HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2012-10-18, Page 22PAGE 22. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2012.
The Heart of the Home.
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Carpet still a viable flooring option for some peopleMS –Although many people maytout the benefits of hardwoodflooring over carpeting, there areplenty of individuals who like tohave the soft and luxurious feeling ofcarpeting underfoot. Selecting theright carpeting for a particular roomand purpose can be a bit dauntingbecause of the abundance ofavailable colours and materials.According to some, carpeting canalso be an added safety measure that
makes play areas safer, potentially
lessening the severity of an injury in
the event of a fall.
This is why carpeting is often
preferred in children’s rooms and
play areas.There are other advantages tocarpeting as well. It can help insulaterooms both in the summer andwinter. It can be easier on feet than ahard floor and few materials absorbsound better than carpet.Choosing the right carpeting for aroom comes down to identifying thekind of foot traffic you expect inyour home and which carpetingoptions most suit your needs. Here
are some tips to get started.
• Don’t overlook padding. Padding
can make the difference in the way
carpeting feels and how long it lasts.
The thickest or most expensive
padding isn’t necessarily the best orthe best-suited for your home.However, it is wise to pick a pad thatmatches the type of carpeting you’reselecting. You may be able to go witha thinner pad in low-traffic roomsand under dense carpeting likeberber. In high traffic rooms, choosethicker, more durable padding.Padding prevents carpet backing andfibres from coming apart over aduration of time, so if you’re
spending a lot on the carpet, it pays
to invest in a padding that
will last the duration of the carpet as
well.
• Recognize the type of carpeting
that best suits your needs. There aremany different types of carpeting,and they won’t all be the perfectmatch for your home. For example,plush and saxony carpets are betterin low-traffic areas. These carpetsmay show footprints and alsovacuum tracks and dirt. Berber,meanwhile, is more flat and dense,making it highly effective at maskingstains and tracks. Textured carpetslike frieze are cut from fibres of
different heights, so they mask stains
and are also softer on the feet than
berbers. An entryway or a den may
be better off carpeted in a dense
carpeting, while a bedroom may be
fine and luxurious with plush
carpeting. Carpeting may come in
stain-resistant varieties or low-
maintenance options. These are
generally best in homes with petsand children. However, you may beable to save money by opting out ofspecial treatments to resist stains andsimply invest in a steam vacuum,instead.• Choose colour wisely. Choosinga colour comes down to preferenceand how much the room will be used.Although light, neutral colours areoften preferred because they workwell in just about any room, lighter
coloured carpets will show stains
much more easily than other carpet
colours.
Carpeting can make a fine addition
to your home and make it feel more
comfortable and inviting.
Remember to take your time when
selecting carpeting, as your decision
will have long-lasting effects.
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Prevention key with septic systems
MS –When septic systems are
working properly, homeowners
seldom give them any thought.
However, if there is a problem with a
septic system, things can get messy
and expensive very quickly. The key
to keeping septic systems running
smoothly is prevention.
Septic systems are installed in
homes that do not have direct access
to municipal sewer lines. Septic
systems are typically found in rural
homes or in towns that may not have
the resources for extensive sewer
piping.
While a properly designed septic
system can be trouble-free,
maintenance is still essential.
Because septic systems tend to be
out of sight and out of mind,
homeowners can forget about them.
But ignoring your septic system can
cause problems in the future.
How does a septic system work?
Most septic systems have two main
components: where the waste enters
from the house and breaks down and
a filtering system where the waste
water exits into the ground. Waste
travels from toilets and sinks to the
septic tank, where natural bacteria
help break down the waste. Then the
remaining water flows out through a
filter into the surrounding ground.
Septic system problems occur
when waste doesn’t properly break
down, leading to system backups.
At the least, you may notice odours
coming from the drains or toilets in
your home. Or you may realize that
sinks aren’t draining properly or
toilets are not flushing with the right
amount of power. At the worst,
toilets and the septic tank itself may
overflow.
Outdoors you could may notice
soggy grass around the septic drain.
Grass in one part of the leach field
area may even be greener than in
other areas. Each of these signs could
indicate a septic system problem.
The main culprits in septic system
problems are blockages that cause
the system to overflow or back-up
into the home. Septic tanks need to
be pumped out at regular intervals. A
professional inspection is also
necessary. Flushing or putting
difficult-to-degrade items into the
system also can cause problems. Be
sure to heed the following:
• Do not flush non-biodegradable
items down the toilet or sink drains.
Cotton balls or plastic can clog the
system.
• Do not pour cooking oil or grease
down the sink drain.
• Set up a regular maintenance
schedule to keep the system working.
• Advise guests as to what is and is
not allowed to go down the drain.
Those without septic systems may be
unaware.
Continued from page 19
will fit beneath windows or be able
to fit in thin areas between sinks and
toilets. Over the toilet is prime area
for cabinetry.
• Consider a frameless shower.
This is a partitioned area of the
bathroom that’s set aside for the
shower and is typically only
cordoned off by a thin wall or piece
of glass. Or a shower with no walls
at all is the ultimate in space-saving.
The entire bathroom floor is decked
out in tile, and a portion is sloped
toward a shower drain.
• Think about installing a skylight
if you prefer natural light, but
there is no room for a traditional
window.
Thinking creatively can help turn a
cramped bathroom into a space-
saving and well-designed room
homeowners desire.
Using cramped spaces
Avoid cheap bric-à-brac
Continued from page 21
planning those renovations or
reorganizations, Robertson said go
big or go home.
“Everything is going to depend on
the budget you have set for whatever
changes you’re making,” she said.
“But you don’t want to go small, if
your budget is small, it may be better
to wait and save up.”
She said that, with a small budget,
people can often buy small items and
they aren’t really worthwhile in the
end.
“Avoid the cute, chintzy small Bric-
à-brac,” she said. “The small always
adds up. The more small you have,
the more cluttered your house will be.
Save for the big expensive
pieces that will make people say
‘wow’ when they walk into the room.”