Clean Your Windows

Clean windows can significantly boost your home’s appeal to onlookers. Whether you are attempting to sell your home or you just want to make your neighbours jealous, a little elbow grease on your windows can provide spectacular results.

Fill Your Planter Boxes

Nothing screams dilapidated more than unkempt planter boxes. Scraggly weeds, dried dirt clumps, and forlorn flowers are an instant sign of homeowner neglect. Visitors might begin to wonder what else you have neglected to fix around your home if can’t manage your planter boxes.

Mow Your Lawn

Just like your floral accents, an unkempt lawn signals neglect. Even if you have to pay a neighbour’s child to tend to your lawn, do not overlook this easy fix. An immaculate lawn can instantly upgrade your home’s curb appeal. Do you really want to risk losing a potential buyer over untamed grass?

Matching Draperies

Stand on the street in front of your home and look at your windows. Does every window display different curtain colors? If so, it might be time to consider adding matching sheers to your curtains. You can purchase inexpensive sheer panels from your local thrift store and add your new window coverings to your existing curtain rods. This add-on seems so simple but can have a huge impact on your home’s appearance.

De-Clutter Your Front Entrance

From the muddy boots on the front porch to the child’s tricycle on the walkway, each haphazard item you remove is one less thing to distract a potential buyer. Store bicycles and outdoor gear in the garage or storage shed. Sweep your walkway and front porch. Add a decorative umbrella stand outside your front door. Make your home’s entrance pretty enough for a photo shoot and you’ll never regret the extra effort.

Making your home more inviting to potential buyers does not have to mean hiring a home stager or spending big bucks on a professional sales consultant. With just a few easy tweaks, you can significantly improve the look of your home’s exterior. Will any of the above-listed tips help you to improve your home’s curb appeal?

by H. G. W.

Not to be confused with screen phone protectors, with sneeze guards you can guarantee the safety of your customers and workers. This has become a “go to choice” for many entrepreneurs. This way, within minimum standard health protocols, businesses can continue to operate through these grim times. For some small business, this could be their last resort to continue without possibilities of aiding the virus until it is safe. During this time, businesses have been forced to start adapting to new environments and assist the community by statistically planning towards a healthier environment such as, installing screen protectors and or virus bars in their facilities. It might not seem like a lot, but if more businesses begin encouraging safe measures in their workplace such as, applying Plexiglass shields where seemed necessary, employees and customers can feel safe. These significant amount of protections can alleviate this crisis and getting life back on track.

Which businesses should invest in screen protectors and or sneeze guards?

Screen protectors usage range in corporal offices to fast food franchises. Professional glass installers can customize screens for desks, podiums, or registries. Virus guards are seen primarily used at cashier counters or the front desk receptionist areas and they can easy be removed or replaced. Even though these are the more commonly used ways, with the help of professional glass installers entrepreneurs, corporations even mom & pop stores can customize virus guards in many methods they prefer.

Where can I get them?

The good news is that anyone can get virus bars and or Plexiglass by contacting the nearest professional glass installers and request for a free estimate to how you can begin to protect your business. Gladly with technology you can reach professional glass installers with a click of a button. Though, we may not like talking though virus guards this solution can assist from keeping your business closed as well protect your employees. Sometimes we must face change to keep our businesses from being shut down, as well of protecting our. We are all in this together. Using screen protectors are just one of few methods towards change. Businesses and services all over are ready to take charge and continue onward.

Look for Risica and Sons, Inc. Professional glass installers for your glass needs today!

Free Estimates 956-781-3840

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Buy your new glass and putty before you remove the broken pane. Seal the hole with a sheet of plastic if necessary.

Step Guide to Repair

• Measure the window frame. To find exactly where the frame starts under the putty, remove a small amount of putty from the middle of each side of the windowpane.
• Deduct 1/4 inch from the width and height measurements to allow for expansion and contraction of the glass and frame.
• When buying the glass, specify the thickness needed, or request glass for a domestic window.
• Most hardware stores sell putty. If you have some putty in your garage that has gone a little hard due to age, you can freshen it up by putting it into the microwave for 10 to 20 seconds or adding a little linseed oil.
• Standing on the outside of the window, spread newspaper on the ground to collect as much glass as possible. Remove the broken pane carefully from the frame. Wear gloves to protect your hands.
• Scrape off all the old putty using a sharp knife or chisel. Clean the window frame well, removing any dust.
• Knead the new putty in your hands for a minute or two.
• Press 1/8 inch of putty around the inside of the frame where the glass will rest.
• Place the glass into the frame, making sure it is central and not touching the frame. Press the edges of the glass into the putty. Don’t push on the center of the windowpane or you may crack it.
• Apply more putty onto the outside of the glass, shaping it with a putty knife, small trowel, or an ordinary kitchen knife.
• Try to get the edge of the putty at the same level as the window frame on the other side of the glass, using your knife to trim off the excess. If in doubt, check another window to see what it looks like.
• Use a little water to smooth the putty if necessary.
• Leave the putty for about 7 to 10 days to harden and dry.   
• Clean the glass thoroughly with a soft dry cloth. Use a little liquid detergent to remove the grease marks.
• Paint the putty and the frame, using enamel paint. Take the paint line slightly onto the glass as this helps to seal the window.

You’ve now replaced your broken windowpane. Think of all the money you’ve saved!

*This information is  a guide and should always take complete precaution before attempting at you own risk or call a professional.

Look for Risica and Sons, Inc. Professional glass installers for your glass needs today!

Free Estimates 956-781-3840

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There is just one problem – we often forget to take them.  Going to the bathroom, grabbing a cup of coffee or checking Facebook updates does not count, as these activities hardly give us enough time to energize our body and restore our concentration and productivity.

As strange as it may sound, taking regular breaks throughout the work day requires discipline and a little bit of planning. Actually, the reason why so many people push themselves to the limit of exhaustion is simple – they just can not think of any interesting activities they can do, during their break time. So they end up working for 4-5 hours straight until their body offers them a painful reminder.

If this sounds like you, here are some Counter-Intuitive Break ideas that help to restore your energy, sharpen your focus, boost productivity and avoid burnout at work.

Share Your Break With a Co-Worker

Alone, you might not always have the strength to pull yourself away from the computer, but if you have a friend taking breaks with you, it is much easier to stick with your break routine. In addition, it offers a great opportunity to bond with your colleagues and get to know them better.

Step Outside for a Fresh Perspective

Leaving a stuffy office and letting yourself enjoy the warmth of the sunlight, the coolness of a breeze and the freshness of the spring air can do miracles to your mind and body. You will come back feeling rejuvenated and ready to approach your work with new energy and a fresh perspective.

Close Your Eyes and Take 10 Deep Breaths

Stand up and walk away from your desk. Find a quiet place, where you can sit down, close your eyes, smile to yourself and take a few deep breaths. Imagine tension, stress and anxiety leaving your body as you breathe out, and peacefulness, positivity and relaxation filling your mind with every breath that you take.

Re-Waterize Yourself

First drink a full glass of water. Second splash some water on your face: warm to relax, cold – to wake up and energize yourself.

Rock Out to Some Great Music

Music is a great mood changer, especially if you allow yourself to get up and move with it. Just a few minutes of humming and dancing can put a smile on your face and get your blood moving.