© Boston Public Library

Since the model home of our subdivision was snapped up just before we were going to put an offer on it, we decided to use it as a model for the house that we did buy. Luckily, our house hasn't been entirely finished, so it's the perfect chance to be able to get it just as we'd like it to be. For the kitchen, we're adding an island to the design, and for the floors, we've chosen hardwood floors from Empire Today, and we're also having some Empire carpet installed in a couple of the rooms. For the fireplace, we've chosen a beautiful travertine marble. We're also choosing the specific bathroom fixtures and vanities that we want. In this regard, our home is going to be even better than the model home since we get to choose according to our specific taste. We're really grateful that the builder was willing to work with us on the finishing elements to the house. It's funny now to think how disappointed we were when we didn't get the model home, while now we're able to use that as inspiration and tweak it to make our house our dream home! Sometimes, things really do happen for the best.

© Brainsonic

If you want to successfully install carpet stair runners in your home there are certain steps you should follow. The easiest way to install, as for example the way Empire Carpet runners are installed on stairs by their installers, is to use tackless strips. This project can be accomplished by home owners of any skill level, and it requires less than half a day to complete. The price for this project can run up to $300. The first step to installing a carpet stair runner is to install the tackless strips onto the steps.

You should cut the strips to be 4 inches shorter than the total width of your runner, and they should be installed about ½ inch from the corner of the stair, in between the riser and the tread and parallel to the corner of the stair. In order to ensure that your placement is consistent, you should tape two strips together to make a spacer and use it to determine the height of your tackless strip placement on each riser.

The tools necessary to install carpet on your stairs include a blunt chisel, a staple gun, a hammer, a carpet pad, carpet tacks and a tack hammer, tackless strips, and a yardstick or measuring tape. After installing the tackless strips onto the stair treads and risers, you should then cut out a piece of carpet pad for each tread.

These pieces of carpet pad should be as wide as each tackless strip and deep enough to end just short of the tackless strip on the riser below each tread. The pieces of carpet pad should be centered on each tread and fastened with a staple gun at the back corners. While you can install the carpet yourself, you may prefer to have the help of a professional carpet installer such as Empire Today.

© liberalmind1012

Home repair may come across as uncharted territory for many new homeowners of older homes. In any old house, there is a long list of things that need to be taken care of and the expense involved might be large. Thus there is a need to prioritize the process of home repair to accommodate more urgent needs first.
First in the list of home repair is roof inspection as water intrusion from the roof can result in many other problems for the ceiling, insulation and the flooring also. Get periodic professional inspection carried out to ascertain any damage to the roof.
Drainage is next on the list as any leakage could cause problems in the foundation and the walls. Home repair for drainage will include cleaning out the gutters and lines, repairing cracks, and preventing dry rot of wooden fittings.
While on a home repair process, make sure that water does not enter the walls. Bathrooms are major culprits and hence recaulking of the showers, bathtubs and toilets is necessary. Similarly landscape the garden around the house in such a way that the rains move away and not towards the house.
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