Top Tips on Securing the Site While Working on a Major Repair Project

Construction sites are an abyss of challenges for the developer, the people working there, and the client for whom the project is being completed. Whether you are building a brand new project or upgrading an existing location, it is always a challenge to secure the perimeter. Especially if it is a large project and the work is taking place outdoors, it can be quite difficult to provide safety for the workers and also to secure the capital being used such as raw materials and other assets. According to statistics, construction site losses in the form of theft, vandalism, injuries, and other problems cause an annual loss of between $500 million and $1 Billion. What's worse is that only a fifth of this amount is ever recovered. Here is what you can do to improve security and minimize losses. Check out this work estimate template.

Create A Plan

Every construction site is different. The location, the assets that are involved, the potential threats, and every other aspect of the physical security will vary. That's why it's important to have a customized security plan for each site that caters to the unique features of that location. You can have a single template that you use for different sites but it needs to incorporate all the unique features of each site. Ideally, this plan will also evolve as the dynamics of the site change and as the construction progresses through different stages.

Asset Management

During the construction phase, you are going to have different kinds of workers on the site using different types of machinery. Later on, as you start installing fixtures and fittings, this will pose a different threat where you will need to not only secure your own assets but also try to keep the building itself safe from local threats. This is where it can really help to have temporary fencing products that you can remove whenever you need to, and install when the site is left vacant for periods of time. Without good accountability, it can be difficult to keep track of things and at large construction sites, you won’t even notice something has gone missing till you actually need it.

Develop Checklists

Have a proper inventory of all the things that you are using and delegate this to workers so that they are keeping their own belongings in check. When you are dealing with hundreds of bits of machinery and supplies that are constantly being used and replenished it's easy for things to fall through the cracks. You can easily use a template and get started with noting your belongings. The important thing is to maintain this checklist on a regular basis and ensure that everyone on the team is playing their part in keeping things up to date. Ideally, maintaining the checklist should be the first thing that is done when work starts in the morning and should also be double-checked at the end of the day. This way you can maintain a daily log of what is available and what needs to be replaced, and in the event that anything is missing you can detect the problem right then and there.

Security monitoring technology such as closed-circuit cameras is cheaper than ever. You can easily get a dozen cameras with plenty of storage space for less than $1000, which will do an excellent job security measures wise. Not only does it store information in case you need it, but the sheer visual of having cameras on-site acts as a powerful deterrent. Make sure you put up signs that tell people there are security cameras installed and this will help ward off people with ill intentions. 

5 Reasons Why Water Damage Restoration Must Be Performed Immediately

Without brief water damage restoration reclamation, regions overwhelmed can represent some serious well-being chances. On the off chance that your home has as of late been overwhelmed or had one more occurrence where regions were harmed by water, it is essential to get things dried out as fast as could be expected.

Regarding water harm, the impacts can be felt very quickly or progressively. Some harms can occur when you notice the water harm. Notwithstanding, there are additional adverse consequences that you will insight as long periods pass by. You resulted in the water harm untreated on the off chance.

Well-being Concerns:

A top worry with water damage restoration San Diego (particularly when not rapidly) is expanding the possibilities of shape development. The shape can cause medical problems, particularly with persistent ailments like asthma or some other sensitivities. This parasite can develop on dividers, floors, entryways, and, surprisingly, the roof.

It just requires a couple of hours for shape to develop. In any event, when you disengage standing water, on the off chance that you don't cure wet surfaces, this can make a dangerous favorable place for shape and buildup. Though the shape isn't consistently noticeable, it can fill in places not effortlessly seen, for example, under carpers or behind dividers.

Various medical problems are connected with water harm, especially on the off chance of polluted water. When individuals are presented with this kind of water harm, genuine well-being chances are a top concern, especially on the off chance that it is ingested.

Well-being Issues:

One more motivation to have convenient water harm reclamation is the issue of well-being. The peril level increments on the off chance that eater harm is left unattended. As referenced above, water harm from filthy water represents a well-being concern due to the capability of destructive microscopic organisms.

One more spectacular issue with water harm is electric shock. Hazardous electrical circumstances can happen when water is close to outlets or apparatuses. Water is a conductor of power. It implies should the water interact with power, it will stun anybody in the water, causing genuine injury with the potential for death. On the off chance that the water harm is close to a pool, ensure individuals know about the risks of electric shock suffocating, assuming they are swimming close by.

Cash Hypothesis Saves:

The articulation better sort it out now rather than later motivates an emotional response when we talk about cash speculation assets during water hurt. On the off chance that you take care of an issue as fast as expected, the harm will be alleviated. Postponing water reclamation administrations will wind up costing more cash over the long haul than the rebuilding costs themselves.

Assuming your home or business has encountered water harm, it's doubtful that your home or building will experience the ill effects of underlying issues. A convenient water damage restoration San Diego permits you to quickly and productively rescue any significant possessions, like administrative work, furniture, hardware, and so forth, that can be excessive to supplant.

Hold your home's property estimation and eradicate the requirement for any extra superfluous fixes in the future by appropriately drying your overwhelmed home right away. On the off chance that a flood-harmed construction isn't completely dried out before the dividers are supplanted, it can prompt incredibly costly shape harm. Water-related harms (like decay and shape) can prompt genuine long-haul well-being impacts. It can essentially prompt a huge number of dollars or more in fixes.

Safe Shape Remediation:

Shape improvement is likely the best test after water in your home or business. The shape can develop wherever, from the rooftops to wooden siding. Most shape assortments are poisonous or aggravating allergens; thus, it very well may be hazardous for you to make a pass at disposing of them without assistance from any other individual. By recruiting proficient water harm reclamation administrations, you can be guaranteed the shape will be eliminated and your home safeguarded from future form repeat.

Speedy Reclamation:

Water harm can make excruciating circumstances in your home or business - significantly, you get a speedy reaction as far as reclamation. Capable water hurt organizations respond immediately and can clean up the water, dry and disinfect the district, and make any principal fixes inside a short period. Furthermore, the organization accompanies a satisfactory labor force and the right hardware that can do the occupation surprisingly fast.

Conclusion:

Excusing water underhandedness can be hazardous. If you don't fix it at the earliest open door, conceivably, it could provoke electrical mischief in your home. Water hurt from flooding in your tornado shelter could provoke a disaster, so you should be extra careful about the results. Water harm can emerge from outside sources, like a storm, or inside, like a burst pipe. On the off chance left neglected, any water harm can make underlying issues your drywall and lead to shape. With the assistance of water harm experts, divider water harm doesn't need to turn into a bigger issue.

How to Design a Perfect Garage Workshop for Your Needs

Imagine a perfect garage workshop with all the tools neatly put away in practical spots, no clutter, good lighting and plenty of space to move around and enjoy your hobbies to the fullest. This is a dream of many handymen out there. But it doesn’t need to stay a dream. No matter if you love to work on your car, mess around with plants or practice woodwork, it’s possible to create a perfect garage workshop that will fit your needs to the T.

Add extra electrical outlets

Before you start adding any tools and workbenches, it’s necessary to equip your garage with plenty of access to electricity. Most tools today are electric, so you will need plenty of outlets and adapters for tools, appliances, entertainment and lighting.

Light it up

Garages are not famous for being light and airy. However, improper lighting can make your DIY projects and hobbies inaccessible and even dangerous. Adequate lighting is key for designing a perfect garage and it will boost your productivity and safety. Track lighting is a practical and cost-effective solution. To accompany track lighting and eliminate shadows, add lamps and plenty of flashlights for when you need to focus on specific tasks and detailed work.

Plan your layout

Creating a proper garage workshop design is crucial before you start equipping the space with tools and machines. So consider will you be using the entire space for your handy work. Do you need space for heavy machinery like plastic shredding machine for waste processing? These machines require a little more space but are still very compact for their purpose of recycling and repurposing different materials like paper, cardboard or plastic. Make sure to leave space to store lumber, metal and pipes close the entrance.

Set up your workbench

No matter what you’re planning to do in your garage—pimp your ride, make furniture or tend to your plants—it’s impossible to do it successfully without a workbench. Your ideal workbench can be constructed or bought and placed in a way that fits your needs the best. When choosing a bench, pay special attention to the base and legs—it needs to be stable and sturdy enough to support sawing, hammering and heavy tools.

What does it mean to get a sturdy and stable bench? Well, the top surface should be made out of hard material that doesn’t dent (usually it comes down to hard wood or metal). There are also fold-down benches, perfect for small garages. No matter what you choose, focus on a heavy top and solid legs.

Consider cooling and heating

In most cases, garages are not insulated and are equipped with bad fixtures like doors and windows. What these will make out of your garage during the year is create a too-hot-to-handle summer environment and a too-cold-to-move-your-fingers winter environment. To create a cozy, safe and practical garage workshop, consider proper cooling, heating and ventilation. In most cases, handymen are satisfied with window air conditioning units for cooling and space heaters for heating. Make sure your windows are working properly, especially in case you often work with paint and gases.

Boost storage

It’s amazing how many tools we end up having in our garage over time, all of which need to be stored somewhere to make your work easier and to prevent injuries. Drawers and bins are the best places to store your tools because they protect both you and your tools while allowing good organization. Other great storage options are pegboards and wall magnets (perfect for easy access), tool boxes (mobile) and tool rolls (keep everything compact and protected).

It’s possible to turn your average garage into a DIY haven by using these tips as a guide. After a few tweaks to your space, you’ll have a workspace that inspires you and offers you safety, practicality and peace.

Guest Contributor: Diana Smith

5 Essential Things to Have Installed Inside Your Home

The future has arrived! From controlling your sunroom's inside blinds to pre-heating your pool and changing the lighting and music before your guests arrive, you can now take advantage of the convenience, security, and economic advantages of smart home technology. The following are a few things that you should place in your house to increase its efficiency.

1. Intercom System

A smart intercom system provides far more functions than a standard intercom system and enables hands-free communication with your family through voice-activated devices. Your intercom system has many useful, handy, and entertaining features that enable you to link several rooms inside your house. For instance, you may use the video chat capability to communicate with someone in another room or with someone not physically present in your home, such as a deliveryman or mailman. You can create an entertainment system by synchronizing your music to play over intercoms located around your home. Additionally, you may distribute videos around your house through a smart intercom system.

2. Hooks

In a small residence, you won't have much floor space, closet space, surface area, or any place at all to keep your belongings. That is why, if you live in one of these endearing residences, hooks will immediately become your closest friend. They may be used to hang clothing, umbrellas, cooking utensils, pots and pans, sports equipment, mugs, and shoes, among other things. I recommend investing in strong, robust hooks and having them installed throughout your new living area, loft, kitchen, and cabinetry. You will not be sorry.

In a small dwelling, space is limited. That is why, when you run out of horizontal space, you must begin upward construction. One of the most effective ways to do this is to include shelves in every nook and crevice of your new home. Shelves beneath stairwells, under individual stairs, in the kitchen, along the walls, inside a breakfast bar, and above the toilet are just a few shelf storage alternatives for a small home. A skilled small house designer and builder should be able to include bookshelves throughout your home in novel ways.

3. Door Seals

Door seals are used to close gaps around the perimeters of doors (the jambs and the header). You may significantly reduce sound, light, draught, moisture, fire, and smoke intrusion by caulking the holes around the door frame. The gaps surrounding your door may be larger than you think, with up-and-over doors, in particular, allowing in much more cold air than expected or releasing a significant quantity of heat. Door seals operate by enclosing the door in a tight, impenetrable barrier. You may sense wind passing through the garage door even while closed.

Rubber seals keep the heat in and the cold out, transforming your garage opening into a dependable energy saver rather than a concerning weak spot. Because heat cannot escape when the garage door is closed, much less energy is wasted, which means you can save energy by heating and cooling your garage as needed.

4. Protection System

The security system is the most critical component of any smart house. A security system is designed to safeguard you and raise the alarm in the event of a major emergency, such as a fire or break-in. However, a sophisticated security system does not end there. It proves beneficial daily as a result of increased technology.

It may notify you when your teens return home from school or part-time work. It can show you who is at your front door and allow you to communicate with them through a video doorbell. While you're making supper, you may see an HD video stream of your children playing in the backyard. Additionally, it may alert you if a window is left open, a door is left ajar, or a water leak in the basement.

While some smart home technology comes under the luxury category, there is simply no replacement for a robust home security system if you want to sleep well even while you're on vacation on the other side of the planet. And although these systems may eat into your budget initially, they will ultimately help you manage your house with less stress and fuss while saving money and energy.

5. System of Ventilation, Heating, and Air Conditioning

If you're prone to racing out of the home and often forgetting to regulate your thermostat, smart technology may be the answer. For instance, the Nest Learning Thermostat is an electronic, programmable, Wi-Fi-enabled thermostat that optimizes your home's heating and cooling to save energy.

A smart house is one in which all of its gadgets are linked through the internet and provide on-demand access to manage lights, home security, temperature regulation, and home theater and entertainment.

Guest Contributor: Maggie Bloom

St. Patricks Day Parades 2022 Information

Oak Forest Irish Parade:

Saturday, March 5th at 11AM on Central Ave

Tinley Park Irish Parade:

Sunday, March 6th at 1PM on Oak Park Ave

Back by Popular Demand!!!!

Feeling Lucky???

We will hide a $1,000 Golden Ticket along the Oak Forest Parade Route on Saturday, March 5th on Central Ave, between 151st and Independence Ave.

Who’s going to find the $1,000????

Jumping for Joy!!!
Tinley Park Irish Parade is this weekend!!
Sunday, March 6th at 1:00PM on Oak Park Ave.
Afterwards, you will find us celebrating at Durbins

Guess how many candy pieces we bought for the Irish Parade???

We can’t wait to see everyone there!!!

Questions To Ask When Hiring A Roof Contractor

Hiring a roof contractor is some serious business. You need to make sure that you are choosing the right company or person for the job, rather than taking the first person that you can find on Google. There are a lot of contractors out there that are pretty great - you could visit KiddRoof for instance! But in many cases you may find it difficult to get the kind of person that you need if you aren’t thinking carefully about your choice. 

So how do you choose the right roof contractor? Well, a lot of it comes down to asking the right questions and making sure that you have all of the information in front of you before you make your choice. With that in mind, here are some questions to ask when hiring a roof contractor. 

How Long They Have Been Practicing

One good question that you should ask your contractor is how long they’ve been in the roofing business. There are certainly contractors out there that are new and incredibly skilled, but if you want to have the peace of mind that the job will be done by an experienced hand then you need someone that’s been practicing for much longer. 

Do You Provide Warranties?

We all want to think that nothing will ever go wrong with our brand new roof, but the fact of the matter is that sometimes things can and do go wrong. It’s best to be prepared for these eventualities and give yourself some peace of mind. Look for a contractor that provides a decent roofing warranty for their work. In most cases a roofing warranty will last for around a year, but there are contractors out there that provide longer warranties than that. 

Check what the warranty covers too - does it cover the materials and the work? Also note that if you have an extended warranty, the project is likely to cost you more money. 

Are You Licensed to Roof My Property?

You can’t just get any old random person off the street to do your roofing for you. You need an experienced roof contractor with the right credentials and licenses. Otherwise you are running the risk of a poorly done job - not a risk you want to take when roofing can cost a pretty penny. 

When you are asking this question, make sure that you are checking who the license holder is and then double check that it’s valid at your local licensing offices. Make sure in particular that it’s a roofing contractor license - it’s quite different to a business license. 

What Do You Do With the Refuse Material?

When your roof is done, you should be able to admire the handiwork of your contractor. What you should not have to do is clear junk from your yard from all of the said handiwork. It’s inconvenient for you and annoying, though technically it’s not a dealbreaker. A contractor should have a proper method of getting rid of their refuse though. They may take it to a dumpster for materials that have been damaged and any debris. Their answer should not be that they just leave all of the waste on your lawn! 

How Do You Manage Your Time on A Project?

If a contractor tells you that a project will be completed by a certain time or date, then you should be able to trust that they don’t deviate too much from that estimate. Of course, things can happen that can delay the completion time, but you will want to hire a company that does all that they can to overcome any obstacles before they’ve been encountered. They should always have back up plans to ensure that you, their customer, are left satisfied. This could include a plan to use other employees in case there’s an emergency, or having backup tools if they are needed. They should have a plan for bad weather, and any other issues that may crop up. Asking them what their back up plans are - it will tell you a lot about how well organized the company is. 

What Do You Do To Protect Lawns?

You don’t want your lawn to be completely destroyed because of the roofing work. For that reason, you should be asking your contractor what they do in order to ensure that no lawns are damaged during the process of work on your roof. They should have a plan in place to ensure nothing happens to your well manicured lawn.

Conclusion

Those are just a few of the important questions that you should be asking before hiring a roof contractor. After hearing the responses, consider whether you are satisfied with them before making a final choice. If you do that, then you can ensure that you get the best professionals on hand for the job.

Why is it Important to Hire Mold Removal Specialists for Home Improvement?

Molds in your home can be a possibly tricky and exceptionally baffling issue. Not exclusively will it represent a danger to your family's wellbeing, yet it can likewise make harm your home. That is why it's critical to find ways to dispose of them when you notice them. Form spores can increase in a specific climate. The presence of stale smelling scents in explicit regions of your home could be demonstrative of a high form fixation. 

Better Health Status: 

Whether or not you're susceptible to molds, you will probably encounter a few manifestations when presented to them for an extended time. Specific individuals experience nasal blockage, runny nose, wheezing, or skin rash.

Tidying up existing molds can assist you with decreasing wellbeing worries in your family. Of course, you can find a Mold removal specialist that will show you how to dispose of mold. Nonetheless, by attempting to tidy up from all alone, you might wind up delivering a large number of shape spores high up.

Recognize the Wellspring of the Issue:

Shape requires food, water, oxygen, an optimal climate to develop. Regardless of the diligently you attempt to dispose of it, it will continue to return except if you recognize what's causing the issue.

Without these circumstances, they'll stay in a dormant state. That implies you want to remove all extraordinary circumstances to dispose of molds unequivocally. They don't know whenever you employ an expert; they don't know; zero in on disposing of shape. All things being equal, they recognize the wellspring of form development before starting the shape remediation process.

Take Out Shape Unequivocally:

The prospect of disposing of shape yourself has most likely entered your thoughts. It appears to be simple. Not actually! A couple of gloves and a couple of cleaning items are all you want to begin. Isn't that so? They have the information, devices, and experience to take care of business rapidly and more productively. Mold removal expert have the vital gear to arrive at places you will most likely be unable to. Additionally, they realize how should be disposed of molds forever.

Set Aside Cash:

We realize that form can cause unattractive stains and unsavory scents. Let's be honest. Professional form remediation can be very costly. However, leaving the issue neglected can prompt more muddled problems that might require many dollars to fix.

Yet, did you have some idea that shape can eat through building materials as well? It can consume flooring planks, roof tiles, rug, drywall, and backdrop. It's inevitable before the decaying system starts.

Find All the Shapes:

Tragically, form is available in countless things that we utilize each day. Yet, it is different for shape in a particular region of your home as you can only keep away from it with significant effort. Besides, it is destructive to you and your family when not eliminated rapidly.

They will initially play out a shape examination to know precisely where the shape is in your home. Since where you figure it very well might be, it very well maybe a tiny part of what you can't see. For example, if you see it in a corner in your kitchen.

Keep in mind shape spores rush, starting with one spot then onto the next, and you might have form dwelling in a more significant number of areas than you expected. 

Sort Out the Reasons for the Shape:

In any event, they can assist with finding all the forms present in your home. Shape evacuation administrations are likewise specialists in sorting out the reasons for the state in your home. It will assist you with knowing how best to forestall future form issues.

Helpless ventilation in your home or one of your rooms making buildup and moistness develop is likewise a reason. Individuals who have encountered a flood in their storm cellars and let it dry without having experts tidy it up can have form issues.

Assist with Halting the Spread of Form:

The shape is infamous for spreading and developing, starting with one spot then onto the next. Did you have at least some idea that you can move outside the body to within your home as you, your family, or pets can pick it effectively with your feet?

Not just the external form, within shape too can without much of a stretch spread all through your home, and just the experts can assist you with how it can stop. Thus, depending on their aptitude, your different evacuation choices will just spread the shape further.

Eliminate the Shape Quickly and Clean your Home:

When the examination interaction for the body in your house is finished, the form organization will begin form expulsion and remediation. Hence, the expulsion organization will eliminate it quickly with simply a limited amount of form in your home.

However much they move quickly, a shape of more than 100 square feet will require you to leave your home. Since they eliminate it, they wear defensive stuff and utilize particular gear while treating the house. A short time later, they will clean the home for you as, during the shape expulsion, the form spores can go anyplace through the air.

Providing you with a Doctor's Approval:

Shape influences the strength of individuals in an unexpected way, contingent upon their age, sensitivity responses, and the degree of openness that they are managing in their homes. Consequently, a shape expulsion organization is finished eliminating mold in your home. They will do the last form assessment to guarantee that the shape is not an issue.

Furthermore, they look at the shape spores in the air to guarantee that they are not an excessive number of them. It is simply a standard exam as you can't eliminate all forms of spores in the air as it is very unimaginable.

Conclusion:

While it might appear more apparent and more conservative to go the DIY course to wipe out the shape, your family's wellbeing and security should be your first concern. It is good to leave it in possession of a Mold removal specialist, particularly on the off chance that you have broad form issues. You should bring in an expert assuming mold covers over 10 square feet of your home when in doubt.

Guest Contributor: Billy

9 Symptoms of an Overdue Home Renovation

You want everything to look perfect when you move into your new home. The place you call home is supposed to be a sacred space, which makes you feel at peace and safe. You equip it with all the facilities you desire and decorate it in a way that pleases you. Sadly, many of us begin to neglect the condition of our home after a while. We forget the concept of maintenance and much-needed upgrades. We allow ourselves to get accustomed to a deteriorating environment and let the habit of procrastination win.  If you continue to ignore the problems around the house, they will grow and resolving them later is going to be much more expensive. 

Your home needs to be renovated or remodeled at least once every decade, as it is an important part of estate planning. Whether you want to sell it or transfer it to an heir in the future, it should be habitable either way. The following symptoms are proof that a home renovation project is overdue:

1.    The Kitchen and Bathrooms make you Cringe

The kitchen and bathroom are key aspects of a home, and they are also most susceptible to water damage. If these two parts of your real estate look disgusting, selling it is going to be the biggest challenge ever. You can easily increase the market value of your home by upgrading these areas, whilst recouping about 70% of what you spend (even more if you’re clever enough). 

2.    Your Roof tells you every time it Rains

If you’ve noticed water dripping from your roof now and then, get it fixed before it’s too late. This signifies a structural problem, which could become increasingly dangerous if left unattended. If the roof collapses in an extreme weather situation, it may cause harm to life and property. 

3.    The house has shrunk over the years

The size of the house is the same; it is the residents that have outgrown it. Once upon a time, your place may have looked spacious and even huge. However, everything changes after you start a family and bring in tons of new stuff. It is time you increase the square footage of your living space, or even add another story. You also need to get rid of the things that have been lying around unused since forever. 

4.    Your designated Plumber/Electrician lives in the House

We all have someone in the house who is the designated handyman (it might be you). We rely on quick fixes to save money, without thinking of the long term impact. When our tricks and hacks don’t work anymore, calling in a professional is the only rational solution. 

5.    The Walls tell the story of a Massacre

Cracks, fissures, chipping rubble, and peeling paint on the wall are an unpleasant sight. If you can relate, you may consider yourself a reincarnated sloth. If you’re facing a budget issue, you may opt for a DIY approach. You can even out and paint your walls with the help of unlimited tutorials online. 

6.    The Exterior stands out on Halloween

If the exterior of your home looks like the haunted house from ‘IT’ or some other horror movie, Halloween is the only time of the year when you can pretend to be proud of it. Curb appeal is crucial to attract buyers and make your place look welcoming; investment in landscaping goes a long way. 

7.    Creepy Crawlers are part of the Family

If bed bugs, cockroaches, termites, and other tiny crawlers in the house don’t make you flinch anymore, that is bad news. This means your house is officially bug infested and they might evict you at some point. You should call it a professional for deep cleaning and application of insecticide.

8.    You use ‘Retro’ to explain your home décor

If everything in your home was contemporary at the time you moved in, but now it looks ancient, you know it’s not by choice. You can pretend to be pulling off the retro vibe, but in your heart you crave for change and innovation. Leave your past behind by giving a modern makeover to your space. 

9.    The Carpets serve as a cover-up

The luxurious hard wood floors may have been one of the main reasons you bought this house in the first place. Don’t be surprised if it’s rotting away and looking nasty after so many years. You may have concealed the truth with carpets, but deep down you stifle embarrassment. 

Guest Contributor: John Adams

St. Patricks Day Decorations

Have a little bit (or a lot) of Irish in you and want to show your spirit by decorating your house to stay in spirit? Don’t worry, we understand, we would want to, too! Decorating for St Patricks day is so much fun and it shows your nationality by wanting to decorate for the occasion. We know Irish people take pride in being Irish, and St. Patricks day is a day to celebrate the nationality.

Starting out with one of the more popular decorations, the little Irish gnomes. You can buy these from any local craft store, or there are tons of small businesses that make these during the holidays. We love supporting small businesses, and some might be able to create the gnomes to your liking with different patterns. The beards remind us of true Irish spirit!

These tiered trays are a staple in a house if you love decorating for the holidays. Tiered trays are so easy to decorate to the occasion because it’s small, but it usually is considered a statement piece so it will be placed somewhere where lots of people will see it.

This cute garland can be made DIY or it could also be bought at a local craft store. This is a cute way to spice up the decorations in your house to spread the Irish spirit.

This is another decoration that could be DIY or bought. This is a cute little centerpiece that shows off your spirit. If you have extra wood laying around, paint them to color and write the words, or paint them, to your liking! “Just a wee bit Irish” definitely shows the Irish spirit but you can also switch up the phrase to whatever you’d like.

Door hangers are a popular decoration lately. This is a perfect little decoration that doesn’t involve too much supplies, and it’s cute and small and can be put up the entire month of March.

Burlap table runners are a cute way to incorporate your spirit!

This “pot of gold” is so adorable. You can DIY the pot by adding glue and glitter to make it look more like a pot, but if you just wanted to add those candies in the pot to look like the gold, it will look cute either way.

Adding festive towels into your kitchen is a cute addition that is small but noticeable!

5 Things You Should Know About Water Damaged Hardwood Floors

Hardwood floors give your home a warm, luxurious feel, and they look great! Hardwood floors are durable and properly maintained can last for years. Then sand them down, re-urethane them, and they'll last decades!

While wood offers many benefits, it has one enemy, and that's water! Imagine coming home to discover your wood floors have been damaged because a pipe has burst. Water damage can make your floors appear discolored, and it can even make them dangerous. While water damage can be discouraging, depending on several factors, you won't necessarily need to replace your damaged floors. 

In this post, we're going to look at five things you need to know about water-damaged hardwood floors before you decide to repair or replace them!

Factors to Consider 

Sometimes water damage is obvious, for example, when a pipe bursts. Other times water damage can occur gradually over time, for example, a leaking water line from the refrigerator's ice maker. Keep an eye open for signs you might have water damage. Look for warped floors, discoloration, mold, or bacteria growth. If you notice damage early, you'll be in a better position to repair rather than replace your floors.

How Long Ago Did The Damage Occur? - If it's only been a couple of hours, you can probably clean it up with minimal effects on your floor. However, if you went away for the weekend and it's been leaking for days, you are in some trouble. If you're unsure what happened, look for signs like staining, buckling or cupped boards, nails popping out, or mold. These are all indicators that the water has had too much time to do its work.  Remove any water as quickly as possible. Dry the floors using towels to suck up as much surface moisture as possible. 

How Long Did The Water Remain? - Time is a factor. How long ago did the incident occur? But also how long has the water been on the floor. If water is on the floor for more than 24 hours, the need to replace the floor increases. 

What Was the Source of the Water? - Few people realize, but the source can be a determining factor of whether to repair or replace your hardwood. Four types of water can damage your floors to varying degrees they are:

• Clean Water - If your floors were soaked with clean water, you can probably repair them. Clean water has no bacteria and probably came from your faucet, bathtub, or shower. As long as there are no dangerous chemicals or materials, remove the water quickly!

• Greywater - Unfortunately, if the leak came from the dishwasher or clothes washer it's not clean. While the contaminants may not be dangerous, they are questionable like bleach, food particles, etc. 

• Blackwater - This is the most dangerous and comes from contaminated sources like an overflowing toilet or backed-up sewer system. It contains bacteria that can cause disease in humans and animals.

• Saltwater - While not dangerous, saltwater can damage wood floors if it's not dealt with immediately. For example, if a saltwater fish tank spills onto the floor, and if not cleaned up immediately can damage the floor's finish.

Physical Damage  - Is there visible physical damage? You'll need to determine the extent of physical damage before deciding whether to repair or replace it. Look for:

• Cupping – The edges of the floorboard lift as the wood expands due to water.

• Crowning – Boards are forced together due to moisture build-up. Planks can stick out, or shrink permanently depending on how much moisture is present.

• Buckling – A result of severe water damage, buckled boards are rare, but also one of the most severe types of physical damage.

• Staining – Staining is discoloration due to damage and it comes in two types, white stains, and black stains. White stains indicate that the floor's finish has been mildly damaged. Black stains mean that water has absorbed and wil require extensive repairs.

DIY or Hire a Pro?

If repair is an option you may consider doing the repairs yourself. Start by assessing the damage. If it's mild, was caused by clean water, and involves cleaning up a white stain, chances are you can do it yourself. 

However, if damages are severe like buckling or cupping you may want to get a professional opinion and evaluate if it's worth repairing, or if replacement is a better choice. If you have the skills and the funds, DIY can be a great option. If not, reach out to a professional. They can help you do any repairs or replace your floors, and they can help you file an insurance claim!