Posts made in September, 2020

Common Causes of Ceiling Damage

Your ceiling is second to your roof. It offers much required overhead protection from debris floating in the air, severe temperatures, and elements. Aside from that, they also hold in insulation and keep ugly pipes and beams hidden. Though you might not give the ceiling of your home much thought every day, they’re sure to move up the priority list when they begin to show indications of ceiling damage.  

There are a lot of issues that can cause ceiling damage. These issues can’t be fixed using DIY methods, you will have to hire a professional ceiling repair company for help. 

Age of Your House 

A home does not always gracefully age, just like our body. Though humans take on weakened bones and wrinkles, houses show their age in cracks. Usually, these show in short hairline cracks or a spider-web pattern. You can mend these eyesores with paint and plaster or drywall mud for aesthetic purposes. Else, these ceiling cracks should not present much issue, unless they begin growing in size.  

Structural Issues 

Cracks that run the complete length of the ceiling in a straight path and then continue down a wall might be an indication that your house is improperly settling. It can also be an indication that there is a weak or damaged wall stud in your house. The joists of your house might no longer be able to hold your home’s weight if the ceiling starts to bow or dip. For either problem, have the structure of your house checked and fixed. This will help you prevent a more expensive and bigger issue. 

Too Much Moisture 

Stains in your ceilings can be caused by parts of your house having too much condensation or humidity. Damp rooms, such as kitchen and bathrooms, can lead to mildew- and mold-stained ceilings. Prevent this from happening by installing the right ventilation and utilizing a dehumidifier if required. You’ve got to ensure the duct to the attic space is insulated properly if you are installing exhaust fans. This will help you prevent the moisture from turning into condensation stains.  

Water Leak 

Peeling paint, sagging drywall, and ceiling stains usually mean water is sitting atop the ceiling. One culprit is roof damage. this includes ice dams, clogged gutters, and missing shingles. The source of the issue can also be a broken pipe or wrong shower fitting enabling water to leak from the bathroom upstairs. Tackle this type of damage by first figuring out and repairing the water source. After that, you can dry out the place. Lastly, you can fix the ceiling.  

Buckling plaster, sagging drywall, or discoloration from the ceiling is not a problem that you should ignore. If you spot these issues, it is best to hire a professional right away for remedy. If you don’t fix that problem right away, it might lead to expensive repairs down the line. If your ceiling starts to show indications of damage, hiring a professional ceiling repair company is the best thing you can do to prevent further damage.  

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How to Incorporate Gray in Your Kitchen Cabinets?

Gray is certainly worth thinking about if you are ready to renovate your kitchen cabinets. It can totally change the feel and look of your kitchen, whether you opt to integrate the color in other design features or you choose for gray-painted cabinets. This is your chance to take on a modern style without worrying about the new look going beyond your comfort zone.  

The inherent flexibility of gray makes it best for modern kitchens. However, the almost limitless range of options can feel overwhelming. How can you potentially choose on 1 option with so many applications and shades? Today, we’re going to share with you some tips on how to incorporate gray in your kitchen and bar cabinets. 

Try a Standalone Feature 

Gray many not appear like your go-to color at first for building contrast. However, this is what the effect if obtains if integrated into kitchens dominated by bright colors. A solid block of gray in such surroundings can immediately transform into a focal point. This idea is best achieved with the help of a gray accent wall or island. This can keep color-heavy kitchens from feeling tasteless. 

You should think about integrating a standalone gray piece if your kitchen already mainly features a particular color but can use an upgrade. This enables you to experiment with a new style before making a huge commitment. This is your chance to be daring.  

Take a Dare with Dark Gray 

As of now, dark colors are getting more and more popular again. These colors have been less popular in previous years because of the dominance of white, which is preferred for its clean appearance and capability of brightening spaces. This does not mean that you should avoid dark hues. Dark tones can come across as elegant with a strategic concept.  

Though a lot of homeowners enjoy currently experimenting with black and navy blue, there is a lot to love about gray. It is the ideal choice for experimenting with the idea of a dark kitchen. 

The final look of the kitchen will vary on how you integrate dark gray. You can achieve a bit of moody but appealing look if the dark gray color dominates. On the other hand, the darkest shades of gray offer an excellent modern kitchen style. 

Look for ways to establish contrast into the kitchen. This will help you avoid being overwhelmed in your kitchen. You can obtain a unique appearance with ingenuity and a bit of effort.  

 Accent with Blue 

Think about choosing a shade that incorporates a minor touch of your preferred color if you like the idea of gray but are usually unwilling to adopt neutral-heavy styles. The color you’re going to choose is blue. The correct amount of blue can add instant visual appeal without compromising the appearance of gray. 

When using this method, you should always be wary. Shades that integrate blue often end up looking a bit like gray. However, if you hit the correct balance, you will have a kitchen style that is both timeless and contemporary.  

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Should You use a Soapstone Countertop?

Soapstone is a type of natural stone that has been utilized for many years in countertops. It has a milky look that offers it a rural feel, unlike the elegant and urban appearance of slate or granite. A lot of homeowners prefer the natural look of soapstone.  

If you’re planning to install a soapstone countertop, it’s better to understand the material first. Here are some benefits you can get from soapstone countertops: 

It is Simple to Maintain and Clean 

Since it’s not porous, soapstone cleans up with a combination of dish rag or sponge and mild soap. This is an extremely clean countertop. It’s an excellent option for people who love to cook with fresh meats, vegetables, and fresh fruits that are often linked with e-Coli bacteria.  

The Durability of Soapstone Countertop 

Though it isn’t as sturdy as granite, soapstone is more flexible. This means it’s not brittle. Therefore, it will not unexpected crack from weight or stress. Aside from that, this material is extremely non-porous. It is another vital benefit that sets it apart from slate, sandstone, and granite. It does not need the sealing that those materials require. Also, there’s less possibility for the stain to linger if oil or wine is spilled onto it.  

The main care that this material need is a regular oiling. This maintenance task maintains the look of the soapstone. It also generates natural staining as time passes by. To make things simple, oiling is done for aesthetics instead of performance purposes.  

The Appearance of Soapstone 

This is perhaps the material you need if you are searching for a natural stone with a great amount of warmth. This is one of the reasons why this type of countertop is a preferred option in rural kitchens. However, they can be incorporated in styles from eclectic to modern to traditional. They provide great design flexibility.  

The colors you will find in soapstone ranges from charcoal gray with an almost solid color to nearly pure white with a bit of marbling. In between, you will love a pleasant array of grays, pearls, off-whites, and whites with great marbling.  

Natural Stone Countertop 

This material is made from quarried stone. The stone is a steatite stone that includes dolomite, magnesite, and chlorite. Aside from that, almost every stone contains a little talc which accounts for the powdery or milky feel and look of the stone. Slabs with a lot of talc have been utilized by sculptors through the years for its softness. Steatite with less talc is sturdy enough to utilize in fireplace surrounds and countertops.  

The presence of talc generates a material that’s softer to the touch compared to almost every natural stone countertop material. But, this does not mean it will not stand up to the day-to-day wear and tear of the kitchen.  

However, you need to prevent directly from cutting on it since it is quite soft. Furthermore, you shouldn’t drop heavy cast iron pans or objects on it. While it may be nice to feel the soft nature of soapstone, it is also one of its drawbacks.  

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