Any reputable installer, will be sure to apply a sealant to all the grout they use. If your doing the install job yourself, be sure to use a sealant. This can prevent a lot of problems and save time later. Most home centers will carry several types, but silicon based sealant is the best. If your really the fussy type, apply two coats of sealant. Three coats however would probably just be silly.
Out Damn Stain!
Fear not, if you have have grout that is stained, there are some simple solutions. Make a mixture of equal parts water and vinegar, and grab a toobrush. Preferably not one you have used in the past, or plan on using in the future. While tedious, especially if you have a lot of grout to clean, this should work well for cleaning most basic stains. If the stains are still there, try using hydrogen peroxide instead of the vinegar and repeat the process. If cleaning dosen’t seem to work, you can buy grout stain from your local home center.
The Last Resort
If nothing above seems to work, you can always just replace the existing grout with new stuff. Removing the old grout can be accomplished with either a high tech dremel tool, or a low tech can opener. Either way, just be careful not to damage the existing tile. Then, replace with new grout, as per the manufacturers instructions.
Broken But Still Good
The only other big problem with ceramic tile counter tops, is if the tiles themselves become cracked or broken. Hopefully you or your installer were smart enough to keep a few extra replacement tiles lying around. Then it’s just a simple case of replacing the tile. If not, then perhaps the home center still carries your specific tile, or maybe they have some with the odds and ends of prior jobs.
Read more great information on your kitchen design and kitchen cabinets, visit http://foolishmumbles.com/2006/09/29/ceramic-tile-countertops-beautiful-and-fussy/
Author: Chris Campbell
Keywords: ceramic tile countertops, countertops, kitchen countertops
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March 21st, 2009 at 01:03pm
Under Home-Improvement
Laminate kitchen countertops should last a lifetime, if you know a few tricks for maintaining and repairing them. Laminate comes in an seemingly infinite number of styles and patterns these days. It also requires practically no maintenance to keep it looking good. But like all indestructible things these days, there comes a time when the inevitable happens, and things need a little TLC.
Wax On Wax Off
One of the great things about having such a variety of patterns that laminates comes in these days is how well they hide the dirt. Assuming you want the dirt hidden. Every once in a while, giving your countertops a little extra cleaning with a soap and a brush will remove a surprising amount of hidden dirt. This is a good exercise for both your countertops and the people who use them. Now here’s something you probably never thought of doing for your countertops now that they’re squeaky clean. Try a little car wax. Yep you heard me. Car wax. The same way your car enjoys the protection of a little wax coating, so will your countertops. Not to mention a nice shiny finish. If your a little unsure of the benefits, try waxing a small section that is the least visible of all your countertops. That way you can see if you like the look after all that effort.
Bubble Bubble Boil and Iron
Every notice little bumps forming in your laminate countertops. If your like me, you probably figured the only way to fix something like that was to replace the whole countertop. Well, there is a way to fix those bumps, and it’s much cheaper then replacing the entire thing. Simply place a damp towel or cloth over the offending bumps. Next heat up a clothes iron, and place it on the cloth for ten seconds or so. This kind of softens up the glue under the laminate that is causing the bump. Next you need to place something heavy on the laminate section for at least twelve hours. You could try getting one of your kids to sit on it. A medium sized eight or nine year old should do the trick. Of course if you don’t have one of those available, then a few really heavy books should do the trick.
Just A Flesh Wound
So someone (usually named I-don’t-know) in my house has just taken a chip out of your beautiful laminate in the most visible spot of the entire countertop. Apart from the obvious aesthetic damage, this chip now has the potential to allow water in to damage the supporting wood base underneath. Forunately most home centers carry a chip filler that comes with an assortment of colors that should match your countertop. While not totally naked to the eye, it should be less noticeable, and will definitely prevent water from doing any damage.
Read more great information on your kitchen design and kitchen cabinets, visit http://foolishmumbles.com/2006/09/29/kitchen-countertops-can-last-a-lifetime/
Author: Chris Campbell
Keywords: kitchen remodeling, kitchen countertops, countertops
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March 21st, 2009 at 01:03pm
Under Home-Improvement
So your kitchen cabinets are the most dreadful sight in the entire neighborhood. Your even embarrassed to have the neighbor kids over, let alone their parents. It’s big bucks to have them replaced with new, and that vile cleaning job you tried on them just didn’t do the trick. While there’s one other thing you can try before breaking the bank to buy new ones. A new coat of good quality paint or varnish may just do the trick. Even replacing the hardware with something more to your liking can make an amazing improvement. That’s what we did a few years ago, and it extended the life of our cabinets another four or five years. While we eventually did end up replacing all the cabinets, we were able to put it off until our bank account was a little more up to the challenge. Now, here’s a few things to keep in mind if you decide to tackle a kitchen cabinet paint job.
First thing, you will need to do is to remove all the cabinet doors and hardware. You’ll obviously want to do this, if your replacing all the hardware, but even if your not it’s a good idea to get a more professional paint job. Depending on the size of your kitchen you may need to use another room in the house to put all the doors. Preferably some place you can work in, so everything (cabinets and doors) can be painted in one go. Be sure to have plenty of drop cloths handy. Wipe down any surface to be painted with TSP. Be sure to follow the manufacturers instructions as this stuff can be somewhat caustic. Some people prefer to do a light sanding of all painted surfaces at this point. Depending on the condition of your cabinets this may or not be necessary. If they are a little beaten up, then this may even out the surfaces a bit before painting. In our case no sanding was required, and everything looked just fine in the end.
The paint we used was a white melamine paint. It’s designed specifically for this type of job. Just talk to your local paint supplier, and they can point you in the right direction. If your actually varnishing the cabinets, then using a high quality, oil based polyurethane would be a good choice. Again, talk the people at your local paint store, tell them what your doing, and they can make some suggestions. Even bringing in one of the smaller cabinet doors may give the sales person a better idea of what your up to. Once everything not being painted is covered or taped, it’s time to start painting. Always use the best quality brush or roller you can afford. It’s still cheaper than hiring a professional, and the finished job will look just as good.
Once everything is painted or varnished, and had time to dry, it’s time to put everything back together. Now all that’s left to do, is sit back and enjoy the view of your new kitchen cabinets. It’ll give you something to do while your waiting for your bank account to build up for that big kitchenremodeling job a few years from now.
Read more great information on your kitchen design and kitchen cabinets, visit http://foolishmumbles.com/2006/09/29/kitchen-cabinet-paint-job/
Author: Chris Campbell
Keywords: kitchen cabinet, kitchen, kitchenware, kitchen remodelling
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