How to Protect Tile Floor Grout Lines

We can’t live without grout lines, but they sure do cause quite a bit of frustration overtime. Doesn’t it seem like fresh, clean grout lines only last for a few months? Before you know it, your tile floors are back to looking like a checkered board, with dark, grimy grout creating a dirty grid in your house. Fortunately, with some simple precautionary solutions, you can prevent this from happening the next time you clean your grout.

Continue reading to learn how to protect your tile floor grout lines from becoming dark and dingy prematurely.

Tile and Grout Restoration 317-454-3612
Indianapolis Tile and Grout Restoration 317-454-3612

Treating Dark and Dirty Grout Lines

Although dirty and darkened grout lines is inevitable, they shouldn’t appear too soon. By implementing the proper tile floor and grout cleaning practices, you can get a fresher, lighter looking grout finish that stands the test of time. It all starts with proper tile floor cleaning. Then you must incorporate some protective measures.

Here’s how to clean your tile floors and grout:

Use oxygen bleach, or a 1:4 chlorine bleach solution to clean your tile floors. Mix 1 part bleach with 3 to 4 parts water, depending on how dirty your grout lines are.

Let the solution sit on your tile floor for 20 minutes, then scrub each grout line with a small scrub brush. Then rinse clean with water and allow your floors to dry completely.

Protecting Grout Lines From Dirt and Damage

Sealing is the perfect method of protecting tile grout from both dirt and damage. To detect whether or not your grout needs resealed, watch how water soaks into them. If water absorbs quickly in grout, it is time for a resealing job.

You can purchase a commercial grout sealing product on the market, but it is strongly encouraged to hire a handyman or flooring professional for the job. Minor mistakes can lead to tile replacement needs or even dirtier looking grout.

Aside from cleaning and sealing, incorporating a shoes-free interior also helps, as does routine sweeping and mopping using quality products.

Damaged grout should not be treated, cleaning nor sealing. Instead, damaged grout and tile should be replaced for best results that last. Hire an Indianapolis general contractor for professional advice and cost estimates for tile floors.

The Indianapolis Flooring Contractors to Trust for Grout Repair

Call Restoration By L&B LLC at 317-454-3612 for tile floor installation and repair services at the most competitive prices in Indianapolis, Indiana. When you call our licensed Indianapolis flooring contractors, you can expect to receive the lowest and most competitive quotes for home and office flooring services and repairs in Indianapolis, Indiana. Just when you think you cannot afford flooring installation and repairs, our general contractors will disclose the exciting level of savings you are entitled to for your flooring service needs.

3 Ways to Safely Remove a Broken Light Bulb

Incandescent light bulbs are surely an unparalleled commodity within any residential or commercial property. Unfortunately, they have a steadfast tendency to shatter within the fixtures. As a result, many fingers and hands get sliced open upon repeated, anxious attempts to untwist a broken light bulb’s threaded base from its socket. Fortunately, there are ways to safely remove a broken incandescent light bulb from its fixture. You can use needle nose pliers, a commercial bulb extractor, or even a raw potato.

Continue reading to learn all three methods, including who you can call for professional handyman services when your property’s lighting systems need an upgrade or repair.

Indianapolis Handyman and Home Remodeling Contractors 317-454-3612
Indianapolis Handyman and Home Remodeling Contractors 317-454-3612

Broken Light Bulb Removal Hacks

Regardless of which method you choose to remove a broken light bulb from its fixture, be sure to always begin by turning off the electricity to the outlet you’re working with. Many victims have been electrocuted during such attempts. So, be sure to protect yourself from this very possible danger by simply cutting the electricity before getting started. If you’re working with a lamp, simply unplug it from the outlet. If you’re working directly from an outlet, you’ll need to switch the fuse to cut the electricity temporarily.

❶ The Needle-Nose Pliers Method

Got a set of needle nose pliers on hand? If so, try these first when you have a broken light bulb to detach. Simply grab the metal rim of the light bulb’s threaded base with the needle-nose pliers, and then gently twist in the left direction. If you can’t seem to get a good enough grip with the pliers, try bending the rim in words just slightly. Otherwise, move on to another method.

❷ The Raw Potato Method

If you have some raw potatoes in the pantry, you can use one to safely unscrew a shattered light bulb from its fixture. Simply slice your potato in half longways, then patted dry with paper towel. Then, just push the cut side of the potato down on top of the broken light bulb, and after you have good insertion, twist to the left to unscrew the bulb from its base. This is a great method, just be sure to throw the potato in the trash so that no one eats it when you’re done.

❸ The Commercial Bulb Extractor Method

If these two methods don’t work, opt for a set of commercial bulb extractors. They’re basically a specialized set of pliers that are specifically used to extract shattered light bulbs, or just hard-to-remove light bulbs, from lighting systems. You can purchase a commercial broken bulb extractor online or at your local home improvement store. They are utilized in the same way as needle-nose pliers, but they come with the rubber tips that provide better grip.

Where to Get Handyman Services in Indianapolis, Indiana

Call Restoration By L&B LLC at 317-454-3612 for Indianapolis home remodeling and handyman services for kitchens, basements, bathrooms, patios, and more. Owner and general contractor, Lee Elliot, is happy to answer all your questions about home renovation services. And don’t forget; we guarantee to BEAT any prices quoted by our competition!

A Routine Cleaning Guide for Composite Decking

You work hard to ensure your outdoor spaces are well-maintained and appealing through every season because your investment is important to you. So, after having your composite decking installed, your first priority should be to create routine care plan. Composite decking is vulnerable to normal wear and tear, and over time, can develop scuffs, abrasions, discolorations, and even cracking.

If you are a new owner of composite decking, or planning to be, continue reading to learn the basics regarding routine care.

Indianapolis Deck and Patio Remodeling Contractors 317-454-3612
Indianapolis Deck and Patio Remodeling Contractors 317-454-3612

The Benefits of Composite Decking

Composite decking is a modern and affordable alternative to natural wood. Made primarily of recycled wood fibers and recycled plastic, it is specially designed to last longer and better-withstand nature’s external conditions, such as water, ice, cold, and heat. Not only does composite decking materials last longer than conventional wood decks, they are lower in maintenance. A brief, routine cleaning is all you need to do to ensure they stay in good condition for years to come.

Here is What You Need to Clean Composite Decking:

➠ Wide Broom
➠ Soft-Bristled Brush
➠ Large Bucket
➠ Liquid Dish Soap
➠ Garden Hose
➠ Oxalic Acid Deck Brightening Product

Optional Supplies:

➥ Pressure Washer
➥ Leaf Blower

General Steps for Cleaning a Composite Deck

Not all composite decks are the same in terms of their capacity to tolerate certain cleaning practices and products. So, before getting started, be sure to read through the manufacturer’s instructions on your cleaning product and abide by them. If your deck is not too dirty, you can skip the oxalic acid deck brightening product and just use mild soap and clean water.

Start with some basic sweeping using your broom. You can use a wide broom or a regular broom. You can use your leaf blower for large debris.

Rinse your decking with a garden hose, or if really dirty, a pressure washer on the lowest setting. Keep the nozzle at least 8 inches from the surface of the deck.

Apply a soapy water solution to the deck’s surface, and use your soft-bristled brush to scrub the boards along their length. Do not scrub horizontally across the boards.

Now you just have to rinse! Your garden hose will do the trick!

Where to Get Professional Deck Installation and Repair in Indianapolis

Call Restoration By L & B, LLC at 317-454-3612 for affordable deck installation and repair services in Central Indiana and its surrounding areas. Our Indianapolis general contractors provide a wide range of services for both commercial and residential properties, from demolition and installation, to  remodels, renovations, additions, conversions, and more. Request an estimate, today!

5 Easy Ways to Remodel a Master Bath

Bathrooms are among the most frequently-visited rooms in a home. Whether to alleviate a full bladder, cleanse soiled hands, or relax in a hot tub, the bathroom is important for a home’s general comfort for many reasons. Aside from operative plumbing, décor and ambience can certainly influence the level of comfort you experience in your master bath.

Although new move-ins and outdated bathrooms might desperately need a makeover, not everyone has the time or the disposal income for a bathroom remodeling project. Fortunately, there are five fantastic methods any homeowner or renter can do to instantly update or upgrade the look of their master bath without all the hassle of construction and renovation costs!

Continue reading to learn five ways you can instantly transform your master bathroom within a minimal budget.

Indianapolis Bathroom Remodeling
Indianapolis Bathroom Remodeling 317-454-3612

Paint the Walls and Cabinets

Sometimes a simple change of color can make all the difference in a small room like a master bath. If the cabinets are already painted, not stained, re-applying a fresh coat of paint can instantly make cabinets appear brand new. As for walls, a fresh coat of paint or a color change can dramatically transform a space without a hassle. Semi-gloss paints that include primers are perfect for bathrooms and some brands only require one-coat applications. You can purchase enough paint for your master bath as low as $50, depending on the brand and paint quality. Keep in mind that brighter colors can make bathrooms feel more spacious, while warmer colors will offer cozy ambiences.

Replace the Light Fixtures

Speaking of cozy or bright ambiences, depending on whatever you prefer for your master bath, lightening can play a large role in transforming the look and feel of a bathroom. If you have florescent lighting in your restroom, swap them out for something less dramatic like recess lightening. If you cannot afford to have recess or new lighting installed, simply change your lamp bulbs to a smaller wattage, or even an adjustable wattage. You can also purchase small counter lamps that look fashionable and add a transformation of light. You may also consider installing curtains on bathroom windows to add a cozier or homier feel; or removing them to add more natural light and space.

Upgrade Your Bath Towel Options

Hand towels and bath towels fade over time, and can look dull or boring. One fast and affordable way to change the entire look of your master bath is to replace your towels. Choose a new color or fresh pattern and swap out hand towels, rags, shower curtains, and bath towels for an instantaneous transformation!

Re-Caulk or Clean Waterproof Seals

The waterproof caulking around bathtubs and sinks can get moldy or deteriorate overtime. Re-caulking these areas will provide extra security against leaks, as well as, brighten up the look of your bathroom. Instead of re-caulking, you can apply a good bleach scrub-down to clean the seals and freshen up their look.

Replace Bathroom Fixtures

If you want to update the look of your bathroom to a more modern feel, simply replace the plumbing and decorative fixtures. Things like faucets, shower heads, shower rods, towel racks, sconces, doorknobs, and more can be replaced at a low cost in a short amount of time. You would be amazed to see how a bathroom can look entirely remodeled and updated with a simple fixture upgrade you can do yourself!

Indianapolis Bathroom Remodeling Contractors That Can Help

Call Restoration By L&B LLC at 317-454-3612 for Indianapolis bathroom remodeling services at competitive prices. Owner and general contractor, Lee Elliot, is happy to answer all your questions about home remodel planning, prices, and process. And don’t forget; we guarantee to BEAT any prices quoted by our competition!