Contractor Tips Blog

Dec
30

Natural Stone: The Perfect Material to Spruce Up Your Outdoor Living Space

Posted in Landscaping

Is your outdoor space needing a makeover? If you want to update the outdoor areas of your home, consider using natural stone. Not only is this material durable and beautiful, it can add value to your home with its classic appeal. Here are some ways to use natural stone to spruce up your outdoor living space.

  • A travertine patio. Create a stylish patio with travertine pavers that are unique, easy to maintain and a gorgeous addition to any home. Travertine pavers come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors that can give your outdoor space an updated, trendy look.
  • Tumbled marble pool deck. Sunbathe on beautiful tumbled marble pavers for your pool deck, adding a classy touch to your outdoor relaxation area. Marble is perfect for a Mediterranean-style for your pool area.
  • Outdoor kitchen. Natural stone pavers are perfect for creating your outdoor kitchen for entertaining your guests. They are heat resistant and easy to clean, an excellent choice for building your counters and cabinets for your kitchen.
  • Fire pits. Enjoy late nights under the stars around your natural stone fire pit, a great addition to make your outdoor area warm all year round.
  • Cobbled walkways. Natural stone pavers or bricks are wonderful for walkways through your garden or backyard area.

Natural stone is very trendy right now for home design, inside and out. However, it is also a material that has a classic appeal that will be stylish for many years to come. Talk to your local natural stone paving company to explore ways to use this versatile material to add beauty to your outdoor living space.

Posted on behalf of:
Tri County Pavers & Design
3300 S Congress Ave
Boynton Beach, FL 33426

Dec
30

5 Types of People That Should Own a Golf Cart

Posted in Golf Carts

Golf carts have shifted from a luxury for those that enjoy the game of golf to a useful device for people from many walks of life. While you will still see them on the golf course, there are many types of people that can enjoy the benefits of this affordable and reliable source of personal transportation. Here are five example of people that could benefit from owning a golf cart.

  1. Large property owners. If you own a large farm or plot of land, a golf cart is perfect for getting from one end of your property to another. Many working farms use golf carts to haul small loads to and from different outbuildings on the property.
  2. Outdoorsmen. Whether you hunt or just bird watch, if you love the outdoors, a rugged golf cart should be in your garage. With many options available for higher clearance or larger wheels, you can comfortably go on all-day treks through the woods in style.
  3. Medical issues. Worn out knees and hips can make walking long distances painful. Those with medical issues can enjoy the freedom of movement with their own golf cart to take with them wherever they go.
  4. Business owners. Businesses that encompass large areas like resorts, parks, apartment complexes and cemeteries need ways to transport their clients from point A to point B.
  5. Golfer. Of course, the avid golfer can always benefit from owning their own cart versus renting one every time they play.

If you fit into any of these categories, it may be time to consider investing in a new golf cart. You will be amazed at all the options available through your local dealer to customize your new cart for your needs.

Posted on behalf of:
Top Dog Golf Carts
55055 Hammond Industrial Dr
Cumming, GA 30041
(770) 887-7433

Dec
30

Restore or Repair? Deciding the Best Option for Your Commercial Staircase

Posted in Metal Stairs

Do you have a metal staircase at your commercial building that is becoming an eyesore, or worse, a safety concern? Metal staircases are used in many commercial applications due to their durability, easy maintenance and longevity, but even metal can wear out when constantly exposed to the elements or under heavy use. If you have noticed rust, corrosion or weak spots on your staircase, it is time to fix the issue before it causes an injury. But do you need just a staircase restoration or a full replacement?

In many cases, metal staircases can be restored by a metal fabricator. It depends on the amount of repair that is needed. If there are only a few loose welds or rusted areas, it may be less expensive to have the staircase restored. First the staircase will need to be inspected. The metal fabricator can evaluate your staircase for signs of these common issues:

  • Metal fatigue
  • Rust
  • Failing welds
  • Loose railings
  • Corrosion
  • Worn protective coating

In many circumstances, the issues can be fixed without replacing the whole staircase. Replacing a few treads and re-welding loose areas can often fix the issue. Once the structural issues are fixed, covering the staircase with a new protective coating will make it look new and extended the life of the metal.

Of course, if there are too many repairs needed, it may time for a complete replacement. However, once your staircase is replaced with new, solid metal, it should last for decades if maintained. Call your local metal fabricator that specializes in metal staircase restorations and replacements to schedule your inspection.

Posted on behalf of:
LCG Welding, LLC
4625 Church Road
Cumming, GA 30028

 

Dec
30

Benefits of Using a Vacuum Conveyor Belt

There are many different types of conveyor belts available with a wide variety of capabilities. Choosing the right one for your needs can be daunting, especially if you manufacture or ship a variety of different items. So which one is right for your needs? For many applications, a vacuum conveyor belt can offer a secure surface that will easily transport your items where they need to go through your production floor or warehouse. Here are some of the benefits of choosing a vacuum conveyor belt for your business.

  • Do you ship or manufacture flat items that need to be swiftly moved through your production floor? Vacuum conveyor belts are perfect for flat items that often slip off conventional belts.
  • Businesses that need to move oddly shaped or various sized items can benefit from using a conveyor belt with a vacuum function. This helps hold even small or round items in place as they are moved from one area to another.
  • Items that need to be held in a specific position for gluing or cutting on a production floor will be secure with the suction from a vacuum belt keeping them in place.
  • Steep inclines for transporting items from one area of your warehouse to another can benefit for the stability that a vacuum conveyor belt can provide.

Not all conveyor belts offer the same functions or capabilities. Nor do all conveyor belt companies offer the same products and services. Before settling for a generic conveyor belt that may not meet your production needs, talk to your local conveyor belt experts that offer vacuum conveyor belts as one of their options.

Posted on behalf of:
The King Group, Inc.
6865 Shiloh Road East, #100
Alpharetta, GA 30005
(770) 886-1113

Dec
30

Broken iPhone: Repair or Replace?

It happens to even the most scrupulous iPhone user. Even with screen protectors and expensive cases, your iPhone is never completely resilient to damage. Drop that phone just right on cement or accidentally sit on it when it is in your pocket and you can end up with a cracked screen that just doesn’t function right anymore. Even a tiny crack will eventually grow, turning your trusty iPhone into an expensive paperweight. So when the unthinkable happens, do you shell out hundreds of dollars for a new phone or get it repaired?

The problem with many repair options is that you need to send your phone to be fixed or replaced, especially if you use phone insurance through your carrier. While this may seem like a good option, in the mean time you are without a phone. There is a good chance you will not get your same phone back, meaning you will need to reload all your apps and other settings on your replacement phone. The same is true if you buy a new phone. But there is one more option: same day, local repair.

Luckily, there are now mobile device repair shops in most shopping centers that can repair your iPhone on the spot. Some even offer mobile repairs where the technician comes to you. Most common damage issues can be fixed in as little as a few minutes, allowing you to keep your same phone, apps and settings, while repairing your cracked screen or other issues.

If you find yourself with a broken iPhone, iPad or other mobile device, check around before going through the hassle of sending it off for repair or buying a new device. You may be able to get it fixed the same day for a reasonable price right in your home town.

Posted on behalf of:
iDeviceMD
1570 Old Alabama Rd
Roswell, GA 30076
(678) 869-9899

Dec
30

Reduce Electronic Waste by Repairing and Recycling Your Electronics

How many electronic devices do you have in your home? Too many to count off the top of your head? Most people own a cell phone, a computer and many other electronics for entertainment, all which will someday stop working. So what do you do when your computer keeps freezing up or your cell phone is on the fritz? Consider repairing these devices to reduce waste.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) urges people to recycle their electronic devices, but before they do that, consider repairing your device. Many times a computer that is having problems just needs a quick repair to get it back online again. Bring it in for a diagnosis to a local repair shop to find out the problem. It may just need a virus removed or an upgrade in software, saving you money off buying a new device.

The same is true for your cell phone. Why spend hundreds of dollars to get a new phone when for a fraction of that price, you can get it repaired. A cracked screen or dead battery is a simple fix that can extend the life of your phone for another year or more. This reduces waste while saving you money.

When it does come time to get a new computer or cell phone, make sure to be responsible and recycle. Did you know that the EPA estimates that recycling a million laptops can save the same amount of energy as it takes to power 3,500 American homes for a year? Bring in your old electronics to a e-cycling center. You may even be able to get money for old cell phones by bringing them into a local repair shop that buys old phones. Look at your options and make the right choice for your wallet and the environment.

Posted on behalf of Cellairis

Dec
30

Selling Your Home? Increase the Value with New Vinyl Siding

If you are planning to sell your home, you want to get the best price. However, if your home is older and has old siding or needs paint, it can hurt your chances of getting the price you want for your home. Curb appeal is extremely important when selling a home; when a buyer pulls up to tour your home, you want them immediately fall in love with the house. But old siding or peeling paint can detract from all the other benefits your home may have to offer. New vinyl siding can make your old home look new again and has many other selling points that buyers will love, including:

  • Low maintenance. Most people like the idea of owning their own home, but do not care for all the upkeep, maintenance and expense that comes with it. Vinyl siding is great for homeowners that want a low maintenance home that won’t need new paint every few years.
  • Energy efficient. Everyone wants to save money off their energy bills. Vinyl siding helps insulate the home, keeping the cold air in during the summer and the cold air out during the winter.
  • Vinyl siding looks great and can last for decades. Nothing can change the look of your home more completely than adding new siding.

Increase the value and desirability of your home before you put in on the market by investing in new vinyl siding. By improving the beauty and efficiency of your home, you can get the most value and possibly sell it quicker than you had hoped. Talk to your local contractor to find out if vinyl siding is the right option to increase the value of your home.

Posted on behalf of:
Atwood Home Builders
227 W 8th Ave
Homestead, PA 15120
(412) 638-1262

Dec
30

Is the Brick on Your Home Separating?

Brick is beautiful and can last for many decades, with many brick homes lasting centuries. However, time and the elements can take their toll, even on the most well-built brick home. Settling in the foundation and other issues can lead to bricks separating, causing the tell-tale staircase gap that you see on many older brick buildings. So what can you do when you begin having these issues on your home?

Brick repair is not as simple as just filling in the gaps between your bricks with mortar. First, the underlying cause must be addressed. Just repairing the bricks is like putting a bandage on a bullet wound. The problem will just reappear and continue to get worse if not repaired at the foundation or structural level of your home.

For brick home repair, you need a qualified masonry company that can not only fix the gaps in your brick, but repair the underlying cause. In many cases, the foundation is to blame. A settling or sinking foundation can create the staircase gap in brick walls, as well as put the structural integrity of your home at risk. An experienced masonry company that specializes in foundation repair can fix both the base problem and the cosmetic issue of your separating brick, protecting your investment into your home.

Don’t ignore the signs of a foundation issue in your home. If you have noticed cracks forming in your walls or gaps appearing around your bricks, call your local masonry experts for an inspection. They can find the root cause and have it repaired before it causes any more damage to your home.

Posted on behalf of:
Anglin’s Foundation & Masonry Repairs
Marietta, GA
(770) 422-2924

Dec
30

Top Customized Options for Your Golf or Utility Cart

Posted in Golf Carts

You wouldn’t be satisfied with a base model car or truck, so why accept less for your new golf or utility cart? There are so many options to make your cart personalized for your comfort, style and taste. Before you buy a standard golf cart, consider some of the bells and whistles that are available at quality golf cart dealers.

  • Heaters/fans. Keep warm or cool off with options to keep you comfortable when you are out tooling around in your new cart. The heater can be wonderful for early morning golfers or hunters heading out in the woods. Enclosures are also available.
  • Customized bodywork or paint. Trick out your new ride with flames or specialized bodywork. There are many ways to update the look of a standard golf cart.
  • Wheels. Like all vehicles, golf carts with stylish wheels are very popular right now. Consider Mag wheels or choose from many different types of rims to accessorize your new cart.
  • Lift kit or larger tires. Going out on rugged trails? Get your cart lifted and add larger tires to make sure you have the clearance you need.
  • Of course, adding a stereo is almost a necessity. Who wants to go anywhere without access to music or at least a radio?
  • Street legal kits. In many residential areas, golf carts can be used on roads with the addition of a street legal kit.

Don’t settle for a basic golf cart model when you can customize your new cart for your lifestyle. Talk to your local dealer to find out all the options and features available for your new cart.

Posted on behalf of:
Action Specialty Carts
1891 McFarland Pkwy
Alpharetta, GA 30005
(770) 888-0892

Sep
9

Inspecting Your Home for Structural Issues

Foundation and structural damage rarely happen overnight. Unless caused by a natural disaster, most changes in the structural integrity happen slowly over time. When you see your home day in and day out, year after year, you may not notice the small signs that your structure may be beginning to have problems. The quicker you address structural issues, the less expensive they tend to be, making it easier on your budget. A quick inspection of your home a few times per year can help you catch these small issues and have them repaired before they cause major and expensive damage to your home. Here are some signs to look for inside and outside your home:

  • Walls. Check for cracks in drywall in the interior that could be caused from structural damage or foundation shifts. On the exterior, uneven siding or shingles and step cracks in brick could be caused by foundation issues.
  • Chimney. Look for cracks in brick chimneys or for leaning in the structure. It may be only the chimney that needs masonry work, but it should be inspected by a masonry expert.
  • Doors and windows. Doors and windows that stick can be signs of foundation issues. Also, doors that swing open may be caused by structural shifts. Gaps around doors and windows are another sign of possible structural problems.
  • Use a level. Check the level of the floors in all rooms of the home on the ground level.

Keeping an eye out for these small changes in your home can alert you to issues before they become a major expense. At the first sign, contact a reputable contractor that specializes in structural and foundation repair to have a professional inspection.

Posted on behalf of:
Anglin’s Foundation & Masonry Repairs
Marietta, GA
(770) 422-2924

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