How to Choose the Right Carpet for Your Concrete-Floored Basement

Don’t you think stepping onto the cold, hard floor of the basement adds up to the eerie feeling that you get when going down there with the lights off? Just imagining your basement with soft carpet already makes it so much cozier. But before you head off to the store to pick up the materials you need, you must first read the following tips:

Fiber Type

Any carpet fiber style, from plush to loop, can be applied to a concrete floor. The chosen fiber material type should be a synthetic form, such as olefin face fiber. The man-made fibers will be less susceptible to moisture absorption and can be cleaned with stronger chemicals for a long-lasting floor covering. Heavy traffic areas, such as hallways and basement entertainment areas, will have an aesthetically pleasing carpet along with functionality. Carpets that absorb moisture are prone to mold and mildew deterioration. Source: HomeGuides.SFGate

Underpad

You can’t go wrong installing a moisture barrier underlayment, especially if you live in a climate that gets a lot of rain or snow. Concrete absorbs and retains water, and the moisture can seep into the carpet padding and then into the carpet. Moisture barriers, as the name implies, set up a protective barrier to block moisture from reaching the pad and the carpet. They look similar to carpet padding, but they have a plastic film on the surface to block moisture. Source: Hunker

An Important Reminder to Consider

Please note that the above recommendations are for basements that are finished and generally dry. If you do not have an insulated basement that is protected from outside leaks, or if your basement regularly floods for some reason, then no floor covering is going to be able to withstand those conditions. In such cases, your best bet is to leave your cement floor uncovered. If you wish to have something covering the cement, opt for a piece of inexpensive outdoor carpet that is designed to withstand water—and be prepared to throw it out if necessary. Even outdoor carpet can’t survive repeated or intense flooding. Source: TheSpruce

Installing carpet on a concrete floor is more complicated than it looks. Leave the job to us so you can rest assured that your investment will be worth it. Call us!

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3 Things to Keep in Mind When Repairing Leaking Rain Gutters

Ignoring a leaky gutter can cause damage to your home’s exteriors. If you think you have this problem at home, take a read below to see what you can do to solve it.

Determine the cause of leaking
If rushing rainwater hits a blockage while running through gutters, it’s going to surge up and over that blockage, usually spilling over the sides of the gutter. Once the storm is over, grab your ladder and a pair of sturdy work gloves, and take a look inside the rain gutters. If they are full of sodden leaves and smelly muck, it’s likely that your problem isn’t so much a leaking gutter as a spillover. Using a small trowel, a gutter scoop, or your gloved hands, clear away as much debris as possible, dropping it into a bucket for disposal. Then use a power washer or the strongest blast from your garden hose to clear away any remaining grunge. Once gutters are clean, use your garden hose to fill them up with water, and watch for leaks. If water runs through to the downspout without a hitch, you’ve solved the problem. Source: BobVila

Seal the seams
Every connection on a metal gutter needs to be sealed: end caps, splices, drop outlets and miters. Buy a product that’s specifically formulated to seal gutter seams. Seam sealer can handle submersion for long periods of time. It’s also resistant to light, which it will get plenty of.

Most important, high-quality seam sealer is runny, so it can penetrate down into the seam for a durable, long-lasting connection. Most products refer to this property as “self-leveling.” And the runnier the better, so if you’re applying it on a cold day, keep the seam sealer somewhere warm so it stays fluid.

Try to remove as much of the old sealer as you can, and make sure the area you’re sealing is completely dry. Home centers usually stock seam sealer near the gutter parts. Source: FamilyHandyman

Replace large damaged areas
If you have a large area to patch that’s damaged or rusted, your best solution may be to cut that section of guttering away with a hacksaw. Then cut a new section slightly larger than the one you removed and adhere it two both sides of the old gutter using roofing cement to hold and seal it. Source: DoItYourself

Gutter problems often require you to go up a ladder with the right tools and expertise. Don’t compromise your safety. Call us, and we’ll take care of the job for you.

 

Contact:
Kerrisdale Roofing & Drains
8296 Ross St, Vancouver, BC V5X 4C6
(604) 360-2114

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Floor to Carpet Transition Methods You Can Use at Home!

Are you planning to use carpet on one room of your home and a different flooring on an adjacent area? Here are some approaches that professionals use to get a flawless-looking transition:

Tuck-in Carpet to Tile

This is the method that is most often used for transitioning from carpet to tile. In this method, you make use of the often-used carpet helper, the tack strip.

It is highly recommended that you lay the tiling before you install the carpet if using this method. Carpet can easily be cut and positioned easily, or at least, it can be moved more more easily than tile, especially after the tile has been set into place.

After the tile is installed, put in a tack strip 1/4 to 3/8 inches from the edge of the tile. The next step should be to cut at the direct edge of the tile. However, you can also pull the carpet across the space between the tack strip and the tile’s edging. Then use a knee kicker so that the carpet has extra edging, allowing it to be pushed into the space. After that, use the tack strip to hold it in place. Source: DoItYourself

Carpet to Concrete

If you are working with a transition point where a concrete floor is in place, you cannot nail down the tack strips, nor should you use general construction adhesive to mount a tack strip in place. Instead, there are specialty glues sold at home improvement stores which are specifically designed to mount tack strips to concrete. They are fast-drying and some come in a hot-glue style of application; others are troweled on or applied via a caulking gun. The same rule applies: the tack strip needs to be placed at least 1/4 inch from the edge of the tile to allow room for the tuck. Existing carpet installations merely require that the tile meet up to the edge. Source: HomeGuides.SFGate

Use a Carpet Edge Gripper

A carpet edge gripper is an aluminum strip that holds the edge of carpet with sharp metal teeth. It is used to transition to any adjoining surface that is lies lower the carpet.

An edge gripper is installed by being tacked to the subfloor. Then, the carpet is forced into the toothed side of the strip, which holds the carpet backing much the way tackless strips are used to secure a carpet around the perimeter of a room. Source: TheSpruce

Carpet will always be a timeless flooring for high-end homes if installed right. So, if you’re unsatisfied with the appearance of your carpet, let us take care of it! Call us today!

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3 Important Tips to Avoid Chimney Fire

With all the things that happened this year, it seems like time flew faster than ever. Before we know it, it’s already almost winter. And this means it’s time to start prepping for the cold weather. Take a close look at the following tips to have a safe and cozy way to warm up at home:

Let a certified professional conduct an annual inspection
A damaged chimney can spread fire to the surrounding areas in your home. A dirty chimney with a lot of creosote and soot buildup is dangerous because these materials burn at very high temperatures, spreading the fire. It is therefore important to have your chimney and fireplace checked annually. For best results, use the services of a certified chimney sweep. Annual cleaning of the chimney will ensure better passage for the smoke and exhaust gases, in addition to regular removal of dangerous creosote. Source: DoItYourself

Do a test run
Test out the function of your fireplace by lighting a few small pieces of seasoned wood, lit from the top down. If smoke doesn’t exit vertically from the fireplace into the chimney, but enters the room, immediately troubleshoot and correct any problems. These can include creosote/soot build-up, other debris in the chimney like bird or animal nests, a damper that is closed or partially closed, or wet wood that isn’t burning well. Source: DIYNetwork

Use the right burning techniques
Low-temperature, slow-burning fires, particularly those left to smolder overnight, produce more smoke and leave behind more unburned combustible material. When that hardens into creosote on the chimney walls, there’s an increased risk of chimney fires. Hot, fast-burning fires, on the other hand, leave far less smoke, vapor, and unburned wood behind, so little to no creosote forms.

The best way to burn a clean fire is to use the top-down burn method: Place the large logs vertically at the bottom of the fireplace or wood stove (with the bottoms of the logs facing you), add four to five horizontal layers of kindling, then top with tinder and light. Source: BobVila

Have a relaxing cup of coffee as we take care of any chimney problems for you. Call us today for a free estimate!

 

Contact:
Kerrisdale Roofing & Drains
8296 Ross St, Vancouver, BC V5X 4C6
(604) 360-2114

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How to Prepare Your Home for a Carpet Installation

Nothing beats the excitement of finally getting the home renovation you’ve been saving for. But at the same time, you can’t deny how the whole process can quickly get stressful if you aren’t well prepared for it. So, if installing a new carpet is part of your to-do list, here’s how you can make things easier for you and the installer:

Clear the space

Move the furniture out of the space to be carpeted. You will want to put it somewhere out of the elements. If you are carpeting a single room, you can put the furniture in another room, but if you are doing an entire house or floor, you may need a garage or storage space.

• If you are unable to get enough help from friends or neighbors or if you have health problems, you may want to hire furniture movers to take your furniture in and out of the house. Source: WikiHow

Make a path for the installers

Sure you’re getting new carpet, but not at the risk of your other interior flooring. As contractors move in and out of your house, they will naturally leave behind footprints, dirt, mud, sweat, and tears. Also, they may be carrying heavy equipment behind them that could otherwise damage your other flooring. Therefore, always lay a trail from the contractor’s entryway to the area that is being refurbished. Use old towels, cardboard, or drop cloths. Or you can use old carpet squares; if you’re replacing your carpet during this new installation, and you’re just going to throw the previous flooring away, you may as well use if for this particular purpose.

It’s a good idea to adhere these materials though. Tape down the cardboard or drop clothes in order to avoid any slipping when walking or carrying heavy materials. There is no point in saving your floors if you’re actually creating more hazards to the contractors themselves. On hardwood floors or tile, you may want to be careful about how you adhere items: tape may cause damage to the finish, so possibly carpet padding would be a better resistor. Source: HomeAdvisor

Install the carpet last

You want to be sure that all other remodeling projects (wallpaper, new trim, painting, subfloor repairs) have been completed before your carpet installation date.

After your new carpet is professionally installed, the installer will remove small scraps. Any large pieces will be left behind for you. Some people have these pieces cut into small rugs for their home. Binding can be applied to the edges of these carpet pieces for a nominal fee to keep them from fraying.

After all this, there is one thing left to do: Admire your new carpet. Source: AngiesList

Finding the right professional to do the job for you is crucial to the success of your home projects. If you need anyone to handle all carpet-related issues for you, simply give us a call and we’ll be there!

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Easy Halloween Decorations to Spook Your Guests

Stay true to your annual Halloween traditions even during this pandemic by celebrating safely at home with these easy DIY projects:

The sorceress’ downfall
The wicked witch may have fallen, but your porch will come alive with this easy-to-make decor.

1. Cut two pool noodles to leg size (about 30 inches tall).
2. To make knees, draw a 3-inch half-circle in middle of each leg and cut the shape out. Pull edges together and secure with duct tape.
3. Tape quilt batting around pool noodles, adding extra layers to hip and thigh areas and an almond shape where it bends to complete knee. Use more tape to smooth out form.
4. Pull tights over legs. Stuff witch boots with batting and secure to legs by tying laces tightly.
5. To make sign, hot-glue six paint stirrers together to form a jagged rectangle, then hot-glue another stirrer to the back as a signpost. Paint on a phrase like, “Poison Apples for Sale.” Source: WomansDay

Say your message with jack o’ lanterns
Spell out your greeting in mini pumpkins gathered on your porch.

Step 1: Pencil letters on hollowed pumpkins (carve out the opening from the bottom).
Step 2: Using a drill with a half-inch bit, bore holes to form each letter.
Step 3: Hang strings of Christmas-tree lights, gathered in small bunches, to illuminate each pumpkin (unscrew bulbs where the string descends to the next row). Source: CountryLiving

Let spirits roam around
Cheesecloth is a crucial material for any DIY Halloween toolkit. Its loose, gauzy weave is reminiscent of cobwebs and ancient, forgotten places. You can drape it anywhere — over a mantel, lampshades, a dresser, a chair, or a window — to give your home an instant haunted house feel. It’s also the ideal material for making ghost decorations. A few ideas for cheesecloth ghosts include:

– Floating Ghosts. To give it a freestanding ghostly shape, soak cheesecloth in liquid fabric starch and drape it over a form shaped to look like a ghost’s body. Let dry, remove the form, and you’ll have a ghost that “floats” on its own, as shown on Home Talk.
– Life-Size Halloween Ghost. Use a similar method to make a life-size levitating ghost for your outdoor decor. Make a larger frame, this time using wooden stakes and multiple Styrofoam balls. Then follow the same basic method as for the floating ghosts. Get the full instructions on HGTV.
– Ghostly Outdoor Draperies. Inexpensive cheesecloth makes the perfect budget material for ghostly draperies. Hang yards of cloth from lightweight poplar boards you can staple to your porch roof like they did on HGTV. Source: MoneyCrashers

Want to improve your home’s curb appeal so that it would look awesome even without fancy decoration? We’d love to help! Call us today to get a free estimate.

 

Contact:
Kerrisdale Roofing & Drains
8296 Ross St, Vancouver, BC V5X 4C6
(604) 360-2114

 

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5 Things You Must Do to Prevent Carpet Beetles from Coming Back

Have you started to notice bald patches on your carpet’s surface? The culprit might be the tiny insects that feed on its fibers. Get rid of them and stop future infestations by doing these simple tricks:

Keep your pet’s area clean

Furry pets are the first choice of carpet beetles. They feed on the dead skin of your pets and use their body as their hiding place. If you spot any carpet beetles on your pet’s bedding, clean and wash it in hot water to kill larvae or eggs. Don’t forget to give your pet a shampoo bath.

Don’t store fabrics or cloths for extended period

You must regularly clean and wash cloths, fabrics, rugs and carpets in hot water or dry clean them. This is particularly applicable for cloths and fabrics which were not used for some time. Source: DoItYourself

Watch out for dead bugs

Constantly be on the lookout for dead insects in the cracks of the walls and flooring of your home. Try removing dead bugs by vacuuming over them or picking them up with a paper towel. Cracks are one of the more subtle living spaces that carpet beetles can thrive within.

Go synthetic

Choose synthetic materials over organic fabrics when possible. Get products made of synthetic fibers instead of natural ones as often as you can. Carpet beetles don’t feed on synthetic fabric. Keep this in mind when purchasing furniture, rugs, and carpets. Source: WikiHow

Sprinkle boric acid

Boric acid, which acts as a poison on insect metabolism, is only hazardous to humans if ingested or inhaled in large quantities. Find it at pharmacies and sprinkle it in powder form lightly and evenly on carpet, then use a broom or brush to distribute it into the fibers. Wait several hours and vacuum thoroughly. You may also prepare a larvae-killing spray by adding one tablespoon of boric acid to two cups of hot water and stirring until the powder dissolves. Fill a plastic spray bottle with the solution and mist curtains, upholstery, baseboards, and dark nooks and crannies where carpet beetle larvae hang out. Source: BobVila

Let us help you repair those ugly spots on the carpet so you won’t have to look at them anymore. Call us anytime to get a free estimate!

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