How to Soundproof Your Home Office

Are you thinking about turning part of your home into an office so you can work more peacefully? Lessen the noise and distractions by following these simple steps:

Install a carpet

Thick padding installed underneath dense carpeting can help reduce the noise in a large room. If you have wooden or tile floors, add a large area rug to muffle the sounds within your room. Situate a non-skid rug pad under your area rug to further reduce the noise level. Position an area rug on top of low-nap carpet to provide an additional layer of sound absorption. Carpets or rugs that are plusher and cushier absorb noise better than their thin counterparts. Source: HomeGuidesSFGate

Use heavy curtains

Good curtains work wonders against street noise coming through flimsy windows. Thicken the material between the room and the noise with lined curtains, window dressing made from bulky fabric like velvet, or specialty noise-absorbing drapes (which usually have a thick wool core stitched between the decoative fabric). Source: ApartmentTherapy

Replace your windows

Newer, better windows are nearly always better at slowing transmission of exterior sound. Many homeowners install triple-pane windows as much for their sound-deflecting qualities as for potential energy savings.

If you have older style aluminum-framed windows, you are better off with vinyl, fiberglass, or wood framed windows. These older windows do not have a thermal break between outside and inside, making the inside colder.

Storm windows add yet another layer of glass and can be self-installed, saving money. While their sound reduction qualities are only minimal, storm windows are easy to put on, easy to take off, very cheap, and not visible. Source: TheSpruce

If you want to have carpet installed in your new home office, contact us and we’ll even give you some advice on which type of fiber will suit your lifestyle best!

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Here’s How You Can Say Goodbye to Carpet Beetles

Have you noticed the appearance of these pests on your carpeted floors? Today, we’ll teach you how to deal with this annoying problem.

What are carpet beetles?

The common variegated carpet beetle is recognisable by its oval-shaped, grey, brown and cream mottled body. Although it measures only 2-4mm in length, its larvae can cause considerable damage to wool carpets as well as feather-filled soft furnishings.

The adults are most active in late Spring and early Summer but the larvae won’t hatch until the Autumn, when you will start to see damage. Source: Good HouseKeeping

How to get rid of them?

Spray or dust your carpet and furniture with an insecticide. There are many different types of carpet treatment products that you can buy. Make sure that whatever spray or dust you’re applying is for killing carpet beetles specifically, and check the label of chemical insecticides to make sure that the product contains chlorpyrifos, bendiocarb, and allethrin in order to ensure eradication success. 

• Chemical insecticides may be harmful to other animals, so if you have any pets make sure to secure them in a location away from where the insecticide is sprayed or dusted.
• Spread boric acid all over your carpet and upholstered furniture, and make sure to vacuum it up within two hours of laying it down. While it is lethal for beetles, boric acid isn’t powerful enough to harm humans. 
• Dehydrate carpet beetles with diatomaceous earth. Sprinkle diatomaceous earth on pet beds and in the back of cabinets and closets. It’s safe for pets and humans, but you’ll need to wear a respirator or mask while applying to keep yourself from inhaling the particles. 
• Many common household pesticides that kill ants and roaches will also kill carpet beetles, or simply limit their food supply. Spray the product in corners of closets, on window ledges, and in any crevices that could potentially house carpet beetles. Source: WikiHow

Do a deep clean

To be on the safe side, it’s advisable to deep clean any upholstery around the carpet as some beetles may have strayed away and made their home in these fabrics. If this is the case, they will multiply and find their way back to your carpet. To deep clean your upholstery, vacuum the material thoroughly using an appropriate attachment. Don’t leave out any crevices or narrow spaces as bugs tend to hide in these areas. Next, make a solution of white vinegar and water (equal parts) and spritz it over the upholstery; leave it to air dry. Vinegar acts as a natural bug repellent that doesn’t stain or smell. Source: Build

Carpet beetles can cause damage to your carpet. But don’t worry! We can take care of that. Call us today to book an appointment.

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Best Flooring Options for Pets

Are you a fur parent looking for the perfect flooring that requires minimal upkeep? Here are some of the top picks for you:

Bamboo

Bamboo is an excellent flooring for pets for many different reasons. It’s harder than the hardest hardwoods, meaning it will stand up to more traffic. It won’t wear out, and it’s completely renewable. This makes it a good choice for those who are trying to be green. Bamboo is stain resistant, so people don’t have to worry about accidents or spills. Bamboo’s hardness will help save money when compared flooring that will require repairs from scratches. For those who are trying to decide between using wood and vinyl flooring, choosing bamboo floors is a great compromise. Source: BuildDirect

High-performance carpet

Pets do love carpeting; there’s just something to be said about having carpeting in your home that a pet can run across and roll around upon without destroying the fibers. High-performance carpeting continues to improve in terms of spill, soil, and stain resistance, and manufacturers now produce a wide assortment of styles and textures, so homeowners are not as limited as they were 5-10 years ago. Bellera High-Performance Carpet from Shaw Industries is one of the newest on the market that comes not only with promises for durability, but warranties to suit. We know lots of people who have replaced carpeting in their homes and opted for a high-performance product that’s both as soft as any carpet you’d want, but also durable for pets (and the active kids who keep them on their toes). Source: HGTV

Stone, tile, and concrete

Hard flooring options such as stone, tile, and concrete are most likely to withstand the constant wear and tear of clawed feet. These hard surfaces are also the easiest to clean after a wet dog does its trademark shake, a long-haired cat sheds its fur, or an untrained pup leaves behind a messy surprise. As a downside, flooring made of stone, tile, or concrete can get chilly during cold weather, and dogs may be uncomfortable relaxing on the hard surfaces. Both issues, though, can be addressed easily by scattering thick rugs and pet beds throughout your home. As an alternative solution, some homeowners may choose to install heated floorboards. Source: BobVila

Play around freely with your pet knowing that we’re here to take care of any carpet troubles. Call us if your carpet needs some repair!

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How to Patch Carpet

Is a damaged area on your carpet starting to irritate you? Say goodbye to this small annoyance by replacing that portion with some pieces that you might have left from the installation. Or, cut out some parts from hidden spots using the following tips: 

Mark the area

Use an awl or capped pen to establish a square around the damaged area. Press the instrument into the carpet between the tufts and drag it. This separates the tufts and minimizes the number of tufts that will get cut.

Cut the damaged part

Use your carpet or utility knife to cut the carpet along the lines of the square. Try your best to cut only the backing of the carpet, avoiding tufts. Carefully remove the section of carpeting. If any carpet fibers remain attached, cut them rather than pull them away. Source: TheSpruce

Prepare the carpet patch

Next, cut a replacement plug, using the cutout as a template. To start, make a first cut in the replacement material, using a straightedge to guide your carpet knife. Then set the cutout on the replacement material with one edge aligned along that first cut. When you lay the cutout on top of the replacement material, make sure their naps are running in the same direction. You can tell which direction the nap is running by rubbing your hand over the carpeting and watching which way the fibers fall or stand up. Once you have the cutout lined up correctly, part the fibers around the three uncut sides just as you did before.

Cut along the parts and test-fit the plug in the cutout hole, making sure the nap of the plug matches the nap of the surrounding carpet. If the plug is a little too big, trim off a single row of fibers with sharp scissors (old, dull scissors will tear the fibers). Source: FamilyHandyman

Put the patch in place

Groom away any loose carpet fibers from the edge of the hole. Check the fit before applying any glue. Then, put down a thin layer of carpet glue along the edges of the adhesive disk. Place the patch into the hole, taking care to make sure the fit is snug and even. Press lightly to allow the backing on the patch to come into contact with the underlying tape and adhere properly. 

• Align the patch so that the direction of the fibers in the patch match the direction of the fibers in the rest of the carpet.
• You have about 15 minutes to position and align the patch perfectly before the glue sets, permanently anchoring your patch in place. Work quickly. Source: WikiHow

Are you afraid to mess up this DIY job and end up causing more damage? Let a professional do it for you in just an instant. Call us today to set up an appointment!

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