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Concrete is an essential building material. It makes up our roadways, bridges, sidewalks, and even the foundation of our homes. Needless to say, the uses of concrete as vast. This is because it’s an extraordinarily durable, long-lasting, and versatile material. In fact, concrete is one of the strongest building materials available. Furthermore, since it can be poured and moulded to fit any shape, it’s a fantastic option for any construction project. For these reasons and more, you can find both structural and decorative uses for concrete all-around your home.

In this article, you can find the top 5 concrete companies. Calgary home and business owners looking to repair existing concrete, install new concrete features or improve their hardscaping should consider these outstanding companies.

Is concrete the same as cement?

No, concrete is not the same as cement! Although you may have heard concrete and cement used interchangeably, they are different materials. In fact, cement is one component of concrete, making up 10-15% of the total concrete mix. Concrete is a ubiquitous building material, whereas pure cement is not. Roads, sidewalks, backyard patios, and driveways are made of concrete, and concrete is the material of choice because it is incredibly durable and long-lasting. Unlike pure cement, concrete can last for hundreds of years. Today, we mainly use cement for grouting and binding concrete.

So what is concrete?

Concrete is a mixture of cement, water, and aggregate (sand, stone, and gravel). The aggregates make up 75% of the concrete. When water and cement mix, these aggregates bind together. The materials must be extremely clean because contamination can compromise the concrete’s strength. Generally, stronger concretes contain less water and larger aggregates.

Common uses of concrete

Everyone knows concrete makes up our roads, bridges, sidewalks, and parking lots. However, concrete also has many different uses inside and outside your home. Concrete countertops, sinks, and even floors have all become popular over recent years. When it comes to the exterior of your home, we associate concrete with driveways, walkways, foundations, and garage pads.

But this is only the beginning! Concrete in Calgary is also used for patios, pool decks, retaining walls, and hardscaping. Moreover, decorative concrete can add a unique beauty to regular concrete features. You get the chance to be creative and enjoy something entirely custom for your home.

Benefits of hardscaping with concrete

Hardscaping is any form of landscaping that uses non-living or non-vegetative elements. This includes work done with brick, stones, gravel, and concrete. On the other hand, softscaping is landscaping that includes greenery and vegetation.

Good landscape design involves an attractive combination of both hardscaping and softscaping. After all, variation and balance are key components of a visually pleasing yard. If you choose to focus solely on softscaping, you’re missing out. Hardscaping and softscaping complement one another to create a harmonious and interesting yard.

That being said, hardscaping has its own unique benefits over softscaping. Therefore, you may opt for including a bit more hardscaping in your yard.

Controls erosion

Concrete retaining walls and barriers direct water drainage. This can prevent excess water from eroding the topsoil in your flowerbeds or garden. This is good for the health of your plants and means you won’t have to replace the soil in your yard as frequently.

Manages weeds

Weeds need soil to grow. By choosing to have concrete over more of your yard, you limit where weeds can sprout. Concrete patios, pool decks, and outdoor living spaces are not conducive to weed growth. This means less weeding for you!

Guides traffic

Concrete walkways and paths let guests know where they should walk. This preserves your lawn and prevents unfortunate trampling. Additionally, these walkways provide leading eyes, guiding the eyes to different focal points in your yard.

Increases functional space

Patios, outdoor kitchens, and seating areas are all examples of hardscaping. Concrete or paving stones form the foundation for your outdoor activities. They provide a place to relax, gather, and entertain friends and family. Additionally, these spaces can be customized by your concrete contractor. Calgary homeowners who want to spend more time outside should consider using concrete to extend the functional and liveable space on their property.

Less maintenance

Softscaping elements require a lot of maintenance. They must be watered, fertilized, weeded, mowed, and trimmed. On the other, hardscaping needs next to no maintenance. All you have to do is occasionally sweep or power wash.

Ideas for hardscaping with concrete

Patio

An outdoor, concrete patio helps you get more out of your yard. It provides the perfect place to gather, entertain, and relax. This extra space increases the liveable area on your property, encouraging you to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine in the warmer months. Furthermore, you can customize your patio to suit your lifestyle. For example, add some furniture, a bbq, or outdoor lighting.

Outdoor kitchen

If you want to level up your entertaining, install an outdoor kitchen. It makes it that much easier to enjoy spending time outdoors with friends and family. Plus, you can design the majority of your outdoor kitchen with concrete. A concrete floor, concrete walls, and a concrete counter are durable enough to be outside.

Firepit

An outdoor fire pit is ideal for socializing. Additionally, it increases the usability of your concrete patio since it helps to keep you and your guests warm. Outdoor fire pits provide a useful focal point, which you can surround with outdoor sofas and bench-seating. If this sounds like just your style, contact one of the listed concrete companies. Calgary summers are short; an outdoor concrete fireplace can help you spend more time outside.

Pool deck

Concrete is a common material for pool decks. This is because it’s budget-friendly, safe, durable, and easy to maintain. Broomed finishes, and textured overlays make concrete more slip-resistant and, therefore, safer. Additionally, concrete reflects solar radiation, so it doesn’t heat up as much as other materials. Poured concrete pool decks also only need occasional cleaning.

In no particular order, here are the best concrete companies in Calgary:

1. Blue Lake Contracting

Blue Lake Contracting is a full-service landscaping and renovation company and a concrete contractor. Calgary homeowners and business owners rely on them for various services. For example, Blue Lake Contracting offers the following services to their residential clients: landscaping, deck & fence building, garage building, basement renovations, and major home improvements. In addition, commercial property owners look to them for landscaping, year-round maintenance, and snow removal. When it comes to concrete in Calgary, Blue Lake Contracting has a variety of affordable styles. They are experts in broom finished concrete, exposed concrete, stamped concrete, and coloured concrete. Furthermore, their designs are completely customizable.

Key Services & Features

– Concrete services for residential and commercial properties
– Offer different finishes, styles, and custom colours
– Retaining walls, driveways, patios, hot tub bases, garage pads, and more!
– Full-service landscaping and renovation company
– Other services include: basement renovations, fences, garage building
– Snow removal and lot maintenance for commercial clients
– Flexible financing options
– Free estimates

Customer Feedback

Blue Lake Contracting did a tear-out and a small coloured and stamped concrete sidewalk pour for us. We are very pleased with their approach and with the finished product. Their response to our inquiry, completing a site visit and quote submission was done quickly and professionally. The work was scheduled and completed as stated. The work crew was very courteous and minimized the mess and disruption. No hesitation in recommending Blue Lake.

– David, Google

2. J-Paul Construction Services Ltd.

J-Paul Construction Services is a residential and commercial general contracting and construction company. They also provide concrete in Calgary. Their custom concrete solutions are offered in conjunction with their design-build general contracting services. They can provide both structural and architectural concrete services because of their wealth of knowledge, experience, and technique. Before construction begins, they take clients through a preliminary investigation and assessment to ensure that everyone is on the same page. Their projects are always high-quality, on time, and within budget. Additionally, J-Paul Construction Services offer new construction and renovation general contracting for commercial and residential clients. They take clients from design to build and even cover building maintenance!

Key Services & Features

– Concrete services for residential and commercial properties
– Offer different finishes, styles, and custom colours
– Foundations, driveways, suspended slabs, pools, and more!
– Concrete sealing, finishing, cutting, and demolition
– Full service general contracting and construction company
– Other services include: design, permitting, building maintenance
– Free estimates

Customer Feedback

JP is so meticulous clean and takes such good care of us. He is clean and consistently provides value to our home. Would recommend him in a heartbeat.

– Laura, Facebook

3. SSD Landscaping & Construction

SSD Landscaping is a landscaping company that specializes in concrete in Calgary. Although they work with all types of concrete, they are best known for their stamped concrete. This includes various designs and colours to create a custom look. Additionally, they offer an exposed finish and a basic broom finish. Their concrete is sealed so it won’t fade or discolour over time. SSD Landscaping also installs decorative and load-bearing retaining walls and beautiful paving stones. Lastly, they provide lawn care services for residential and commercial clients. This includes weekly mowing, striping, and fertilizer application.

Key Services & Features

– Concrete services for residential and commercial properties
– Specialize in stamped concrete with different designs, colours, and finishes
– Retaining walls, walkways, driveway extensions, and more!
– Full-service landscaping and construction company
– Other services include: paver stones, lawn care, decorative rocks
– Free estimates

Customer Feedback

Highly recommend SDD landscaping and concrete. They were very professional & quick with their responses. Their work speaks for itself! I hired them to demolish my old patio and pour a new one. With the extremely rainy weather, plus the difficult placements of the patio, it made the project very challenging. But Sukh and his team had no problem going the extra mile to achieve exactly what we wanted! Final product was amazing for a very good price! Will definitely be calling them for any future projects!

– Gursharn, Google

4. YME Construction Ltd.

YME Construction Ltd specializes in roofing, siding, stucco, and concrete in Calgary. They install walkways, patios, stairs, pool areas, and basement floors are a concrete contractor. Calgary homeowners can even opt for a heated driveway to never have to shovel snow again! Additionally, they provide concrete ramps and curbs for businesses. YME Construction has also experienced roofers, offering both roof repair, installation, and replacement. Furthermore, they help maintain the outside appearance of your home with beautiful vinyl siding and stucco. All in all, YME Construction are expert in all things exterior.

Key Services & Features

– Concrete services for residential and commercial properties
– Offer different finishes, styles, and custom colours
– Patios, walkways, stairs, pool areas, basement floors, ramps, driveways, and more!
– Specialize in all things exterior
– Other services include: roofing, stucco, vinyl siding, soffit and fascia
– Free consultation and estimates

Customer Feedback

YME Construction Ltd. hasn’t received any online reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience with this RenovationFind Certified stucco contractor in Calgary!

5. Grizzly Creek Projects

Grizzly Creek Projects are experts in concrete. They have more than 20 years of experience producing high-quality concrete products that stand the test of time. If you have a project that involves concrete, Grizzly Creek Projects will have done it many times before. Furthermore, they know how to complete projects on time and on budget. Residential clients look to them for various services, including garage pads, driveways, hardscaping, decorative concrete, retaining walls, and more. They even provide concrete sport court installation. This sets them apart from other concrete companies. Calgary homeowners who dream of an outdoor court for tennis, pickleball, or basketball (or an outdoor rink!) should consider Grizzly Creek Projects. Additionally, they do sidewalks, plumbing cutouts, floor drain systems, and more for commercial properties.

Key Services & Features

– Concrete services for residential and commercial properties
– Offer different finishes, styles, and custom colours
– Driveways, stairs, sidewalks, curbs, patios, hot tub pads, and more!
– Sport court concrete installations
– Specialize in all things concrete
– Provide concrete renewal, repair, and removal
– Instant free quotes

Customer Feedback

Greg was amazing! He was very responsive, easy to work with and did exactly what he said he would do. The quality of his work was awesome. He treated our yard as if it was his and was always mindful of the surrounding. He built a sport court and retaining wall for us and if I was to do it again I would use Greg in a heartbeat. You will not be disappointed with the quality of the work or with the person you deal with. I wish every contractor was like Greg.

– Jeffrey, Google

Choosing a concrete contractor in Calgary

Before hiring any home improvement company to work on your home, you should always do your research. They should have experience, proper credentials, and an excellent reputation. Your research should include checking for provincial business licensing, insurance, and WCB coverage. In addition, look for companies with an affiliation or membership with third-party organizations. This affiliation ensures they are committed to upholding preset industry standards.

When you hire a Renovation Certified concrete contractor in Calgary, background checks have been taken care of. We hire a third-party organization to run extensive legal and financial background checks. Additionally, all companies in our directory have produced proof of licensing, insurance, and WCB coverage. The third party continues to monitor the companies to ensure they meet our high standards now and in the future.

Hire a RenovationFind Certified stucco contractor in Calgary today! 

This post first appeared on https://blog.renovationfind.com

Are you thinking about a bathroom renovation or upgrading your kitchen? Perhaps you’re interested in a complete basement renovation but don’t know where to start. Considering a renovation can feel unfamiliar and sometimes stressful. That’s why hiring an experienced, reputable and trustworthy general contractor in Calgary is essential.

Work in partnership

When you work with Straightline Contracting, you’ll benefit from their expertise, experience, and resources. They view their client relationships as partnerships. That means they work closely with you to create a design for your renovation that meets all your goals. They are also there to ease any concerns and answer questions you might have throughout the process. Honest and reputable general contractors in Calgary like Straightline Contracting ensure you’re comfortable from start to finish and that you’re satisfied with the results.

Your project is in capable hands

Whether you’re renovating the main floor or building a new deck, a Red Seal Journeyman Carpenter will oversee your entire project. Straightline Contracting has years of practical experience in the construction industry, including extensive project management experience. You can rest easy knowing your home project and investment are in excellent hands. Read more reasons to hire a general contractor for your home renovation.

Reduce stress and the mess

It’s true that home renovations are not always clean and tidy. Sometimes, having a home under construction can be inconvenient, disruptive, and a little messy. However, Straightline Contracting strives to reduce stress, disruptions, and mess daily. They do so by working hard to complete the job efficiently and on time. In addition, their team always maintains a clean and tidy workspace to minimize inconveniences to your daily life.

These Calgary general contractors work diligently to ensure things run smoothly. Straightline understands that it is your home they’re working in. Because they consider you a partner and friend, they aim to minimize disruption as much as possible.

General Contractors in Calgary

Straightline Contracting is a full-service home renovation and home builder that serves Calgary and the surrounding areas. They bring 30 years of construction experience to your home project. For decades they’ve remained committed to customer service, quality workmanship and your satisfaction.

Straightline Contracting offers a vast range of renovation and construction services for residential and commercial clients. From kitchen, bathroom, and basement renovations to new home construction, additions, decks, and garages – you’ll have peace of mind knowing your project is in skillful and competent hands.

Get started on your home project with an experienced contractor you can trust.

Contact Straightline Contracting!

This post first appeared on https://blog.renovationfind.com

Calgary commercial building projects can significantly differ from building to building. While specific components of the projects will be similar, each job will require particular expertise to ensure optimal results.

Hiring a commercial construction Calgary contractor with experience in various building types will ensure quality, value, and return on investment. Greenstone Construction in Calgary is a commercial construction contractor with a proven reputation for sustainable, well-designed, high-quality construction buildings.

Here are three commercial construction projects they can help you with:

Commercial Buildings

Commercial buildings can house offices, retail stores, restaurants, childcare facilities, and many other commercial businesses. Having an experienced and knowledgeable commercial contractor on your team will ensure that your project runs on time and within budget.

Whether building from the ground up or renovating an existing workspace, Greenstone Construction can help you achieve your goals. Clear communication, uncompromised quality work, and in-depth project management will provide exceptional results for your project.

Healthcare Facilities

Healthcare facilities include hospitals, medical clinics, and other health care services offices. Health care facilities are often a vital community hub. In addition, unique design and construction requirements must be considered to meet challenges. For example, the building design must ensure function and quality patient care.

Greenstone Construction has experience with health care facility renovations, new construction projects, and multi-site Calgary construction projects. They have the capacity, knowledge, and expertise to manage your large-scale project from start to finish.

Mixed-use Buildings

Mixed-use buildings are growing in popularity, especially in urban areas. These buildings often combine commercial, healthcare, and hospitality businesses with residential spaces. Mixed-use properties accommodate the community by providing spaces where people can live, work, socialize, and play. Check out how these Calgary communities have embraced mixed-use spaces.

Greenstone Construction has expertise in residential, healthcare, hospitality and commercial construction projects. Our experienced designers, contractors, and Calgary construction workers will ensure quality and valuable results in your building project. As a result, your building will attract tenants and investors and foster business growth.

Commercial Construction Contractors in Calgary

Greenstone Construction has served Calgary and the surrounding areas since 2014. They offer exceptional communication, thoughtful designs, and professional project management for a range of commercial projects. In addition, you can expect transparency, shorter and more efficient construction timelines, and high-quality work. They aim to provide clients and the Calgary construction industry with finished projects that add value and provide a return on investment.

If you’re planning a commercial construction project, contact Greenstone Construction.

This post first appeared on https://blog.renovationfind.com

Painting is one of the most essential DIY jobs – with a quick brushstroke and your favourite paint colour, you can completely change the look of a room (or re-touch any chipped areas to refresh a space!).

At the Handy Squad, we have painted many homes and commercial spaces in London – from painting front doors to painting offices spaces and even painting home exteriors… we sure know a thing or two about painting. One of the things we can all agree on is the importance of caring for your painting tools.

Whether you use paint brushes or prefer paint rollers, it is essential to look after your tools and maintain them properly to ensure these continue to work as they should for many years to come.

Paint Brushes

Still the default painting tool, brushes come in many types and depend partly on what you’re willing to pay. You can make do with perfectly adequate cheap brushes which you discard after use. On the other hand, reusable brushes go up to professional quality, and the best synthetic fibres both give a finer finish and don’t shed bristles.

Using water-based paint.

The way you clean and store brushes depend on the paint you’ve been using. If it’s water-based, just clean them with water and wrap them in any of the various substances from lint-free cloth to foil.

Using oil-based or solvent-based paint.

If you’re using oil-based or solvent-based paint, brushes should be stored immersed in the recommended cleaning fluid, ensuring the bristles aren’t resting on the bottom of the container. You can use an improvised container or buy a purpose-made cleaning tub, which will come with the manufacturer’s instructions.

Paint Rollers

The quickest and most efficient way to cover large surfaces is to use a roller, although you’ll still need brushes for edges and corners. It’s also worth remembering that rolled coats are thinner than if you use brushes, so you’ll need more of them.

If you’re using a roller, you need to buy trays of non-drip emulsion. The type of roller sleeve you use will determine the finish — short-pile for a smooth surface, for instance, or shaggy sheepskin for texture.

Whichever you use, when you’ve coated the roller with paint, roll it across the tray’s ribbed surface to ensure a smooth covering. To get a smooth blend at the edges, always work your way back to the area you’ve covered when you start with a newly charged roller.

Paint Pads

Paint pads, rectangular bonded fibres with a foam back that allows for flexibility, are ideal if you want to cover a large area with liquid paint. The paint tray that comes with them has a built-in roller, allowing you to remove excess paint. With the pad flat against the wall, gently scrub it from the corner, painting strips around four-time the pad’s width.

Paint Pods

This is a power painting tool, allowing the paint to feed through from the paint pack to a roller attachment. It also has a triangular brush for painting the edges. It has a self-cleaning cycle, clearly explained in the manufacturer’s instructions.

If you want to free yourself from the job of painting and are looking for “painters and decorators near me“,  it’s time to call the Squad. Our experienced team of painters and decorators in London will be able to paint kitchen cupboards, repair cracks in walls, hang wallpaper and complete many other tasks to uplift the look of your property. Wait no further – contact us today and let us know how we can help! Alternatively, request a booking by filling our online form.

The post Painting Tools — How to Use and Care for Them appeared first on Handy Squad Handyman London | Fast & Reliable London Handyman.

Leaky taps might not seem like a big deal at first. However, when left unchecked or repaired, leaking taps may lead to worse water damage and more costly repairs. Plus, leaking taps are not pleasant… they waste water, increase bills, stain skins and the sound “drip, drip, drip” can keep you up at night.

It’s time to roll your sleeves up and repair the tap. If you don’t feel comfortable doing it yourself, don’t have the time or simply would prefer to leave it to the professionals, the Squad can help. At the Handy Squad, our team of London plumbers will be able to repair taps, repair leaks and more. So, if you have a leaking tap and need an extra pair of hands – get in touch.

Materials.

• Screwdriver
• Adjustable spanner
• Washer

Step by step instructions.

Step 1 – Turn off the isolation ball valve on the pipe under the sink. Turn it off by turning the screw head of the isolation tap with a screwdriver. Some isolation valves have a handle. Whether it is a screw head or a handle, the isolation valve should be turned so it is at a right angle (horizontal) to the flow of the pipe. A parallel position (or vertical) means on.

Note: This applies to both cold taps and hot taps. We recommend turning the isolation valve off for both taps and then drain the remaining water from the taps.

In case you do not have an isolation valve, you will have to switch off the external water supply and then drain the remaining water.

Step 2 – Let the water drain completely. Turn on the tap to let the remaining water drain.

Step 3 – Remove the tap head and undo the headgear nut with an adjustable spanner.

Step 4 – Unscrew the nut and, then, remove the headgear assembly.

Step 5 – Replace the washer with a brand-new one and re-assemble the headgear the same way you disassembled it.

Step 6 – Turn on the isolation valve and test the tap.

 

 

Disclaimer

At the Handy Squad, we strongly advise that you always take safety precautions into consideration when undertaking a DIY project. We also strongly suggest that you closely read and follow the instructions, that are provided by the manufacturer, of any building materials, products or tools you use for your projects.

Our aim is to provide you with clear and correct instructions, so that you can easily complete any DIY project you desire. However, please note that the information we provide should only be used as a guideline and that some information within the text may not be entirely accurate.

When using our articles for information and advice, please note that it is your own responsibility to determine whether you are capable of undertaking and executing the task you wish to complete.

Before starting a DIY task, it is essential that you inform yourself of any existing building, gas, water and electrical works regulations. If you were to have any further concerns, we recommend that you complete additional research and/or contact the necessary professional body.

We also strongly recommend that a qualified tradesperson completes the relevant safety tests and checks on any DIY work you have completed.

The post How to fix a leaking tap appeared first on Handy Squad Handyman London | Fast & Reliable London Handyman.

Whether you want to get ready for the first barbecue of the year by making your outdoor space look as good as possible or have simply noticed that the patio is looking dull and grubby – it’s time for a jet wash.

You might be inclined to do it yourself. You think that all you have to do is purchase a pressure washer, any washing chemicals needed and put time aside during your weekend to do it. It looks easy, why wouldn’t you be able to do it? You forget that you will get all dirty, wet and spend the whole day trying to get your patio looking good and in the end… it doesn’t look as good as you wish. Is it worth it?

Related: When to jet wash a patio?

Enjoy your weekend and hire a professional to jet wash your patio instead. Put your feet up, have your favourite drink and take your mind off of all the stresses you have whilst a professional is taking care of your patio. That sounds much better, right? But that’s not all. Here’s why you should hire a professional to complete jet washing services.

Saves money.

When you put together all the costs of pressure washing your patio, it might be cheaper to hire a professional who already has all the tools necessary to complete the job. If you end up buying a pressure washer – will it be a good investment? Will you use it enough?

Yes, you could rent a pressure washer to cut down costs but do you have the time to jet wash your whole patio or the skills to do it as well as a professional would?

It’s convenient.

Hiring a professional is convenient. It will save you time and energy. No more having to free up your whole weekend to complete a single house chore – leave it to the pros and make the most out of your weekend.

Prevents damage.

When working with high pressure, it is essential to use it with care. Plus, different surfaces will require different techniques as well as more or less pressure. If you do it yourself, you might end up breaking bits of old patio slabs or even getting rid of the grouting, meaning you will have to also regrout your patio after.

Better result.

Pressure washing can be tricky but professionals have done it countless times. So, they know how to do it (and do it well!). No matter how large your patio surface is or the type of surface, professionals will be able to achieve the best result possible and make your patio look brand-new once again.

If you are looking for “jet wash near me” or “jet washing services near me”, search no further than the Handy Squad. We offer a variety of jet washing services, from jet washing paving stones to jet washing stone steps and more. Our professional team can also jet wash garden furniture and, to give your patio a fresh look, we can also repoint patio slabs.

Contact our team today and let us know how we can help. Give us a call on 0800-0 12 12 12. Want to call from outside the UK? Call 020 7384 5160. Alternatively, request a free quote by filling our online booking form.

The post Why hire a professional to jet wash a patio appeared first on Handy Squad Handyman London | Fast & Reliable London Handyman.

Typically, air conditioner maintenance focuses on preparing your AC unit for the summer and ensuring things are in working order. While that is important, it needs just as much care and upkeep throughout the summer. When the unit is running full time, it needs regular attention to ensure it stays running efficiently. 

Hydro-Flo Plumbing & Heating in Edmonton is a professional, full-service HVAC company that offers air conditioner installation and repairs. They share how to continue maintaining your AC over the summer months:

Regularly change the filter

Changing the air filter is one of the first steps to getting your AC ready for the summer. After you do, mark your calendar to keep track so you can change the filter in another 30 days. Regularly changing the filter prevents the unit from working harder than it has to and keeps the indoor air cleaner. Also, if you have pets or notice more pollen or dust in the air, consider changing the filter more often.

Keep it clear

A clean AC unit is essential for efficient airflow and lower monthly bills. Like that first filter change, clearing away debris or encroaching plants is part of preparing your AC for the summer. Then, throughout the summer, keep an eye out for any new growth or in case debris collects around the unit. When the air conditioner becomes blocked, it affects the airflow of the unit. Blocked or uneven airflow creates hot or cold spots around the home, and it can increase your energy bill. 

Make sure it stays clean

After a long winter, clearing off your AC is just the first step in maintaining your unit. After any summer storms, a windy day or regularly throughout the summer, keep the unit clean—specifically, the compressor fins. The fins are located on the outdoor section of an air conditioner. Using a water hose with moderate pressure and spraying the unit will wash away any grime or buildup. These fins play a key role in helping heat move away from the air conditioner and disperse faster. If you aren’t comfortable cleaning the unit yourself, call a professional and leave it to them.

Get a professional tune-up

If you’re running the AC almost constantly during the summer, don’t wait until next spring to get a professional tune-up. Even with regular maintenance and care during the summer, it’s worth getting it checked by a professional. Any minor issues that have crept up or lowered efficiency will be caught and repaired. Then, your AC will run at full efficiency from the start to the end of summer.

Air Conditioning in Edmonton

Hydro-Flo Plumbing & Heating has been providing trusted and quality plumbing services since 2006. Their team offers help with scheduled or emergency plumbing, heating, installation, and repair services. From residential homes to high rises, they will ensure your HVAC system is running safely, smoothly, and efficiently. 

Contact Hydro-Flo Plumbing & Heating today!

This post first appeared on https://blog.renovationfind.com

The kitchen is arguably one of the most important rooms in your home. It’s where you prepare meals, gather with family, and entertain friends. Therefore, kitchens must be highly functional, welcoming and aesthetically pleasing. It’s no surprise that the kitchen is at the top of many homeowners’ lists when it comes time to renovate!

Peak Improvements in Edmonton offer home renovation, design-build, and new construction services. They give their top 4 essential kitchen improvements to transform the heart of your home.

1. Functionality

Even the most beautiful kitchen will cause frustration if it’s dysfunctional. For this reason, the functionality must be the first consideration when redesigning a kitchen. For example, do you need more counter space for food preparation, or does your child want somewhere to study? Do you crave a better area to entertain guests? Would an island serve you well? The kitchen is the most used room in a house, and how you use it dictates the design. Peak Improvements can help you design a kitchen that meets all your needs.

2. Lighting

Quality lighting is a must in every kitchen. This is not only for ambience but also for function and safety. A well-lit kitchen easily allows you to do everything from food prep to putting things away, even helping kids with homework at the kitchen table or island. It’s essential to have adequate lighting over heavily used work zones, such as underneath the cabinets or an island. Additionally, quality lighting can open up a smaller space or make a larger room feel more intimate.

3. Cabinets

Cabinets have a considerable impact on your kitchen’s look, feel, and functionality. They help define the overall aesthetic. Custom cabinetry, in particular, takes advantage of the different styles and materials available and creates something perfectly suited to you. You can choose the material, colour, style, and hardware to follow current trends and match your personal taste.

Furthermore, cabinets provide much-needed storage, which is a critical component of how your kitchen functions. You can discuss these things with the design team at Peak Improvements to ensure you get the cabinets and storage you need.

4. Countertops

Like every element in the kitchen, countertops must be functional and beautiful. They are heavily used, so it’s essential to invest in a durable material. Peak Improvements can help you select a countertop that meets your needs for durability, aesthetics, and cost. There are many different styles, materials, and colours of countertops available so you can find what works best for your home.

Major Renovations in Edmonton

Peak Improvements have worked on hundreds of renovation projects using its proven six-stage process. This ensures that all projects run smoothly, finishing on time and on budget. Furthermore, their knowledge and expertise produce beautiful renovations for homeowners in the Edmonton area. They’ll never use gimmicks to win you over. In fact, they have a “Guaranteed Price + No Surprise Contracts,” so you know exactly what to expect and what you’re paying for.

Contact Peak Improvements today to get started!

This post first appeared on https://blog.renovationfind.com

Kitchen organization can be challenging. There are so many things to consider, from storage space to countertops. The good news is, that organizing your kitchen doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive.

If you’re having trouble deciding on the best way to organize your kitchen, here are some tips that might help:

1.      Start with the basics. Before you start reorganizing your kitchen, it’s important to make sure there’s enough room for all your appliances. This means clearing out any extra cabinets and drawers that aren’t being used.

2.      Create zones. Once you know what kind of kitchen you need, it will be easier to decide which areas to focus on first. For example, if you plan to cook meals at home often, you’ll probably want more open space than if you only plan to do this occasionally.

3.      Group like items together. When you’re creating zones, grouping similar items together makes them easier to find. For example, you could put pots and pans in one area, dishes in another, and utensils in yet another.

4.      Use baskets and shelves. Baskets and shelves are great because they allow you to store items easily without taking up much space. They’re also easy to clean, making them ideal for kitchens.

5.      Add a few decorative touches. If you don’t already have a lot of decorations in your kitchen, adding a few pieces can spruce things up. For example, you might add a vase full of fresh flowers to a shelf. Or you could hang a colorful sign above your stove.

Follow these kitchen organization tips, and you’ll be enjoying a tidy kitchen in no time!

Contact Handyman Connection

Contact Handyman Connection to schedule a free home improvement estimate. Call or text your local office if you have any questions or would like to learn more about our services.

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Until a problem surfaces, it’s easy to forget that your plumbing needs maintenance to keep things flowing. When an issue does arise, it can cause a panic if you don’t know how to fix it or make the problem worse. That’s why professional drain cleaning is essential, as is knowing the signs your drains need attention.

Drain Hacks in Calgary is a professional full-service drain and sewer company that offers a range of plumbing services. They share some warning signs that you need professional drain cleaning:

Standing or slow-moving water

Standing water refuses to go down the drain and pooling, whether in the sink or shower. Slow-moving water does drain, but it takes a while to do so. In both cases, you already have a clog, or one is forming. The clog could be hair, grease or gunk or trapped food. Whatever it is, getting the drains cleaned is the only way to unplug and clear the pipes. A professional will have the necessary tools like a hydro-jetter to blast the clog and clear the pipes. Don’t try to remove the clog yourself, as it risks pushing it further down and worsening the problem.

Foul smells

Check the drains if you’ve noticed a strange smell somewhere in your home but can’t locate the source. First, make sure it’s not a musky smell which could be mould and needs a different professional. Even when your drains are starting to smell like rotten eggs or sewage, they could still work without any trouble. The cause can be a clog beginning to form and food is rotting on the inside of the pipes. It could be bacteria feeding on debris inside the pipes, or it could be a sewer issue. Whatever the cause behind the smell, a professional will locate the source and then clear the drains to remove the odour.

Fruit flies

Have you recently noticed that fruit flies are starting to gather around your kitchen or home? Even if you’ve cleared away any food and kept your home clean, they are still there; it’s likely the drains. Fruit flies will be attracted to food that is stuck in your pipes. So even if there isn’t a clog or any strange smells, the little fruit flies will be a warning that there’s trouble. Call a professional cleaner to flush out the drains before the buildup becomes a serious problem.

Drains and Sewer Cleaning in Calgary

Drain Hacks can unclog, clean, maintain, and optimize any drain or sewer lines with ease and expertise. They can handle any issue with over ten years of drain servicing and property maintenance experience. For drain cleaning, clearing, sewer jetting, plumbing repairs and more, you can contact their team to help.

Contact Drain Hacks today!

This post first appeared on https://blog.renovationfind.com