Looking to Buy a New Washer and Dryer Set This Year? Start Here!

Posted on January 11, 2018 by Jeremy Leake

Buying a new washer and dryer is a big investment. Getting a good product for a good price can be difficult. In order to help you out we found this article with information on the best units on the market. We hope it helps!

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From the article:

Shopping for a matching washing machine and dryer set makes sense, particularly if you want appliances with a uniform finish, similar profiles, and complementary technologies. But not all pairs are perfect couples, so it’s important to consider what you want out of your laundry experience and set-up.

If your home has a dedicated laundry room or big basement, you can probably accommodate side-by-side machines of any size. However, for city dwellers or those otherwise short on space, who may be looking to retrofit a closet or fit a washer and dryer in a tight corner, front-loading washers are the way to go since a dryer can be stacked on top of most models. The biggest drawback of a stacking unit is that you???ll have to purchase a separate stacking kit, which installs them securely and prevents them from toppling. And you will have to reach higher to load and unload your clothes from the dryer drum, so shorter folks or those with mobility issues might not want that inconvenience.

Whatever unit you choose, it’s important to carefully measure the area you have to work with before you buy. From a high capacity dynamic duo to a three-piece advanced laundry system, read on to find out which washer and dryer sets are the best on the market.

Best Overall: Samsung WF45M5500AP Washer and DVE45M5500P Dryer with Steam
For a washer and dryer pair that offers top value overall, look to this advanced set from Samsung.

This matching front-loading set will look great in your laundry room, but will also give you an advanced cleaning system to keep your clothes looking and smelling great. Both machines are equipped with steam technology, allowing you to sanitize and refresh clothing with the touch of a button. One important thing to know about Samsung???s Steam Wash technology is that it releases steam from the bottom of the drum ??? ensuring that it reaches every article of clothing as the drum rotates clothes.

There are 10 cycles available on both the 4.5 cubic foot washer and the 7.5 cubic foot dryer, making this pair capable of tackling any laundry challenge you have in mind. Almost everyone agrees that this washer and dryer set is very quiet and does a superior job of cleaning even tough stains. Buy this quality set from Samsung for the features and enjoy it for the quiet operation and efficient cleaning capabilities.

Best High-Capacity: Maytag 6.2 cu. ft. Top Load Washer and 9.2 cu. ft. Dryer
Are you looking for a large capacity washer and dryer that will conquer your laundry baskets once and for all and impress your friends with its mammoth size? The Maytag 6.2 cubic foot Top Load Washer and 9.2 cubic foot Front-Loading Dryer are among the largest pairs of washers and dryers on the market today.

The spacious 6.2 cubic foot drum of this top-loading washer beats out the capacity of just about every front-loading washer machine available. It features an impeller wash plate, with a stainless-steel wash basket for years of rust-free and chip-free use. The machine features 10 wash cycles and an internal heater that assists detergent in removing tough stains. A deep fill option gives especially large loads more water for complete saturation. Users comment on the ease with which it handles even California King-sized bedding. It delivers thorough cleaning power with all the bells and whistles on a modern washing machine.

Once you???ve washed a super large load, you???ll need a super-sized dryer to finish the job. The matching 9.2 cubic foot dryer is up for the task. Also equipped with 10 cycles, the dryer has the right settings for any type of load. The machine also has a Steam Refresh cycles to loosen wrinkles, and a Sanitize cycle to remove common bacteria. Many people comment on how quiet this dryer is compared to other models.

Together, this Maytag pair is tough to beat in terms of capacity and keeps up with the competition in terms of features and benefits. If large laundry loads are a frequent occurrence in your household, this is the set for you.

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Looking for more laundry room design ideas? Checkout this article about laundry room design ideas that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: https://www.thespruce.com/best-washer-dryer-sets-4109183

Planning on Renovating Your Kitchen? Start Here!

Posted on January 8, 2018 by Jeremy Leake

Renovating a kitchen can be a lot of fun. What you don’t want at the end is designer remorse though. In order to help you out we found this article with helpful information on things to keep in mind before starting your kitchen renovation. We hope it helps!

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If you need Hammond dryer vent cleaning services, then Dryer Vents Plus is your #1 choice! Call Jeremy Leake today at 225-612-7752 to schedule your 100% Free, No Obligation Quote!
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From the article:

If you sometimes have trouble deciding what to make for dinner, a kitchen renovation can feel paralyzing. But take heart: It doesn???t really matter much which backsplash tiles or faucet you choose. As long as you get the big stuff right, you???ll be thrilled with your new kitchen. These five rules will help you get the best result at the right price.

Keep your outlay in sync with your home.
To avoid overimproving, cap your kitchen renovation budget at 15% of your home???s value, suggests John Bredemeyer, president of Realcorp, a national appraisal firm based in Omaha. (Check your town assessor???s site or a real estate site). For budgeting purposes, figure about 30% on cabinets; 14% on appliances; 10% on countertops; 5% on lighting; 4% on plumbing fixtures; 2% to 3% on paint; 1% to 2% on tiles, and 35% on construction costs, such as windows, flooring, and labor.

For a house worth $250,000, that translates to about $11,000 on cabinets, $5,250 on appliances; $3,750 on countertops, $1,875 on lighting; $1,500 on plumbing fixtures; $1,125 on paint; $750 on tiles; and $12,000 on construction costs.

To cut costs, hold on to what works.
You can slash the price tag for any kitchen renovation by limiting how much of the old kitchen you replace. Keeping original windows can save you $500 to $1,000 per window; keeping the original wood floor hiding underneath all of those layers of linoleum and vinyl could save you $2,000. And simply keeping the plumbing fixtures and appliances in the same locations likely means you can reuse existing plumbing, saving you perhaps $200 to $500.

Stay skin deep if you???re moving anytime soon.
If you expect to put your house on the market within a decade, skip the $60,000 renovation and go for a cosmetic upgrade instead. You can have old cabinets painted for $1,000 to $5,000 or refaced with a new wood veneer and new doors and drawer fronts for some $5,000 to $7,000. A new faucet and fresh cabinet hardware can be yours for under $500, new lighting for $500 to $2,000, depending on how far you take it; even replacing Formica countertops with granite might cost less than $4,000.

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Looking for information on countertop choices? Checkout this article about countertop choices that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://time.com/money/4280926/renovate-kitchen/

Do You Know What Routine Maintenance is Necessary for Dryer Vents? Learn Here!

Posted on January 4, 2018 by Jeremy Leake

Preventing a fire in your home is important. Knowing what to do to prevent a fire isn’t as easy. In order to help you out we found this article with routine maintenance you should do to your dryer. We hope it helps!

From the article:

In 1999, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) developed a report called the ???Report on Electric and Gas Clothes Dryers.??? In it, they stated that about 75% of households have a clothes dryer, which means that well over 75 million households in the U.S. have a gas or electric clothes dryer. The report also showed that in 1996 (as a sample year) more than 15,000 fires, 20 deaths, more than 300 injuries and over $80 million in property damage occurred from just dryer fires.

Periodically Clean the Dryer Vent and Exhaust duct
The Consumer Product Safety Commission developed CPSC Document #5022, which outlines actions to reduce the risk of dryer fires from overheated clothes dryers. Let’s review what you can do:

– Check the outside dryer vent while the dryer is operating to make sure exhaust air is escaping. You should feel a strong discharge of moist warm air. If you do not feel a strong discharge of air, the vent or the exhaust duct may be blocked.
– It may be necessary to disconnect the exhaust duct from the dryer to remove a blockage in the exhaust path.
– Disconnect the ducting and inspect for blockage.
– If the duct has lint buildup, clean the duct.
– Remember to properly reconnect the ducting to the dryer and outside vent before using the dryer again.

Clean the Lint Screen with Each Use
Remove the lint trap filter from dryer and brush it clean to remove lint.
What are the warning signs that dangerous lint buildup is occurring in your dryer and venting system? Symptoms may include:

– Clothes take longer and longer to dry.
– Clothes don’t fully dry.
– Clothes are hotter than normal at the end of the drying cycle.
– The outside of dryer gets very hot.
– The outside exhaust vent flapper does not open very much, indicating low exhaust velocity.
– Laundry room becomes more humid than it is usually.
– Burnt smell is evident in the laundry room.

To clean the lint trap, first, remove the lint trap filter from the dryer and clean it. This must be done before or after each use of the dryer. Then, vacuum the lint trap housing cavity monthly.

Be Careful Not to Dry Clothes Soiled with VOCs
You need to take special care when laundering clothes containing VOCs (volatile organic compound), such as gasoline, cooking oils, cleaning agents, or finishing oils and stains.

Wash heavily soiled clothing more than once to minimize the volatile chemicals still on the clothes, and, if possible, hang the clothes out to air dry. If using a dryer, use the lowest heat setting and a drying cycle that has a cool-down period at the end of the cycle. To prevent clothes from igniting after drying, do not leave the dried clothes in the dryer or piled in a laundry basket.

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Looking for more information on preventing a dryer fire? Checkout this article about preventing dryer fire that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: https://www.thespruce.com/dryer-vent-safety-1824762

Worried About Frozen Pipes? Learn More Here!

Posted on January 1, 2018 by Jeremy Leake

Regardless of where you live we’ve had a colder winter than normal. Knowing how to protect your home in the cold winter months is very important. This includes protecting your home from frozen pipes. In order to help you out we found this article with helpful information. We hope it helps you protect your home!

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If you need Lafayette vent cleaning services, then Dryer Vents Plus is your #1 choice! Call Jeremy Leake today at 225-612-7752 to schedule your 100% Free, No Obligation Quote!
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From the article:

Why Pipe Freezing is a Problem
Water has a unique property in that it expands as it freezes. This expansion puts tremendous pressure on whatever is containing it, including metal or plastic pipes. No matter the strength of a container, expanding water can cause pipes to break.

Pipes that freeze most frequently are:

– Pipes that are exposed to severe cold, like outdoor hose bibs, swimming pool supply lines, and water sprinkler lines.
– Water supply pipes in unheated interior areas like basements and crawl spaces, attics, garages, or kitchen cabinets.
– Pipes that run against exterior walls that have little or no insulation.

How to Prevent Frozen Pipes
– Keep garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in the garage.
– Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. Be sure to move any harmful cleaners and household chemicals up out of the reach of children.
– When the weather is very cold outside, let the cold water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe – even at a trickle – helps prevent pipes from freezing.
– Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature both during the day and at night. By temporarily suspending the use of lower nighttime temperatures, you may incur a higher heating bill, but you can prevent a much more costly repair job if pipes freeze and burst.
– If you will be going away during cold weather, leave the heat on in your home, set to a temperature no lower than 55?? F.

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Looking for more information on preparing your home for winter? Checkout this article about winter preparation for home that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/winter-storm/frozen-pipes

Looking to Buy a New Home? Here Are Some Things to Consider First!

Posted on December 28, 2017 by Jeremy Leake

Buying a new home can be scary and very stressful. Say you’ve found a home that you love, should you just jump in and buy it? Objectively the answer is no. We found this article with several things to consider before putting an offer on a home. We hope that this will help you not have any buyer’s regret. Good luck!

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If you need Apartment complex dryer vent cleaning services, then Dryer Vents Plus is your #1 choice! Call Jeremy Leake today at 225-612-7752 to schedule your 100% Free, No Obligation Quote!
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From the article:

Visit at various times of day
The windows that let in so much light during the day may be a peeping Tom???s dream at night. That seemingly quiet residential street may be a noisy, highway-feeder street during morning or evening rush hour; or it may be near impossible to get from your quiet street across traffic and onto the feeder street in the morning. The adjacent school may seem like a nice perk if you???re buying in the summer, but during the school year, daily playground noise and extra traffic may be more than you bargained for.

Talk to neighbors
How many people in the neighborhood own their homes? Sometimes it???s hard to tell at first if you???re choosing a neighborhood that???s primarily rental houses.

Get a home inspection
Virtually all houses have defects, according to National Association of Exclusive Buyers Agents. Some will be obvious and most will be curable. But knowing what needs fixing can help you negotiate a lower price ??? or at least prepare you for costs you???re soon to incur. Strongly consider getting inspections, too, for lead paint, radon and wood-eating pests.

Ask for utility bills
You may adore the Cape Cod architectural style or the high ceilings and walls of glass in a modern home ??? but those winter heating and summer cooling bills may push your monthly payments beyond affordable. Ditto for the water bills you???ll pay to maintain a pristine landscape.

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In the market for a home and don’t want to use a Realtor? Checkout this article about why you should use a Realtor when buying a home for busy homeowners that could be of interest to you.
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For all the things to consider click here: http://www.realtor.com/home-finance/real-estate/buyers/14-things-to-consider-before-buying-home.aspx

Looking for a Better Way to Organize Your Gift Wrap? Checkout This Idea!

Posted on December 21, 2017 by Jeremy Leake

Organizing gift wrap can be such a pain! It constantly unrolls itself, can get crushed, the list goes on and on. Then along with the gift wrap there are so many more items that go along with it like ribbon, gift tags, gift bags, tissue paper, greeting cards and scissor. It can become a disorganized nightmare very quickly. In order to create order from chaos we felt it important to share this post on one way to better organize your gift wrapping stuff. We hope it helps!

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If you need Denham Springs vent cleaning services, then Dryer Vents Plus is your #1 choice! Call Jeremy Leake today at 225-612-7752 to schedule your 100% Free, No Obligation Quote!
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From the article:

There are endless amazing ways to store gift wrap, such as an over the door organizer {genius idea} or under bed storage bins. I knew I had more supplies than what an over the door organizer could accommodate; I also knew I may want to remove the closet door all together someday. I also wanted to keep the wrapping supplies in my studio, which is where I work, craft, project and pretty much spend every last waking second. Lastly, I wanted to set up a station that could potentially transform into a packaging station for my shop someday, if/when I get to that point. Occasionally I ship things and keep shipping envelopes and packaging materials on hand, therefore, it only makes sense that these items live here as well. I was longing for the wrapping paper to be stored in an easy to access way, which would allow for it to stay nice and neat in-between uses. Oh! And my ribbon collection also. I had tried one of those sweet ribbon boxes, and was even planning on DIY’ing a few more, but I ultimately decided that there was a better, space saving solution.

There are endless amazing ways to store gift wrap, such as an over the door organizer {genius idea} or under bed storage bins. I knew I had more supplies than what an over the door organizer could accommodate; I also knew I may want to remove the closet door all together someday. I also wanted to keep the wrapping supplies in my studio, which is where I work, craft, project and pretty much spend every last waking second. Lastly, I wanted to set up a station that could potentially transform into a packaging station for my shop someday, if/when I get to that point. Occasionally I ship things and keep shipping envelopes and packaging materials on hand, therefore, it only makes sense that these items live here as well. I was longing for the wrapping paper to be stored in an easy to access way, which would allow for it to stay nice and neat in-between uses. Oh! And my ribbon collection also. I had tried one of those sweet ribbon boxes, and was even planning on DIY’ing a few more, but I ultimately decided that there was a better, space saving solution.

Once all of the dowels were installed, I blasted some tunes, dumped all of my gift wrap supplies on the floor of my studio and spent a few hours organizing it all into bins and baskets. Now, when I look into the closet under the stairs, I see this beautiful site!

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Looking to organize your craft room? Then checkout this article with craft room organization ideas that could be of interest to you.
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For all of the pictures and ideas click here: http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/2013/12/diy-gift-wrap-organization-station.html

Looking for Easier Ways to Clean and Organize Your Kitchen? Get Help Here!

Posted on December 18, 2017 by Jeremy Leake

The kitchen is the heartbeat of the home. A lot goes on in there and it’s where people gather. It’s also hard to keep it clean and organize since it’s one of the few rooms that everyone uses. In order to help you out we found this article with 31 different ideas. We hope they help!

From the article:

Carve Out A Spice Niche
Spices and herbs play a big role for many people when it comes to cooking and these petite packages can take up a lot of storage space. Utilizing a spice rack that???s mounted onto the inside of a cabinet door allows you to keep your spices organized and make use of an unused space, leaving you the option to utilize your cabinets for store something else, like your pots and pans.

Use A Tension Rod To Hang Cleaning Products

Clean Your Blender Quickly
After making a smoothie or using your blender to chop up the garlic, you can quickly clean it by pouring in warm water and a tiny bit of dish soap. Top the blender with the lid and turn it on and now it???s all clean! Just make sure to give it a quick rinse after to get rid of the soap residue.

Clean Your Stainless Steel Appliances With Glass Cleaner
Glass cleaner will give your stainless steel sink and appliances the same streak-free shine that it does for glass and mirrors. Using a glass cleaner will also help to remove any fingerprints. Just spray a few times on a microfiber cloth and make like the karate kid by ???waxing on, waxing off???. Rinse thoroughly and dry your towel.

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Looking for garage organization ideas? Checkout this article about garage organization ideas that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/kitchen-hacks-31-clever-ways-organize-and-clean-your-kitchen.html

Feel Like Life is Moving Too Fast? Adopt These Traits of Slow Living!

Posted on December 14, 2017 by Jeremy Leake

Life seems to be going by faster and faster every year. There doesn’t seem to be anything that can be done about the outside world moving so fast but within our own homes the ability to slow down and enjoy life more is within our hands. In order to help you out we found this article all about slow living. We hope it helps you enjoy life more!

From the article:

What do urban gardens, the home canning craze, the resurgence of vinyl records and the renewed popularity of old-timey crafts have in common? They???re all ways of addressing the same issue: rushed modern life. Boiling farm-fresh berries on your stovetop for jam lets you experience the satisfaction of producing something for yourself that you would normally buy in a store. Knitting a scarf during your train commute helps you savor a sliver of time in your day that would otherwise be a chore. But crafts and cooking aren???t the only ways to access slow living ??? you can begin today with a practice as simple as looking up and noticing the clouds.

Why Go Slow?
A better question might be: Why on Earth are we trying to go so fast? There???s no need to move at a snail???s pace, but slowing down enough to move through your day with purpose helps calm frazzled nerves, make more personal connections and, paradoxically, allow you to feel you have more time than when you???re rushing around.

How to Begin
One of the first steps in learning to live slow is to recognize that slowing down is a choice open to us all. If this is a busy time in your life, it may be tempting to think that you don???t have time to slow down ??? but there are always ways to go a bit slower, no matter how much is on your plate. You can start small! As you read through the suggestions, make a mental note of one or two you???d like to try today.

The Roots of Slow Living
The slow-living phenomenon has its roots in the Slow Food movement, started by Carlo Petrini in the 1980s in Italy. Favoring mindful eating and conversation rather than what had become the norm ??? gulping down food and racing back to work ??? Slow Food aims to provide an antidote to fast food. Slow living is an expansion of this simple idea of slowing down enough to enjoy your life, from how you eat your meals to the way you get to work to how you spend your free time.

Ideas for Slowing Down Your Meals
– Sit down at a table and eat from a real plate, even if the food is takeout.
– Take a full, deep, centering breath before you begin.
– Put your phone/laptop/book away and simply focus on each bite.
– Invite coworkers to share a meal at lunch rather than eating alone at your desk.
– Make an effort to gather with your family at dinner.

Other Ways to Slow Down Your Life
Rethink your commute. The morning and evening commute can be quite stressful. One way to embrace slowness is to modify or even do away with a traditional commute. Could you ride a bike or scooter ??? or walk ??? to work instead of driving? Take public transportation instead of a car, or ask your boss about telecommuting one or more days each week?

If your current work situation requires a lengthy commute that really drains you, perhaps you could begin to explore other work opportunities closer to home. Even if you can???t do anything to ease your commute, see if there???s some minor tweak that would make it a more pleasant experience. For instance, you could leave earlier to avoid the worst traffic, or use the time to listen to a meditation recording or audiobook.

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Looking for fast cleaning tips? Checkout this article about fast cleaning tips that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/53565478/list/slow-living-101-tips-for-turning-off-the-chaos

Love the Idea of Beverage Bar? Make Your Own!

Posted on December 7, 2017 by Jeremy Leake

Having a place for beverages outside of the kitchen fridge is important in some homes depending upon the amount of drinks consumed. If you’d love one in your home take a look at this article we found on how one homeowner added one to their home. We hope it gives you ideas for your own home!

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If you need Baton Rouge dryer vent cleaning services, then Dryer Vents Plus is your #1 choice! Call Jeremy Leake today at 225-612-7752 to schedule your 100% Free, No Obligation Quote!
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From the article:

How to build a beverage bar: this is one of those projects that we all agree was worth it! This unorganized, cramped closet was really wasted space. It was a place for me to stash anything and everything that I didn???t want to look at or deal with at the time. This space is underneath the stairs between the dining room and hall to the kitchen. It was the perfect spot to create a beverage bar out of this closet.

Our kitchen counters are sort of chopped up so being able to move the coffee pot and supplies has freed up a section on the kitchen counters. The beverage bar will also be a great place to sit desserts when we hold family functions.

Here is the useless space before we cleared it out. This is exactly how it looked for years.

We bought the mini fridge and the slide in cabinet from Home Depot. The cabinet comes in different sizes so measure your space to see what size will fit.

The butcher block was purchased at Ikea. We drove to Charlotte and loaded it up. It was 6 feet long and was enough to make the top, a shelve and a couple of extra cutting blocks for my kitchen.

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Looking for storage ideas? Checkout this article about storage cabinet ideas that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://athomewiththebarkers.com/how-to-build-a-beverage-bar/

Looking to Hang Some Pictures? Learn How Here Regardless of Type of Wall!

Posted on December 4, 2017 by Jeremy Leake

Hanging pictures can really make a house a home. It also can be extremely difficult depending upon what type of material you are wanting to hang your picture on. In order to help you out we found this article with helpful step-by-step directions on how to hang pictures on a variety of surfaces. We hope it helps!

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If you need Condo association dryer vent cleaning services, then Dryer Vents Plus is your #1 choice! Call Jeremy Leake today at 225-612-7752 to schedule your 100% Free, No Obligation Quote!
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From the article:

Whether you’ve got plaster, brick, drywall, concrete, stucco or tile, this guide will help you hang anything and (nearly) everything on your walls hassle free.

Brick
Supplies: Brick Spring Clip, Measuring Tape, and Screw Driver
Steps:
1. Measure size of the wall prior to purchasing a spring clip to determine the size you will need.
2. Place the bottom of the clip at the base of the brick.
3. Push clip against top of brick until it locks in.
4. Hang picture and ensure it will hold weight prior to letting go of the frame.

Tile
Supplies: Cooling Oil, Anchor, Screw, Hammer, Painter???s Tape, Carbide or Diamond Tip Drill Bit, and Power Drill
Steps:
1. Measure and plot point on wall using painter???s tape.
2. Attach chosen drill bit and soak in cooling oil for approximately 5-10 seconds.
3. Start slowly drilling into painter???s tape on tile. Slowly apply light pressure and increase speed until you complete drilling the desired hole length.
4. Hammer in the anchor and drill in screw. Hang picture

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Looking to design your home? Then checkout this article about principles for interior design that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.sheknows.com/home-and-gardening/articles/1054127/how-to-hang-things-on-any-wall