If you are expecting visitors this summer, make sure you’re prepared! Here is an easy to follow checklist that will help you organize and plan for an enjoyable time with your overnight guests.

• Begin planning by cleaning. Pay special attention to the bathroom ensuring the shower, tub, sink and toilets are clean.

• Figure out sleeping arrangements. If you don’t have a guest room, consider having guests sleep in your office or family room. Make space by storing office supplies and other items away in a closet. You might also wish to invest in an inflatable air mattress or cot, to help make your guests feel more comfortable.

• Change sheets on the bed or have them readily available. Don’t forget about extra blankets and pillows.

• Pamper your guests with great smelling toiletries including shampoos, soaps and lotions.

• Place towels on beds for guests.

• Spruce up the room with fresh flowers.

• Stock your refrigerator and cupboards with many staples and popular, convenient foods such as cereal, milk, fruit, yogurt and items for quick meals like chips and sandwiches.

• Consider purchasing disposable paper products for added convenience.

• Plan activities for the time they will be visiting but make sure to also allow for some downtime and rest as well.

• You will have extra people in the house. So make sure to have plenty of laundry detergent, hand soap, toilet tissue and other personal items available.

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Gather Supplies

Get your supplies together before beginning to clean. Who wants to have to stop and make a run to the store for garbage bags or other tools? For your spring clean-up, you will need the following:

• Rake
• Clippers
• Brooms
• Trimmer
• Leaf Bags
• Trash Bags
• Heavy-Duty Gloves
• Wheelbarrel
• Saw
• Shovels
• Water Hose
• Pressure Washer

Steps for Clean-Up

1. Begin by removing debris from the yard. This includes large sticks, twigs and any rubbish.
2. Next, you’ll want to pick up any leaves that may have been left over from the fall.
3. Clean lawn furniture that may have been left outside. Wash down with soapy water and then rinse with the water hose.
4. Clear away backyard paths or walkways with a pressure washer.
5. Trim overgrown bushes and hedges. Remove flowers that may have wilted during the winter.
6. Do a little landscaping. Plant flowers and beautify your lawn with accent lighting, planters or a water fountain to create a peaceful backyard retreat.

Deelat.com offers a wide selection of cleaning and yard supplies. Shop here for pressure washers, gardening tools and stylish, outside lighting for both safety and decoration. Shop with us today and save!

Before beginning the painting process, you’ll need the following equipment:

• Painter’s Tape
• Paint
• Paint Brushes/Rollers
• Bucket
• Carpet Protection Wrap
• Drop Cloths
• Plastic Bags
• Protective Eyewear
• Gloves
• Sandpaper
• Painter’s Cap
• Sponge

Once you have all of your equipment in place, now you’re ready to prep your room. Without proper preparation, your paint job will look unprofessional and you’ll be disappointed with its outcome.

To prepare, you’ll want to take the following steps:

1. Spread a drop cloth over your floor for protection.
2. Repair nail holes or cracks with spackle. Sand until even.
3. Remove spots and dirt from the walls with soap, water and a sponge.
4. Remove covers from light and electrical switches. Cover with tape for safety.
5. Tape off areas such as baseboards, edging or doors to avoid painting mistakes.
6. Line paint bucket with a liner or plastic bag for easy clean up.

Use the following steps to help you create a professional looking paint job.

1. Cut in corners and edges using a thin paint brush starting with the ceiling.
2. Paint the ceiling using a roller if needed.
3. Begin with a damp roller. Next dip the roller in your paint and use the grid to get rid of excess and even out the paint.
4. Apply paint to walls using a roller and a zig-zag, up and down motion.
5. Take a step back to see areas you may have missed.
6. Let dry and apply a second coat.
7. Lastly, pull out your brush again to paint the trim.
8. Remove the tape midway through the drying process.

Deelat.com offers many different types of paint accessories for sale, including paint brushes and rollers. Shop with us today and save!

As a maintenance manager, you’ll likely be tasked with picking out a wet/dry vacuum. Fortunately, choosing the proper wet/dry vacuum is a fairly straight-forward decision. The key is sizing the machine properly and choosing the features you will need. If you do that, you’ll have a machine that will help you perform essential tasks that will last you for many years. Here are some tips for people considering to buy a wet/dry vacuum:

1. Is The Tank the Proper Size?

All wet/dry vacs are built with a tank to hold suctioned materials. These tanks are available in a variety of sizes, but it’s important to choose a tank size that will match your needs. For example, large tanks – which are necessary in industrial and large commercial spaces – average about 100 liters, or 26 gallons. Small- and mid-sized tanks average about 25 to 50 L.

2. Suction Power

Suction is determined by a number of measures. Most commonly, though, the vacuum’s motor wattage can help you determine which model has the best suction. For example, a wet/dry vac with a 3600-watt motor will have a greater suction power, compared to a model with a 1600-watt motor. Suction is important depending on the materials that you will be using the vac for. For example, some people use vacs to suck debris out of gutters, which requires greater suction than would sucking dusts or smaller particles.

3. Drain for Liquids

Does the tank have a drain near the bottom so that you can quickly dispense liquids? This is an important feature. Vacuums without one require the tank to be removed and tilted to remove the water or liquid. A drain, on the other hand, makes it easy to place the vacuum near an exit drain and eliminate the liquids from the tank.

4. Easy-to-Replace Filter

Dusts and fine particles pass through a filter, and over time, these filters must be replaced. Choose a model with high filter accuracy. This means more particles are trapped by the filter and dropped into the tank. Additionally, make sure you’re using the right filter – there are many different types designed for different materials, i.e. fine particle filters and HEPA filters. Finally, these filters should be cleaned regularly to avoid clogging. A model that offers easy access to the filter will enable faster cleaning.

5. What Accessories Are Included?

Your vacuum will likely be included with a number of accessories, including a hose and various heads. Yet, you might need additional accessories. For example, an extra-long hose might not be included, or you might need a specific head for a certain type of work. Be sure you know what accessories are included.

Deelat.com offers many different types of wet/dry vacs for sale, including 3600W vacuums, 100L vacuums, and small wet/dry vacs. Shop with us and save!

Fortunately, with proper planning commercial restroom renovations can run on-time and on-budget, helping to keep your business running without a hitch. So where can you start? As a building material supplier, Deelat has helped many business owners and property managers purchase affordable, durable supplies for their remodels. In helping our customers, we’ve come to understand how to successfully plan for a restroom renovation. Here are a few tips:

Consider Budgeting and Scheduling

All renovations start with setting a budget. This should happen before you consider colors, the hardware you need, or hiring a contractor. Once you’ve set a budget, you will have a solid idea of how much you can afford to spend. But be aware that sometimes contractors do go over budget. To protect against this, take 10 percent off your total for the project, and this will be the budget you tell your contractor you’re willing to spend. But do be prepared to spend the entire amount.
Secondly, since you’re running a business, be sure to consider the timing that you need construction to be accomplished by. If your establishment has two restrooms, it might be possible to have one closed, while the other is under-construction. If not, you should prepare for having your restroom out of service.

Select and Purchase Materials

Commercial restroom remodels require a range of supplies. Often, your contractor will help you purchase some of the supplies, like toilets, sinks and stall partitions. Yet, there are many other small pieces of hardware you will likely need, and it will help to find a supplier who stocks affordable, durable supplies. One tip: Purchasing hardware from a single supplier can help to limit the costs of shipping and reduce your overall materials spending. Additional pieces you might need for a commercial restroom include:

• Soap Dispensers
• Paper Towel Dispensers and Hand Dryers
• Toilet Tissue and Seat Cover Dispenser
• Baby Changing Tables
• And Deodorizers and Urinal Screens

Hire A Contractor

There are some tasks that you can do yourself, like installing paper towel dispensers and urinal screens. But if something falls outside of your expertise – say plumbing – hire an experienced contractor. Look for a reputable business that has experience in commercial restroom renovation, and remember the most affordable isn’t always the best. An established contractor with references and a portfolio of work will save you the headache of having to finish or revise improperly installed hardware or unreliable plumbing.

Purchase High-Quality, Durable Materials

 The restrooms at many businesses are highly trafficked, and that means the hardware must be durable enough to withstand daily wear-and-tear. To protect yourself, choose an industrial supply company that’s established and that has responsive customer service. If a piece of hardware is defective, chances are the company will be willing to work with you on a solution. Additionally, electronic devices – like hand dryers, or automatic soap dispensers – are like many pieces of technology; they can become obsolete. That’s why buying modern technology that’s built-to-last can save you additional costs down the road.

Consider Local Ordinances

In many states and cities, restrooms must meet local, state or federal ordinances for persons with disabilities, as well as other laws and requirements. In the U.S., for example, the Americans With Disabilities Act set requirements for commercial restrooms. Some properties are exempt from these codes, while others must get up-to-date when they renovate. Before you begin your remodel, be sure the restroom will be in compliance with local building codes.

Shop for commercial restroom hardware on Deelat.com. We offer a wide selection of renovation supplies that are durable and shipped quickly. Shop with us and save when you renovate the restrooms in your business.

Shoveling your sidewalks isn’t just a neighborly good deed. In many cities, it’s required by law. Failing to shovel your walk may result in fines. But that’s not the only reason you should make it a habit to shovel snow from the walkways in front of your house following a winter storm. Here are four top reasons you should shovel your walk this winter:

1. Fines for Failing to Shovel

As mentioned above, many cities and municipalities require citizens to shovel their walks. If not, you might get fined, and fines for not shoveling can be costly. In New York City, for instance, possible fines can run up to $150 and repeat offenders might face jail time up to 10 days. That’s right: Not shoveling your walk in New York could land you in jail! The easiest way to avoid fines is to shovel your driveway relatively quickly following a storm. In many cities, homeowners have a specific amount of time to remove the snow before they can face a fine; be sure you know your local ordinances.

2. Neighborhood Courtesy

Even if you aren’t required by law to shovel your walk, it’s a small chore that will keep you in the good graces of your neighbors. Whether your neighbors walk their dogs each day, or they jog after work, you don’t want to be remembered as the neighbor who doesn’t shovel his sidewalks. Also, the mail carrier and delivery drivers will love you as well.

3. Ice from Melting Snow

As the weather heats up following a storm, the snow will begin to melt. Yet at night when the temperatures drop, this moisture can freeze, with a sheet of ice developing under the snow. This can be very dangerous for people walking by. Because the ice is hidden behind the snow, people are much more likely to slip, fall and hurt themselves. By shoveling your sidewalks in a timely fashion after a storm, you’re much more likely to develop an ice problem.

4. Potential Lawsuits

If you fail to keep your walkways safe, you could be on the hook if a pedestrian slips on your property and hurts himself. A judge may find you liable if snow was cleared from public walkways, and lawsuits can get very expensive. Many homeowners have liability insurance to defend themselves against this. But buying an affordable snow shovel is a much more cost-effective solution.

Don’t be caught without a snow shovel this winter. Buy a new shovel today on Deelat.com. We offer great prices and fast shipping. Shop today and save.

Additionally, hand dryers with activation sensors are more hygienic; they require less maintenance, as there’s no need to restock them; and they’re much improved. Today’s hand dryers are designed to dry hands in 10-15 seconds. When purchasing restroom hand dryers, though, it can be difficult to gauge which styles dry hands the faster, use the least amount of energy, and blow at low volumes. Here are a few things contractors should consider when purchasing hand drying units for commercial restrooms:

High-Speed Dryers vs. Standard Dryers

High-speed dryers produce a stream of air that is more powerful, greatly decreasing the time needed to dry hands thoroughly. This increases the efficiency of the unit, because they run for much less time. For example, an 1800-watt high-speed dryer might produce an airstream of 60 meters/second and require 8-10 seconds to dry hands, while an 800-watt dryer produces an airstream of 6 meters/second and more than 60 seconds to dry the hands. The trade-off: Higher speed dryers are louder and usually more costly, but the performance is far superior.

Automatic Sensors

Today, the majority of restroom hand dryers are built with infrared sensors that activate the dryer. There are push-button dryers available, but these aren’t as common as they once were. The benefits of sensor-activated dryers: They’re more hygienic, because you don’t have to touch as surface to activate them, and are more energy efficient, because they stop running after set times.

Low-Energy Restroom Hand Dryers

Typically, hand dryers consume between 800 and 3,000 watts of electricity when in use. Yet, “low-energy” can be deceiving. As noted, low-energy dryers typically take longer to dry the hands properly, ultimately consuming an equal or greater amount of electricity. While high-speed dryers typically consume more electricity, they run for much shorter periods of time, resulting in energy savings over the long term. The benefits of low-energy dryers: They’re quieter. This is important in environments where noisy hand dryers can disrupt patrons, like theaters and quiet restaurants.

Single Jet vs. Multi-Jet Hand Dryers

There are traditionally two main styles of automatic hand dryers on the market: Single-stream and multi-stream. Multi-stream dryers have separate dryers for each hand, while single-stream dryers produce a single-stream of air for both hands. Multi-stream dryers are more costly, but they provide the best performance of any dryer on the market.

Shop for low-cost restroom hand drying units on Deelat.com. We offer a range of standard and high-speed dryers at the best prices, with fast shipping available.