(ARA) – The bathroom, often a place of relaxation and comfort, can also be a dangerous space. Whether your family members are 3 years old or 93, the risk of getting hurt in the bathroom is the same for all ages.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the number of multigenerational households, consisting of three or more generations of a family, is on the rise in America — up to nearly four million. And, creating a safe home that meets everyone’s needs while still being stylish can be difficult.

So whether it’s bath time for your little ones or their grandparents, the following tips will help you to create a safe bathroom that is fashionable and inviting.

Tub Lock Down
Getting into and out of the tub safely is key to a relaxing bath experience for both children and adults. To prevent slipping, easy-to-install and stylish Premium SecureLock Tub Grips from Home Care by Moen are essential in lending a stable, helping hand. The design features an easy-locking lever to ensure a tight fit to most tubs without harming the tub surface. An ergonomically designed handle features an anti-slip grip to provide optimal support and comfort. Plus the innovative design offers easy, no-tool installation and removal in seconds.

Splish Splash I Was Taking a Bath
Neglecting your tub while it’s filling up may lead to accidental overflow, leaving a hazardous pool of water on the floor. An alarm is the perfect way to alert impatient bathers — young and old — when it’s bath time. Designed in many shapes and colors to coordinate with any decor, the bath alarm notifies you when the water has reached its limit. Some models, such as the Primo Bathtub Thermometer, also include a water temperature screen to help keep sensitive fingers or toes from getting burned.

Put an End to Slipping and Sliding
Slips and slides are fun for outside play on hot days; however, they can easily be created in your bathtub if bath treads are not properly placed on the bottom of the tub. Bath treads provide stability and reduce slippage while showering. These simple strips are inexpensive, come in different, decorative shapes such as stars, shells and fish, and can be found at any home or hardware store.

Shower Safely
Whether it is shower time for toddlers or teenagers, parents or patriarchs, a handheld shower is the perfect option for everyone. Home Care by Moen’s Premium Pause Control Handheld Shower offers safe, easy and luxurious showering options for bathers, whether seated or standing, and features three unique spray settings and a pause setting to create your own unique shower experience. An oversized lever allows for easy-turn spray selection, while the innovative on-handle, push-button pause control reduces water to a trickle for added safety. You’ll be feeling clean and refreshed in no time — all while remaining safe.

Creative Storage and Decorating
As one of the smallest rooms in the home, the bathroom can become the culprit of disorganization and tripping hazards. To get a grip on organization, install an over-the-toilet shelving unit for extra storage. Try personalizing each individual’s space in the bathroom by designating drawers or assigning colorful bath towels for shower time. Adding bathroom accessories such as towel rings and robe hooks can help coordinate the room and also keep wet towels and clothes off the floor.

Lighting the Way to Style and Safety
Midnight trips to the bathroom are common for many including children, expectant mothers and the elderly. Keeping a night light plugged into an outlet in the bathroom can keep sleepy heads awake and prevent accidents. Some nightlights are motion activated and some come on as soon as light disappears. There are also thousands of different designs for bathroom nightlights — from mini-chandeliers and lampshades to more simple and conservative styles. Home improvement stores and Web sites such as www.bathroomfurnituredirect.com sell fashionable bathroom nightlights at reasonable prices.

By incorporating these easy tips, you’ll not only help every family member get a grip on bathroom safety, but have a stylish room as well.

For more information on stylish bath safety products from Home Care by Moen, visit www.homecare.moen.com or call (800) 882-0116.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Tags: bathroom safety, safe bathrooms

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Moen's Level kitchen faucet features a pulldown wand to make everyday tasks easier.

(ARA) – Economic uncertainty. A changing political climate. Decreasing consumer confidence. Americans today have a lot to be anxious about — and the need for escape is greater than ever. No place is this need more evident than in the home.

According to Judy Riley, Moen’s vice president of design, the home is looked to as the primary place for comfort and serenity during times of unrest. “With decreased entertainment budgets and the growing trend toward entertaining in the home, Americans are spending a lot more time indoors,” says Riley. “Today’s home is for much more than eating and sleeping — it is an escape from the outside world.”

What are the latest trends in the modern escape home? More importantly, how can you transform your home into a safe haven with both style and smarts?

The Hub of the Home
Kitchens have come a long way in the past several years, and they continue to evolve more into the family gathering place than ever before. “The kitchen is the center of connectivity for today’s family — not only physically, but also digitally,” says Riley. “The kitchen is where we socialize, check email, surf the Web, watch television and charge everything from the cell phone to the iPod.”

With the kitchen as the home’s nucleus, it’s important to incorporate design elements that fit this specific purpose. Today’s kitchen lends itself to a more flexible, open plan than ever before, with ample counter space and wiring to support all of the family’s gadgets. It also requires more seating, from high-top bar stools to casual table dining.

As the most frequented space in the house, it’s important to incorporate items into your kitchen that fit your family’s personality — items that are both functional and fashionable. Moen’s Level kitchen faucet features sleek and contemporary lines that help to make a bold statement at the sink. Plus, the faucet’s pulldown wand simplifies everyday tasks, such as filling large pots, pitchers and vases, making your work that much simpler.

Serene and Green
Like the kitchen, today’s bathroom is taking on a variety of functions, acting as a setting for both wellness and rejuvenation. Consumers aim to achieve a peaceful environment by staying conscious of their impact on the environment and considering potential energy and cost savings in the bath.

Green has become part of the dialogue for homeowners as they weigh product features and functions, with many seeking to understand a product’s impact on the environment before making a purchase. “Although consumers want to do their part to be green, they aren’t willing to sacrifice a product’s performance to do so,” Riley says. “For example, they might want a low-flow showerhead, but not a weak shower experience.”

Moen’s Envi Eco-Performance showerhead takes both of these desires into consideration. With three unique spray settings and a flow rate of 1.75 gallons per minute (gpm) — 30 percent less than the industry standard 2.5 gpm — homeowners can have a guilt-free, superior shower experience every day. Modified spray formers increase the velocity of water streams hitting the body, which allows Envi to treat users to a full, satisfying and relaxing spray — all while saving water. “Achieving both a greener and more relaxing shower has never been easier,” says Riley.

Party Central
Entertaining and dining are coming home this year, and spaces need to be adaptable in order to accommodate multiple functions and different types of get-togethers. Transforming products, such as a dining room table that rises to bar height and expands for entertaining, like the Lexington Zacara Movida Bistro Table, gives an ordinary object a greater purpose. It’s suitable for both family meals and celebrations at the lower height with a leaf extension in place, and can also serve well for a wine tasting, cocktail party or a night of poker when set higher and more bistro-like. “Flexibility within the home allows you to create a variety of moods and settings for entertaining,” says Riley. “The goal is to be able to easily transition from casual to formal, while maintaining a style and comfort level that’s suitable for each occasion.”

What will tomorrow bring for your home? By incorporating 2009’s best trends into your living space, you can ensure it remains your refuge for years to come.

For more information on Moen’s Level kitchen collection or its new Envi Eco-Performance showerhead, visit www.moen.com or call (800) BUY-MOEN or (800) 289-6636.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Tags: energy savings, green living, Moen, shower, showerheads

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(ARA) – During this time of economic uncertainty, you may be hesitant to invest money in your home. It is important to remember, though, that your home is a valuable asset. In order to maintain your investment, home maintenance or repair projects are essential. An important area of your home to maintain is the roof, which may provide up to 50 percent of your home’s exterior protection. 

A roof repair or upgrade is one type of home investment that will likely maintain its value. Many American homeowners may be unfamiliar with the process to repair or upgrade their existing roof. Consider creating a list of goals and a budget. Then, it is important to research your options. 

Asphalt shingles are a practical choice, and are one of the most widely used residential roofing materials. Asphalt accounts for more than 80 percent of all new and replacement roofing applications. Asphalt has been the most popular roofing material in North America for the past 150 years, according to the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association. 

“Asphalt shingles remain a popular choice because they’re economical, long-lasting and readily available,” says Kent Blanchard, vice president of roofing manufacturing for TAMKO Building Products Inc. “There are two basic types of asphalt shingles: three-tab and laminated.” 

Blanchard says it is important to gain some basic knowledge of asphalt roofing products before making a purchase. To help you better understand asphalt shingles, he offers the following information on common types: 

Three-Tab Asphalt Shingles 

For many years, three-tab asphalt roofing shingles have been a popular choice for homeowners. These shingles are made from individual layers of fiberglass mat, an asphalt roofing base material manufactured from glass fibers that provides additional strength to the shingle. The fiberglass mat is dipped in asphalt and coated with fire-resistant granules. Classic three-tab asphalt roofing shingles generally include a 15 to 30-year warranty and are one of the more cost-efficient roofing product options. 

Laminated Asphalt Shingles 

Often used for replacement jobs and on new, upscale homes, laminated asphalt shingles have increasingly become a popular choice among homeowners. Also known as “architectural shingles” or “three-dimensional shingles,” laminated asphalt shingles have added dimensionality because of extra layers of fiberglass mat, which create a wood shake-like appearance. Laminated asphalt shingles provide a more distinctive look when compared to classic three-tab asphalt shingles. 
According to ARMA, laminates are gaining ground in new construction. When reroofing, three-tab asphalt shingles remain the more popular choice, however industry experts predict the laminate category will continue to grow. 
You may want to consider a premium laminated asphalt shingle, which typically comes with a longer warranty and additional advantages that could save you money in the future. For example, TAMKO’s Heritage Vintage premium laminated asphalt shingles are backed by a 50-year limited warranty and include a Class-A fire rating. 

“If you’re planning to sell your home when the economy recovers, the shingles you select could affect your return on investment,” says Blanchard. “When you’re ready to make repairs or upgrade your roof, take your time, do your homework and select the roofing shingles that are the best investment for your home.” 

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Tags: asphalt, asphalt shingles, Laminated Asphalt Shingles, roofs, shingles, Three-Tab Asphalt Shingles

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(ARA) – A baby boomer couple downsizing, a working professional’s downtown city condo, and a young family’s starter home in a metro suburb — the trend of people moving to smaller homes with smaller yards continues to grow. If you are one of them, how do you make the most out of your small outdoor green space? With the right tools and strategies, you’ll find the possibilities are endless. 

“When people move to smaller homes, they want to make the most of the green space they have,” says Ashton Ritchie, lawn expert and master gardener for Scotts. “They still want that outdoor retreat after a stressful day.” 

Ritchie says that smaller yards can be some of the most stunning because they require less time and homeowners can focus more on what they really enjoy. “The difference is with a small green space, it’s not an overwhelming full-time job. I’ve seen many beautiful small yards with intensive gardening and great landscaping.” 

Here are Ritchie’s tips for getting the most out of small outdoor green spaces: 

1. Make it your own. 
If you want to create an outdoor retreat, a small yard holds many possibilities. Your priority should be deciding how you are going to use your yard. If you enjoy cooking, have much of your space dedicated to a great vegetable and herb garden. If you want to use your space to unwind at the end of the day, create an outdoor room with relaxation elements. If you plan to use your small yard as an additional space for entertainment, incorporate sitting space and tables for overflow from the house. 

2. Use contrast to your advantage. 
The nice thing about a small lawn is the contrast you can easily achieve in the foliage. Lush green grass is the foundation that contrasts with the colors and textures of other plants. Keep your lawn vibrant and consider planting flowers, shrubbery or an herb garden. The contrast in these elements provides as visual frame that is very appealing. 

3. Fertilize for a green and beautiful lawn. 
Green grass provides us with a soothing, relaxing feeling. But the No. 1 problem with grass is it ends up malnourished and starves. Therefore it’s important to fertilize four to five times a year so you get strong root and top growth. 

People with small yards don’t want to bother with bulky bags of fertilizer and storage of a spreader. Scotts Turf Builder with Built-in Spreader is a great new solution. The handheld, all-in-one container is simple to use — simply flip the spout, tilt and shake onto your lawn. The fertilizer strengthens the lawn and promotes a healthy root system. It feeds a lawn up to 1,000 square feet. If you finish and have extra, the small container is easy to store for use next time. 

4. Outdoor decor adds appeal. 
Consider adding elements to your yard that interject your personal style. For example, adding a water feature is a great idea that is visually appealing plus it adds a water sound that creates a relaxing atmosphere. You could also add a bird feeding station to attract wildlife. If room is very limited, consider a small hummingbird feeder. Be creative and get ideas from your local gardening center. 

5. Use space-saving furniture. 
Small spaces do not call for big and bulky outdoor furniture. Benches can be a good option because they seat multiple people and also take up less space. Look for pieces that are multifunctional like a bench or table that also opens up to provide storage space. Finally, make sure furniture can withstand temperatures all year long since it probably won’t be stored in a different location. 

Small yards can provide big beauty with these tips and strategies. Visit www.Scotts.com where you can read Ashton Ritchie’s blog and get other ideas for maximizing small green spaces. 

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Tags: small outdoor spaces, yards

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If you are a roof cleaning contractor, it is vital that you eventually have the entire possible roof cleaning equipment collection when you arrive on site to do the job that your customer is paying you for. You should not have to go off in a hurry to also go find some major roof cleaning equipment while you are on a customer’s premises.

If you have done a quote for the customer you would have taken a proper look at the roof and done a full inspection also to see for any other problems that may occur in the near future. By doing a proper and full inspection of the roof, even though you are only required to hopefully clean it, the customer will gain trust with you too and refer you if your service as been exceptionally good too.
 
Time Is Money
 
There is however times that you can improvise with some of the roof cleaning equipment, but not all. The pressure hose is one that you cannot do without for clay tile roof cleaning, as this is when time will start costing you money after you have budgeted to do the job in one day. After all the responsibility lies with you that all your equipment is in good working order, and you definitely cannot go and charge the customer more out of the blue since your roof cleaning equipment has suddenly failed to do what it is supposed to do.
 
The DIY Way
 
If you are planning to clean your roof yourself, you can rent roof cleaning equipment from hiring places, the only major rental that you would have is the pressure hose, which you could hire over a weekend and take your time to do a proper job without rushing to return the roof cleaning equipment in one day. Usually if you rent equipment on a Saturday you don’t pay for the Sunday, and only have to return the goods by the Monday morning. This way saves you money too.

If you feel you don’t have the need to rent roof cleaning equipment before repainting your entire roof, you will soon see that you were very, very wrong. Every little piece of old flaky paint should be removed, the roof should then be sound enough to put paint on that has a primer mixed with it for better adhesion. The best time of day to do roof cleaning is in the morning or late afternoon, as the spray of the water will only make you burn more in the midday sun and heat, or in the opposite direction to which the sun is moving, and hose with the wind if possible.
 
 

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There are several factors that you need to take into account before entrusting a flat roofing contractor with the task of fixing your flat roof. The first important consideration is positive as well as proper drainage of your roof. This in turn means ensuring that the flat roofing contractor should be capable of providing the right amount of slope that typically should not be more than about a fourth of an inch which will be enough to ensure that water does not form ponds on your roof that in fact, is one of the main reasons why a roof often develops a leak as well as results in roof failures.

Base Sheet

The next factor that you need to ask your flat roofing contractor to fix is the base sheet. It would be a good idea to have your own information in regard to what makes the best base sheet as then you will be in a better position to instruct your flat roofing contractor as to which material is best for your flat roof. Typically, you should ask for a three-ply as well as self-adhesive base sheet which will provide your flat roof with a professional quality and which when attached mechanically will allow for easy removal of the base sheet ? whenever it is needed.

The third most important aspect to instructing your flat roofing contractor is to ask them to use mid-ply that also has a smooth surface which will prevent your roof from suffering from weakness and which also provides back-up layer to prevent water penetrating into the seam of your cap sheet.

Next, you need to get your flat roofing contractor to fix the drip edge which should be done after the mid-ply has been rolled down – properly and tightly. You must instruct the flat roofing contractor to lap the metal a minimum of three inches and then to seal under this lap with material such as asphalt cement that is especially suited for roofing.

The last act that you need to get your flat roofing contractor to perform is to get them to install the cap sheet while also using full width course that should be allowed to hang over the drip edge by about a quarter of an inch.

It is also necessary knows how to hire the best industrial roofing contractor. Price is an important factor as too is reliability and adherence to deadlines. Such contractors are often used to do the roofing for small sized business’s buildings as well as for doing roofing that a homeowner cannot ordinarily perform on their own.

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Watching your lovely composite roof turn black with roof algae can be quite distressing. Although algae do not necessary destroy your roof in record time but it can make your roof look dirty and ugly. Fortunately, you do not have to put up with a blackened roof for long. There are plenty of roof cleaning chemicals sold in the market that can help remove roof algae in no time. The best part of it is that most of these roof cleaning chemicals can prevent the algae from coming back.

Why should you use roof cleaning chemicals instead of just water and soap? According to people who are into the roof cleaning business, good old water and soap is not effective in removing algae from your composite roof. The idea of using soap and water to clean off a huge area of composite roof is not exactly that appealing. If your house is big, you will probably end up using galloons and gallons of soap and water just to get the whole area cleaned up. Besides, using soap and water to clean your roof may not be that safe after all. Just imagine how slippery your roof will become when it is drenched in soapy water. Wet slippery roofs increase the risk of accidents. Besides, soap and water is not a guarantee the removal of those stubborn algae stains. Take note that algae stains can be tough to remove from composite roofs. Only roof cleaning chemicals may be able to remove most if not all the strains on your composite roof.

Buying Roof Cleaning Chemicals

A lot of people think that all roof cleaning chemicals can remove algae stains on roofs. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Despite what those manufacturers of roof cleaning chemicals have to say about their products, some of these products are not as effective as they should be. Some of those cheap cleaning chemicals cannot remove stubborn stains. Moreover, some these roof cleaning chemicals are harmful to your roof and to the environment. Make no mistakes about it, some of these roof cleaning chemicals contain very strong ingredients that can damage your roof. If you do not want to end up with faded roof colors or worst, corrosion on your roof, you need to be very careful when buying roof cleaning products. Before you buy any roof cleaning chemicals, you need to read the label first and make sure that it does not contain any harsh chemicals that may damage your roof.

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Whether you are a professional roofer or just want to fix your own roof there are a few things that you are going to want to learn more about first. Roofing is not a job that you want to take lightly and just do on a whim. Instead, you are going to want to learn at least a bit about the basics and make sure that you know what you are doing before getting on that roof.

How to Shingle Your Roof

The first step to reshingling a roof is to decide what sort of shingles that you want. The asphalt roofing shingles are the most commonly chosen, but there are other types besides the asphalt roofing shingles that you can choose from as well. It is important to look at the particular roof that you are going to be working on, what sort of shape it has and where it is located, and use these factors to determine what sort of shingles, asphalt roofing shingles or other, are going to be best .

Now you are going to want to consider and plan your asphalt roofing shingles process, for your safety and the safety of anyone else who is going to be working on the job with you. After all, roofing projects are fraught with danger, and so the last thing you want is to get up there unprepared and have it result in an unexpected accident.

Whether you are fixing or replacing roof shingles, you are going to want to take a look at the weather, make sure that you have the proper safety equipment, and that you are otherwise all set up to head up on the roof and get the job done.

The best idea is going to be for you to have a big toolbox that you can put your asphalt roofing shingles and other supplies in so that you just have one thing to carry up the ladder and won’t have to worry about coming up and down the ladder several times just to get what you need.

Now when you are ready to actually start shingling, you want to start at the bottom corner and work your way up in even rows. Make sure, the entire time, that you are checking for proper ventilation and spacing throughout, and once you have all of the flat surfaces covered you are going to want to look at the valleys and see that these are done properly as well.

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Though paying a roofing contractor his price is not something that any homeowner relishes doing there is also no sense in hiring the wrong contractor whose charges may be low but so too will be their quality of work. It is therefore not advisable that you choose your roofing contractor solely on the basis of his quote ? as cheap as it may be. One little slip in choosing the proper roofing contractor can do a lot of damage to your home and what may have seemed a real bargain can turn out to be a very costly mistake in the end.

Things Going Wrong

You need to select your roofing contractor very carefully because otherwise things will start to go wrong and typically it can mean having to deal with leaking roofs as well as needing to pay another roofing contractor to fix the original contractor’s errors. So, why not instead pay heed to a few tips that will help ensure that you get the right and best deal?

By choosing the roofing contractor carefully you can avoid needing to have to pay to change your interiors because of damage done to parts of the building on account of leaking roofs. A leak can ruin the drywall as well as cause wood to rot and mold may also set in. In addition, leakages can ruin the flooring and furniture as well as your cherished photographs and electronic gadgets as well as any priceless items of family heirlooms.

In addition, besides these expenses a leaking roof that is the handiwork of a bad roofing contractor will also mean that your insurance provider will baulk at insuring your property. And, if they do agree to insure your property they will charge much higher premiums.

Next, the wrong roofing contractor can do considerable damage to your home and that in turn could mean that finding a buyer for your property will become especially harder and the price that you will get too will be well short of expectations. Last but not least, you might need to get the job redone which means that all your time money and effort in hiring the wrong roofing contractor will end up having been wasted and you will need to pay double for redoing the work.

There are also times when you will need to hire a metal roofing contractor to do the metal roofing installation because the job might not be easily accomplished with a do-it-yourself approach. No doubt, doing it yourself will help minimize costs as well as help you develop your own capabilities; however, the contractor is a specialist and so will be in a better position to offer better services that in turn is essential to the proper upkeep of a building.

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Metal roofs are some of the most durable types of roofs. If well maintained, metal roofs can endure even the most severe weather conditions. In fact, good quality metal roofs may be able to last for several years, possibly a lifetime. The key here is proper maintenance and roof cleaning. With proper maintenance and roof cleaning, you can preserve the good condition of your roof. No, you cannot cut corners when it comes to roof cleaning. When you get sloppy or lazy in cleaning your roof, you can get into trouble. Remember that damaged roof cost a lot of money to repair so make sure that you do not cut corners when it comes to roof cleaning. To help you keep your roof in good condition, here are some easy steps for you.

Do Regular Roof Cleaning

Regular roof cleaning is very important if you want to keep your roof in good condition. Remove debris and leaves from your metal roof regularly. Remember that rotting debris and leaves may cause corrosion on your metal roof. Moreover, you should remove all plants that may grow on your roof. Sometimes, seeds that are carried by the wind find a nice place to grow on your roof. When this happens, be sure to remove the plant immediately. These plants, no matter how small can cause a lot of damages on your roof.

When cleaning your roof, be sure to apply the right kind of roof cleaning products. As much as possible, go for those organic roof cleaning products. The good thing about these organic roof cleaning products is that they are biodegradable and do not cause so much pollution to the environment. Moreover, since these organic cleaning products are made of natural ingredients, they are less likely to be toxic or harmful to human beings and pets.

Repaint Your Roof When Needed

Painting your roof is important both for aesthetic and maintenance reasons. Painted roofs are less likely to suffer from corrosion than those unpainted roofs. If your metal roof is unpainted, now is the right time to paint it. On the other hand, if your metal roof is painted, make sure that the paint is still in good condition. Check the paint of your roof when you do roof cleaning. Be on the look out for bubble like appearance on painted roofs. The bubble like appearance in your painted roof can mean that your roof is corroding. To prevent further damage, remove the paint and scrap off the source of the corrosion. After scrapping the source of the corrosion, repaint that portion of the roof.

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