The First Novi Home Show of the New Decade!

From January 24th – 26th, The Novi Home Show 2020 is kicking off its first event of the new decade!

The Novi Home and Garden Show is a massive exhibition show where tons of home improvement companies gather to display their wares. All your home improvement ideas and planning can be done under one giant roof of the Suburban Collection Showplace.

What’s at the Novi Home Show

The show is more than just a one-stop destination for home
renovation ideas. It’s a place where you can meet the professionals you need
face-to-face.

Thinking you would like to update your kitchen?  Have plans to replace your flooring?  At the Novi Home and Garden Show, you will find all the vendors you need.  You can also find inspiration if you’re just browsing.  Everything including, but not limited to, bathrooms, basements, kitchens, windows, roofing, gutters, paint, flooring, closets, air ducts, decks and so much more!

All of the information can be found on our Facebook event page, but we will list it here as well:

• Adult Admission (13+) – $10
• Senior Admission (55+) – $9
• Children (12 and under) – FREE!
• Special “$5 after 5” admission pricing Friday and Saturday

• Friday, January 24th: 2 – 8 p.m.
• Saturday, January 25th: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
• Sunday, January 26th: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Come Visit The Carpet Guys at Booth 1907

We love going to the home show because we get to meet YOU! Stop by our
booth so we can talk with you and show you all that we have to offer.

On top of that, you can take some of our free giveaways at our table. We
even offer you a chance to win $5000 of free flooring!

Whether you’re ready to buy and know exactly what you want or just exploring
your options, we would love to make you a part of our Carpet Guys Family.

The first Novi Home Show of the new decade is going to be awesome. Don’t miss out! If you can’t make it to the show, Be Wise, Call The Carpet Guys at 855-4-MY-GUYS (855-469-4897) or fill out our Free In-Home Estimate form. One of our friendly service representatives will contact you.

The post The First Novi Home Show of the New Decade! appeared first on The Carpet Guys.

As the New Year is in full swing and things begin to get back to normal, many folks are starting to get back to their pre-holiday plans concerning home projects that get put on the back burner during the season of celebrations. This is especially true when the decorations come down and they are back to looking at the same old boring walls and floors.

But as far as the latter goes, the helpful folks here at Flooring.org thought we would offer our readers one last gift this season in the form of a quick guide to show them the most exciting and popular trends regarding new flooring in their home or business. Here are six of the must-consider options in 2020:

The Key is Simplicity.
Instead of elaborate designs and patterns, homeowners are getting back to the basics. Same size cuts going in the same direction for uniformity and simplicity are the way to go.

High-Variation Hardwood.
This type of flooring most closely resembles nature as the uniqueness and diversity of pieces are highlighted rather than eliminated.

Dark-Tone Woods.
The elegance of these darker colorings are not only visually appealing, they also work better with any kind of décor than do lighter colors.

Greige Wood Flooring.
A cross between grey and beige offers a different kind of neutral that still appeals to uniqueness and individuality.

Whitewash Flooring.
This offers a West Coast vibe no matter what part of the country you may live in!

An Aged or Worn Look.
People who opt for this style tell us that the appearance of the passage of time increases the homeliness and warmth inside their residence, giving it a “lived-in” feeling.

For more information about which look would best suit your interior design plans, as well as to find the best deals around on these and other flooring products, simply get in touch with the pros by visiting flooring.org. You can also reach us by phone by dialing 1-800-689-9006 today. We would be glad to be your go-to experts for all things beneath your feet!

This post appeared first on http://www.flooring.org

Laminate flooring is a very popular choice of flooring.  It is cost effective, robust and can look just like a real wood or stone floor.  Over the recent years, laminate flooring has become more realistic looking and of a much higher quality. Read More

If you own commercial property, the materials you use have to be a little stronger, more durable than anything you’d put into your own home. They have to withstand higher traffic, more abuse, more cleanings, and look good throughout its lifespan. It can be difficult finding the right products for the job.

Yet more and more, people are turning to laminate because of its durability and versatility. Not just any laminate, commercial grade laminate flooring. Laminate is made from several layers:

• A backing layer that is designed to provide a moisture barrier as well as give the flooring its structural integrity.
• A dense inner layer, sometimes called a core layer, made from compressed wood fiber.
• A decorative layer that gives the floor its decorative look and feel. This is achieved through high quality photography, giving the laminate the appearance of natural hardwood, stone, or ceramic tile.
• A wear layer that creates a tough, beautiful finish that is resistant to stain, fade, and wear.

What makes laminate a popular choice for homes is also why property managers turn to commercial grade laminate flooring. It’s a popular choice because it looks great and performs well too. High end retail locations and client-oriented business offices often want to put their best foot forward when attracting clientele. Laminate can be the perfect way to do that.

But don’t be fooled. There is a difference in laminate quality. You can’t put laminate created for residential environments in commercial locations. They won’t hold up to the abuse. Instead, high quality or commercial grade laminate flooring is your best choice, as it is created especially for higher traffic businesses that care about looks and making a good first impression.

How laminate flooring is structured

All laminate flooring is created using the four layers mentioned above. The majority of the layer is the high-density fiberboard, which is as much as 85 percent of the laminate board. If you pay attention to the product materials, you can find some laminate made almost entirely of recycled materials. That’s good for the environment as well as helping your business stay as green as possible.

Why laminate has increased in popularity in recent years is because of better technology. With today’s printing technology, laminate can take on any look you desire. Have an exotic hardwood in mind, but want it without the exotic price or increased maintenance? Laminate can be your answer. Want stone or even a random pattern you can’t find with other products? It’s easier than ever to create the look using laminate.

The heat-fused top layer allows you to see the beauty of the print layer, while protecting it from things like dirt and liquids, things that can be damaging to other flooring choices.

What separates residential laminate from commercial grade laminate flooring is the thickness and quality of these layers. Commercial grade will be thicker, offering more protection from things that can damage it most.

What is a laminate wear rating?

One of the biggest factors you should focus on when making your final selection is the wear rating. For laminate flooring, a wear rating indicates how well the floor will stand up to daily wear and tear. All laminate flooring will have an AC rating – abrasion class rating – and will be followed by a number. Laminate flooring has five rating levels, AC1 is for low traffic areas while AC5 is for commercial use.

• AC1 is for low traffic use in residential situations only. This product is best kept in places like bedrooms or guest spaces, a place where it won’t have a lot of use.
• AC2 is better suited for higher traffic residential uses. You can place AC2 laminate in areas like the living room and family room. It’s still not suggested for commercial use.
• AC3 is a good choice for all residential needs. If you want to have flow-through and have unified flooring throughout your home, AC3 is the choice for you. It can also be used in light-traffic commercial applications.
• AC4 is manufactured specifically for commercial use. For offices that don’t get a lot of traffic, it can be the perfect choice for you. An AC4 rated laminate has a more abrasive wear layer making it stand up well in commercial applications, but isn’t comfortable for residential use.
• AC5 is designed to handle high-traffic situations. It’s what is usually installed in department stores, offices, and shopping centers. It also has an abrasive texture to stand up well under pressure, but isn’t a good choice for residential applications.

How do you maintain commercial grade laminate flooring?

What makes homeowners love laminate flooring is also the same reasons property managers flock to commercial grade laminate flooring. The two products share many of the same qualities. But commercial grade laminate flooring also has a few unique qualities that are increasing its popularity.

• The high quality wear layer found on commercial grade laminate flooring is quite prone to resisting scratches and penetration. Because dirt, debris, spills, and stains generally sit on the surface at least for a short while, it makes allows a quick cleanup for damage to be avoided.
• The tough wear layer will prevent damage from harmful UV light exposure. This means laminate can be used in public areas where natural light spills in and settles for hours throughout the day.
• Laminate has a wear layer to protect the look and feel. Once this wear layer has been penetrated or worn through, the flooring itself will have to be replaced. Laminate isn’t hardwood; it can’t be refinished to bring it back to its natural beauty. Focus on buying high quality laminate that will ensure you the thickest, strongest wear layer possible.
• Also, pay attention to warranties. They are often a sure indicator of the quality of the product. Most commercial grade laminate flooring warranties will come with guidelines outlining maintenance, environments, and potential problem areas to stay within the guarantee. By asking about them upfront, and reviewing them before you select your final product, you can ensure you get the right product for your situation.

What do you want your flooring to look like? 

That really is the beauty of installing commercial grade laminate flooring in your retail location of office. Laminate flooring can take on any look you desire.

Want the look of hardwood without the fuss? Want better performance yet crave the look of natural stone? With laminate, anything is possible.

And the best place to start planning your aesthetics and final look is by talking with one of our flooring experts. We can help you design a space you’ll be proud of for years to come.

How can we help you?

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

Every one or two years: on average, that’s how often you should have your upholstery cleaned by the professional carpet cleaners at A Personal Touch Carpet Cleaning in Englewood. However, there are exceptions to this rule. Your lifestyle, the number of occupants in your home, and resident allergy sufferers are important factors. The key is to weigh these criteria and find the ideal frequency.

Frequency Of Use

Furniture that’s used frequently is a hot bed for dirt and dust accrual. Where exactly this occurs depends on the type of furniture, but with a white, cotton towel you can conduct an easy check of seat cushions, armrests, etc. Just rub the towel on the furniture’s surface, and if stays clean, you still have some time before your next upholstery cleaning. However, if the towel is smudged with dirt, you should make an appointment with our local upholstery cleaners.

Of course, an opposing scenario is possible in which furniture that’s rarely used acquires a sheen of dust over time. Furniture of this sort could also be susceptible to assorted insects and their droppings, so it’s just as important to have these items professionally cleaned too.

Allergy Sufferers

This one’s pretty straightforward. If you and/or others in your home suffer from allergies, you should have your furniture’s upholstery cleaned at least once a year, and maybe more depending on the severity of the allergies and the weather/pollen count. Common allergens like dust, pollen, and dander don’t take long to build up within upholstered furniture, and when they do you’ll have an unhappy allergy sufferer on your hands. Avoid this problem by keeping your upholstery clean, especially during the warmer months.

Lifestyle

This is the biggest determiner of how often you should have your furniture upholstery cleaned. Here’s a list of common variables. The more of these you check off, the more often you should consider a professional cleaning.

• Do kids live in the home?
• Do you have pets?
• Do you spend a lot of time outside: gardening, cycling, hiking, etc.?
• Do you have a “hands-on” job like construction worker, auto mechanic, contractor, carpenter, or exterminator?
• Are people always coming and going in your house, i.e. neighborhood kids, clients of your at-home business?

In a place like Denver, where many people live an active lifestyle and are frequently outdoors, the need for upholstery cleaning is more pressing than in a city like, say, Albany. So right off the bat, you can probably check off one or two things on the list above. From there, it’s just a matter of assessing your lifestyle and confirming how many more items apply. But wherever you fall on the list, there’s a very good chance you’ll need your furniture upholstery cleaned more than just once every two years.

We’ll Help You Assess and Protect

With so many variables involved on the subject of upholstery cleaning near Denver, homeowners can benefit from speaking with A Personal Touch Carpet Cleaning. We’ll help you assess your needs and then develop a plan designed to protect your upholstery, and the health of the people who use it.

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 Keep Up With Your Upholstery Cleaning appeared first on A Personal Touch.

Gray walls are the most popular paint color in today’s home improvement market. Gray is categorized as a moody and emotionless color, yet it sports a sophisticated and formal look that homeowners have fallen in love with.

If the walls of your home have embraced gray as its hue, you’re in luck. Matching carpet colors with gray walls is quite easy, and there’s a wide array of tinctures to choose from.

Selecting Carpet to Match Gray Walls

Carpet and wall color combinations, especially with gray, all depends on the shade of your walls. In other words, it will vary if you have light gray or dark gray paint.

If you have light gray walls, a medium or dark-colored carpet will make the room cozy, such as:

• Blue
• Dark Gray
• Darker Fleck

If you have dark gray walls, a lighter colored floor will open up the room. Your carpet color combinations will look best in the following:

• Cream
• White
• Light Multi-Toned

The best thing about gray is that it gives you a lot of freedom to pick and choose what you want. Feel free to stay safe with a neutral combination or be bold and select a color of carpet that’s more distinctive. Whatever carpet you choose, we know it will look good.

Most Notable Carpets that Work with Gray

To make choosing the perfect carpet color that goes with gray walls easier, we put together a small list of products we have seen work well in homes. Feel free to use our choices as some inspiration for your upcoming flooring project!

Phenix PH018

The gray tones that Phenix PH018 comes in are immaculate. The colors Retreat, Storm, and Tug-of-war will make a great finishing statement to any room it’s installed in. Plus, it comes with options that can match both light and dark gray walls.

DreamWeaver – Harbor Town

Mohawk – Posh Appeal

Mohawk has always had a great selection of patterned carpets in their arsenal, but Posh Appeal takes the cake. The intricate designs allow the carpet to fit both formal and casual settings, and the color scheme will match perfectly with gray walls. Be sure to ask about these carpet colors, Legend and Canvas.

If you would like to see how these carpet types will look in your home, The Carpet Guys Design Consultant can bring our showroom of samples to your door. Be Wise, call The Carpet Guys, and get a free in-home carpet estimate set up today. You’ll find these carpet styles plus many more at affordable prices.

The post Carpet Colors that Pair with Gray Walls appeared first on The Carpet Guys.

You might have heard the statistics for the aging population in America. Right now, roughly 10,000 people turn 65 every day. By the end of the next decade, that number will have increased to 12,000.

As more people reach their retirement years, the number of people needing help for everyday functions will increase right along with it. That makes the concept of aging in place even more appealing.

If you have someone in your family who is older, aging, and not moving the way they once did, you might have started the conversation about having them move somewhere safer and more secure. You were probably met with one wish – “I want to stay in my own home!”

And that’s the concept of aging in place. It means creating a home where aging isn’t hindered by the home’s surroundings. Everything is put into place with the idea of being functional as a person ages. It means consciously choosing everything from flooring to room layouts, to decor, with the thought of the needs of a person as they age.

If you’re in the market to create a home where you can age in place, start at the bottom. Choosing residential flooring for aging in place doesn’t have to be complicated. The key is to shop with end results in mind, and be aware of these four things:

Slip-resistance – at the top of your shopping list should be to find a flooring that won’t become slippery in different situations. If water spills onto the floor in the bathroom, it will still be slip-resistant. If food spills onto the floor in the kitchen, it will still be a safe place to walk.

Movement – over time, walking and movement can become more difficult. Be sure the flooring is easy to walk on with canes, walkers, and wheelchairs, without leaving marks.

Cleaning and maintenance – what good is a flooring if you always have to care for it? The best residential flooring for aging in place is always easy to care for and easy to maintain.

Comfort – pay attention to how the flooring feels underfoot. It should be soft to the touch and easy to walk on. It should provide support instead of becoming a tripping hazard. It should offer shock absorbance and cushion a fall, for the just in case.

Keep in mind that not every flooring choice is meant for every room. The best choice for the bathroom might include something that is moisture resistant and easy to clean, more emphasis might be on movement and comfort in shared living spaces.

With all of this in mind, what are the best choices for your home?

Carpet

It’s difficult to ignore the benefits of carpet, especially for the living spaces within your home. Carpet offers cushion and is one of the softest materials you can install in a home. If a person falls, there’s less risk of injury as it can provide some protection.

If you are investing in carpet, pay attention to the tightness of the weave and the pattern of the fiber. It should provide evenness and strength to endure all kinds of traffic, including with a walker or wheelchair. Pay attention to the padding underneath, too, as that can add stability to the flooring. Keep in mind that wheelchairs won’t roll on thick, plush carpeting. Long pile can also pose a tripping hazard. A pile of no more than ½ inch thick should be installed if the room will be accessed regularly by a person in a wheelchair.

When it comes to warmth, you can’t ignore carpet. It doesn’t retain heat or cold like other flooring choices. Nothing feels better than stepping out of bed on a cold morning and touching warm fibers. Try doing that with ceramic tile.

Carpet is also the best at absorbing sound. If you want a quieter home, carpet is the best way to go.

Of course, one of the main drawbacks of carpet is the ability to keep it clean. It stains and shows wear more than many other flooring choices. It also doesn’t do well in places that attract more dirt, such as the kitchen or bathroom. It will take work to keep it looking new.

Vinyl

Vinyl is growing in popularity as today’s technology gives it just about any look you desire. Luxury vinyl tiles can now give you the appearance of hardwood or stone, with the benefits of a softer, more durable flooring choice.

The biggest benefit of vinyl is it’s highly water-resistant. That makes it a perfect choice for places like bathrooms, kitchens, or entryways. Sheet vinyl may be a better choice if you have an area that will withstand a lot of moisture as there will be fewer seams. But overall, you can’t go wrong by installing vinyl for a great look with high durability.

Homeowners also like the price. Vinyl offers some of the most affordable flooring choices on the market today. Plus, it’s just as easy to install yourself as it is to hire someone to do it.

While the look is appealing when durability is also a factor, keep in mind that nothing will ever take the place of the real thing. If you love hardwood and stone, vinyl does a good job of emulating it. But it will never take the place of the real thing.

Cork

Cork is growing in popularity because of its good looks and functionality. If you want something that looks like hardwood while being softer to the touch, cork is a viable option.

Cork has a smooth surface that offers some cushion underfoot. Cork is hard enough to withstand a wheelchair rolling across, and it won’t impede walking the way carpet does. It also offers some insulating qualities that make it warmer and more soundproof than hardwood.

As long as a cork floor is properly maintained, it can last indefinitely. Cork needs a sealant over it to protect the surface from stains. Be sure to follow manufacturers’ guidelines to keep it looking its best.

And though cork looks and acts like hardwood in many cases, it is softer and thus will damage easier. If you walk across it with high heels, or set thin furniture legs on it, it will dent. It can be scraped by dragging things across it. And if you leave water unchecked, it can be damaged quickly.

What’s the right choice for your needs? 

If you’re remodeling your home and looking for the right residential flooring for aging in place, one of these three choices may be perfect for you.

You can’t argue with the warmth and softness of carpet. Today’s vinyl offers you more choices than ever before. And if you want something newer, something that will handle well now and into the future, give cork a second look.

We think you’re going to love one of these choices for your home.

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

Whether you’re looking to redecorate your entire home or just spruce up a few rooms, it’s good to understand what your options are in terms of what materials you’d like to use.

While you’re weighing up your options for what flooring you’re going to use in your home, you may have considered using wood. Wooden flooring can deter some homeowners because it’s perceived to be expensive, too much hassle to maintain and there are limited style options.

Subsequently, this can put people off wood flooring entirely when in fact, the opposite is true here. That’s why we’ve put together this useful guide to help you understand the wide array of options in front of you when it comes to wooden flooring. 

Why choose wood flooring?

Aesthetically, wood can be very complementary to a room’s look and feel. For example, a lighter finish could be what you need to create that neat, warm and welcoming feel, or if you’re looking to set a more relaxed tone in a room, a wooden floor with a darker finish may be the key ingredient that you’re missing.

Wood flooring is also very easy to keep looking clean. Furthermore, most wood floors if kept in good condition, wooden flooring can last a lifetime.

Engineered wood flooring vs hardwood flooring

What some people don’t realise is that there is a variety of choices for wood floor materials, but one thing we are often asked is which one is best. We’re happy to shed some light on the difference between them to help you make a more informed decision.

What is Hardwood Flooring?

Hardwood flooring is made from a single piece of timber and offers a luxurious alternative to laminate flooring or carpets. Planks that are made from oak or maple are very hard-wearing can be resilient, ideal for coping with a household that is busier than most or that has pets. 

However, the more durable species of wood are unfortunately the more expensive, but if you’re looking to capture the hardwood floor look on a budget, pine is a great alternative that would be worth exploring.

What is Engineered Flooring?

Engineered flooring is made up of multiple layers of material topped with a layer of real wood. As a result, engineered wood is less susceptible to warping and shrinking under changes in the environment. Engineered wood costs less than a complete hardwood floor, but still offers the same aesthetic.

How to care for wooden flooring

In order to keep your wooden floor and looking as nice as the day it was fitted, you need to educate yourself on how to take care of it going forward.

Wooden floors are prone to scratches and dents, so you will have to take extra steps to ensure that you keep your floor looking brand new. Here are a few tips of what you can do:

• Remove shoes before walking on the floor, this will reduce the risk of dirt that can cause scratches 
• Add felt or rubber pads to the base of any furniture, this will help prevent damage if you decide to rearrange the layout of your room. 

You should also take special care when cleaning your wooden floor, as regular cleaning methods can damage the wood and cause it to warp or misshape. Here are some tips for keeping a pristine wooden floor:

• Regularly sweep away any dust and dirt using with a hard-bristled brush
• Use a microfibre cloth or mop to wipe the floor with special wood floor cleaning spray
• Do not use a steam mop, and do not soak the wooden boards with water
• Clean up any spills immediately, otherwise, they will soak into the wood and potentially leave a stain.

We supply Sheffield and the rest of South Yorkshire with the best quality wood flooring and carpets and affordable prices. If you’re looking to redecorate your home, call us on 0114 255 5553 or visit our showroom to see our range of carpets and floors. We also offer home visits free-of-charge to where one of our expert team will help you pick the perfect carpet for your home.

The post Engineered Wood Flooring Vs Solid Hardwood flooring: Everything You Need To Know appeared first on Pyramid Carpets – News.

The question “should I paint first or install carpet first?” is an age old question that has troubled many homeowners.

If you’re struggling with making a decision between the two, you aren’t alone.

We’re here to give you a helping hand.

Should I Paint Walls before Installing New Carpet

Since painting and installing new carpet are the two most aesthetically impressive remodels you can do in a home, you want to make sure you’re doing it in the right order. That’s understandable, as you want your home to look the best it can be.

Deciding whether you should paint before installing carpet or not has benefits and drawbacks on both sides. The Carpet Guys believe installing flooring first would be the most cost effective and stress free solution and here is why.

If you’re replacing carpet first before painting, it will be easier for the flooring company. Carpet installers have to bring large rolls of carpet into your home (12 foot rolls minimize seams in your room), not small paint cans or brushes.  They also may need the carpet to roll up the edges of the room in order to properly trim it to size.  By installing carpeting first you don’t have to worry about:

• Paint touch-ups
• Extra work with more professionals
• Scratches on your new walls

Painting before doing carpet installation is inconsequential for the painting company.  There is still the use of tarps and painters tape to protect moldings, windows, and floor surfaces.  Being conscience of paint spills is part of the job whether there’s new floors or not. Keep in mind that it is helpful to have a good carpet cleaning and maintenance routine on hand, just in case something does get on your new floors.

When you do decide to get new carpet installed in your home, you won’t find anyone better to work with than The Carpet Guys.  One of the benefits The Carpet Guys offer is we move your furniture for free!  So if you have the carpet installed first, you can leave the furniture out of the room to make it easier for your painters to come in and protect the flooring from drips.

Schedule your Free Carpet Estimate today!

If you’re ready to get new carpet installed, give us a call to schedule your free in-home carpet estimate. We’re more than just a carpet company. We take every concern our customers may have into consideration.

Our customers also gain multiple benefits from our services including:

• Expert craftsmanship and installation
• Top notch customer service
• Affordable carpet and flooring financing plans
• Complimentary decorating advice
• High-quality flooring products from the best manufacturers
• Next-day carpet installation
• So much more!

Whether you paint before installing carpet or not, let The Carpet Guys give you the new carpeting you’re looking for.

You won’t be disappointed!

The post Should I Paint before Installing Carpet? appeared first on The Carpet Guys.

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!

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