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Ceramic Tile Tips

Some very important decisions must be made when you are beginning a new tile job. If you do not already have a tile saw, then you will need to choose one that fits your needs.

Choosing the right tile saw will depend on: 1) the tile you plan on cutting (for current and future jobs), and 2) your space limitations.

Ceramic tiles vary in size and hardness. If you plan on using very large tiles then the tile saw needs to be big enough to handle large sizes of tile. Diagonal cuts need addition capacity, always check the specifications to make sure that the saw will cut your tiles diagonally. Large or thick tile will require you to have the proper blade as well as adequate horse power in the saw motor. Choosing a saw with 1.5 horse power will ensure that you will not only be able to cut ceramic tile but also marble and granite.

Luckily most tile saws do not require large amounts of space, but always double check that the space you have available is large enough to work comfortably in. This means that you should have room for the saw as well as space to place tile and tile scraps.

Many websites make it easy to get informed on the different options available. www.constructioncomplete.com for example, has a large selection of saws as well as really good descriptions and specifications.

Using Your Chipper-Shredder for Spring and Fall Cleaning

Have that nagging feeling about cleaning up your yard? Grab a chipper-shredder and have it looking beautiful in no time. A chipper-shredder is a machine with a hopper where you feed materials in to be chopped by the internal blades. Although individual models vary, they usually allow you to feed anything from your lawn including branches up to about 6" thick.

A chipper-shredder is particularly useful this time of year for pruning and cleaning up all those dead plants and fallen leaves. Instead of throwing the debris away or burning it, putting it through the chipper-shredder makes it into mulch for you to use in plant beds and elsewhere in the yard. Reusing your shreds can save a lot if you find yourself replacing bark around the mailbox and in other areas every spring.

If you are influenced by the green movement and looking for ways to reduce your impact on the environment, a chipper-shredder will help you with your compost. Composting reduces the amount of trash in landfills, reduce greenhouse gases, and grow plants without chemicals.
Feed leaves, dead plants, and other organic matter into the chipper-shredder before adding it to your compost pile. The smaller, uniform pieces will decompose more quickly and be ready for use in your yard.

Things to Consider When You Buy A Patio Heater for a Restaurant

Spring and fall are great for restaurants as people emerge from the winter and rush to dine out. Many restaurants feature pleasant outdoor decks and patios for diners wishing to eat in the fresh air. But, there are still many days where the evening air is just a few degrees too cool for customers to enjoy eating outside. Restaurant owners looking to increase traffic on those colder weekend nights where customers are waiting for seats are finding patio heaters a perfect solution.
There are a few things to consider before you buy a patio heater to accommodate more customers on cold nights.



Will you need more than one heater?
Depending on how large your patio or deck is, you may need several patio heaters to warm every table. A standard heater has about a 20 ft radius, but check the product description to make sure the heater can accommodate your space.


How will it be fueled?
Your options are natural gas and propane. They are roughly equal in price. If you already have the hookups, a natural gas heater is easy to set up with a steel gas line or a flexible hose. Propane usually needs a separate tank that you will refill/replace as needed.


Essential Features
Tilt switch - the heater will shut itself off if it is knocked over. This is reassuring in a busy, crowded restaurant, or any that have patrons consuming alcohol.
Ignition - multispark makes for faster, easier startup.
BTU - 40,000 to 50,000 BTU will give you about a 20 foot heating diameter. You can find other models that will provide greater or less range according to your needs.