Month: January 2020

Have you ever gone to lift something heavy and tweaked your back the wrong way?

Oh, the pain can be excruciating.

When you get new carpet installed in your home, moving your furniture is something you have to do, unfortunately. But, what if we told you there was a pain-free and easy way to do?  Hire The Carpet Guys!

Let Our Carpet Installers Move your Furniture

We offer free furniture moving because we know how bad you can hurt yourself if you move heavy objects improperly. We don’t want your comfy couch to be a source of back pain.

To show you how bad improper lifting can mess up your back, we had a couple of our professional chiropractic friends answer some questions. Those questions are:

1. How can improper lifting damage your back? How serious is the damage?
2. What is the correct way to lift heavy objects?
3. Do you recommend customers let professionals handle heavy lifting projects rather than doing it themselves?
4. What are ways to keep your back healthy and in good shape?
5. How often do people come to see you for back pain due to improper lifting?
6. What is the most common issue that comes from improper lifting?

Take a look at their answers below. And yes, we know there is a lot of information here, but it can save you some major damage to your back if you give it a read.

Dr. Ruvayn Rubinstein of Thrive Chiropractic

1. Improper lifting (bending at the waist technique) regardless of the size, shape or weight can cause back injuries. Back pain due to improper lifting is one of the leading causes of sick days in Michigan according to MIOSHA. Improper lifting techniques can lead to:
   • Subluxations (vertebrae in the spine is misaligned putting pressure on a nerve causing interference in the nerve pathways which can lead to pain, numbness, tingling, weakness, and muscle atrophy)
   • Muscle Spasms (The muscles tighten to support the injured area, which leads to extreme pain)
   • Torn or Strained Muscles and Ligaments (this can occur from repetitively lifting incorrectly)
   • Disc Herniations (occurs when the disc ruptures and puts stress on nerves and spinal cord and can be caused by repetitively lifting incorrectly)
2. Assess the situation (make sure you know how heavy the object is, make sure you know where you are putting the object, and if too heavy make sure you have a lifting partner). Stand near the object to center yourself over the item and stand with your legs shoulder-width apart. Tighten your stomach muscles to help support the back. Squat down like a weightlifter, BENDING AT THE KNEES looking straight ahead. Finally, when lifting, make sure you keep the object in your “Neutral Zone” the area between your hips and shoulders.
3. If you are not 100% certain you can do the work yourself without injuries hiring a professional is the best bet.
4. To keep your spine healthy, you should be doing spinal hygiene daily and seeing a Chiropractor who can examine and X-ray you to show you the current position of your spine to make sure it is aligned properly. If not make sure you get regular care to keep your spine and body functioning at 100%
5. Almost daily, I am getting calls from new and current patients…they are calling because they lifted something incorrectly, they tried to install their own floors, they tried cleaning their own gutters, they tried mowing their own lawn… the number of back related injuries that happen from the DIYers is huge!
6. Due to the extreme force put on the low back from improper lifting I would have to say Low Back Pain is the most common issue.

Dr. Lisa A. Lupo of Van Every Family Chiropractic Center

1. Improper lifting can cause unnecessary shear loading on the intervertebral discs resulting in misalignments of the spinal bones and injury, specifically the low back area. These discs are comprised of rigid fibrous rings, very strong but not indestructible.  Injury to the rings can cause bulging or even rupture of the disc resulting in pressure exertion on the spinal nerves exiting the spinal column.  Pressure on the nerves can cause pain in the low back that may radiate into the buttocks or legs.  Depending on the severity of the injury, it could take 6 weeks to months of treatment to heal.
2. Proper lifting technique should include bending of both hips and knees, slight bend in both elbows, and keeping the chest forward.  Something resembling a power squat with the object placed squarely between the knees.  Keeping the chest facing forward will allow the back muscles to remain straight and force good posture.  You want the lifting power to come from the hips, thighs and core muscles.  NEVER bend at the waist or rotate with feet planted.  When turning or twisting is required, make sure to swivel with feet and hips in a coupled motion.
3. Yes, a professional has gone through specific training of technique and has expert knowledge of ergonomics in the workplace and biomechanical movement patterns.
4. Make sure, you routinely get checked and adjusted by your chiropractor. This will assist you in maintaining a healthy and aligned spine.  In conjunction with a balanced diet consisting of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and lean meats, stretching and core exercises will maintain muscle mass and promote flexibility.  These core spinal stabilizing muscles are very important in protecting the integrity of your low back and its alignment.
5. Back pain is a common reason, but surprisingly, we see so much more than just back pain. Patients come to us for help with headaches, migraines, asthma, stress-related issues and emotional issues.
6. Low back muscle strain would be the most common with intervertebral disc injury being the most severe, both of which can cause discomfort and pain.  When there is structural and soft tissue injury combined, the healing process increases and so does the intensity of the pain.

Dr. Andrea Whedon-Hulbert of Claddagh Chiropractic Wellness Center

1. Repetitive lifting and lifting improperly (even just one time) can greatly impact your back at any age. Lifting, bending, twisting movements can affect overall spinal health along with the muscles and ligaments that attach to the bones. Each injury, even a small one such as muscle tightness, can build upon one another which can lead to severe problems.
2. The proper way to lift heavy objects is by using your legs to lift and not bending your back. When lifting, is it crucial that you squat down by bending your hips and knees to lift the object and then slowly, with the object close to you, stand, by straightening your legs. Avoid twisting or rotating as this can increase your chances of injury. With repetitive lifting, including heavy loads, the use of a low back brace will help give support to the low back and still allow normal low back function.
3. I am a huge proponent of letting the professionals handle lifting the heavy objects! We all are trained in our own fields and that is what we are great at doing! Though some do not view “heavy lifting” as a hard task, we see people all the time who have injured themselves doing tasks their body is not normally used to performing. Let the pros handle it, your back will thank you later!
4. Working out, stretching, staying hydrated, and receiving regular chiropractic care are all musts to allow the life you want to be living.
5. We see people who have injured themselves from improper lifting almost every day. Whether lifting a light or heavy object, you can injure yourself if you are not lifting or moving an object properly.
6. With improper lifting, patients can present with a variety of symptoms including, neck, mid back or low back pain, sciatica pain, disc bulges or herniations, sprain or strains, and muscles tightness/soreness. By the time a patient is experiencing pain, there are already issues that need to be corrected. Pain is your body telling you that something is wrong! Listen to it!

Well, you’ve heard it from the specialists themselves. Letting a professional move your furniture is the best way to handle heavy lifting.

That’s exactly why we have our installers move your furniture for you, and we’ll do it for free.

Save your Back with The Carpet Guys!

Don’t want to find out what happens when you tweak your back from lifting? Avoid the pain with The Carpet Guys!

Our carpet installation crews will handle all the heavy lifting for you at no charge.

To get new flooring installed without the do-it-yourself labor, book a free carpet estimate with us today!

You’ll get the brand new floors you want without any back pain at all.

We look forward to seeing you.

The post Hiring a Professional Floor Installer who Moves Furniture will Save your Back appeared first on The Carpet Guys.

“Which underlay should I use?”  is a question we often get asked.  Firstly, it will depend on how you are installing your floor. Secondly, it will depend upon whether you have underfloor heating or not. And finally, you will need to decide whether you require sound proofing or thermal insulation. Read More

Glue-down vinyl tiles have many advantages. Maybe that’s what has made them so popular for decades. They can be the perfect addition to any high-traffic area of your home where water-resistance is also in demand, like a bathroom, laundry room, or kitchen.

Of course, with today’s technology, vinyl tiles aren’t what you remember from your parents’ homes. Maybe that’s why there is increasing interest in this viable flooring choice.

However, once you’ve decided to install vinyl floor, you can quickly become confused about the best way to install the. One of the reasons homeowners choose vinyl tile is because it’s perfect for the do-it-yourself project. But once you’ve narrowed down your choices, you’ll also have to decide the best way to install: floating or glue-down.

The reason both ways are still on the marketplace should clue you in that there are advantages to both. It’s important to consider your options carefully before you make your final decision.

First, let’s discuss glue-down vs floating

Before you weigh your options and make a decision, it’s important to understand the makeup of each product.

Glue-down is considered to be a permanent flooring. Because it adheres directly to the subfloor, it adds to the strength to increase scratch resistance, impact, and spills. Being permanent means you won’t be replacing it regularly, and are looking at longevity rather than replacement convenience.

Floating vinyl planks lay over the subfloor. They usually feature a click-and-lock system that makes this easy for do-it-yourselfers to install a floor in a weekend.

Glue-down vinyl tiles are easy to replace. Simply peel up a tile and replace it with a new one. Or easily life sections at a time. While floating tiles are easy to replace, they take a little more work because of the click system.

Glue-down is suitable for any room where high-traffic and water-resistance is standard. That makes glue-down vinyl great in bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, and entryways. It works well, no matter how large or small the room.

Floating tiles work similarly, however, they don’t work as well in larger rooms. You’ll have better results with glue-down over time.

The cost of glue-down is also more economical than floating tiles in most cases.

Settled in on glue-down vinyl tiles? What about the glue?

If you’re moving forward with installing glue-down vinyl tiles, they come with two different types of adhesive: a separate adhesive that is spread onto the floor using a trowel, and those that have adhesive covering the back with a peel-and-stick system.

While it can seem daunting to use a separate adhesive you’ll have to spread across the floor, it’s actually easier than it sounds. Plus, it has some benefits that may make it worth your time.

Self-adhesive tiles are very sticky. That makes them hard to reposition once they touch the subfloor. While many homeowners purchase vinyl tiles because they are easy to work with, this factor can negate ease. Many homeowners have become “frustrated” by how permanent these tiles become even with just a basic touch.

By contrast, if you work with floor tile adhesive you spread across the floor, it takes time for the glue to set. This gives you a chance to reposition the tile, look at the results, and change the layout again. It usually takes up to a full day for the adhesive to set, giving you plenty of time to ensure you have it right.

Self-adhesive tile is also more prone to curling. If you don’t get the installation right, self-adhesive tiles can curl up at the edges weeks or months after installation. Compare that to vinyl tiles that are installed with adhesive; they rarely loosen and curl by themselves. This can be especially important in high-traffic areas where risk is higher to catch edges.

Self-adhesive vinyl tiles also require a smoother, more perfect subfloor. Because they are thin with a standard peel-and-stick system to hold them in place, you’ll have to ensure your subfloor is free of imperfections before you lay it into place. Even small bumps or uneven areas can quickly cause problems down the road.

Compare that to installing with separate adhesive, you’ll find these glue-down tiles are easier to hide minor imperfections. Because you control the amount of adhesive, it’s easier to apply these tiles to areas with less than perfect subfloors.

Misconceptions about tile adhesive

There are three reasons people are a little apprehensive about choosing glue-down vinyl tiles before they do their research:

• They assume the process is messy
• They assume the odor will linger
• They assume the adhesive is toxic

Who wants to bring all of that into your home, especially when you’re trying to make your home cleaner, and your life healthier?

In reality, those are nothing but myths about using glue-down vinyl tile. There are many different types of adhesives to choose from, some of which are latex-based, water-soluble, low or zero VOC. That means the smell isn’t very strong, and easily goes away in a short period of time. Because it’s water-soluble, it makes clean up a snap.

What’s even better is the cost. Glue-down tiles are, in general, less expensive than the peel-and-stick. You can get a gallon of adhesive for low cost, which will cover up to 400 square feet per gallon. That gives glue-down vinyl tile the advantage – and the perfect choice for the rooms you’re thinking of taking on yourself.

Which should you choose?

The reason there are so many choices on the market today is that there isn’t a right or wrong answer. Instead, it depends on your needs and your desires.

Start with your living styles. What would make the most sense for the way you live? Combine that with your personal choices, and you’re sure to find the perfect flooring for you.

If you have questions, that’s where it helps to stop by and speak with one of our flooring representatives. Our goal is to ensure you have the right flooring for your needs, and that you’ll be happy with it for years to come.

If glue-down vinyl tile is the right choice for you, you’ll love all of the colors, styles, and patterns we have in stock. Whether you’re taking on a do-it-yourself project, or are hiring a professional to handle the job, we’ll help you make the right choice.

 

This post appeared first on https://pro-flooring.com

There’s plenty to love about wintertime: skiing, sledding, and of course, the holidays. However, increased foot traffic and wintery ground conditions can put your carpet to the test. Stick to these carpet cleaning tips from A Personal Touch Cleaning in Littleton and expect a great-looking carpet all season long.

Dirty Snow Stains

Long ago, before the advent of cars, trucks, and general industry, snow remained more or less white. Nowadays, it’s only a matter of time before the snow that collects on your street and in your driveway acquires a “dirty” texture, which when tracked into a home can leave unsightly stains on the carpet. You can eliminate these by applying soapy water to the affected area, gently blotting over the stain until it disappears. Once it’s gone, you have two choices for removing any excess water: a dry white towel and a vacuum. Go with the latter option if there’s still some loose dirt around the area.

Christmas Tree Care

For many people, a Christmas tree is the item that ties an entire room together during the holidays. But before you can gather the family for decorating and sing-alongs, you need to get the tree into the house. Simply dragging the tree in is a no-go, since the tree is liable to pick up dirt and snow along the way, which is then deposited on your carpet. A sound solution is to wrap the tree in a plastic sheet from the time you purchase it until the minute you reach your front door. Remove the sheet (and the dirt, snow, and detritus that no doubt cling to it) and introduce your clean, fresh tree to the family.

Another big tree-related to-do: waterproofing the area where the tree stand is placed. Make sure the stand doesn’t contact the carpet directly, or you could be left with an unsightly post-holiday dirt ring on the carpet. Another necessary precaution is to avoid overwatering the tree: too much dirty tree water is liable to spill over the edges of the waterproofed area.

Humidity

We know what you’re thinking: “In the dead of winter, why would I give a hoot about humidity?” A fair question, until you consider that all of the snow that gets tracked into your house doesn’t stay frozen. It melts, and the build-up of water will increase your home’s humidity level and create an environment that encourages mildew growth in your carpet. The solution is two-fold: keep the heat inside your home at the recommended level, and vacuum frequently so that moisture and dirt don’t have a chance to seep into your carpet.

Shoes/Boots

We know this is carpet care 101, but here’s a friendly reminder to put a snow rug just inside your door(s). Shoes and boots are by far the most common way that dirty snow is introduced into a home, but a combination of a snow rug/shoe rack/insistence that shoes aren’t allowed inside will be a big help in maintaining a clean carpet.

Here To Help, All Winter Long

If at any point this winter you a professional’s help with carpet cleaning or carpet repair, contact A Personal Touch Carpet Cleaning. Having served Littleton for decades, across all four seasons, you’ll find our expertise is invaluable when it comes to cleaning and preserving your carpets.

Call us today at 720.344.2870 or use our online contact form to request your free estimate. Remember at A Personal Touch, “We don’t cut corners, we clean them.”

The post Don’t Let The Cold Weather Ruin Your Carpets appeared first on A Personal Touch.

When you are choosing a new wooden floor, it is important to select the correct fitting system for your particular project.  The two main choices you have are either tongue and groove or click fitting. Read More

Home remodeling projects can quickly become overwhelming. The amount of decisions you have to make in a short time escalates as you move from beginning to end.

A lot of homeowners have their hearts set on a particular type of flooring, only to discover their contractor tries to steer them in a different direction. It turns out that exotic hardwood flooring you’ve been dreaming of might not be the perfect fit for your bathroom. There are better choices, she says.

How about vinyl or laminate?

Before you scream: “What!” take a  second look at these two products and see how they’ve changed the marketplace. These aren’t your parents’ flooring products. Technology has changed what’s possible, and made vinyl and laminate some of the best flooring products for every room in your home.

What is laminate made of?

Remember the laminate of yesteryear? It took on an almost plastic look and feel. Yet contrary to belief, laminate isn’t made up of plastic at all. Instead, laminate is made up of four wear layers built upon each other to build strength and durability into the final product. They are fused together using high heat and intense pressure to create a product that stands up well in areas where traditional hardwood often fails. These layers include:

• Back layer – this is the bottom layer used to protect against moisture and help balance the floor
• Core layer – this is a highly durable board that helps protect from moisture and build strength
• Design layer – this is a high resolution photograph to mimic many of the top floor patterns on the market today
• Wear layer – this is a clear layer to protect against scratches, stains, and fading

What are vinyl planks made of?

Vinyl comes in a variety of styles. While the more traditional vinyl flooring products were laid in place as either sheet vinyl or vinyl tiles, today homeowners have another option: luxury vinyl planks. These closely resemble other top flooring products, including hardwood or stone.

In the marketplace, luxury vinyl is commonly referred to as Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) or Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP).

Both LVT and LVP are made up of synthetic materials formed by mixing polyvinyl chloride (PVC), calcium carbonate, plasticizers, fungicides, and UV stabilizers, among other things. Through a heating process, they are combined with a vinyl compound that finishes the product base.

Like laminate, LVT and LVP both use four main layers:

• Backing layer – a vinyl base layer that protects against moisture, mold, and mildew
• Vinyl core – this is made from PVC material to make the product flexible and waterproof
• Decorative layer – this is a thin digital image layer that is adhered to the vinyl core
• Wear layer – the is a transparent topcoat that protects against scratches, stains, and fading

Vinyl vs Laminate – Which is better?

Homeowners usually gravitate towards vinyl and laminate when they are looking for a durable, economical, attractive flooring choice. If you want to take on a DIY project, both vinyl and laminate are good options. But which is better? That’s where many homeowners get confused.

For many years, laminate was the flooring of choice with its realistic graphics, easy installation, and thick, durable product that stood up well under traffic. But when the luxury vinyl plank entered the marketplace, things changed. A high quality LVP can stand up to pressure equally as laminate, and the graphics make it look like the real thing.

There really isn’t a bad choice when comparing the two.

Where will you install?

In some cases, it can center around where you’ll be installing your new flooring. One of the biggest separators between laminate and vinyl is the ability to stand up against moisture.

All types of vinyl – sheet, tile, and plank – are waterproof. They are usually made from a material that is 100 percent waterproof, giving it the ability to be installed in rooms where wet conditions are prevalent, such as bathrooms, laundry rooms, or mud rooms. While older vinyl may have had a fabric or felt back, newer product lines are made from polymer materials that can be fully immersed in water and still be unaffected.

Laminate uses a fiberboard at the core. Because this is a wood-based product, it will soften, swell, and eventually deteriorate when exposed to water. This can cause a host of damage, from warping during the drying process, to having the design layer peel back and fade away. If laminate has severe water damage, it will most likely have to be replaced.

Because of that, vinyl can be installed anywhere in your home and look great no matter how much abuse it takes. With laminate, you should be a little more choosy about where you install. Places like the living room, dining room, or bedroom are perfect for laminate. Full bathroom, laundry room, or mudroom, not so much.

Let’s talk about composition

While we’ve already compared the two products based on how they are produced, we haven’t talked much about composition.

Vinyl flooring is made entirely from synthetic material. You’ll find a thin fiberglass base coated with PVC vinyl, embossed with a print layer, and finished with a wear layer over the top. When you select luxury vinyl planks, they fit side by side, clicking into place. Because these layers are thin, you’ll find the overall thickness ranges from 1.5 mm to 5 mm.

Laminate flooring uses the same locking installation process, but the critical difference is the core. Because this is made from a wood product, it’s thicker than its synthetic counterpart. The overall thickness of laminate flooring ranges from 6 mm to 12 mm.

That can make the difference for where you choose to install it. Pay attention to transitions from room to room; are you trying to match a different flooring choice?

It’s all about aesthetics and preferences

Still trying to decide which is better, vinyl or laminate? Honestly, we love them both.

Today’s product lines can mimic just about any flooring product on the market, while giving you the benefits of being a more resilient flooring choice. Both vinyl and laminate can mimic wood, stone, ceramics, or just about any flooring you choose. The three-dimensional graphics used to create both vinyl and laminate are more real than ever before. If you want the look of exotic hardwood, for example, you might just prefer the look used to mimic it on vinyl or laminate, plus it’s a fraction of the price.

Is there a right choice? It all depends on your preferences. The best place to start is to stop by our showroom and see the differences yourself. Both vinyl and laminate are great products to include in your latest remodeling project.

This post appeared first on https://pro-flooring.com