E-Mulez Home Improvement Blog

Your Guide To Remodeling

How to tell if your carpets are making you sick

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Carpets give a different outlook to your room and add a new dimension to the overall look. Keeping your carpets clean is very important not only for aesthetic reasons, but also for the well being and health of the people in the house. It looks clean to the naked eye but it contains dirt, bacteria etc. which can pose serious health problems. So, you should know whether the carpets at your home are making you sick.

On an average, carpet accumulates dirt up to 40 pounds a year. Dangerous germs are found in the carpets. The accumulated irritants may cause respiratory issues, skin problems. Another major threat is the growth of molds, which can create more problems.

Carpets contain carcinogens such as toluene, benzene, acetone etc. which can prove to be very toxic. If you are experiencing hallucinations or respiratory illness, it can be due to the toxic emissions of your carpets. The formation of mold on the carpets can also be a major concern. This formation is due to moisture and water contents. If you are living in a wet and rainy area, you might need to deal with this problem more often. The carpets should be kept dry and should be properly vacuumed. When there is a musty smell but you are not able to point out visual evidence, it can be due to molds.

It has been found that more people get sick after getting a new carpet set. There are various symptoms which can be related to this:

  • Headache
  • Respiratory problems
  • Skin rash
  • Burning eyes and throat.
  • Musty, unpleasant odor around the house.

The norovirus is a germ which can survive on the carpets and can cause stomach flu. Proper cleaning should be done to control the allergen levels. It is recommended to vacuum at least once a week. Professionally clean wall-to-wall and area carpeting at least once a year using non- toxic cleaning agents. Some carpet materials give off gaseous volatile organic compounds which can cause headaches and respiratory problems.

Every carpet has a lifespan as mentioned by the manufacturer. Post the expiry date, it is always advisable to replace the carpets with new ones. Hiring expert carpet cleaners to visit your home whenever such problems arise is highly recommended so that not only the issue is detected but also the cause of the problem is removed so that it is not reiterated.

Design Your Dream Kitchen

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When it comes to renovating your kitchen the possibilities are absolutely endless.  You can completely change the look of your kitchen with new cabinets, counter tops, new tiles, appliances or new fixtures.  Everyone one of those things offers dozens of design options giving you endless combinations for kitchen décor.  With the vast number of design options out there it can be overwhelming trying to find a style you like that works with your home.  So where do you begin to design your dream kitchen?  Let’s have a look.

Cabinetry

This is by far the biggest feature in any kitchen and it is the first thing visitors are going to notice.  It is also where you will spend the most money when you renovate your kitchen.  How your cabinets are laid out is determined by the size of your kitchen.  Before you start gutting the kitchen take some measurements and decide where you want them placed.  If you have a solid wall that doesn’t have windows then that is where you are going to want to put the bulk of your cabinets and put your storage areas.  Consider putting in floor to ceiling cabinets and leave one that you can use to store things like brooms and cleaning supplies.  If you have a smaller kitchen then you might want to consider cabinets with glass front doors, it makes your room look bigger and more open, if that isn’t possible you can also try lighter colored cabinetry.

Counter Tops

Counter tops are another feature in the kitchen that are highly visible and can vary greatly in price depending on your finish.  Pick counter tops not just for how they look but also for how durable they are.  Lots of people are choosing to go with granite counter tops but you can also pick from tile, laminates, concrete and some different engineered stones.  You want to pick counter tops that are going to work with your cupboards and the back splash.  It should all tie in together.  If you choose to put in an island it should have the same surface as your counter tops.

Flooring

Last but definitely not least is the flooring that you use in your kitchen.  You’re going to want something that is very durable, the kitchen sees a lot of traffic.  Most kitchen floors are done with ceramic tiles but you can use linoleum or a laminate as well.  Flooring offers you a variety of styles as well as textures to choose from.   If you choose to put in dark cabinets then go with a lighter colored tile or vice versa.  When you contrast the cabinets and flooring you are able to create the illusion of depth within your kitchen.

While cabinets, counter tops and floors are the big expenses in renovating your kitchen they are really just the beginning.  You still have to select fixtures, sinks and faucets, wall colors, appliances and lighting to make your kitchen look spectacular.  The small details are every bit as important as the big ones, so take care in picking out every detail.

Renovate the Bathroom Without Breaking the Bank

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So you have the world’s ugliest bathroom and you can afford to gut it down to the studs and start all over again.  That’s okay you can still renovate the bathroom without breaking the bank.  Bathroom renovations can vary in price from $5,000 all the way to $25,000, you need to manage your expectations going into this project.  Don’t be discouraged you can still have a fabulous bathroom for under $5,000, let’s show you how to get that done.

Design it Yourself

There are tons and tons of websites out there that will help you design your dream bathroom.  All you need to do is plugin your measurements and play around with the software to find a bathroom that works for you.  You can experiment with color and design until you have something you’re satisfied with.  If you use the software from Lowes or Home Depot you can get prices for the material at the same time.  Not hiring a designer can save you a fortune!

Find the Right Contractor

This is both the most important and the most complicated part of your whole renovation.  Hiring a contractor you can work with is complicated enough.  That being said a good contractor will happy if you know exactly what you want and where to find the materials.  It saves both of you a ton of stress and you can get your project done and over with much quicker!  Now back to finding the right contractor here is some help in finding the best contractor.

Check Prices

While you can do a lot of this online you still want to go into stores to check the pricing.  Building supply stores will often have ready to go bathrooms and kitchens completely set up in their showrooms.  If you have checked out some magazines and know what you want ahead of time it will make getting prices that much easier.  Smaller and local businesses may have specials or the ability to negotiate that you just can’t get from shopping online.

Some places will only sell to contractors so you may have to bring one with you to pick out your new bathroom.  This isn’t a bad thing, your contractor visits these places every day and can help you select material that is of good quality and durability.  Specialized stores have sales people that work strictly with kitchen and bathroom renovations so you will find them a bit more knowledgeable than the staff at Home Depot.

Take the time to do your research and play around with designs that you like, you can renovate the bathroom without breaking the bank.