Thinking About Child Safety In Light of Window Treatments

Window treatments can be grand. You put up blinds, curtains, and much more, and that’s it. It’s always a nice thing to have in place but what about safety? When you are doing a DIY project that involves your windows you could be stuck on the notion of putting up treatments that look nice. But when they are put in you may not think about whether or not it’s going to be cause for alarm when you have a child. The truth of the matter is simple; children can be at risk when you put in window elements in place. If you’re going to put anything in your home it’s best to consider the health and wellness of your children. The following shines light on that solution.

Look For Warning Tags

The first thing that you need to consider when you are doing any project with window treatments is warning signs. Major companies put warning labels on their products because they could be detrimental to the health of a child. Warning labels usually have a large orange warning signal and information that you should consider before you purchase anything. Keep in mind that these are mainly for small children, toddlers, and below.

Avoid Hanging Cords

One rule of thumb that you will want to consider is simple. That rule being avoiding cords. Cords that dangle and are lengthy can get wrapped around the neck of a child on accident. This is perhaps one of the most common warning labels that you see on window treatments. Furthermore the cords can be pulled on by children and that could rip out treatments and fall on them causing harm. Avoid hanging cords and perhaps look for cordless hands free solutions.

Be Careful With Motorized Options

There are some window solutions that have motorized tension changes. The lifting systems that are motorized are definitely good to utilize but remember these can also pose issues if not protected. When the coverings lift automatically, a child’s hand can get stuck and the motor may not stop pulling. It’s important to know exactly how this mechanism works, and take precautions to avoid injury to small children.

All in all window treatments are usually safe. However, you should look for warning labels and any potential hazards when you’re installing these things in your home. Whether you hire someone or do it yourself keep in mind that children are curious, have small hands, and can harm themselves amidst treatments that may not be 100% child safe.

San Diego Blinds

Looking Out For Locksmith Scams

There are scams in nearly every avenue of the world. There are few industries that don’t have some sort of issue with scams. Focusing on locksmiths, there are no doubt great people that work in this industry. In fact a lot of people are honest and do their best to help others. However in this field, like any other, there are some people that aren’t going to be so friendly and will scam you and others fast.

Protecting yourself against scams can be simple if you know what to look for. With that in mind consider a few notes on the industry and how you can avoid getting scammed out of your hard earned money.

The Quote Issue

First and foremost many companies will offer a quote outright. If you call someone that doesn’t want to give you a basic quote then you may be talking to a deceptive individual. Companies should have a set price for their work even emergency options especially in this field. Ask about location, whether they are licensed or bonded, and see how the conversation goes. An honest company will provide you with this information to ensure that you are making an educated decision. Others will not give up details as they are purposely trying to just get paid fast.

Where Are You Calling? 

Perhaps one of the most nefarious of issues that you will face in regards to locksmith scams is in regards to whom you’re calling. It’s not uncommon to call for tech support and reach people in another country but what about the trades? You don’t expect to get a call center for this type of work but it’s starting to proliferate a lot of listings. When you call up a listing you find in an ad you may end up contacting a large corporation with call centers in other regions. When they show up to your home you will have to pay more than the quote as they will have a lot of “upsells” to try and throw your way.

Protecting Yourself

The best way to protect yourself is to look online for reviews of locksmiths. Look for options that are local, experienced, and licensed. That way you can ensure that you are protecting yourself from predatory scams in this field.

Boston Locksmith

Cleaning Awning Fabrics The Right Way

When you clean your home you may not immediately think about the “right” way to do things and the “wrong way” to do certain things. You just go forward with your routine and get things done. That can apply to a lot of areas in and around your home but there are some rules of thumb that you need to consider with certain things. For instance, let’s say that you had an awning fabric tied to outdoor patio furniture, tables, or other pieces. If you have a large awning frame with fabric you will want to clean it in a specific manner. Otherwise you will cause damage to it and that could cost you a great deal of headache overall. Consider these solutions below as to how to clean this the right way.

The Simple Option

The best way to keep awning fabrics clean and clear is to do light cleaning more often than not. When you clear off loose dirt and use high pressure water you can clear off a lot. You can also use light dishwashing liquid to add a bit of soap but make sure that you let the fabric dry over time naturally. You want to make sure that the cleaning solution doesn’t just sit and pool on the fabric but rather is clean, rinsed and easily transitioned away.

Using Bleach 

One issue you may run into is that of mildew. Mildew, dirt, and mold can end up sprouting on the fabric which can be stubborn to clean with light cleaning solutions. That’s where you’ll want to mix a bleach option. Look at working with 1 cup of bleach and then using a quarter cup of mild dish liquid with a gallon of fresh water. You’ll want to make sure that this is mixed very well so that the elements aren’t sitting stagnant. Once you do that use the mixture to clean the fabric overall and then use a brush to spot clean the spots that have a lot of stains and mildew.

Overall these two cleaning methods should be done from time to time. Aside from the tips mentioned above make sure that you remember to let things dry naturally. You want things to get 100% dry before trying to spot clean or clear up things again. This will give you a better overall push forward.

Orange County Pressure Washing Services

Tips For Cleaning The Various Types of Glass Homeowners Have

One of the most important things that you are going to need to look at in your home or office, is the glass. Glass for windows, table tops, and much more come from different locations. You may be surprised to know that there are at least 5 types of glass that you may have to get cleaned from time to time. This means that you’ll have to work with different cleaning solutions to get the right fix, otherwise, you’ll end up with a high price to pay for replacement, and upkeep overall. The following tips can help you clean any type of glass you may have in and around your home, or office.

Simple Cleaning With Annealed Glass 

If you have annealed glass solutions anywhere, you will find that it’s easy to clean. This is a type of glass that doesn’t shatter easily, and doesn’t stain or spot when cleaning. Using the proper methods, you could even scrape the top surface, and see no major residue or damage to the glass. It’s a strong solution that dates back to the 1950s.

Heated Glass (Heat Strengthened) 

When cleaning this type of glass, you’ll need to be careful not to scrape or hit it with anything hard. Furthermore, certain chemicals can actually cause this to weaken over time, so it’s imperative that the job is not overly complex when pushing forward. Heated glass shatters into shards that can cut deep, so it’s not the same as other types.

Cleaning Tempered Glass

This should be done with professional care in mind. Cleaning tempered solutions is going to cause a serious amount of damage, as it shatters into small pieces. Window cleaning this can cause the elements to break over time. It’s not easy to break it, necessarily, but the treatment of the glass edges and surfaces need to be in place at 100% in order to ensure clarity, and design.

Low-E Glass 

You may see or hear about this in apartment complexes or homes. There’s a film on this glass that requires specific types of cleaning so that the coating doesn’t come off. It’s put in place to help block harmful UV rays that can come into a home or office. Cleaned appropriately, you’ll find that this is a modern solution, that can last a while, but you have to be careful when cleaning as the film can bubble up and peel away.

IGU (Insulated Glass Units) 

This is actually put together through setting up an air pocket to divide two sections of glass together. IGU is an interesting concept as it gives you strength and elements of separation for expansion and more. However, there’s no standard here, so cleaning can be tricky. Calling in a professional is the best thing here.

There are different types of glass that you may have in and around your home or work. Finding the right fit is crucial to moving forward within the confines of each option. When in doubt, however, hiring a professional can be the best thing you can do to ensure longevity.

Orange County Window Cleaners

Solutions For Window Treatments That Thrive on Energy Efficiency

Window treatments are fascinating overall. When you have this placed on the exterior and interior of your home, you are going to have a few elements to consider. It’s easy to move forward with putting something into place, but when it comes to installation, you’re going to want to add a layer of energy efficiency. The average treatments aren’t bad, but why not add a little extra when installing these elements in place? It could very well change the way that you see these elements. Consider a few solutions that can help you in regards to finding energy efficiency window treatments.

A Look At Awnings 

First and foremost, you’re going to find that there are awnings that you can put into place. Why would awnings need efficiency? Well, think about how often you’re going to get sunlight over windows. You’re going to find that the sun can hit your home with a lot of light, and can end up having a lot of heat and light wasted. What if you could harness the power of the sun and give you a bit of shade, and feed electrical elements? That’s exactly what you can do with several elements on the top of your awning. For instance, you could have solar paneling put in place, collecting the sunlight. You can also add a gap for ventilation, so that air can come through and you can let it out.

Blinds That Can Help 

Interior and exterior blind solutions may help with heating and cooling. Some analysts have stated that this could very well give you a helping hand in regards to 45% reduction in heating and cooling costs. Whether you choose exterior or interior solutions, you will find that you can close off sun gaps, and give a bit of air flow. Whether you raise these all the way up, or you have them partially raised, you’ll find that cooling and heating costs will drop exponentially. You could also have utilized draperies to raise efficiency as well.

Insulated Paneling and Reflective Films

Amidst the various options that you have to work with in regards to efficient window treatments, consider films that you can use to block the sun’s rays. This includes putting glazing on the exterior and interior of the glass. These films can help isolate heat, reflect light, and help reduce heating costs. Insulated panels can help as well, as they can help retain heat and reduce cooling overall. These panels can be placed along window panes, and allow for typical board insulation solutions. Adding these to the interior of windows can offset heating, and can even be removed if need be.  

These are just some of the solutions you can consider. There are many others that you can utilize to isolate efficiency. For instance, storm panels, shutters, window blinds, and much more can be added to help with offsetting the high cost of heating and cooling. Investigating this further, could very well help you gain the upper hand in regards to your monthly bills.

Hunter Douglas Blinds by Raymonde Draperies

Is It Time To Get A Professional Window Cleaner?

There are a lot of different jobs that you can do on your own. However, there may be times when you would like to hire someone to assist you with some of the work load. For that reason, consider the notion of hiring a professional window cleaner from time to time. Perhaps you have never done this before, and if that’s the case, consider a few simple things that may point you to whether or not you should hire a pro for your windows.

The Time Problem

Most people are busy with work, life, and other elements in general. With that in mind, you’re going to want to look into whether or not you truly have the time for a deep cleaning of your windows from time to time. If you don’t have enough time, then it’s important that you get some help to alleviate the burden of cleaning the glass in your home.

Fixing Issues That Could Cause Serious Damage

Professionals don’t just wipe your glass with window cleaner and that’s it. They focus on making sure that the frames are clear, the screens fit perfectly, and any damage is taken care of right now. This means that you will get a quality, clear glass, with maintenance added to ensure longevity.

Pest Control

One of the great things about hiring a professional window cleaner is in regards to getting rid of insects. You may not think about it, but there are a lot of insects that can call your window frames home, and when you get a pro to handle this, you also get rid of wasps and more.

Tools For The Trade

Do you have a pressure washer? What about ladders? Are you using store bought window cleaner or do you have additional elements? If you don’t have the right tools, you may not be getting the right cleaning done for the glass that you have. This is particularly true for those that have tinted or painted glass elements. The right tools and equipment come with hiring a pro, that’s for sure.

Maintaining your home’s overall look and feel. At the end of the day, you’re really not just investing in maintenance. You’re hiring someone to help you keep your houses value, look, and overall appeal. It’s a huge difference when you invite people over, or go to sell the home you’re in. Simply put, it may be a good idea to hire someone to clean your windows from time to time.

Orange County Window Cleaners

Focusing on Maintaining Self Cleaning Glass

Glass is a tricky substance. It seems simple enough, you have it in your home or office, and you clean it with window cleaner. It’s not so simple. There are several types of glass that you can utilize, and there are a great deal of issues that you will need to know about. With that in mind, maintaining certain types require you to focus on certain elements of cleaning. For instance, you’ll want to look into self-cleaning glass and how you maintain things properly. Self-cleaning doesn’t always mean what you think it may be.

The Notion of Automatic Cleaning

When people consider the notion of “self-cleaning” options, you’re going to find that it may mean that it automatically changes up, right? Well, it’s not necessarily going to be automatically cleared up. When glass is made in this regards, you will find that this option is created with titanium oxide, to allow for easier clean up. It’s mixed into the side that faces the sun and wind. This added protection comes at a price, and quality overall.

Cleaning Things Up Correctly

Here’s the thing, you’re going to need to clean things up clearly. If you don’t hire a professional, you need to only use purified water and soaps that are not abrasive at all. Do not scrape, use a squeegee or anything like that. Scraping the glass, dyes, and other elements can ruin the shimmer and shine that comes across the glass from the outside.

Professional Recommendations

At the end of the day, you’re going to want to have a professional clean this up. The reason why is simple, once the glass is damaged you cannot repair it all. There is absolutely no way that you can change and clean this up if you scrape, scratch, or peel away the film. Despite the name, this is a solution that you need to be very careful as to how you clear and clean it up. Call in a professional, it’s best overall.

Orange County Window Cleaning and Glass Restoration