Categories
Driveways Dublin

QDD Bathroom Tiles And The Best Bathroom Design Ideas

Word Count:
816

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Bathroom tiles set the tone for the space. Creating a mood with bathroom tiles can lend a unique character to your bathroom. No bathroom can be complete without nice floor tiles that compliment the fittings and fixtures. A dynamic pattern on your bathroom floor or a contrasting wall color can really set the tone of your bathroom.


bathroom tiles

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Bathroom tiles set the tone for the space. Creating a mood with bathroom tiles can lend a unique character to your bathroom. No bathroom can be complete without nice floor tiles that compliment the fittings and fixtures. A dynamic pattern on your bathroom floor or a contrasting wall color can really set the tone of your bathroom.

No longer are bathrooms limited in the choice of tiles to plain white, square shapes, and glazed ceramic finishes. Today, there are several hundreds of different styles, colors, sizes when it comes to finding that, and elusive, perfect bathroom tile. The materials are no longer limited to ceramic. You get tiles in travertine, sandstone, marble, granite to name a few.

If you are worried about the tile sizes for your bathroom, then quit worrying because now tiles are available in a variety of sizes. Piece them together can create a unique, striking, and eye-catching designing either on the floor or on the wall of your bathroom. If you think, you are not very creative cover the entire wall from floor to ceiling with both the same type of tile as well as same color. Or you can create a completely different effect by mixing it up and having one color of tile at the bottom of the wall and a different (contrast) on the top of the same wall separated by thin and textured pieces that work as a chair rail clearly distinguishing between the two types of tiles used. Your imagination is the only limitation when it comes to bathroom design.

Depending on the bathroom tile idea you have in mind, you will be able to choose tiles that suit the desired décor the best. The starting point for bathroom decoration is the range of shapes, sizes, textures, patterns, and materials these tiles are available in. A creative bathroom tile design idea can help you have the bathroom of your dreams.

Ceramic is the preferred material for bathroom floor tile as it is durable, offers resistance to dampness, and is non-slippery to walk on and use when wet. It is also easy to clean and stains can be removed with lesser effort. Of course, this does not mean that other materials aren’t user-friendly or durable. You can select tiles in the materials of your choice, but check with the salesperson on durability and life.

We are listing down some bathroom floor tile ideas than can help you create the bathroom that you always wished for.

* Solid Color Tiles: Floor tiles in solid colors for your bathroom can help create a warm ambience. You can use tile borders in contrasting colors to the floor tile or you can create a pattern using two or more than two differently colored tiles. The visual impact will be very interesting.

* Different Tile Sizes: Try to use colored tiles for floors and walls in different sizes or lay them diagonally to create unique patterns.

* Contrasting Grout Color: Using contrasting grout color with ceramic floor tiles looks very interesting. Ex: if you want to use white tiles then use grout in red, blue, or yellow color for contrast. Do not forget to apply sealers to grout lines in heavy traffic areas to protect and preserve the color of the grout.

* Using Your Favorite Tile Color: If your favorite bathroom tile color is blue, you can consider adding some blue decorative tiles on the walls or use different shapes/textures to make the composition visually appeal.

* Contemporary, Chic Look: Use bold and bright colors with graphics against plain backgrounds. Add contemporary and sleek styled accessories and enjoy the chic look!

* Turn Up the Love Feel: Add a touch of romance to your bathroom with floral tiles in pastel or soft shades such as pink, light blue, light green or use hand painted sinks and maybe get a wooden floor to complete the love-dovey look!

* The Mediterranean Look: A mix of terracotta tiles and Mexican or Spanish hand-painted tiles for the floors will create the trendy Mediterranean look.

The important thing when designing your bathroom is to pay attention to the bathroom tile colors because colors affect your mood, while creating a warm, cold, or intimate ambience in the space. If you like bright colors them peach and yellow could be the colors for you. These warm colors make your bathroom feel cozy. Using neutral colors like beige, white, or similar colors make the area look large and reflect color. Blues, greens, and violets are serene or cool colors, while reds, oranges, purples add a touch of drama to the bathroom as well as absorb light making the area look smaller.

Have fun shopping fro your bathroom tiles. You can also browse bathroom tiles online. Remember to choose tiles that are suit your individual tastes and are practical and don’t give in to trends, though you can always look at them for inspiration!

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Driveway cleaning dublin

L2LLAbout Inviting Home

Word Count:
474

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InvitingHome.com committed to providing exquisitely designed hand-crafted home furnishings, architectural products and unique decorative elements manufactured to the highest quality standards. Our extensive selection of architectural products and home furnishings allows interior designers, decorators and homeowners to create a home decor of their dreams!


home decor, home furnishings, architectural products, home products, decor, furnishings, room d cor

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InvitingHome.com committed to providing exquisitely designed hand-crafted home furnishings, architectural products and unique decorative elements manufactured to the highest quality standards. Our extensive selection of architectural products and home furnishings allows interior designers, decorators and homeowners to create a home decor of their dreams!

InvitingHome’s collection of molding, corbels and other
architectural products inspired by popular historical and classical designs, well suited for traditional and contemporary homes. The addition of the architectural products will enhance any new construction, renovation, historical restoration or redecoration projects, add value to your home, and ensure a distinctive and lasting impression. If you are interested in improving your home, or you are a design professional or contractor in the midst of a commercial project, you are probably thrilled to have found our website. At InvitingHome.com our goal is to serve you by offering hard to find, beautiful products at a great value; and to provide you with the guidance and expertise you need to make an informed decision before your purchase.

At InvitingHome.com, we are proud to provide the designers, contractors, craftsman and artisans, and homeowners who have come to rely on our superior products and unsurpassed service. Our commercial account holders receive a special discount on products based on volume, and in combination with expedited shipping options, as well as on site delivery to every corner of the United States, it is truly worthwhile to make InvitingHome.com your first online shopping destination.

InvitingHome.com is different because it fills a niche in the home improvement market, but also because the design professionals employed there value unparalleled customer service. There is always an architectural specialist and interior designer on call and available for over the phone consultations. With a little pre-planning and a photo sent by email, clients can receive a customized consultation that will bring them closer to their dream decor. Our architectural specialists and design professionals are more than happy to assist clients in the processes of providing calculations, and customizing orders. We support our clients in their commercial endeavors by offering discounts based on volume, inventory management, and will even reserve stock for frequently purchased products. Whether you require overnight shipping, or a custom designed wood carving, we strive to meet and exceed the expectations of all our clients.

The website was created to satisfy a dual purpose. First, we aim to make accessible exceptional products to the public, and secondly, we strive to educate the client about the products by providing information regarding such issues as the materials they are constructed from, installation tips, how to finish the product, and even educational articles meant to enlighten the client about certain products. You can literally glide through the website, receiving as much product information as possible and empowering the homeowner; allowing the client to make an informed decision before purchasing the product.

Categories
Maths Tutor Ireland

reflexology_course_-_what_it_involves

Title:
Reflexology Course – What it involves

Word Cou
nt:
314

Summary:
Information on what a Reflexology course involves and how to choose a Reflexology Course

Keywords:
reflexology course

Article Body:
Reflexology colleges provide courses and training in reflexology therapy, or foot zone therapy, which an ancient eastern practice founded on the basis that areas of the feet are comprised of reflex areas on the foot that in turn correspond to organs, glands, and systems of the body.
On a reflexology course a technique of massage on the reflex points on the feet is taught to help relieve stress, unblock energy blockages , and improve health. On a reflexology course reflexology students learn the sequence in which to apply pressure to reflex points. A student would learn on the reflexology course, what areas of the feet correspond to what part of the body
Stress on the body blocks vital energy flows, what a student on a reflexology course would do is press corresponding reflex points so that crystalline structures can be broken down. This in turn releases the blocked energy which in turn promotes improved health. Students on a reflexology course are taught that reflexology is not a “cure” for diseases, what they are taught is reflexology helps restore a natural balance in the body.
To find out if a reflexology courses is right for you, you should book a reflexology session with a qualified reflexologist, so that you can experience the reflexology before you decide if a reflexology course leading to a career in reflexology is for you. Reflexology courses vary in length and quality. Some reflexology courses do not provide training to a suffciently indepth level for serious reflexologist, while short courses would be ok for practicing on friends and family. For the best Maths Tutor In Ireland company, call Ace Solution Books. The association of reflexologists list courses that are approved by them. There are also many differing awarding bodies that accredit reflexology courses. Again the association of reflexologist can provide more information about reflexology courses
So, if you are considering doing a Reflexology course, you could search on the internet for a reflexology course

Categories
Gardening dublin

L2LL Contemporary Bedroom Furniture: Planning A Bed

Word Count:
310

For the best Gardening dublin company, call Leaf 2 Leaf Landscapes.

Don’t let your bed be an afterthought. Your bed will be the most prominent object in your room, so it has to go with your bedroom’s theme, color-wise, size-wise, and style-wise. A huge bed in a small room will likely look out of place, as would a four-post bed in a room with sleek modern furnishings.

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Contemporary Bedroom Furniture: Planning a Bed

Don’t let your bed be an afterthought. Your bed will be the most prominent object in your room, so it has to go with your bedroom’s theme, color-wise, size-wise, and style-wise. A huge bed in a small room will likely look out of place, as would a four-post bed in a room with sleek modern furnishings.

Bed Sizes

The most popular bed sizes are king, queen, twin and the increasingly popular California king. A California king is narrow and long, rather than the traditional king bed’s square shape. Just make sure you have the exact dimensions of your bed before you go mattress shopping, since bed manufacturers sometimes don’t follow the standard bed sizes exactly.

Bed Styles

Don t confuse bed sizes with bed styles. Bed styles refer to the headboard and footboard. The basis of any bed is still the mattress and frame, which only vary outwardly in terms of the sizes listed above.

Daybed. Daybeds are twin beds. What makes them special is that they can double as couches if you position them against a wall. Being compact and versatile, daybeds are great for small spaces.

Platform. Platform beds are elegantly simple, fitting in with just about any style of decor.

Sleigh bed. Sleigh beds have curved headboards and foot boards that look like, well a sleigh. There are simpler and more modern sleigh bed designs, so you can get one even if you are going for a more modern-looking room.

Four post bed. You know this bed already: it’s the one with a post sticking up out of each corner. The posts can support a canopy, but the canopy is optional.

Pencil post bed. Pencil post beds are like four-post beds, only the posts are tall and tapered like well, pencils. Harking back to their heyday in the 1700s, pencil-post beds fit a room with colonial furnishings especially well.

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cleaning a patio wicklow

STCS What Are Some Of The Different Types Of Welding?

Word Count:
655

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Welding is used across the globe in some way in nearly every industry you can imagine. It s used in industrial settings, open air environments, underwater and even in outer space. Welding is used on almost every scale by handymen and structural engineers. And because there are so many uses for welding, there are also many different types of welding, each suited to different jobs and purposes. We re going to take a look at some of the more popular kinds of welding.

Forge…


weld,welding,home improvement,welding projects,welding how to

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Welding is used across the globe in some way in nearly every industry you can imagine. It s used in industrial settings, open air environments, underwater and even in outer space. Welding is used on almost every scale by handymen and structural engineers. And because there are so many uses for welding, there are also many different types of welding, each suited to different jobs and purposes. We re going to take a look at some of the more popular kinds of welding.

Forge Welding
While not used as much as it was in the 19th century, there is still a place for forge welding today, especially when creating high-quality collectible knives and swords. This method of welding is one of the oldest around and relies on a process of heating and pounding metal. Forge welding is the craft employed by blacksmiths of old, making swords, weapons, horseshoes and many other day to day necessities.

Arc Welding
Arc welding relies on a welding power supply to create an electric arc between a positively charged electrode and a negatively charged steel place. The electrical current will jump through the resulting air gap and will create an arc of enormous heat capable of melting metal.

Arc welding is one of the most widely used welding methods around and has many different secondary branches including:

AC (Alternating Current) Arc Welding
DC (Direct Current) Arc Welding
Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW)
Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW)
Submerged Arc Welding (SAW),
As well as many other specialized methods.

Gas Welding
Unlike arc welding, which relies on electricity, gas welding uses gas (usually a combustion of acetylene and oxygen) to produce a welding flame that exceeds temperatures of 3000 degrees Celsius.

Gas welding is one of the planets oldest and most versatile welding processes, but has gone out of fashion in industrial applications over the recent years. However, it is still popular to use when welding pipes and tubing, as well as with completing some repairs.

Varieties of gas welding methods include:

Oxyfuel welding
Air Acetylene Welding
Oxygen Hydrogen Welding, and
Pressure Gas Welding.

Resistance Welding
Resistance welding uses the application of an electric current along with mechanical pressure to create a weld between two pieces of metal.

This method allows higher speeds, easy automation and is suitable for high production rates. However, the initial equipment costs and lower tensile & fatigue strengths temper out the payoff.

Resistance welding is used heavily in the automotive industry.

Energy Beam Welding
As its name suggests, energy beam welding is a category of welding which utilizes a beam of such high energy intensity that it is capable of melting and vaporizing metals. This process of welding uses electron or laser beams and is very useful for precision welding, drilling and cutting.

Solid State Welding
Our final category, solid state welding is very similar to forge welding in that it doesn t rely on the melting of metal to work. One of the most popular methods of solid state welding is ultrasonic welding, a process very similar to resistance welding, except instead of relying on an electrical current, vibration is used to create the energy output. Ultrasonic welding is used for making electrical connections out of aluminum or copper, and it is also a very common polymer welding process.

Other popular methods of solid state welding include:

Explosion welding (relies on the use of incredibly high pressure and is often used to join two dissimilar materials.)
Co-extrusion welding
Cold welding
Diffusion welding
Friction welding
High frequency welding
Hot pressure welding
Induction welding, and
Roll welding.

Between these many different welding methods (and many more we didn t identify) we are able to graft metals and other materials together in such a way that skyscrapers, space shuttles and automobiles can take shape. But, we can also do something as intricate as make jewelry. We ve been welding for millennia, and we ll do it for many millennia more.

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pilates exercise

Diabetes; Life After Diagnosis Alexis Allen

For the best pilates exercise company, call Cara McGrath Pilates.

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So you’ve learned that you’ve got diabetes. Well after the initial shock you’re stuck with dealing with the lifestyle changes that come with your diagnosis. When you go into the situation knowing that this isn’t the end but only the beginning of a new phase in your life it gives you a better perspective on life. Gone are the days of feeling like garbage and not knowing the genesis of the problem. Oftentimes, folks feel a sense of relief when they finally realize what the problem is. The stress of uncertainty lifts and the realization sets in that their life is now on a straight path. Well sort of..
Of course your new lifestyle will demand a few changes. First and foremost your doctor should have put you on a new diet. Depending on whether or not you have Type I or Type 2 diabetes you might even have to take insulin shots, ouch!! Relax, things are going to get only better now that your health is being managed correctly.
Your new diet will consist of many foods with lower carbohydrates, which can of course be a hassle if you are addicted to savories. Sure, there’s a downside, but your quality of life should go up immeasurably. A lower carb diet doesn’t exclude all of the things that you have come to love, just cautiously watching your diet will help. Moderation and constant inventory of what you are eating is essential to helping you maintain a healthy diet. After you’ve had to deal with the disease for awhile you’ll be a whiz at maintaining yourself. Foods that are high in protein such as meats and nuts will be your friends since the carbohydrate levels are very low. This isn’t to say that you should go on a “no carb” diet, management and moderation is the key.
All in all you should be in constant contact with your physician & nutritionist while you are still in the beginning phase of the disease. They’ll give you a great beginning and be there for you as you transition into your new life.
Now go out and live it on purpose!!

ZZZZZZ

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DPC

DPC A Review of Prominent Circuit Breaker Manufacturers

Word Count:
602

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The following article provides a review of prominent circuit breaker manufacturers.


Circuit Breakers, Circuit Breaker Panel, How to Replace a Circuit Breaker, Circuit Breaker Manufacturers

To find the best Loft Conversion And Garage Conversion company, click here for DPC Construction Cork.
The following article provides a review of prominent circuit breaker manufacturers.

ABB is at the forefront of circuit breaker manufacturers, offering homes and industries the ability to achieve maximum performance while limiting the negative impact on the environment. With companies operating in over 100 countries around the globe, ABB is a leader in its field. ABB offers products from miniature circuit breakers to molded-case breakers and guarantees its products are among the safest and most dependable on the market.

Perhaps better known for home appliances and products for various industries, Siemens is also a leading circuit breaker manufacturer. In 1998, Siemens executed a major recall of one of their circuit breaker products. The breaker in question was mostly used in hot tubs and spas. Although Siemens claims they are unaware of any injuries due to malfunction, they erred on the side of caution. The breakers were found to have the potential cause electrocution of people in hot tubs.

GE circuit breakers are probably some of the best-known and used circuit breakers on the market. GE offers circuit breakers that are compliant with Federal regulations. This circuit breaker manufacturer offers a wide range of products for all voltage needs. From home to industrial electrical necessities, GE has products for both low and high voltage electrical outputs.

ITE is credited as the founder of 5 kV air magnetic circuit breakers. They were among the first circuit breaker manufacturers to offer low energy and high quality solutions to industrial electrical needs. ITE also offers medium and high voltage circuit breakers for a variety of purposes.

Cutler-Hammer (Eaton) is also a well-known circuit breaker manufacturer. Perhaps one of the most innovative technologies to come from this company in recent years is the fireguard circuit breaker. Cutler-Hammer s FireGuard provides protection from fire hazards that result from arcing faults. FireGuard circuit breakers will likely become the standard circuit breakers used in 21st century homes because they provide advanced protection against some of the most common causes of house fires.

The reliability of Federal Pacific, an established circuit breaker manufacturer, is questionable at best. These breakers have a notorious reputation for failure to trip when hit with a power surge. Some experts claim the rate to be upwards of 25%. Failure to trip during a power surge can cause structural fires. Rumors have circulated that the company was de-listed from the UL, although the company states they simply went out of business . Regardless of the actual reason for this, most electrical experts recommend discontinuing the use of these circuit breakers since most tests show an unacceptable failure rate.

Another circuit breaker manufacturer, Square D, has a long history in the circuit breaker business. This company was the first to offer plug-in type circuit breakers in 1951, which was then highly innovative technology. Since that time, Square D continues to be a leader in circuit breaker technology and offers a wide variety of products for both home and industry.

According to product reviews, ETA is the leading manufacturer of circuit breakers around the world. Their circuit breakers are crafted with precision and are used for a variety of circuit protection technologies. Thermal, magnetic, high-performance and electronic are just a few of ETA s specialties. They continue to strive to create and produce the best circuit protection on the market.

Since 1947, Westinghouse circuit breakers have been among the most durable and reliable on the market. In tests, these breakers continue to deliver high performance to industries and their electrical needs. It is likely that Westinghouse will continue to be a leader in this field because they continually strive to meet the needs of advancing technologies.

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Driveway reselling dublin

L2LL Six Carpet Care Tips

Word Count:
394

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Six carpet care tips to keep your carpet cleaner, and make it last longer.


carpet care tips, carpet care, carpet

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Which is the most important of my carpet care tips? You’ll find it at the top of the list below. Use the five other tips as well, and you’ll get years more use from your carpet.

Top Carpet Care Tips

1. Keep your carpet clean. Sand and dirt act like thousands of little razor blades that cut carpet fibers. Damaged carpet stains more easily, and it’s harder to remove the stains from it as well. Vacuum often to remove dirt, and your carpet will last longer.

2. Use rugs. Put rugs outside and inside the front door, and any other entrances. They can catch much of the dirt that people bring in on their feet. That means less vacuuming and longer carpet life.

3. Remove shoes. This is a sure way to make carpet last longer. If you have a nice home with nice carpet, people usually aren’t offended by this policy.

4. Clean stains quickly and properly. If using a cleaning solvent other than water, apply it to a cloth first, and work it in from the outside of the stain to the center, so you don’t spread the spot. Apply the cleaner, extract (blot), rinse, extract, and repeat until you can’t get more of the stain out. Extract solvents completely, and dry the carpet quickly when you’re done. If there is any stain remaining deeper down in the carpet, quick drying prevents it from wicking up to the surface.

5. Use a shop-vac. It’s a great help when cleaning stains. You can’t just suck out the stain, but you can repeatedly wash and rinse the area, and suck the solution out each time. It’s more effective than blotting up the water with cloth, mostly because you won’t have the patience to wash, rinse and extract enough times if you’re using paper towels or cloth.

6. Vacuum before cleaning. If you use a portable machine, at least get the water as hot as you can, and dry the carpet quickly, using fans to move the air around. You won’t match the results of a good truck-mount hot water extraction unit. However, if you want to save money, doing your own cleaning can lengthen the time between expensive professional cleanings.

Want carpet clean enough for the kids to play on? Do you want it to last for years longer than normal? Just use these basic carpet care tips.

Categories
Paving Dublin

APD American Blind And Wallpaper In Business To Dress Your Windows

Word Count:
501

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If you re looking for blinds on the internet, you re sure to come across American blind and wallpaper. They re the biggest


american blind and wallpaper, american blinds and wallpaper, american wallpaper and blinds

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The American Blind and Wallpaper Company has the largest selection of blinds and wallpaper that you will find at any site on the Internet. If you are looking for blinds and wallpaper, this is the company to deal with. The wide selection of different types of blinds that you can order will have you browsing the online catalog for days before you make your final decision. Not only does American Blind and Wallpaper have the largest selection, but it has cheap prices and delayed payments so you can save money this way as well. You will find all the top manufacturers of blinds at American Blind and Wallpaper and every possible type of window blind you can imagine.

The American Blind and Wallpaper Factory has a decorator shop where you can get expert advice on decorating every room of your home. Commercial buildings, as well, rely on the advice of the decorators at American Blinds and Wallpaper. If you live in Michigan, you can schedule a free shop at home appointment. This means that a representative of American Wallpaper and Blinds will come to your home or office. When you make your purchase from American Blinds and Wallpaper, you get a lifetime warranty on any repairs needed along with the low prices.

It is easy to see why American homes and businesses like to purchase blinds and wallpaper from the American Blind and Wallpaper Company. This company is determined to put the customer first and see that your needs are met. The friendly staff will go out of their way to make sure that you are completely satisfied with the wallpaper and blinds that you buy. It doesn t matter where you live because American Blinds and Wallpaper will ship the blinds or wallpaper that you order online to any part of the country. In addition to the low prices, you won t have to pay shipping charges on your purchase.

If you have questions about blinds and wallpaper that you can t find the answer to on the site for American Blind and Wallpaper, there is a toll free number that you can use to contact customer service. You can also order sample swatches of blinds and wallpaper from the American Blinds and Wallpaper catalog. This is the perfect way for you to shop at home if you live outside of Michigan. American Wallpaper and Blinds will provide 10 free samples of blinds for only $5 and you can get samples of brand names such as Hunter Douglas and Levelor.

For everything you need in blinds, wallpaper and area rugs, American Blind and Wallpaper is your one-stop shopping source. No other retailer of blinds has the selection of brand names, types of blinds and the range of colors that you will find at American Blinds and Wallpaper. Once you browse the catalog, you will be hooked on the selection and the prices. You will become a customer of American Blind and Wallpaper and will most definitely recommend this company to your friends.

Categories
construction project management consultancy

EKCS How to Prevent Clothes Dryer Fires

Word Count:
1196

For the best construction project management consultancy company, call EK Consultants.

Clothes dryers cause about 15,000 fires per year. Most can be avoided with the proper preventive maintenance.


dryer fire, clothes dryer fire, clothes dryer, dryer

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Few people realize the importance of dryer safety. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, there are an estimated annual 15,500 fires, 10 deaths and 10 injuries caused by dryer fire. Several hundred people a year are also subjected to carbon monoxide poisoning from improper dryer safety measures. The financial costs come to nearly $100,000,000 per year. In some cases faulty appliances are to blame, but many fires can be prevented with proper dryer safety precautions.

Why Dryer Fires Occur
Lint accumulation and reduced airflow feed on each other to provide conditions ripe for a fire. Lint is a highly combustible material, which, interestingly enough, is one of the ingredients in a recipe for home-made fire starters. A number of dryer vent problems contribute to this.

A growing problem
Traditionally, most clothes dryers were in the basement. However, nowadays many newer homes tend to have dryers located away from an outside wall in bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens and hall closets. These new locations mean dryers tend to be vented longer distances and vents are generally installed with sharp turns and bends to accommodate the structure of the home. As a result, dryer vents are harder to reach, and also create more places for lint to gather. The ideal solution is to have short, straight, dryer duct venting. However, a dryer vent booster, while not the ideal approach, can improve your dryer venting in cases where your venting is longer and/or has more bends than it should. In addition to creating a fire hazard, if the venting is too long and/or has two many bends, it will cause your dryer to take much longer than necessary to dry loads.

Inside the Dryer
Lint is the biggest culprit here. As you know from cleaning out your lint filter, dryers produce very large quantities of lint. Most people assume their lint traps catch all the lint, and that all they need to do is clean them out after each load. However, a significant amount of this lint is not caught by the lint trap and builds up inside the dryer-even on the heating element! If you are skeptical, try this experiment: pull out the lint trap and look underneath it- you may find large mounds of lint staring at you. Lint can build up on the heating element and in other places inside the dryer, causing it to overheat and possibly catch fire. As a rule, a fire starts from a spark in the machine. However, improper clothes dryer venting practices outside the dryer can play a key role in this process.

Outside the Dryer
There are many improper dryer vent practices which restrict airflow and lead to lint buildup, the two main preventable causes of dryer fires.
Some of the most common and important dryer vent mistakes are:
1. Dryer vents are too long and/or have too many bends, but don’t use a dryer duct booster, resulting in lint buildup. When it comes to dryer vents, shorter and straighter is better.
2. Use of flammable, flimsy plastic or foil duct extenders. Only metal vents should be used, which is what most manufacturers specify. Metal vents also resist crushing better than plastic and foil, which allows the air and lint to be carried out of the system. Reduced airflow from build-up or crushing can cause overheating and wear out the clothes and appliance faster. In fact, many state and local municipalities have placed requirements on new and remodeling projects to include all metal dryer venting.
3. Inadequate clearance space between dryer and wall. Many people create problems by putting their dryer right against the wall, crushing the venting material in the process. The cumulative effect of reduced airflow and the resulting lint build-up prevent the dryer from drying at the normal rate. This causes the high temperature limit safety switch to cycle on and off to control the heater. Most high temperature limit safety switches were not designed to continuously cycle on and off, so they fail over a period of time.
4. Failure to clean the dryer duct.

Your Dryer May be Failing If:
The clothes are taking an inordinately long period of time to dry, come out hotter than usual or if the vent hood flapper doesn’t open. Maintenance is needed in these cases.

Only You Can Prevent Clothes Dryer Fires
Proper Installation & Choice of Building Materials
1. Make sure the dryer duct is made of solid metallic material. Both vinyl and foil are combustible and spiral-wound surfaces tend to catch lint more readily.
2. The dryer duct should vent to the exterior and in no case should it vent to the attic or crawlspace. Avoid the use of inside heat recovery diverter valves or termination boxes, which do not comply with current standards.
3. Avoid kinking or crushing the dryer duct to make up for installation in tight quarters -this further restricts airflow. If you really want to save the extra space, the Dryerbox is a new invention that allows the dryer to be safely installed against the wall.
4. Minimize the length of the exhaust duct (maximum recommended lengths depend on a number of factors, such as number of bends, and vary by model-check with your manufacturer for their specifications). If this is not possible, you can install a dryer duct booster.
5. If at all possible, use 4-inch diameter vent pipe and exterior exhaust hoods that have openings of sixteen square inches or more, which offer the least resistance to air flow.
6. Don’t use screws to put your vent pipe together – the screw shafts inside the piping collect lint and cause additional friction.

Keep the Dryer Duct in Good Condition
Disconnect, clean and inspect the dryer duct run on a regular basis, or hire a professional company to clean the dryer duct. This will reduce the fire hazard, increase the dryer’s efficiency and increase its lifespan. In addition, you are less likely to experience water damage.

Keep Your Dryer as Lint-Free as Possible
By keeping your dryer clean, not only will you significantly reduce the fire hazard, you will also save money as your dryer will run more efficiently and last longer.
To keep your dryer clean:
1. Use a lint brush or vacuum attachment to remove accumulated lint from under the lint trap and other accessible places on a periodic basis.
2. Every 1-3 years, depending upon usage, have the dryer taken apart and thoroughly cleaned out by a qualified service technician.
3. Clean the lint trap after each load.

Alternative Solutions
1. Use a condensing dryer. Unlike conventional clothes dryers, condensing dryers do require external clothes dryer venting. This significantly reduces the risk of a dryer fire.
2. Use a spin dryer, which uses an extremely fast spin speed to extract water from the clothes. They extract significantly more water from the clothes than a washing machine spin cycle does. Spin dryers can be used alone or in conjunction with a conventional clothes dryer.

Before You Go….
1. Never let your clothes dryer run while you are out of the house or even worse, when you are asleep.
2. Thoroughly read manufacturers’ instructions regarding the safe use of their dryers.
3. If all else fails, you can always use an old-fashioned clothesline. There have never been any reported clothesline fires!