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Choosing a floor screed is like looking at a restaurant menu. With the variety of options available, it is easy to get confused. Some terms may be new to you, which makes the selection process more complicated. In making the process simpler, you need to begin by keeping in mind where you will apply the screed. These are types of screed that are best used for new construction, while there are kinds that work best for improvements over existing flooring. This article provides you with more information on how to best select a floor screed for your needs.

What makes liquid screed different from an ordinary cement mix?

Why is liquid screed preferable over ordinary cement? Here are some of the reasons:

• Floor screeding contractors spend less on labour.
• If you are installing underfloor heating, using liquid screed is more compatible.
• You can apply screed in thin layers; hence, allowing you to even out the surface.
• Screed is less prone to shrinkage, unlike cement.
• Cement cracks quite easily, while you can reinforce screed, so it does not crack.

The primary difference between screed and cement mixture is the ingredients. While screed also contains cement, it uses a finer aggregate and has higher water content. Although both are comparable in strength, the smoothness of screed has a better overall appearance.

Type of flooring installed over the screed

One essential factor to consider in choosing the kind of liquid screed is the flooring you will install. If you are using tiles, for example, your choice will have a significant impact on the result. If you are using anhydrite screed, you need to sand the surface before installing tiles. On the other hand, choosing liquid cement screed will not require sanding.

Different types of liquid screed

Here is a comparison of the common kinds of liquid screed used in most flooring construction:

• Bonded screed. If your home is susceptible to moisture or water damage, the bonded screed is best. This type of screed is also better for thin applications. In applying bonded screed, a bonding agent is applied to the concrete base to maximize bonding with the mixture.
• Unbonded screed. Instead of directly applying the screed mixture on the concrete base, a layer of plastic separates the surfaces. The purpose of adding a layer of plastic is to prevent cracking and protect from moisture.
• Polymer floor screed. Liquid screed that contains polymers has a high concentration of adhesive. The additives will ensure that even if the mixture is thin, chemicals and moisture will not leach out.

With every floor screed installation, it is essential to understand how long it takes to cure the material. Timing will vary depending on the ratio of additives added into the mixture. The higher the additives, the longer it takes for the screed to set and dry. If you are planning to remodel a large area in your home, it is best to hire a professional who can install the screed and flooring correctly. Look for a contractor with extensive experience in working with different types of liquid screed.

 

 

People purchase rental properties for a lot of reasons. Owning a second home to rent out can provide some good tax benefits, for instance. And the extra income can make a big difference in most family’s lives. However, being a landlord isn’t a simple undertaking. It’s a lot of work, and like any other investment, what makes sense now may not make sense a few years down the road. Here are three signs that it’s time to sell your rental property.

You’re not making money

If you’re not bringing in enough income from your rental properties, you’ve got a few options before you sell. First, make sure you’re running things efficiently. You shouldn’t be charging your tenants for services if you don’t have to, and you also shouldn’t be paying too much for certain services that you can get for little to no cost elsewhere.

The Internet gives you access to a ton of useful landlord tools. You can get free landlord software from Turbo Tenant, for instance, which will save you both time and money. When you’re a landlord, it may seem like you never have enough of both. Try to look at your operation and think of ways for you to cut costs without lowering the level of service you’re providing to your tenants.

Making the above changes often works, but if it doesn’t, that could speak to a bigger issue. You may be renting out a money pit that requires too much maintenance on your part. The local rental economy might not be as strong as it was when you first bought the property. If something like that is happening, it’s best to get out before you pour too much money into a property that isn’t going to give you enough back.

Property values are up

When you first got into the rental business, a one-room apartment went for about $800 in your neighborhood. Now the market value is over $1,000 and still climbing. You’ve also heard that neighbors are selling houses for nearly twice what they paid for them, which suddenly means your rental property is a hot commodity.

But maybe you don’t want to sell right now. That’s OK, but you can’t assume that the market will stay hot forever. In places like Southern California, prices are still high, which sounds good for sellers, but it’s not. Sales have gone down because buyers are frustrated and tired of trying to find a house they can afford.

High prices do not always correlate to high demand. If people are buying and selling at high levels right now, it’s probably worth selling your rental property a little sooner than you intended. Finding a buyer interested in rental property can be harder when the economy slows down. Pay attention to local trends. Talk to local economic experts if possible.You’re better off unloading rental property six months before you’re ready than six months too late.

You want out of real estate

If you’re drawing income from rental property, that’s considered passive income. But if you’re a landlord who is always taking care of something at your property, it’s not going to feel very passive. If you’re burnt out and tired of dealing with additional property problems, that’s as good a sign as any that you should exit the real estate market before you completely hate it.

For many people, taking care of their own home is more than enough. There’s nothing wrong with that. If someone in your family is dealing with a serious illness or other crisis, it’s perfectly reasonable to want to spend time with them rather than waste it upgrading and repairing a rental home. Major life events have a way of making you rethink your priorities. You should be a landlord because you want to, not because you feel like you have no other choice.

 

You can’t complain about how damaged the environment is if you also don’t take the necessary steps at home to protect it. Everyone’s collective actions could significantly impact the environment. Therefore, you need to start making changes at home if you want things to get better.

Use energy efficient lighting

Let go of your regular light bulbs and fluorescent lights – they consume too much energy & they also don’t last long. Apart from damaging the environment, you’re also spending a lot of money. LED lights are more energy efficient & they last longer too, so you will save a lot in the long run.

Install solar panels

Many households started to move away from traditional energy sources to solar panels. The use of solar panels will make you less dependent on fossil fuels, which you know isn’t a sustainable source and significantly damages the environment. Solar panels harness the energy from the sun so therefore, it doesn’t cause significant pollution. The only problem is that it might be costly as it takes time before you break even. The good thing is that you might receive government subsidies if you opt for solar housing & besides, your primary goal is to help save the environment. The use of solar panels is certainly a step in the right direction.

Use natural cleaning products

Even the cleaning products you use at home could have a significant impact to the environment. Once you use cleaning agents with toxic chemicals, they pollute the water but the good thing is that there are natural alternatives such as vinegar, soda, citric acid, baking powder, and many others that could help clean your home. They’re just as effective as cleaning agents with harsh chemicals.

Improve insulation at home

A well-insulated home means that you won’t have to use the air conditioning unit for a long time. Once you already have a reasonable temperature at home, you can stop using the cooling or heating device. The air gets trapped and the temperature remains the same. You also need to cover cracks on the floor and windows to further insulate the place.

Create a compost pit

You don’t need to rely on garbage collectors all the time. You don’t know how they deal with the items you throw away. You would rather have a compost pit at home so you can immediately throw biodegradable items there. Leftover food and kitchen scraps are perfect for the pit.

Buy recycled items

Apart from practicing recycling at home, you also need to appreciate recycled or second-hand items. Gaming consoles and mobile devices that are not brand-new could still function well. Instead of seeing them getting thrown away, you can purchase them. You can also buy tissue paper, school supplies and cooking items made from recycled materials.

Use a fireplace

You don’t need to turn the air conditioner on during the cold winter nights. Instead, you can use a fireplace that could provide heat. Don’t forget to use a kiln dried wood to make sure that the wood will keep burning for a long time. A fireplace doesn’t leave a carbon footprint which is good for the environment.

These changes are challenging to do at first, but you have to do the right thing. Think of the impact to the environment.

 

 

Parents have a lot to do. Keeping their homes up to date and trendy might not even be on most parents’ list to-do list. Smart parents will realize that keeping a tidy and stylish home isn’t so much about the extra work involved, as much as it is about minimizing maintenance for the spaces you and your children share. It’s about practicality and functionality. It’s similar to when you’re choosing the best kitchen colors for resale.

There are colors that are not only very pleasing but actually increase the value of your home because they are functional. While these tips may not bring a lot of ROI on your home, they will make your life easier and help your little ones develop some basic house-keeping habits. It makes your day-to-day just a little easier so that you can focus on what really matters.

Choose the Right Colors and Material

Often one of the first and most common mistakes parents make when picking out paint colors and floor coverings is to go with the classic baby colors of a soft blue or pink for example. Oddly enough, most of the furnishings and floor coverings that come in these “baby-inspired” colors won’t make it through their first year.

Parenthood often requires something more rugged, something more robust. Look for patterns that hide stains well and for materials that can be washed again and again. Some might scoff at the idea of using exterior rugs inside, but they’re incredibly resilient and make for great play mats. It’s even better if you can go for an intentionally distressed look for hallway runners and other high traffic areas.

Choose the Right Furniture

This has a lot to do with material choice again. While some might be inclined to go super-resilient, we can’t exactly have a house full of metal furnishings for the kids to potentially bump into. There’s a nice medium in classic wood surfaces. They can still feel somewhat soft and smooth to the touch, be somewhat resilient, and can even be resurfaced once the kids are older.

There’s going to be some sort of liquid everywhere at some point. The trick to keeping your home looking nice through the wilder years of toddlerhood comes down to preempting the destruction. When purchasing furniture try to imagine how well it will hold up to several years of bizarre and brazen abuse.

Designate a Play Space

This can be hard to instill in rambunctious children, but will ultimately make your life a lot easier.

You also have to be mentally and emotionally ready to let this room get absolutely destroyed at times, so prepare accordingly. What we’re aiming for is to contain the chaos into once place. If they want to play in the house, it needs to be in this area. While most don’t have the luxury of designating an entire room outside of the nursery, even a designated area of the living room or kitchen can work.

Try laying out one of those hardy indoor/outdoor rugs and let the child know that this is their area and they can do whatever they want with it. Getting them to keep this area tidy comes a little later.

Designate No-Play Space

In the same way that you encourage your child to play in their designated area, you need to reinforce an area of the house that is strictly a no-play zone. This could be your bedroom, the area of the kitchen where you cook, or really any part of the house you don’t want them coloring on.

Don’t present this as an off-limits sort of space, as that will just pique their curiosity.

Rather try and get them to understand how important this space is to you and that you’re proud of it. You want them to help you keep that space as something you can both be proud of.

In the same way, you can use this example to try and compel them to keep their space nice as well.

Forgo a Fancy Dining Room

The kitchen table is the hub of a lot of homes. Projects, after-school snacks, laundry, and maybe the occasional family meal are all vying for space on this one surface. If you’re lucky enough to have room to separate the formal dining room from your everyday eating area, that’s great,

but for most, there’s the one room, if that. It’s going to be a battleground at times, and the space should reflect that. We’ve talked about furniture choice and color a little, but one of the real secrets is storage.

Bookshelves and more bookshelves

Bookshelves take the clutter of our lives and almost makes it look tidy. It’s true though. Take any pile of random stuff and place it on a bookshelf. Almost looks like it was supposed to be there, right? Bookshelves provide numerous homes for numerous lost items throughout the house.

They also provide a place to put items on display. This can be very helpful with trying to reinforce that idea of pride and respect. And believe it or not, they may actually house books at times, which might be the best thing for your little ones in the long run.

Utilize What the Kids Love and Create

Kids have different priorities than us, as they should. They don’t understand why the vase is special, but they definitely have a favorite toy of their own. If we can teach them to treat their special items with care and respect, there’s a glimmer of hope for them to treat the adult items that way as well.

The same way we display their art on the fridge because we are proud, we can use the children’s toys and other items as decoration on your recently acquired bookshelves.

It’s easy to get them to understand that everyone wants to be able to see their awesome teddy bear, so the shelf is a great place for him to sit when he’s not commissioned for cuddling.

Hide Everything

Is it delicate? Is it irreplaceable? It might be time to store some of these more sensitive items until the kids grow up a little. There will be a time to return it to its proper place on the coffee table, but for now, less is more. Stylish is impossible if things are never clean. The real trick to keeping a home stylish is not keeping up with the most recent trends or the most expensive furniture, it’s about keeping your home functional and welcoming, even in the midst of raising children.

Besides if your friends see your children cleaning up after themselves and respecting your delicate property, they’re definitely going to know you have some kind of style, even if they can’t pinpoint what it is.