How to Remove Cat Urine

There are a number of reasons that cats, who are fastidious creatures, may choose to urinate outside their litterbox. The primary causes are a box that is dirty, and hasn't been kept scooped or cleaned, and urinary tract infection. If your cat's litterbox is pristine, then you may want to take them to the vet for a urinalysis, and then a discussion of possible behavioral causes.

But when a cat urinates indoors, particularly if they have done it more than once in the same spot, the smell can be pretty pervasive. The worst is from unaltered tom cats, whose hormones are announcing that he's ready for romance. Neutering will not only cure the odor, but the behavior as well. However, you'll still need to find a cure for the smells and/ or stains.

If you can smell it, but not locate the stains, get a blacklight at the hardware store. These are the "special effect" lights used for Halloween and stage productions. When turned on in total darkness, they have a purple glow, and make certain things like white articles, fluoresce and glow in the dark. It will also make urine glow. Put the bulb in an automobile "trouble lamp" receptacle and make a hood to go over the usual metal cage. This will help direct the light, making it more intensive and the stains easier to find.


Urine stains that have dried, can be treated the same way as fresh spots, with the exception that they should be sprayed with warm water first, to soften the fibers and allow for easier removal of the odor and urine.

Take several folded paper towels and place them over the urine spot. Step on it with your shoe and press down. Do not "work" it in, just lend your weight to blotting. Take away the wet towel and put down dry ones. Repeat until no more liquid comes up.

Apply a stain and odor remover that has an enzyme base. Remember that cat urine is a biological product, and chemical based solutions are not usually the answer, because odor can remain afterwards, which will attract the cat back to the same spot. Use the remover as directed on the container. When done, shampoo that section of carpet, and dry. Ideally, a steam clean is best, in order to bring out any remover and urine that is deep into the nap or pile.

by Brenda H. Murphy

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Bathroom Floor Plan Remodel - Help Is At Hand

A bathroom floor Plan remodel project can be a daunting task --not generally a task for the do-it-yourselfer. There are some amenities that you see in the bathrooms for multi-million dollar homes that can be incorporated into your master bath for between $400 and $8,000. One of the easiest jobs to tackle is the lighting. The recessed bathroom lighting is so popular with contractors will cause shadows over your bathroom vanity unless you have some additional light source.

Remodel a bathroom floor plan by having a floor heating system installed under your bathroom floor. Imagine stepping out of the shower onto a warm custom heated floor. The floor heating will help to warm up the bath with floor to ceiling warmth. Another inexpensive element that can be included when you remodel your bathroom is an chromo- therapy system. Streams of color can be shown through either standing or running water. This helps to relax you. You can buy bath, shower, and sink systems with chromo-therapy options.

Multiple shower heads with differing sprays and jets to massage and relax you can bre installed in your bathroom. The cost of this shower systems can run between $3,200 and $5,500 depending on the kinds and number of heads you choose.

Another interesting bathroom option when you are remodeling your master bath is a stream shower. This system provides a mist of steam that makes your skin feel refreshed and rejuvenated. Most of these projects require someone very knowledgeable in plumbing and laying of pipe. Before you remodel your bathroom, check to see if your local building codes allow you to make these changes.

by Martin Smith

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Home Floor Plan Designing for your future Home

Designing Your Own Dream Home for the New Home Builder: What is your dream home? Do you have an idea of what it will look like? Defining a dream home is very difficult, especially if you have a spouse or significant other that has tastes different than your own. Although you might be able to agree on a floor plan, do you both agree on what the purposes for each of the rooms? My solution to this matter is simple. Brain storm together. Make it fun! After all it's your dream that you are talking about. Privately each of you collect floor plan ideas from other sources, and prioritize what you like.
List the top 10 bedroom floor plans, bathroom floor plans, kitchen floor plans and of course the floor plan layout styles. You can do this by researching these topics: Log Home Floor Plans, Model Home Floor Plans (which, by the way, utilize small spaces very efficiently), Kitchen Floor Plans, Apartment Floor Plans (another very good space effective plan), and various architectural floor plans. Collect your "top ten" sources from each of these plans and then select your top ten out of those. You will have a very comprehensible top ten list to discuss with your spouse or significant other. Keep in mind that you can make any room the size you desire from these plans, but it's the concept and ideas of the plans that you should be collecting.


You both then get together with your top ten lists and discuss why you really like the plans you choose. Make it fun! Make it a party if you want with friends and family, but you need to remember to be open minded and listen to the each other since you both have your own pro's and con's with each of the plans. Surprising enough, eventually you will agree on a top ten between you. In fact you probably will have extremely similar plans picked out! I did this with my wife and found that in a few hours we agreed completely on our dream home! This was the hardest part! (This method also works in determining baby names and other life critical significant other issues.)

Factors to Consider: Probably the hardest factor to consider is financing availability and budget. You need to review your own current budget and evaluate how the new budget will affect your current life style. If you check your credit report and it is not what was anticipated, you might have to adjust your budget or take the necessary steps to clean it up. Since I am not a financial specialist, I would ask you to consult with the credit personnel at your local bank. Once your credit is cleaned up as much as possible, apply for a loan. Apply for the maximum amount you can get. Find out what the monthly payments would be and see if that works in your budget. Make sure your monthly payments do not affect your ability to landscape and buy some interior design items and new furniture. A common mistake most people make is that they put everything in their home but leave out the funds and budget for interior design and landscaping. Always have available financing reserved for future emergencies. Do not put everything in your home and become house poor.

Location of your new dream home is also a factor. Does the neighborhood have houses similar to your style? Is there a variety of home styles? Do research on what type of neighborhood it is. Are there neighborhood, city or county ordinances that might affect your lifestyle? Make a list of all the pro's and con's of each of your choices of sites, narrow it down to your top 3 to 5 and seriously think about all the factors that might influence your decision. You don't always want the perfect size or shaped lot if there are ordinances that will effect how you use it. Be careful.

Make sure you have no surprises. Ask your real estate agent for a list of permits necessary to build your dream home on the lot you chose. If they will not provide this, then go to your city and county and get the list. Make sure your construction contactor provides all of these permits in their contract with you.

Local codes can also surprise a lot of dream home builders. Ask the architect that does the signed blue print on your floor plans to research local codes that may or may not affect your floor plan and dream home design. Homework pays. You can save yourself a lot of money and time if you do your homework up front.

by Robert Kempe

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DIY - Upgrade Your Old Deck

Is your deck looking like it is past its prime? Does it even have the odd softer spot here and there? Is it faded and looks more the color of gray concrete than of red cedar? If you have already priced out the cost of a replacement and decided that you haven't got a spare $8,000 at the moment - think whether or not you have a spare weekend or two. If you 'con' the family or friends to join in and help, it may even be a fun and memorable weekend.

The number of tools you will need is minimal and they can be rented. Apart from the usual household tools, you will need a small saw to remove and replace the small damaged sections of deck boards (and some two-by-fours for replacement boards if you need them), an electric sprayer to apply the cleaners, etc, a (long handled) painting pad and a stiff deck broom to use as a scrubbing brush. Some people recommend a power washer, but if you do use one, be careful with the pressure. Some of the pressure washers are so fierce that they can actually force dents into your woodwork!

A normal household water pressure when applied through a garden hose is around 60 to 80 pounds per square inch pressure, and you can buy pressure washers that can multiply this by about 15 times and zoom it up to 1,000 pounds per square inch. Ouch!

If you use a fierce power washer you will have to keep the wand a good eighteen inches away from the deck surface and also do not let it remain stationary on any one area, i.e., keep it moving. However, before you get to that part, check your deck for loose nails, twisted boards, softer areas that must be cut out and replaced, etc.

If you have nails popping up, you can hammer them below the surface using a drift punch, or lever them out and replace with screws or a slightly larger nail. If some of your planks are twisted, they will need to be screwed down while someone stands on them! If this is not working, the boards will have to be replaced.

Once you have your deck ready to work on, the first thing to do is to apply 'deck wash'. Wet your deck down and apply the wash directly onto the deck; spray on only the amount that you can scrub in in about a ten minute period. Use your broom to scrub in the wash and also to distribute it evenly.

After leaving the wash for about fifteen minutes, you can hose or power wash it off. You will be amazed at the difference that just a wash can make to your deck. If some spots still remain dull or dark, they may be helped by the wood brightener.

The procedure for the brightener is similar. Wet the deck down, spray on the brightener BUT this time wait a few minutes, scrub it into the surface and after about ten minutes you can rinse it off. Work on a strip about ten boards wide.

Once this is done you must wait a few days to let it thoroughly dry out. If it has not rained for a couple of days, then you can seal it on the second weekend.

After all the hard work, you can now apply the part that really makes a difference: the sealer/stain which will waterproof your deck. Whichever finish you choose, remember to paint the railings first; use a three inch brush for this and work down from the top, to catch the drips!

If you've had to add many new pieces of wood in your deck, and you wish to keep it looking uniform, then you may wish to paint it. Use proper deck paint and get the best one that you can afford. Some manufacturers recommend two coats of primer and one of top coat, whereas others recommend two of top coat and one of primer! A quick drying self priming alkyd paint is ideal if you want less work.

If you are going to stain it, notice that there is a heavy stain and a light stain. This refers to the way that it looks on your wood, not to the durability. A heavy bodied stain will show up the grain but not the texture, whereas lighter bodied will still show the texture as well as the grain. If you feel that your wood is somewhat 'weathered' and overly textured, you may wish to choose the heavier stain to smooth it out a little. If your stain is not a stain/sealer, you can coat the stain with a sealer once it is dry; use one that says it is 'non chalking' to avoid your finish being rubbed off with wear.

Apply the deck stain with a painting pad (like a long broom handle with a flat board on the end of it.) A painting pad has a slightly rough finish so that it will rub the liquid into the surface of the wood. Apply your sealing coat along the grain of the wood.

Wait 24 hours, pull out your sun chairs, stretch out and congratulate yourself; you have just saved thousands of dollars!

By: Justin Havre

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Natural Cleaning Products - The Truth Is Out There

Your home is a wonderful investment and it should be taken care of properly to enhance the long term value. I know in my household each and every person has a set chore that has to be completed to help everyones job get done faster. Since there are so many different tasks you need to do to you should always have your cleaning products ready when ever you need them. Finding the right cleaning products for each different task is a mission all in itself.

How many of you have a weekly cleaning ritual where you may clean your house every saturday or any day that you have off during the week? Then there are people who just clean up their living areas only when they are expecting visitors? It doesn't matter whether you clean your house every day or once a month, in order to keep it clean you need to have sufficient cleaning products that are designed to be strong enough to get the job done for you. You may also want to check out an all purpose cleaner that is specially formulated to clean up all areas in your home that will save you some money. Some of these multi purpose cleaners should be used with caution so you do not damage some types of materials such as marble and leather.

Many acids in some of these cleaning products are not designed to clean some surfaces and could be too strong and cause damage to them. One way to find out is to read the labels and see what the products main function is and what it can be used for. Spending a little bit of time to research the product can save you more time in the future dealing with repairing these materials if they get damage b. If you are not sure of a product there are always more ways to get your home cleaned using natural cleaning products.

If you look online you can see that going green is the #1 topic of discussion for many business and home owners. Most products that were created as to remove rust from metals had a significant amount of acids in them in order to work properly. Now there is a fuel tank rust remover which is created with an all natural organic formula that has no trace of acid in it. One of the main reasons why people are jumping on the going green band wagon and getting these organic cleaning products is the true fact that these products are 10 times more powerful than some acidic brands and the price is a heck of a lot more reasonable as well. Another reason is people are becoming more caring of mother earth and want their children to enjoy the resources that the earth provides us.

One advantage that these natural cleaning products have is that you can get a wide variety of fragrances with them. Some scents smell so good that some people use them not only to clean but as an air refreshener as well. Many of these cleaning products are great for removing pet odor and more importantly black mold.

As you may know, the black mold can threaten the health of all your family members if you do not get rid of this mold with a natural mold cleaner. If you search you will find that there are some natural mold removal products that actually remove the mold but place a coating around the effected ar. Most people in the past would just use bleach and the mold would be back within days and they would have to repeat the mold removal process.

The advantages of these natural pet cleaning products are a blessing in disguise. Another reason why more home owners are going green with these cleaning products is because they are finding that they can use these products to clean. some people need a little more influence to make them go green but the time will come when they use these natural cleaning products once and then they?

By: Drago Marx

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Using Room Color To Sell Your Home

As soon as they walk in the door, potential buyers are going to be subtly influenced by the colors of the rooms. These influences can be positive or they can be negative, and they're more important than you might think. Some people even claim that complex colors attract wealthy and educated people, while simple colors attract people of less education and income. I don't know about that last part, but I do know that giving some thought to your decorating scheme will make your home more attractive to home buyers. You want people to imagine themselves living in your place when they walk through that door. You can do this by co-ordinating your color scheme to guide them to your home's best selling points.

Exterior: Take note of your exterior color. If you can match the color and repeat it throughout the house, it creates an atmosphere of harmony. (It helps if the exterior is an attractive color!)

Kitchen and Dining Room:

Think food. Eating areas feel most natural when painted with "food" colors. Think the brown of coffee, the yellow of egg yolks and the greens of vegetables. Try darker shades, as we associate rich colors with healthful foods. There are many colors that food has lent their names to, like plum, lime green, orange, banana yellow, grapefruit pink, cherry red, blueberries that can help you choose a color scheme.

Living Room:

It really depends on the size of the room and where you want to guide the buyer's eyes. A lighter color (perhaps a lighter version of the exterior color) helps make a smaller living room more spacious. A darker color can make it seem smaller or deemphasize awkward angles. A warmer hue can make a living room seem more cozy and inviting.

Bathrooms:

White is always a popular choice, but since it is most likely already present in the fixtures, too much of it can create a sterile atmosphere. A light shade of blue or green is good here, as it adds color while still imparting an image of cleanliness.

Bedrooms: Rich, muted blues, greens and some reds can make a bedroom seem intimate and relaxing. However, for selling, neutral colors are excellent choices. They are soothing and understated, which helps potential buyers easily see how the room could suit their tastes.

It has been noted that warm colors help sell houses in cooler climates, and vice versa. This may help you if you are having difficulty choosing between colors.

Colors can help bring the house together and de-emphasize aspects of the house that could be off-putting to a potential buyer. However, the effective application of color is up to the seller, to figure out the best color to show off their house's interior.

By: Quinn Kiet

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Black Mold - A Nightmare That Can't Be Avoided

molds getting inside of you.. Yup!! it's common nowadays since we are very much exposed to it each and everyday, we just dont see its effects.. Not satisfied? read more..
Molds are created from exposure to damp and moldy environments and may cause a variety of health effects. Immune-compromised people are much affected by inhaling molds to their lungs, making it fatal for them. Affected area is mainly the respiratory system, the nose, mouth and lung areas, which we know are very important for breathing.

Reactions to mold sensitivity can be sudden or delayed, it may take action asap but most of the time delayed. Single or frequent mold exposure causes non-sensitive individuals becoming to be sensitive to mold and frequent exposure thus increase sensitivity. See my point?

What if you belonged to the immune-suppressed people and not the ones leading a healthy life? The ones having chronic and long term diseases mainly lung diseases, what will happen to them if exposed? Keeping the are clean and dry should be the most important action since that molds grow in surfaces that are damp.

Molds can be found almost anywhere, they grow on surfaces, as long as moisture and oxygen are present.They are airborne and can be inhaled and be in our lungs that easy. When in buildings there's moisture untreated, growth of molds or molds spores spur fast over time. These untreated molds and moldspores and fragments, damages the building big time, it rots woods, damage drywall and the like.

Furniture stains are caused by molds, they cause cosmetic damage. The growing of molds inside th homes has raised health concerns, so ensuring that your house is a mold-free environment is essential. Molds are likely to be present in the home, its impossible to always keep it out, but you can control its growth by controlling the moisture indoors.

Mold removers are sold in the market at various prices, and vary from the chemicals and compunds they're made of. better also check ingredients of the product you're using, it may again affect your health if there's too much chemical in it..

Products that are organic are safe, safe to the health and effective.i just thought you ought to know, its health-friendly and as i would always say better safe than sorry..

Organic Mold Removers are suggested to be the ones used when treating molds, they're safe, no acid contents, no chemicals.. plain organic.. Wish you luck!

By: Drago Marx

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Why Roof Replacement Is Better Option than Repairs

Roof is the most important part of the building. A proper quality made roof is always a desired thing for the building owner. But still some roofs have time limit and after that they need some repairs and maintenance. The time to time maintenance of the roof can avoid the major loss of the other things. And, there is also a time comes when the roof need replacement. Replacement of roof is quite an easy task than repairing the damages.

The roof contractors usually prefer to take the contracts of roof replacement and not the roof repairs. Repairing takes comparatively much time for detecting the damages and repairing the same. Additionally, the home owners also do not understand the situation and ask the contractor to do the task in few minutes; which makes the roofer to rush the work without giving the proper diagnosis to the roof. It is always recommended to the house makers to give the sufficient time to the contractors to do the task with quality. And, also choose the contractor which is known for the quality work in the field.

The quality roof contractors performs their work with expertise and professionally. They accumulate a team of experienced professionals who are well known for their work in the area. The roof contractors also provide the suggestions of maintaining the roof in better condition. The team will diagnose the condition of the roof and will let you know how long it will last and when it will need replacement? The roof replacement is the better option if the condition of the roof is bad. Even after a regular work of repairing the roof is still generating some or the other problems from time to time. So, you are spending a huge amount in repairing the roof. In that condition, it is better to opt for roof replacement.

The decision of roof replacement is a deliberate one; certain measures need to be considered while deciding on factors and components of the roof. The material used in construction, the method of installing and choosing the roof contractor are needed to be decided after sufficient research. There are some more points also that can influence the decision making of roof replacement, such as budget, weather condition and the other alternate option of living during the work in progress etc. Therefore, it is recommended to take the advice a professional roofer and make a proper careful contract.

A roof is the most important part of the house. Maintaining the roof in good condition becomes the first requirement of having a building in better state. Give proper maintenance and repairs from time to time to preserve the roof.

By: smith john

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Selling? Make The Right First Impression!

If you are getting ready to sell, be prepared to make your home stand out in this market. If you look at real estate listings, it seems that almost everything's for sale. That's an exaggeration, but there are certainly a lot of homes and condos on the market. Also, because a lot of them are foreclosures, they're priced quite low. So what's an honest seller to do to make their home stand out, and be worth its asking price, in a glutted market? The answer lies in curb appeal, and beyond.

Curb appeal refers to making your home look good at first sight. Usually this involves getting your pruning and landscaping up to date. It could mean power washing driveways or front walks. It may even mean you need to wash or paint your home. But while this seems like a bit of effort, trust me, it makes a difference. Research shows that a buyer makes a decision about whether or not they could live in a home within the first few seconds of seeing the outside. Of course, if they like it that's no guarantee that a sale will go through. There are still an awful lot of factors, and places on the inside that might make them change their minds. But if the outside doesn't appeal to them, they won't have open eyes for the rest of the home.

Speaking of the rest of the home, there are a few key areas that will make or break how your home appears to buyers. Kitchens and bathrooms are of big importance to buyers, as is closet space and bedroom size. Let's tackle each of these one at a time.

Kitchens: these need to be cleaned to a level most people don't normally do every week. Search everywhere for dust. Make appliances shine. Clear out cupboards and clean them thoroughly. Get rid of any old food containers to help create a feeling of spaciousness in your cupboards. If you have extra appliances you barely use sitting on your counters, put them away or get rid of them. You want to enhance how much space their is, not cramp it with all your stuff.

In the bathrooms, be sure there's no mildew anywhere. Clear and clean medicine cabinets and closets. Make sure the toilet works perfectly, and cabinets close properly. Get them fixed if they need it. Nobody wants to buy a house that needs immediate repairs. During showings, hang out your best towels, clean and neatly folded. Have personal items put away out of sight.

In bedrooms, get everything off the floor that doesn't have to be there. This is a great opportunity to get rid of all the clothes you have but will never wear again. If you have kids, there are probably a lot of toys that can be donated to charity. This alone should create more space in the rooms. Remember to have beds made and everything dusted and tidy for showings.

Whatever you do, don't stuff everything you are clearing out of the other rooms into the closets. As I stated, these are also important to buyers. Donate your extras to charity, or, if you must keep them, find somewhere else to store them until your home sells. Organize all your closets so that, even if they are full, they look orderly.

These tips could be the difference between your home idling on the market for months, or selling promptly. Don't underestimate the power of the first impression!

By: Carolyn Capalbo

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Remedies for a Wet Basement

A wet basement can be just a nuisance or even real nightmare. Each year, thousands of homeowners are faced with the unpleasant side effects of seasonal rainfall. Problems they can face range from just dampness to even flooding. Chronic basement leakage is a serious problem that can destroy personal property, furnishings, appliances, and sometimes even cause permanent structural damage to a homes foundation. Excessive moisture is a huge attraction to wood-eating insects, wood rot and decay.
Despite the pervasiveness of the problem, few homeowners are aware of the causes of water leakage.

Common Causes

One common cause of basement leakage is improper surface drainage, such as a yard sloped toward the home. In many cases, the problem can be greatly alleviated by re-grading the yard to slope away from the homes foundation or diverting surface water around the house.

Other common culprits include poorly positioned rain gutter downspouts, missing, leaking or clogged rain gutters. A downspout that is improperly positioned to drain against the side of the house, allows water to build up along the foundation wall, until the backed-up “reservoir” finds a weak spot in the foundation wall.

The most difficult cause of basement leakage is a high water table. A high water table problem occurs when the home is built too deeply in the ground, into the level where water remains constant throughout the year. A high water table problem can also be caused by under ground springs or sustained periods of rainfall that cause the water table to rise during the wet seasons.


Is it Leakage or Condensation?

You should try to determine if your problem is actually water “leaking” in or if it’s just condensation forming on the cool surfaces. Condensation occurs when warm, humid air comes into contact with cooler basement walls, floors, water pipes etc.

As an example, just take a cold bottle of soda out of your refrigerator and set it on the counter. After several minutes, you’ll notice steam forming on the outside of the bottle. After many minutes pass, you will see a small puddle of water forming at the base of the bottle, as the beads of moisture start dripping down. This is a classic example of condensation, not “leakage”. If your basement is actually leaking, the water should not just “appear”. You should be able to see where it’s coming in as it leaks, in the form of a puddle or stream or water.

Helpful Tips

Your rain gutters should be cleaned of leaves and debris at least once per year.
Downspouts should direct water runoff from the roof to a discharge point at least several feet away from the homes foundation. Use a splash block at the end of your downspout to avoid soil erosion. Never bury your downspout lines unless you can empty them out to daylight.

Buy a good dehumidifier to lower the natural humidity level in your basement. Make sure your dehumidifier is the proper size for your basement. Ask for a drain hose attachment so you don’t have to empty the water collected every day. Get a unit with a built-in de-icer. Dehumidifiers are actually refrigeration coils and can freeze up and stop working.
Keep the doors and windows to your basement closed, year round. Opened doors and windows allow extra humidity to enter your basement, causing condensation. Your dehumidifier will also run less.

Waterproofing Paints and Sealers There are several good waterproofing paints and sealers on the market today. Waterproof paints and sealers can work well for minor dampness on walls and floors. Pay special attention to the preparation instructions from the products manufacturer. Be aware though, interior waterproof paints and sealers don’t do anything to alleviate the “source” of the problem.

Time For a Professional?

A professional basement waterproofing contractor can offer you a variety of solutions, depending on the source of your problem. Methods can include outside excavation, installation of drain tile, parging your walls, interior drainage systems or epoxy cove systems

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Ladder Safety Tips

One of the many tools that home owners use regularly is a ladder. Whether you need to change the porch light bulb, clean the gutters or put something in the top of the closet. You may need a ladder to get the job done!

While ladders seem harmless enough and they are useful tools, accidents can still happen if you don’t follow some simple safety tips. You may be shocked to hear that each year; more than 400,000 people are injured from a ladder accident and end up in the emergency room or doctor’s office. Some injuries are as minor as cuts and scrapes while other injuries have resulted in broken bones or worse.

Below we are going to share some safety tips with you to ensure that you are properly using your ladder to get your chores done!

1. Before using the ladder, inspect it and make sure all the screws and side rails are in place. Stepping on to a ladder that isn’t secure, can result in you taking a fall which is exactly what we want to avoid!

2. Check the bottom of the ladder to make sure there isn’t any dirt, paint or liquid that has accumulated and will result in the ladder not being sturdy. For your safety, try to use ladders with non skid spurs – this helps the ladder to stay in place and prevent you from sliding.

3. Make sure to properly set up your ladder before climbing on. The ladder should be on a firm, level surface – never place a ladder on a surface that is uneven. Once you are certain the ladder is secure and level then make sure to lock the side rails to better secure the ladder.


4. Always position your ladder as close to the work area as you can. Do not overreach or stretch to the side, this could result in a fall if you lose your balance. It might take a little longer to finish your task if you keep getting off the ladder to reposition it but its best for your safety.

5. Never move the ladder with anything on top such as a hammer, paint can or the like. It won’t feel too good to have a can of paint end up hitting you in the head – any objects for that matter!

6. Don’t be lazy and pull out the step ladder if you will need the bigger ladder! Stretching and overreaching is one of the most common ways that people get hurt when using a ladder. With a bigger ladder you also have more bracing and you can lean up against it while working.

7. Most importantly always climb and descend the ladder facing it and holding on with both hands whenever possible. Also be sure to take one step at a time, if you miss a step that can end up with you falling from the ladder.

By following these few safety tips you will be able to avoid any unnecessary accidents or trips the emergency room. I know these tips sound like common sense but I see people make these simple mistakes daily for lack of thinking while working on something and trying to hurriedly finish.

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6 Factors that affect a bedroom design project.

If you are planning to design and decorate your own bedroom,
then you must know that there are many factors that can affect
the outcome of your creative exercise.

Let's have a look at some of the possible factors.

1)Furniture: Furniture occupies maximum space in a room.
The size and style of the furniture you choose will directly
affect the way the space is perceived after the decoration
is complete.

Furniture pieces, which are abutting the walls such as
dressing tables, wardrobes, cabinets, form the face of the
walls which were previously blank in an empty room. Because
of this the face of the furniture is a major factor is
creating the mood of an space.

2)Interior Color Scheme: Color has a direct effect on human
mind. Color can make the room smaller or bigger than it
is. For example dark rooms are perceived smaller in volume
than those with bright and cheerful colors.

It's not the room which changes, it's the effect of the
color which our mind picks up.

3)Wallpapers: Wallpaper is a good alternative to using paints
on walls. The greatest advantage of using wallpapers is that
they can be applied quickly.


Using wallpapers with design patterns can quickly alter a
space and give a "rich" look to a space. Wallpapers are
available in washable types as well.

The only problem with wallpapers is that they can get torn
because of sharp edges of furniture items. If you have
children in your family then maintaining a them can be a
little nuisance.

4)Upholstery and Linen: This includes bed sheets, cushion covers,
curtains, carpets, etc.. All these are dependent on something
else. What does this mean?

Curtains are always in association with doors, windows or
other openings in walls. So the texture/color/finish of curtains
define a frame to the openings thus affecting the interior space.

Other upholstery items are dependant on shape and size of the
furniture on which they are used. That's why a clever use
of color/texture/finishes can greatly enhance the furniture
piece thus altering the overall grade of the space.

5)Lighting: A well planned electrical and lighting plan
can greatly enhance the interior space. Depending upon the
internal arrangement of the furniture lighting can be used
to enhance certain areas of the space.

Spotlights and filler lights can be used as and where
required. Filler lights are used to achieve a uniform lighting,
which is normally available during daytime from sunlight.

Spotlights used in the form of lampshades can be used to cater
a specific area such as study tables, bedsides. Apart
from these two types decorative lamps used as hangings can
add extra mood to the space.

6)Project Budget: Budget is a very important factor in any
project. Professional designers are very skilled in maintaining
a balance between creative designs and economical design.

A design which is economical yet projects a highly creative
mood is very hard to achieve. However a good market research
can easily make you a good and sensitive designer. Keeping
in mind the various materials available in market and proposing
them in designs is a good practice.

I would like to make one important point here. A design with
expensive an expensive budget is not necessarily a good design.
A simple and aesthetically pleasing design solution can easily
be achieved with creative thinking of what you already have
with you.

From the above discussion you can fairly assume that a slight
change in any one of the above factors can alter the appearance
your bedroom. If you are planning to refurnish your bedroom,
you can use this as a dummy checklist to organize the entire
process.

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Carpet Cleaning Tips And Secrets

You can use all the carpet cleaning tips in the world, and guess what? You still probably can't get your carpet as clean on your own as a professional carpet cleaner can. On the other hand, who needs perfection? The tips here will help you get that carpet clean enough.

Heat helps! Above 118 degrees fahrenheit, every 18 degrees higher changes chemical reactivity by 100%. Hot water extraction cleaning is done between 150 and 200 degrees. Is that too technical? The point is not only that hot water extraction, or "steam cleaning" is far superior to "dry cleaning," but that if you do it yourself, use heat!

Actually, there are three inter-related factors at work when you clean carpet. Heat, Dwell Time, and Agitation. To some extent, if you can't maximise one of them, you can make up for it with the others. In other words, if you can't get the cleaning solution hot enough, let it "dwell" a bit longer in the carpet, and scrub harder.

Secret Carpet Cleaning Tips

Detergent attracts dirt. This is why it's important to rinse out any cleaning solution thoroughly. This is another reason why hot water extraction gets carpet cleaner than the "dry" methods. The bottom line is that you need to rinse well when you clean carpet.



One way to clean stains is with the use of a shop-vac. No, you can't just suck out the stain, but you can repeatedly wash and rinse the area, and suck out the solution each time. This is a more effective method than blotting up the water with cloth, mostly because you won't have the patience to wash, rinse and extract enough times using paper towels or cloth.

Another little secret of the carpet cleaners is putting rugs outside and inside the front door. They can catch much of the dirt that people bring in on their feet. This isn't just about less vaccuuming, though. Dirt is like thousands of little blades that cut carpet fibers. The damaged carpet stains more easily then, and it's harder to remove the stains. An even better practice is to take off your shoes in the house.

Ready to clean? Vaccuum first. Then, if you use one of those portable machines, at least get the water as hot as you can. Dry the carpet quickly, using fans to move the air around. You can at least lengthen the time between expensive professional cleanings, by using these carpet cleaning tips.

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How to generate ideas for your bedroom design?

So, you want to design your bedroom. Hmm... looks like you
are serious about it.

Lets' get started quickly. whenever I hear someone say
he/she wants to design/decorate a bedroom a lot of things
come to my mind.

But, let me clear one thing, design and decorating are two
different aspects. When I say design, I mean a whole lot
bigger perspective. Design includes a lot more maturity in
terms of how you perceive a space from within.

Of course I will cover more about design in some other article.
Decoration is more close to everyday actions that can be
taken in order to change or alter a space. Decoration deals
with accessories used in a space. Very small things, such as
curtain rods, their color, lampshades, small statues, table
cloths, light fittings, are all parts of the detailing.

It is not that design does not deal with these aspects, but
decoration is more do-able easily than the whole design
process.

If you are not aware of the decoration techniques, or
where to start, I will give you a list of some place where
you can observe and get inspiration.

1)Of course, the World Wide Web:
this Internet is a good place to start. But the information
on the internet is not always compiled and sorted out, the
way you want it to be, so you might have to look deep.

2)Local Book stores:
Interior design magazines, books, brochures from furniture
manufacturers is a good source of inspiration. These books
and magazines do their best to find out Works of successful
designers, which can be quite inspiring.



3)Exhibitions:
Exhibitions held by manufacturers of interior design products,
can be a good source as well.

4)Movies and TV shows:
Yes, these have a very high project budgets, so spend
thousands of dollars every year to decorate the sets. Just
keep your eyes open and you will definitely find some good
themes in these too.

5)Look for hobby groups around in your city, look for seminars
of those who are successful artists. Bedroom decoration
includes detailing and paying attention to small things.
Visit art galleries, where you can find some good paintings,
other related artwork, which can enhance the beauty of your
space.

Finally I would like to say that it's your room and you
are the only person who knows better about your likes and
dislikes. So start out immediately because "When There Is
Will, There Is A Way".

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How to design a Child bedroom?

Children at age of 1 1/2 start to walk, talk and express
themselves. Their parents are the role models for them.
They learn to perform action which their parent teach
them.

Based on these teachings children very quickly learn a
taste about everything in life. This includes, the food
they eat, the kind of toys they play with, the kind of
friends they will make etc..

For a growing child it is necessary to explore new things,
apart from what his/her mom/dad teaches. A bedroom is a
great place to do this. When planned properly, a child
bedroom can greatly enhance his/her learning experience.

Children have a curious mind. Even a child which is yet to
speak, this curiosity can be easily traced by looking at
the broken toys, torn books, etc..

That's why as a bedroom designer creating spaces within the
structural walls, using interesting furniture elements, can
greatly help to add some curious thinking. Furniture pieces
specifically designed to create an adventure can be proposed.

Instead of using plain colored walls, theme base paintings,
such as stories, fairy tales, can be painted on walls.
These pictures can include animals, trees, vehicles, human
beings of different age groups. This gives an extra learning
edge, because there is lot to learn about the world as a
whole.


Creative flooring patterns can also be a good starting point.
At the same time use of ceiling space as a storyboard can be
used to give a knowledge of the "sun and moon".

Furniture with level differences can act as a way which
tends to give physical exercise and at the same time create
a space of their own.

As far as linen is concerned, it should be easy to maintain,
because it is more likely to get dirty and messy frequently.
Above all these factors what is most important is a good
natural light and free flowing air can add to the healthy
atmosphere.

From above discussion it is quite clear that bedroom design
is not just arranging a few furniture pieces and arranging
them in the physical space. It is much related to how humans
react to different artificially created materials, which includes
their color, texture, finishes, etc..

If used creatively it can greatly improve the quality of human
life. I hope this article was helpful for moms/dads and also
for the designers.

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How to Find the Right Air Filter For Your Home

Finding the right air filter for your home is important; you care about your family more than anything, so you should care about the quality of air in your home. Remember they breathe it every day, so it's in their best interests, and yours, to choose the right filter.

Before buying an air filter, be sure to measure your vent, furnace or other filter location. It is important to measure your existing air filter exactly to the last centimeter in order to ensure you get the same size. For example, a filter that says its 16 by 25 may in reality be 15 5/8 by 24 5/8.

With this is mind, here is a breakdown of some of your best options for air filters:

The Absorber Filter

The absorber filter is directed at odor control and is primarily for homeowners who want to take advantage of filtered air and eliminate smells, especially if there are pets involved or if it’s a smoking home. If you have pets, this is probably the best kind of filter to get. It works by trapping airborne particles on the filters primary surface layer; this, combined with an active carbon filter, absorbs pet smells and other odors, like smoke.

Filter Fresh

A filter fresh is a smaller pad, usually six by six inches, that attaches to any AC or furnace filter. When you ruin your furnace or AC, the filter emits a subtle scent that lasts. There are many scent options to choose from, so take advantage of the wide variety.

Vent Filters

Vent filters use Electrostatic Register Filtration, a process that uses the vent filter's electrostatic material to a act as a magnet for attracting dust. The vent traps cigarette smoke, odors, dust, dirt and pollen, allowing fresh air to flow through freely. It keeps microscopic particles from getting through, thus ensuring your air remains fresh. It is ideal for a home with allergies or odors and lasts as much as ninety days.


UV Eliminator Filter

The UV Eliminator Filter is a special advanced filter that traps larger particles like mold and pollen, and then uses UV light to sterilize the invading aggravators; it also eliminates surface particles. It is great for homes of all types and performs well in all environments.

Web Plus Filter

This filter is a permanent electrostatic filter that is permanently adjustable and super easy to use. It also requires little maintenance; just a wash and reinstall once a month. A solid filter, it will last a long time and create much fresher, cleaner air.

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How To Choose The Best Tiles For Your Bathroom

If you're considering remodelling your bathroom or just trying to give it a new lease of life then you should look at using tiles as part of your plan. These tiles work well on the floor, walls and even in the shower. What's more they come in a dizzying variety of styles and designs so you'll have plenty to choose from and will definitely find something to match your bathroom decor plans. Ceramic tiles have been used in homes all over the world for centuries and offer an excellent way to add some texture and pattern to your bathroom.

Now we can have a look at the different types of ceramic tiles available on the market today. First off we have glazed ceramic tile which is better suited to bathroom walls and work surfaces or countertops. Why? Because this type of tile is very slippery when wet and is pretty much your last choice for a bathroom floor. The tile itself is made from clay and water and is then "fired" or baked to harden it. Once finished it's given a colored glaze which gives it a glossy finish - which is why it's so slippery when it gets wet.

The next type of tile is porcelain and this is made from a blend of fine-grain clays and other minerals creating a very moisture and stain-resistant product. Because of this porcelain tiles can take years of hardship whilst keeping their color and inherent beauty.


One of the really neat things about tiling your bathroom is that you get to experiment with vivid colors and unusual designs. You can toy with wall patterns and shapes to make your bathroom really striking. Consider using a solid background of tiles combined with brighter accent tiles. Or how about adding a few decorative tiles on a solid tile background such as in a classic floral or seascape or funky art mosaic to for a truly distinctive look on your bathroom walls?

Tiling the floor of your bathroom is usually the most time consuming part. This usually takes 2 - 3 days to complete from start to finish. A good tip when considering types of tiles for a bathroom floor is that tiles are evaluated for wear resistance on a scale from 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). A PEI-1 or Light Traffic rating is recommended for areas such as bathrooms where shoes are not consistently worn. This is just a guideline that you can work from.

The best choices for your bathroom floor are granite, slate or sandstone in terms of finish and safety. They have a high slip tolerance so when they're wet they're far safer to walk on then say ceramic tiles. They also add a degree of "earthiness" to the room and make it feel that bit more "homely".

Some people worry that having tiles in the bathroom makes the room a little bit more cold - both literally and metaphorically. If this is a real concern for you then simply fit a tile warming system to keep the floor warm during those cold spells during the year. With no costly ductwork or plumbing requirements, this system's installation is normally quite straighforward.

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How To Sponge Paint Your Floors

There's no reason to limit faux painting in your home to walls only. Have you considered that the same paint finish would look equally well on your floor? This is especially true if you have a concrete floor - you should definitely consider painting this. If for no other reason than it offering a cost effective solution to covering your floor; the painting process can also be a lot of fun.

Sponge painting your floors is a great way to start if you don't have a particular design in mind. It's also one of the easiest ways to end up with a design on your floor that makes it look like it's what you'd planned for it to look like all along... nobody will ever know any different. After all, most of the other types of faux floor painting involve trying to match a particular design type. Sponge painting, on the other hand, is just a way for you to make a pattern on the floor.

In order to sponge paint your floor, you are going to need to prepare the floor the same way that you might prep it for any other type of painting in your home. First things first you... should wash the floor with a strong cleaning solution. This is so that you clean up any dirt that might have been ground into it in the past. This is also a good way to get rid of any marks that might have been left on the floor from furniture with rubber feet.

If there are any rough spots still on the floor then you'll need to sand them down. You don't need to have a floor that is 1000% flat but having a clean, level surface to paint on will make your life a lot easier during the actual sponge painting phase itself. Don't cause yourself any unncessary hardship when doing this type of work.


Sponge painting will require two different colors of paint. Most people go for complementary colors, or for two different shades of the same color. For instance, if you are looking for a blue floor, you might put a lighter shade of blue with darker blue on top of it.

After you have allowed the base coat to dry for an entire day, you should add the second coat of paint. Essentially, sponge painting on your floor will work the same way that it does on your walls. Just make sure that you use the sponge to lift off the second coat of paint in some areas, instead of using it to apply that coat of paint - otherwise you could ruin the effect you're trying to achieve.

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12 Types of Carpet

Woven
Woven carpet is produced on a loom that is very similar to woven cloth, being cut pile. There are numerous different colored yarns being used and the whole process is capable of producing very intricate patterns from designs that are pre-determined. Generally, woven is the highest quality of carpet available.

Tufted
This type of carpet is produced on a tufting machine by using either a single colored or sometimes a non colored yarn. If non colored is being used, then the carpet will be dyed or printed with a design as a separate process. Carpets that are tufted can either be cut pile, loop pile, or a combination of both. Machines can produce a lot more meters of carpet than weaving, and they are usually at the lower end of the market.

Needlefelt
The needlefelt type of carpet is a bit more technologically advanced. They are produced by electrostatic attraction of individual fibers that form a unique carpet with extremely high durability. You can normally find needlefelt carpet in the contract market such as in hotels or other places where there is always going to be a lot of traffic.

Flatweave
The flatweave carpet is created by interlocking warp and weft threads. The types of oriental flatwoven carpet include soumak, plain weave, and tapestry weave. This type is not well known in the North American region, although it is very popular in the orient and Japan.



Hooked rug
This is a simple construction of rug that is handmade by pulling strips of cloth such as wool or cotton through the meshes of a very sturdy fabric. Now, this type of rug is generally known as a handicraft.

Knotted pile
With knotted pile carpets, the structural weft threads will alternate with a supplementary weft that will rise from the surface of the weave at a perpendicular angle.

Cut and loop piles
The cut and loop pile combines both looped and cut fibers. They provide a variety of surface textures for medium durability. Cut and loop carpets are available in either solid or different colors. The several different layers in this carpet can hide dirt and footprints in formal and informal areas.

Saxony
Saxony consists of tightly twisted cut piles that are heat set straight. They consist of two or more fibers that have been twisted together in a yarn, and they provide a very soft texture for informal as well as formal areas. They will show each and every footprint and even marks from vacuum cleaners.

Textured saxony
Textured carpet is the best selling and it works well in informal areas due to the very soft feel. They are tightly twisted and texture headset for medium durability. They also offer a multi colored look that will hide tracks and footprints.

Plush/velvet
Both plush and velvet are lightly twisted and offer a uniform color. They are very soft and offer more level than textures. This type of carpet is ideal for formal areas due to it's luxurious appearance.

Frieze
Frieze is a highly twisted cut pile type of carpet that is suited for high traffic areas. It has short fibers that will tend to curl in different directions at the surface to hide footprints and vacuum marks.

Level loop pile
The level loop pile is constructed by weaving even loops of yarn into carpet backing at both ends. This type of carpet is durable as well as track resistant, due to the strong loops. Higher loops in the carpet will create a more luxurious look. They are also great because they will prevent dirt from filtering on into the carpet.

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5 Trends to Watch for in Custom Kitchen Design

From so many sources we have been hit by all the latest in trends for the kitchen. On one thing do most kitchen design professionals agree: kitchens will continue to be larger, more open, and definitely the most important room in the home. The custom kitchen of today should create a space that is open for people to gather.

The perfect custom kitchen design can be suited to your every dream and needs of you and your family, and also to be able to fit the boundaries of your budget.

Below are 5 custom kitchen trends to be aware of when your are planning for your custom kitchen remodeling project.

1. Hardwood Mouldings to Create a Custom Look

Adding hardwood mouldings to kitchen cabinets can provide a richness not found in other features. Mouldings are available in oak, cherry, and maple. They can provide your cabinets with such details as fluted columns, valances, cornices, galley rails and open shelves. These can help to combine function and beauty to your kitchen. Mouldings can also provide a custom look to stock cabinets. Examples of the uses of mouldings on cabinetry include: installation around corners and along the face of cabinetry to minimize the square look of cabinet, using in soffit areas, and installing on top of cabinets to add a crown moulding.

2. Solid Hardwood Flooring in the Kitchen

Solid hardwood flooring makes a great choice for the kitchen because not only is it beautiful, it has practical features as well. It is thicker than other flooring materials which makes it good for insulation, and sound proofing. It will last of many years because it can be refinished many times.
If you just want to change the look and color of your hardwood floor, you can just sand it. You never need to replace the entire flooring.



3. Free-Standing and Unfitted Cabinets

The trend toward free-standing cabinetry from the desire to get away from the cookie cutter look by creating cabinets that look more like furniture, including such features as molding, feet, and valances. This type of custom cabinetry is available in both traditional and contemporary styles. Unfitted custom kitchens are those that are classically designed pieces used to conceal full-size appliances such as ovens, stoves, dishwashers and refrigerators. Custom kitchens with the unfitted look can also create more room for windows, columns, displays, and any other design element that can give a kitchen more character.

4. The Custom Look in Countertops

In designing a custom kitchen it is becoming easier to create the look of custom countertops because of the availability of so many materials being used today. Many of these materials can be mixed, like using concrete embedded with bits of glass and metal. While stone materials, such as soapstone and marble are still highly prized by homeowners, stainless steel, sealed concrete, and engineered quartz are being used in more low-use areas of the kitchen.

Other trends in custom countertops include: solid surface materials and granite look-a-likes that are easily repairable, and are available in many colors. Also popular is the use of ceramic tile, particularly on backsplashes. Other materials that are part of this trend is stainless steel, and butcher block in certain specific areas

5. More Sophisticated Appliances

Kitchen appliances are becoming more and more sophisticated and allowing for greater customization, personalizing, and convenience. This has helped make the kitchen the high-tech center of the home.

The following appliance reflect the changes that are being introduced in kitchen appliances today:

Duel-fuel ranges: The debate over whether to use gas or electric for cooking is an old one. Some manufacturers of stoves offer ranges that are professional-quality, and can feature both the power of a gas cooktop with an electric one.

Refrigerators: Refrigerators today offer such features as: multi-zone temperature control. They are offered in both free-standing units and integrated versions that do not look like a refrigerator, but can be concealed by the use of cabinet fronts into the surrounding cabinetry. Some counter-height refrigerators are even being used in kitchen islands or butlers pantries.

Designer Dishwashers: As with some refrigerators, the dishwasher is offered in the integrated version that can be concealed by cabinet fronts that can wash and store away dishes.

by : James Mahoney

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Making Your Life Easier. Garage Door Opener Accessories.

Technology is an evolving trend that affects all of our lives. These advances have made it possible to integrate technology into your home. Who would have thought that you could have automated solutions to help you park your car, have secondary power source for your garage door operator, automatically close your garage door and even notify you when you garage door is open. With all the technology, these different accessories require almost no tools. There are a few products currently available in the market. From the Chamberlain Group there is the 975LM Laser Parking Guiding Assistant. The hanging tennis ball on a string can now be replaced with the new high-tech laser solution.

This high-tech solution helps you park perfectly in the garage, the first time. It's an easy DIY project which requires minimal to no tools. This should be a standard for all garage door opener installation.It is a simple to read red circle on the dashboard which takes the guesswork out of where to stop and can prevent accidents before they happen. The Laser Garage Parking Assist is a "must-have" garage door opener accessory.

To aid in the operation of your garage door operator when the power goes out we have a product from ONkor Technologies who has 2 different models of garage door operator battery back-up systems. The ONkor 3000 & 3000 PLUS are easy to install power backup systems for home garage door operators. In the event of any household power failure, the ONkor battery back-up unit operates the door through several cycles without being connected to electrical power. Once power is restored, the ONkor unit automatically recharges and will be ready for the next unexpected power failure. The ONkor 3000 is designed to cover virtually every type and model of garage door system with ½ hp motors or less. The ONkor 3000 provides solid power delivery for larger garage doors as well as longer lasting door operation for family lifestyles utilizing the garage for frequent entry and exit.


For those who are fearful of their garage door being open there is a product available to make you feel more secure. Skylink Technologies’ product, the GM-318, is designed to monitor the status of your garage door and advise you if the door is open - another easy DIY project that can be installed in minutes. The GM-318 consists of a transmitter sensor placed on the door panel and a receiver. You will be alerted when the door is opened by a beep and flash from the receiver base.

The Skylink monitoring system is upgradeable to 4 sensors. As the three car garage doors have become more popular, Skylink has geared up their accessory line to accommodate this growing trend. For those homeowners who sometimes forget if they have closed their garage door or not, we have a product for you.

The AutoCloser by Xceltronics, attaches to most residential garage door openers and will automatically close the door after setting it to the factory preset closing times. The times can be set to 2, 5, 10, 15 or 20 minutes. AutoCloser comes equipped with a disable button that can be activated to allow the door to remain open if needed. The Autocloser uses the patent-pending SmartClose™ and SmartDetect™ technology which delivers the safest and most reliable product on the market. The AutoCloser was designed to add security to existing garage door openers. “According to statistics compiled by major metropolitan police departments, approximately half of all residential burglaries occur from open garage doors. The AutoCloser addresses the need to keep your garage door closed by automatically shutting your garage door if you inadvertently leave it open.” An additional option available is the exclusive I-Opener system which provides secure garage access with easy reprogramming to deactivate lost or stolen keys, and due to its circuitry, it is resistant to lightning.
With all of these different accessories available, this should help in making your every day routines with your garage simpler and feel more secure.

by : Martial Maitam

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