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Effective tools for a DIY enthusiast

Effective tools for a DIY enthusiast

Certain things are more comforting for a ‘Do It Yourself’ enthusiast than completing a home renovation project without any professional assistance. DIY lovers, although enthusiastic about completing a project all by themselves require proper tools and resources to effectively complete the job at hand. A trip to the local hardware store can get you access to a number of different tools and equipment; however, selecting the right ones can be a difficult job.

Bathroom renovation is one of the most complex DIY jobs since any complications in tiling or waterproofing can result in significant damage to the surrounding areas. It is for this reason that tools such as Pro Pan, ready to tile shower pans and Quick Kirb are widely used in a bathroom renovation job. Pro Pan and ready to tile shower pans come with a standard slope of 1/4” inch per foot, thereby ensuring a perfectly sloped shower floor. Further, Kirb perfect offers an easy solution to building a shower curb, thereby ensuring that water does not spill outside the shower area.

Tiling & grouting is another job that can create a problem for people who prefer to complete their home renovation job themselves without any professional help. Tiles have to be placed at an equal distance to smooth transitions. Further, the grouting job has to be completed in an effective manner so as to ensure proper sealing, and that the water does not seep through the grout. This job can be effectively completed by using tile spacers and grout caulk thinset. Further, DIY enthusiasts can also find a variety of tile trims that can add an appealing look to the tiling of a room.

One of the common problems faced by people while installing stone or ceramic tiles is that of lippage. This not only disrupts the aesthetics of the room but can also result in cracks in the tiled floor. This problem can be easily solved by using the revolutionary Tuscan leveling system. Using this system will ensure a perfectly level tiled floor and will also make the tiling job easy and convenient.

Be it a job for carpentry, landscaping, or plumbing, a number of DIY enthusiasts find it difficult to find that perfect level pitch. An effective slope level indicator can prove to be more than handy in measuring and correcting the slope level of a place. Such slope levels are ideal for use by roofers, contractors, carpenters, engineers and most importantly by ‘Do It Yourself’ enthusiasts.

Finally, safety is an issue that concerns most people before they embark on their DIY endeavor. Certain safety tools such as a face mask, gloves, knee pads and clean up bags are essential in order to successfully complete a home renovation project.

Therefore, it is prominent that there are a variety of choices of tools for a DIY enthusiast to select from in order to successfully complete a home improvement project. Proper tools and equipment will not only help in timely completion of a job but will also ensure that it is completed in an effective and proper manner.

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WarmUp Snow Melting Questions & Answers

WarmUp Snow Melting Questions & Answers

Warmup Snow Melting WSM

Q. How long does a snow melting system take to melt snow?

During typical Winter conditions, Warmup systems are designed to keep driveways and walkways clear of snow and ice with no waiting time.

To operate efficiently Warmup systems are designed to turn on before or at the first sign of precipitation below freezing. By anticipating a storm or sensing it quickly, Warmup systems are able to get slabs above freezing quickly to maintain constantly clear surfaces. With a warm slab, snow and ice quickly melt away without any waiting time.

Q. How far can you space snow melting cables?

If you are installing snow melting cable you may be wondering how far you can space the cable. Read more here about cable spacing.

Warmup recommends spacing snow melting cable at 3″ to deliver 50 watts per square foot. At 3″ spacing Warmup snow melting cable can deliver optimum results even under the harshest conditions.

Indoors or out, spacing heating cable further will decrease the heat output resulting in slower ramp-up times. Please refer to the chart below for a spacing guide.

**CABLE SPACING COVERAGE**
Cable length (ft)	Resistance (Ω)	3 pegs	4 pegs	5 pegs
84	WSM-240-1000	20	27	34
168	WSM-240-2000	43	57	72
209	WSM-240-2500	51	67	84
251	WSM-240-3000	62	84	104
330	WSM-240-4000	85	110	135
420	WSM-240-5000	100	140	170
500	WSM-240-6000	122	181	200

Q. Should I use snow melting mats or snow melting cables?

Warmup offers two forms of surface heating: snow melting mats and snow melting cables. The only difference between snow melting mats and snow melting cables is that snow melting mats have heating cable pre-fixed on a mesh for a quick installation in a regularly shaped space. While both options feature the same exact cable, installation instructions vary so it is important to read on to see what is best for your project.

For Regularly Shaped Spaces

Square or rectangle-shaped spaces would qualify as a regularly shaped. For these areas, Warmup recommends the use of snow melting mats. Snow melting mats have heating cable pre-fixed on a mesh for quick installation of 50 watts per square foot.

For Irregular Shaped Spaces

Stairs or curved spaces would qualify as irregularly shaped. For these areas, Warmup recommends the use of snow melting cables. Snow melting cable options are supplied on a spool so that cable can be custom-laid. To get the same heat-output as the snow melting mat, the cable must be spaced at 3″

Q. Are snow melting cables as effective as snow melting mats?

Warmup snow melting mats and snow melting cables are the exact same cable. If snow melting cables are spaced the same as snow melting mats, (3″) they are as effective.

Installation of Snow Melting Cable under Concrete

Please refer to the Warmup Snow Melting Specifications and installation for more information regarding the installation of this product.

Q. Can I Still Install my Snow melt System with Expansion Joints in the Concrete?

Installing Snow melt System with Expansion Joints

Yes, however careful planning is necessary to avoid any issues when the expansion joints are cut.

To avoid any issues, plan out where the joints are cut.

Ensure one length of the cable is tied to the floating rebar. The cable should be tied to either side of where the joint will be. At the end, the cable loops, connecting both runs of cable. Use a landscape hook to secure the loop far enough down to avoid the joint cuts. WSMM-Warmup Snow Melting expansion joint

Make sure to be taking resistance readings before the cuts are made. Take readings during cuts are made and after to ensure there was no damage.

Warmup Snow Melting Specifications and installation

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Warmup The Ultimate Guide to Radiant Floor Heating

Warmup The Ultimate Guide to Radiant Floor Heating

Radiant floor heating systems are a great way to cut HVAC costs and provide more consistent heat to every square inch of your house. They are more efficient than the HVAC system because they heat the floor directly instead of pumping warm air through the room. The following breakdown will provide you with everything you need to know about this innovative subfloor heating system.

Types of Warmup Radiant Floor Heating

There are two main types of radiant floor heating systems:

Hydronic – this system uses water-filled pipes beneath the floor that are heated by a boiler
Electric – this system uses a network of electric heating wires or heating mats to heat the floors

Benefits of Radiant Floor Heating

Radiant floor heating is more efficient than HVAC for heating rooms because it heats the floors directly instead of pumping hot air through a room. This allows a radiant floor heating system to operate at lower temperature–and consume less energy–to achieve the same heating effect. Some other benefits of a radiant floor heating system include:

Invisible installation that leaves interior spaces open to maximize square footage
Compatibility with all types of flooring choices
Ease of installation makes them an option for DIY projects

Best Locations to Install Radiant Floor Heating

While radiant floor heating is a great option for any area of the home, some of the most common locations for installation include:

Bedrooms
Bathrooms
Kitchens
Basements
Garages

Go Radiant and Reap the Benefits Today

Radiant floor heating is clearly one of the best methods of creating an efficient, evenly-heated home. For a more detailed analysis of everything related to radiant floor heating, check out this infographic by Warmup for a detailed visual breakdown.

Radiant floor heating system warms a room by heating the floor directly rather than pumping in warm ai.
Heat from the floors rises and disappears, helping to warm the entire space. With radiant heat, comfort tends to be felt sooner and the system can run at lower temperature.
There is minimal air flow, keeping the temperature comfortable and even, everywhere in the room.

Radiant floor heating system warms a room by heating the floor directly rather than pumping in warm air.
Heat from the floors rises and disappears, helping to warm the entire space. With radiant heat, comfort tends to be felt sooner and the system can run at lower temperature.
There is minimal air flow, keeping the temperature comfortable and even, everywhere in the room.

Radiant Heating vs Forced Air

Compared to forced air system, radiant heat system operates at lower temperatures. This provides consistent heating, eliminates parasitic heat lost, and saves money on energy bills.

5 Myths About Radiant Heating

The Best Room in a House for Radiant Heating

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How to Clean Hardwood Floors?

How to Care for Your Hardwood Flooring

Aside from bringing a luxurious classic vibe to your home, Hardwood Floors also have inherent properties like dust repellant and other features that make them a viable flooring option for most homes. However, they are certainly not the easiest to maintain as they would require regular maintenance if you really want to keep that squeaky clean finish and away from damage.

In this blog, we’ll be mentioning some practical tips you can do at home on how to clean filthy hardwood floors, so you can ensure that they will last you longer and enjoy the aesthetic feel it’s bringing to the table. These methods are simple and absolutely applicable to everyone who wants to keep their hardwood floors sparkling and fresh.

Vacuum Regularly

Cleaning your hardwood floors doesn’t have to be complicated. Even a regular run-through of vacuum cleaning should do the trick to remove unwanted dust and avoid filthy floors. If you can do this simple trick daily, it would be best to avoid dirt built-up undermining the appearance of your hardwood floors.

Choose the Right Cleaning Products

The products you use for your floors can make or break the quality of your surface, so you must choose wisely the products you’ll be using to clean your hardwood floors. Make sure that you’ll use a chemical solution explicitly made for wood to prevent damaging your surface material and keep them squeaky clean all the time. We recommend you use this Wood & Laminate Floor Cleaner as it is tested and proven safe for all flooring types and is an environmentally friendly cleaner.

Keep Your Hardwood Floors Dry

Using a wet mop is something that you shouldn’t often do when you’re dealing with hardwood floors. Leaving your floors wet could cause wood swells as moisture is one of the most common reasons for deteriorating wood material floors. To prevent this from happening, practice using a floor mop that is dry or slightly damp so you can keep your hardwood floors as dry as possible.

Touch Up Floor Scratches

Hardwood Floors look stunningly great and add depth to every home’s aesthetic feel. However, they are usually prone to floor scratches. The best way to maintain its look is to deal with minor scratches when you notice them and avoid touching up any further damage. Floor scratches are annoying, and they easily mess up the whole look of your hardwood floors.

Re-Finish Every Once in a While

Instead of having to replace your floors when they are obsolete, refinishing wood floors is an excellent way to make the most out of the built lifespan of your flooring. If you notice that your floor doesn’t seem to look dashing anymore, no matter how much you try to clean, it might be time for a refinish. This process will help replenish the natural color of your hardwood floors and allow you to enjoy brand-new surface floors at a much cheaper cost.

Final Thoughts

Indeed, despite all the required maintenance for keeping hardwood floors as clean as possible, it is certainly worth the work as they bring out the best in your place by providing a robust and durable surface floor with a sleek and luxurious visual aesthetic. May you learn to apply these simple steps in cleaning your hardwood floors.

7 Essential Tile Tools for Professional Tilers

Are you planning on your next tiling project? This guide has gathered some of the essential tile working tools you’ll need before tiling. If you want the best finish for your DIY project, you’ll need professional tiling tools to make your work easier and a lot more accurate.

Take note that choosing the right tools plays a huge role in how your tiling project will turn out. This is why we’ve created this guide for you to have a checklist and explain why these certain items are essential as they have varied functionalities.

Tile Cutters

One of the essential tools for tiling is Tile Cutters. If you’re in the tiling business, investing in a Bridge Wet Saw might be worth considering. However, an excellent Manual Tile Cutter should be enough for tiling projects. Tile Cutters are pretty self-explanatory when it comes to their functionality. They are machines designed to cut your tiles to your desired size and diameter with preciseness and speed. Working with glass, porcelain, ceramic, or any tile could be delicate and easily damaged, so you’ll need explicitly-made equipment such as tile cutters.

Diamond Blades

Another essential for a clean and easy cut is sharp diamond blades. First and foremost, choosing the suitable Diamond Blades for you will depend on your desired application as there are different sizes and thicknesses made for cutting other concrete materials. Diamond Blades are mainly used for stone cutting, glass cutting, and grinding. Check out our selection of Diamond Blades here at Flooring Supply Shop so you can easily compare different types and find a suitable blade for your needs.

Mortar Mixer

Mixing Mortar is not easy and can be labor-intensive when done manually. This is why most professionals tilers either use pre-mixed tile adhesive or use Mortar Mixer equipment for this process. Before applying it to your walls and tiles, mixing mortar should be done correctly as fine as possible. Otherwise, you’ll be dealing with a back job later. Purchasing grout and mortar form is also more affordable than pre-mixed grout, especially if you’re working on a large area.

Plastic Bucket

Every professional tiler loves a good plastic bucket. Whether you’ll be using it for mixing tile adhesives, paint, grout, mortar, epoxy, or anything, having at least two or more plastic buckets could be very handy when working on a tiling project. Any recycled plastic bucket gets the job done. However, if you’re looking for an industry-grade bucket, check out this plastic bucket from Raimondi here at Flooring Supply Shop today.

Tile Trowels

Tile Trowels ensure that your mortar gets a uniform spread for a better-looking finish. You may see a lot of different shapes for tile trowels, and the most commonly used are those pointed trowels. Suppose you’re all about efficiency and want to make a better finish. You might also use this Slant Ridge Notched Trowel from Raimondi, which provides superior adhesive coverage, an anti-slip mechanism, and a comfortable rubber handle.

Tile Leveling System

Tiling is a straightforward task, yet you could easily ruin the whole finish if you don’t use the right equipment. Another essential item you should consider in tiling projects is tile leveling systems. This is a 3-component system that often consists of wedges, tile spacers, and pliers used to avoid lippage and keep the tiles as leveled and as close as possible to each other at a uniform distance.

Rubber Mallet

Before you have your tiles set in place with your concrete floor, ensuring that they are adequately bonded is the last but not the least essential part of the process. Filling the gaps and gently nudging your tiles in place usually requires you to use a Rubber Mallet. There’s a reason why rubber mallets are used as they could provide impact without creating damage to your tiles compared to a regular hammer.

Final Thoughts.

As you’ve noticed, most of the essential items on this list are tools to make your job neat, as this is very important for any tiling project. Having the right tools could make or break your whole tiling process, so you must know what items you’ll be needing. We’ve mentioned that professional tilers use these tools, but that doesn’t mean you can’t learn how to use these tools and make your job a lot easier and more efficient.

Now that you’re ready for your next tiling project, we made sure that everything that we’ll add to this list is all available in one place, so you won’t have to worry about getting them separately elsewhere. Grab these items at Flooring Supply Shop today and start tiling like a true professional!

Category: Do It Yourself