Friday, June 26, 2009

Wet Dry Vacuum Cleaners (carpet stair tread)

carpet stair tread

The wet/dry vacuum cleaner combination is no longer
just for a workshop. Over the years, the driving
technology has improved a great deal, deceasing
the loud screeching noises that the vacuums were
so very well known for.

When you go out to buy a wet/dry vacuum with both
wet and dry features, you'll need to know some of
the details. The vacuums are available in a variety
of different sizes and HP, ranging from 6 - 22 gallons
and 1.5 - 10.5 HP. The capacity of the wet/dry
vacuum should match your needs in the following
ways:
1. Wall mount vacuum cleaners with 1.5 HP
and a 1 gallon tank are available for quick and easy
cleanup jobs, such as spills. You can also hang
this type on the wall as well, which will keep it out
of your way.
2. The six gallon vacuum cleaners are ideal
for smaller jobs and are easy to maneuver and store
than a larger model. Keep in mind however, that the
smaller wet/dry cleaners are much louder and also
more prone to tipping over. The smaller the tank,
the more often you will have to stop and empty it.
3. Higher capacity models are recommended
if you have a workshop or garage where larger spills
occur. A large capacity tank will decrease the number
of times that you have to empty the tank.

When you looking for the best wet/dry vacuum for
you, you should look for the following options and
features:
- The pleated cartridge filter. It is
reusable and rinseable, and provides more filtration
area than the flat filter and it doesn't need to
be removed when you switch from the dry to wet
vacuum function.
- An automatic shut off device is available
with most newer vacuum cleaners. This mechanism
will shut off the motor automatically once the
tank has become full of water, which will prevent
it from overflowing.
- A wide set of wheels will help to prevent
the vacuum from tipping over.
- There are some of the larger models that
have the ability to convert to a leaf blower, which
is great if you have a lot of trees in your yard.
- Some wet/dry models have a built in pump
attachment as well. This type of attachment will
allow the water to be pumped through a garden hose
that attaches to the vacuum.
- A handy drain valve or sprout will make
emptying the vacuum cleaner a snap. If it doesn't
have this feature, you'll have to remove the
lid and tip the vacuum to the side to empty all of
the water. Depending on how much water you have
in the tank, you could easily and accidentally
spill it on the floor. The smaller types of wet/dry
vacuums normally don't have a spout or drain
option.
- Wider hoses and floor nozzles are great
to have as well. The wider the hose and nozzle
are, the less likely the vacuum will be to clog up
on you.

If they aren't provided with the vacuum you decided
on, you can also purchase the following attachments:
1. Crevice tool - this handy tool will
easily get in tight corners and around floor edges.
2. Extension wand - this will make the hose
longer for hard to reach areas.
3. Hose couplings - this will join the
extension wand to the hose.
4. Combination nozzle - this helps to
alleviate the need of switching nozzles before you
switch functions.
5. Gulper nozzle - this tool is ideal for
the wet vacuum function.
6. Round brush - this nifty little tool
is ideal for scrubbing.
7. Cleaning kit - this kit will include
everything you need to clean delicate upholstery and
other areas as well.



carpet stair tread

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Friday, June 5, 2009

Tips on Installing Stair Rods

by Derek Rogers

Stair rods are the thin pieces of either metal or plastic that fit to the base of each stair riser to hold your staircase carpet runner in place. This not only protects the carpet and stops it from moving from position, but it also increases safety measures as people are less likely to fall or trip on carpet sections that have come loose from the stairs. You also have the added benefit of a decorative, attractive finish to your carpet, which adds charm and style to your staircase.

Even though stair carpets should be fitted with grippers to help avoid any movement in the carpet, stair rods form an extra means of securing your carpets, but they simply are not strong enough to form the only means of securing them.

Stair rods are available in several materials and several decorative finishes to suit any taste or decor. They range from various timbers or chrome finish to iron or brass, there are so many styles available that you will easily find one available to suit you and your home.

It is possible to order stair rods that are made to measure, but it is important that you get your initial measurements correct to ensure correct fitting and to avoid ending up with stair rods that are too short.

Most staircase carpets are fitted inside each stair riser, so you will need to measure not only the width of your carpet but also add extra length for the finial, or decorative end piece. This means the measurement you supply will be a tip-to-tip measurement from the end of one finial to the end of the other. As stair rods are front fitted, this means you can add them to carpet runners or stairs that are completely carpeted.

When installing your stair rods you should mount the bracket firmly onto the staircase so that it sits directly alongside the edge of the carpet. It is recommended that you drill a pilot hole first for easier installation.

Attach the finials or decorative end pieces to the rods and secure them in place using small screws so they don't come off. Once both brackets are installed, lay the stair rod in the brackets being sure that the rod protrudes an equal distance from the bracket on each end. You should check that the rod overhangs the carpet runner an equal distance on each side, and then carefully screw the top half of the bracket to the bottom bracket piece to secure the stair rod in place.

If you are installing stair rods to fully carpeted stairs you may require longer screws to hold the brackets in place as the screw will need to go through the carpet and the underlay before it can grip to the stair riser.

Once your stair rods are installed, you should be able to enjoy a stylish accent to your staircase that not only looks great but is amazingly low maintenance. Stair rods don't require cleaning with cleaning products; simply wipe them with a clean cloth to maintain their protective lacquer coating and their fine finish.

Derek Rogers is a freelance writer who represents a number of UK businesses. For flooring accessories, he recommends Completely Flooring, one of the UK's leading suppliers of Stair Rods.

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Custom Carpeted Staircases: 7 Tips for Top Quality Installations

by Russell Webb


There are a few factors that need to be considered prior to any carpet installation on stairs. Now add the complexity of a custom designed & fabricated installation & you have an even bigger challenge. Are you up for it?

Follow these tips for a smooth & fearless custom carpeted staircase installation. First a hypothetical.

I'm going to predict that you have successfully designed & bid the project. Your client loved your design & can't wait to have it installed. You're also getting paid very well for this installation because you're one of the few highly trained rug fabricators in your area. Your client expects to pay for your expertise & you'll probably earn every penny!

Tip #1. Team up with a qualified carpet installer. Nearly all staircase projects will be brokered through a carpet dealer. There will likely be a full carpet install & the staircase is just a part of the whole project. Sit down with the carpet dealer & installer & iron out the strategy for the install.

A) What type of staircase is this? Box stairs, side wrap, spiral, bullnose or is it a custom staircase?

B) Depending on the type of staircase & the design you've created, You may have a simple 'waterfall' installation where you are installing 3-5 or more steps in 1 piece. This only works if the design is simple & straight forward - like a border design - or a stair runner install.

C) When installing a custom staircase, a spiral staircase, or your design needs precision placement - lets say you have a rose on each side that falls exactly on the tread/step. You'll then need to install each step seperately.

Tip #2. Make an exact template of each step. Ideally you would use the exisiting stair carpet & trace directly onto the new piece of carpet - remember to have face fibers down - working from the back. Of course this implies that your client has approved of your strategy and has allowed you to 'borrow' their existing staircase carpet.

The other method is to use heavy brown paper. You can buy a roll from your local home improvement store - you'll find it in the paint section. You can then create stair templates using the paper and a roll of tape to piece sections together.

Either method you choose, you'll need to MARK EACH STEP - first step is #1, next step is #2 & so on.

Tip #3. Prefabricate the whole staircase prior to installation, most improtantly any & all carving & beveling. You won't have any fun trying to bevel your design after the carpet is installed, in fact, it's darn near impossible.

Tip #4. Give yourself an extra 1 inch of carpet all around the perimeter of each side. This will give you a little breathing room in lining up your step during the install. This excess carpet will be trimmed off during the installation.

Tip #5. Be there for the install. Be prepared for any last minute additions or adjustments. Have extra carpet on hand. Have all of your tools available.

Tip #6. Avoid design elements on the pivot point of the tread & riser. Horizontal seams can open & 'grin' - it's not very attractive. Center your designs on the tread & on the riser. Random designs are fine too, just be aware of where they land during the install.

Tip #7 Use double-wide tackless strip on the treads. This can help anchor down the carpet if you have a stubborn piece to work with.

Yes, some staircase projects are easier to install than others. Ultimately you are in the drivers seat during the design phase. If you're thinking ahead during the design phase & you have a strategy in place, then you can avoid unnecessary surprises.

Let's recap: Plan your design with ease of installation in mind. Avoid any horizontal seams on the tread and riser pivot points. Create templates for each step and number sequentially. Prefabricate your stairs prior to install, do as much work off site as you can. Work with the best installation crew that you can. Be prepared for any last minute adjustments during the install.

In the end, if you've focused on creating a quality product, you're client will, no doubt, be amazed and impressed with their new custom carpeted staircase.


Russell Webb, your friendly expert Custom Carpet Maker. If you're ready to launch your own creative and exciting home based business as a custom rug fabricator, and have fun doing it, subscribe to my FREE 4 part minicourse at http://www.erugmakers.com


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