Never attempt to fasten your shoe laces when a kitten is on the prowl. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sL3IUtk1Wgc

Have a great week!

Sadly, we went into another home today which was ripe with mold; due to flooding.  Below are portions of articles posted by the Mayo Clinic Staff and at allergyescape.com on the topic of mold.

Household Mold

“Mold grows best at room temperature, so your house is a perfect place for mold to thrive and mold related allergy to flourish! In your home and basement, a musty smell will let you know that mold has set-up house! Mold can grow on many things, including: tile, grout, wood, paint, plaster, and fabric.

Although molds often originate in basements because of the dampness, spores can spread through the rest of your home. Mold spores that are set adrift in your home will find an appropriate place to live and grow, like bathrooms and kitchens which contain adequate food and moisture. Places in your home that mold loves include: • closets • refrigerator drip trays • air conditioners • garbage pails • mattresses • foam rubber pillows • attics • carpets • upholstery”

Mold Symptoms – By Mayo Clinic staff
“Mold allergy causes the same signs and symptoms that occur in other types of upper respiratory allergies. Mold allergy symptoms can include:
 Sneezing
 Runny or stuffy nose
 Cough and postnasal drip
 Itchy eyes, nose and throat
 Watery eyes
 Sinusitis, an inflammation of the sinuses
Mold allergy symptoms vary from person to person, and range from mild to severe. You may have year-round symptoms or symptoms that flare up only during certain times of the year. You may notice symptoms when the weather is damp, or you’re in indoor or outdoor spaces that have high concentrations of mold.

If you have a mold allergy and asthma, your asthma symptoms may be triggered by exposure to mold spores. In some people, exposure to certain molds can cause a severe asthma attack. Signs and symptoms of asthma include:
 Coughing
 Wheezing
 Shortness of breath

When to see a Doctor:
If you have a stuffy nose, sneezing, watery eyes or other bothersome symptoms for longer than two weeks, see your doctor.

Your doctor will consider your symptoms and may order tests to try to determine if you have allergies or whether your symptoms are caused by something else.

If you have asthma or your doctor suspects you have asthma, you may need to see a doctor who specializes in allergies (allergist). Asthma symptoms include shortness of breath, coughing and wheezing.”

Please don’t attempt to clean mold without proper equipment and instruction. 

Be careful!

How sound travels:

My 7^th grade science teacher (Mr. Glure) might be thrilled that I still recall his tuning fork demonstration which proved, in simple terms, that sound is a vibration which can be transmitted through a solid, liquid or gas. Sound travels in waves such as amplitude, frequency, period, speed and wavelength and moves quickly through solids due to their density. Walls, floor and ceilings are comprised of tightly compressed atoms which are well suited to quickly transmit sound.

Sound reduction is in fact a method to modify an existing space to minimize the amount of noise between floors, ceilings or walls. Drywall is an excellent and inexpensive material yet it is also an excellent conduit for vibration.

Luckily there are special insulations and state of the art sheet rock products on the market today that when properly installed can significantly reduce sound. These and other high-tech materials are financially within reach of most homeowners and when compared to the benefit of a good night sleep – they are a great return on investment.

Soundproofing is another animal all together. Currently homes and businesses aren’t constructed to address Little Johnny riding his bike across the hardwood floors upstairs, a neighbor blasting their 300 watt Bose speakers or that machine noise emanating from the warehouse.

To soundproof these conditions, you are looking at the complete demolition of your existing space to add double wall construction combined with the latest in soundproofing technology working in concert to absorb vibrations and unwanted sound.

The sad truth is that during home remodeling or new construction projects it would cost about 3 to 5% more to address sound issues throughout a home or business. So yes it’s possible to install hidden soundproofing into your existing space but it’s going to cost you much more than if you make the decision at the time of original construction.

Your quest for peace and quiet can be addressed in greater detail @ 1-847-636-0771, so call for a free estimate!

We removed wall paper, toilet and flooring to create this simple yet tasteful update.

Below: Last week (at another residence) we also installed glass shower tiles to transform this space. Up next – flooring, toilet, vanity, sink, faucet and lighting!

Please let us know what you think of our handiwork @ info@asklon.com or 847-636-0771

Example: Last year we helped the client design and build her dream deck and last week, we completed our annual inspection then cleaned and sealed it. 

Call Lon today @ 847-636-0771 to schedule a free deck estimate.

Call Lon Now! @ 847-636-0771

Typically those high traffic areas need professional attention every 6 to 12 months (depending upon usage) so give me a call @ 1-847-636-0771 to schedule a free estimate.

Slate is comprised of very fine granular metamorphic rock which forms naturally in layers and gives it its rich texture and interesting colors.

Due to its porous nature slate can stain if not maintained. To maintain slat a commercial sealer needs to be applied during installation and this sealant needs to be stripped away periodically then reapplied to keep the product looking great and permanently sealed.

Finally, plan on establishing some “House Rules” like, not wearing shoes, having small rugs around the stove, counter eating area and refrigerator to catch splatters and spills before they hit the floor. Use ¼ cup of white vinegar to a gallon of warm water to spot remove stains. Then clean the entire floor with plain warm water from a tightly wrung rage for weekly cleaning.

Removed an old cast iron bathtub and dated fixtures to create a walk-in tiled shower and overall beautiful new bathroom.