How to Remodel Your Old Bathroom: 3 Bathroom Renovation Tips

Bathroom Renovation Tips
Buy at Amazon

With so many options and possibilities to choose from, homeowners who have embarked on a bathroom renovation journey at one point often feel lost at sea. It’s important to know what stays and what has to go. Sometimes even seasoned renovators have to balance the pros and cons. A residential contractor may advise total destruction of the old bathrooms, but it’s ultimately your old bathroom’s design and layout that determines the extent. When it comes to floors and plumbing, showers, sinks, and surrounds, contractors and experts often have their rules of thumb, but don’t forget it’s you who’s calling the shots.

Re-decorating or re-designing

If you’re only giving your bathroom a facelift, your decisions will include adding colored wood trim, introducing a new commode, replacing the old vanity with a more back-friendly one, or replacing blinds with shutters. These updates don’t require re-plumbing and structural modifications, which, in return, call for new floor plans, wiring and lighting. While in the previous decades, the primary use for the bathroom was utilitarian, today, the emphasis is on luxury and relaxation which can be achieved only through a complete overhaul. In some cases, the tub and commode will remain, but the other fixtures and furniture will be replaced. It’s important to know, however, that in overhauls like these, one new element usually dictates adding of another. Another important rule is to go through the renovation with the same high standard. Otherwise, you’ll be pairing a JC Penny suit with Armani shoes.

Fate of the toilet

In a re-decorating scenario, a perfectly good toilet is something that can stay, but once it has to come up from the floor during the remodel, the best course is to replace it. An old toilet taken from its place needs to be rebuilt before it’s returned. However, the tank-to-bowl seals harden over the years and are likely to separate when the toilet is taken out. And the costs of a plumber rebuilding an old unit don’t fall any short of buying a new one. Another consideration concerning the toilet is what every experienced bathroom designer might tell you – put the new toilet where it won’t be the first thing you see when you open the door. The logic is simple – the bathroom door often gets left open, so the first thing a guest to your home will see is the toilet. So, if you’re aiming for a spa-like vibe in your new bathroom, consider hiding the throne behind a hutch like a cabinet wall.

Should tub stay or should tub go

If your tub is nicked, or someone has ‘expertly’ used abrasive cleaners to the point that now it can be everything but white at its best, refinishing or replacing is just a matter of finance. Refinishing a tub is not even a third of the total tub replacement cost which includes tearing up the door, as you can’t get the old one out otherwise. Another pro of refinishing is that you aren’t messing with the lead drain traps that are soldered into place and keeping the existing fixtures. Apart from financial concerns, refinishing is also recommended if it’s just that awful avocado green, rose gold or unsightly brown colour of the tub that’s bothering you. If the floors and wall coverings come down, refinishing, however, loses its economic appeal, and you might as well stretch out for a new bathtub and maybe add some new features to accompany it.

Less is floor

When it comes to floors and remodel, think twice before you decide to rip the old one up. If you like the material and texture of the old floor, and it’s in good condition, keep it. If the floor is in less than ideal shape, you can still restore it, especially if it’s a quality hardwood floor. Similarly, if it’s a tile floor, and only needs re-grouting, leave it be. However, if the tiles are damaged and you don’t have a box of extras sitting somewhere, it’s better to replace it altogether than to lose your nerve looking for the ones that match. With floors, it’s essential to watch your timing and not jump ahead of schedule. The fact that you saved some money on replacing the vinyl flooring yourself means little if you did it before the major remodel started. Not only are you limiting your floor plan options but also put the new floor at risk of being damaged.

Although contractors and renovation experts will have their ideas on how to do it, it’s the condition and layout of the existing bathroom that determines the scope of the remodel. Before you decide about the basics, make sure to answer the question – are you re-decorating or re-designing? The answer will help you decide what to keep and what not.

Bio: Cooper Klein is an entrepreneur with a degree in Marketing. He’s interested in real estate and home decor. In order to spend more time with his family, Cooper decided to take a break, and he’s currently working from home as a blogger for SmoothDecorator and several other sites.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CooperNKlein

How to get Antibiotics Without a Prescription

How to get Antibiotics Without a Prescription
Buy at Amazon

Medical care is one area that we should try to be self-sufficient as possible. Medical personnel become hard pressed to keep up with the need. There’s difficulty in the resupply of the medications and the possibility of running out of stock.

Medical services and medicines may be limited and rationed during disasters.

Medical personnel would be forced to triage patients.  In order to conserve resources. medical staff can only help those who will be needed the most.

I want to ensure that my family won’t miss vital medical treatment.  This means learning first-aid and stockpiling medical supplies.

To a prepper, stockpiling medicines like antibiotics is essential.

However, proper handling of drug is also very crucial.

This article shows the basics on how to get antibiotics without a prescription.

What You Should Know About Antibiotics

Antibiotics are drugs that especially treat bacterial infection. You may wonder your doctor will never prescribe any antibiotic until he gets to see you first. He first needs to check whether what you’re suffering is bacterial or viral infection. This is because viruses don’t respond to antibiotics. If you have a simple flu, the doctor never gives you antibiotics.

Basic knowledge in the difference between bacterial and viral illness may enlighten you, save yourself from worsening, infection, money and time. Here are four tips to guide you in identifying if your infection is bacterial or viral. Take this advice only if you can’t see a doctor.

  • A bacterial illness causes fever. A viral infection doesn’t cause fever.
  • Bacterial infection lasts longer than 10 days while viral infection lasts 2 to 10 days.
  • Bacteria usually cause site-specific symptoms such as those in sinuses, chest or throat. Viral infection normally causes wide-spread symptoms.
  • A bacterial illness typically produces phlegm (yellow, green, bloody or brown-tinged). Viral infection may only produce clear or cloudy mucus.

Typical antibiotic treatment last for 10-14 days. If symptoms persist such as neck pain, severe headache and persistent nausea, it’s best to see a doctor. This would be the worst thing to happen. However, if you are alert enough to see some symptoms, you become eager to get some antibiotics. Unfortunately, you can’t buy antibiotics in US without the doctor’s prescription. You would like to stockpile as an emergency medicine supply.

3 Ways To Obtain Antibiotics Without A Prescription*

  1. Purchase Bird (or Fish) Antibiotics

Fish or Bird antibiotics are the same USP grade antibiotics manufactured by pharmaceutical human use. This means they are the same to the ones prescribed for people. They also come in capsule or tablet forms.

  • Ciprofloxacin – Fish Flox Forte (500 mg)
  • Metronidazole – Fish Zole Forte (500 mg)
  • Amoxicillin Capsules – Fish Mox Forte (500 mg)
  • Erythromycin – Fish Mycin Forte Pure Powder (300 mg)

You can also include Doxycycline – Bird Biotic (100 mg)

  1. Purchase Antibiotics From Mexico

Some Americans freely buy medicines without doctor’s prescription, selling prescription, selling prescription medicines. Americans is a big industry in Mexico.  Pharmacies line the streets of border towns such as Tijuana and Nagales.

  1. Purchase through Online Stores in Other Countries Where Human Antibiotics Can Be Bought Legally Over the Country

Antibiotics can be sold legally without prescription as long as the online shop is located in a country that does not require a doctor’s prescription for a drug.

However, this is still breaking the law. Importing non-prescribed antibiotics over the internet is a very low priority for the authorities. For example, there is one online shop that sells human antibiotics (based in Cyprus).

What are the Antibiotics that You Should Stockpile

There are a variety of kinds of antibodies out in the market, some are generic and some are branded.

For the most part, you want to stockpile the ones that will be useful in the widest variety of applications. Those are especially the ones which treat common infections caused by injuries.

Here Are Some Must-Haves Antibiotics

Amoxicillin

This is a good general antibiotic for many types of bacterial infections. It is safe for children and even pregnant women, although, some may be very allergic to it.

Azitrhomycin

Azitrhomycin is a great brand of antibiotic used for a lot of kinds of infections. The problem is that you can’t easily find or even buy it. It needs prescription to buy.

Erythromycin

One of the most effective antibiotics to use for infected wounds and injuries. Erythromycin can also be used for ear and respiratory infections, as well as some STDs. Safe for women and children. However, some people experience side effects, such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Ciprofloxacin

Best for things like urinary tract infections, prostate infections, respiratory tract infections (such as bronchitis or pneumonia), bacterial diarrhea, anthrax, and diverticulitis or infectious colitis (when combined with Metronidazole).

Children, pregnant women or nursing mothers should not take Cirprofloxin.

Cephalexin

It is great for almost any type of respiratory infection (bronchitis, pneumonia, strep throat, etc.) and middle ear infections. Cephalexin is safe for pregnant women and children and only has few side effects

Keflex

Keflex is a great antibiotic that can treat infections that are antibiotic resistant.  You can’t take Keflex if you are allergic to cephalexin or any other drugs such as in this link.

Zithromax

This is a ‘big gun’ antibiotic that treat hard to treat bacterial infections. It’s a good choice for people who are allergic to penicillin and its various derivatives. Zithromax is typically sold in a five pill, 5 day pack. People who have liver problems should not to use Zithromax.

How Much of Survival Antibiotics Should You Stockpile

Antibiotics are often taken twice a day during a ten days period. Zithromax is one notable exception for this. Also, in most cases, to treat an infection needs two pills. There are various of kinds of antibiotics for that type of infection they treat. Having 100 pills of one kind of antibiotic is still insufficient. You will likely need more than 100 other types of antibiotic.

The amount of variety of antibiotics depends on the kind of infection experienced by your family in the past. For example, if your child has had many wound infection, the kind of antibiotic differs according to its potency in killing the bacteria.

According to studies, bacteria have the ability to easily create a kind of protein that may help counteract the antibiotics.

Instead, some surviving ones will be able to identify the antibiotic and create their own version to make them immune to this kind of antibiotic. So the next time, this set of new bacteria encounters this same antibiotic. They are already immune and the antibiotic becomes ineffective.

The next time you use the same antibiotic to treat the same infection, it may heal slowly. It may need higher potency of the antibiotics. The cycle goes on. If another infection happens, you also upgrade your antibiotics. This is the reason why doctors need to prescribe you the right kind of antibiotic for the kind of infection you have, including your history of medications.

Where Can You Get Survival Antibiotics Without Prescription?

Like mentioned, Mexico is one of the nearest place to buy these antibiotics. US pharmacies don’t allow selling them with prescription. There is also some Canadian pharmaceutical houses that sell through mail-order, without prescription.

The Risk of Taking Antibiotics Without Prescription

One thing to take note is the presence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. According to World Health Organization (WHO), two of the reasons that they continue to emerge that make it harder to treat common diseases like pneumonia, tuberculosis, gonorrhoea, and salmonellosis, is misuse and overuse of antibiotics in humans and in animals.

Antibiotics-resistant bacteria means higher medical costs, longer hospital stay and higher chance of complications in infections. Aside from misuse and overuse, lack of infection prevention and control increases chance for the bacteria to be resistant.

Did You Know That?

There are kinds of bacteria commonly called as “Superbug” because of their high resistance to any kind of antibiotic. This is the effect of mishandling antibiotics that these super-resistant bacteria have emerged.

Conclusion

Even if you want to stockpile for your own survival medical stock, it still pays to know the dangers and limitations especially when dealing with antibiotics. Antibiotics, just like any other drugs also have side effects. Even if they are life saver in times of injury or infection, improper dosage or mishandling may have serious consequences.

For more tips and information on prepping, visit  https://preparedbee.com/

* Note from Dave: This is a guest post – I am not a doctor nor a lawyer and I cannot advise you to break the law.  I have not tried getting medicine from other countries personally nor do I plan to.  I have had good results with things like Dakin’s solution, Sugardine, and the occasional vet medication.

How to Tell If Your Pet Has Health Problems

How to Tell If Your Pet Has Health Problems
Click to view More

Pets are the best companions that you can have. With their innocence and playful spirit; it hardly takes any time for us to consider them a part of our very own family. However, they cannot express their feelings as easily as we do.

Being the pet owner it is important that you stay a little alert to detect any health issues that your lovely companion might be going through.

As your pets grow and start aging, it is very natural for them to witness health complications. Arthritis, lack of memory power, poor digestive capacity are some of the major problems that elderly pets suffer from. With a little care and following a healthier lifestyle for the pets can really reduce the pain that they suffer.

For example, if you own an elderly dog make sure to give a good quality natural pain relief for dogs to help them deal with aging. Following are a few ways that can help you tell if your pet has health problems-

If your pet is not eating properly

Sickness or health complications lead to lack of hunger. If you notice that your pet is not eating enough, consider it a sign that you need to visit the vet. The earlier you approach the vet, the easier it is to cure the problem.

Lack of playful spirit

Pets like dogs, cats, rabbits etc. are known for their playful spirit. They love to jump, run, and play around. Hence, if you witness a reduction in the playful spirit of your pet; make sure to visit the vet without any delay. Lack of willingness to play or do physical movements may be because your pet is suffering from joint pain issues. Make sure to give your elderly pets joint pain relief supplement like pet bounce for dogs. This natural pain relief for dogs work great and you can easily give it by mixing in their food.

Dental Problems

Dental problems are also very common among pets; especially in the last years. Make sure to notice bad breath, bleeding gums, increased drooling, red or swollen gums, plaque etc. on your pet and seek professional help on time. Dental health problems may even result into eating difficulty, irregular eating habits and subsequent weight loss.

How to Tell If Your Pet Has Health Problems

If your pet is sleeping most of the time and shows no interest when you try to play with them; they might be suffering from health problems. Make sure you get them examined as early as possible.

Increase your knowledge

All pets are different and unique from one another. Hence, you need to know the signs and symptoms of the common health problems that your pet is exposed to. Whether you own a bird, a dog or a fish; try to expand your own knowledge so as to ensure that you don’t miss any chance to detect health problems at its early stage.

Sudden weight loss or gain

Your pets need to be healthy to look healthy. If you see the pet gaining or losing weight all of a sudden, discuss it with the vet and get your pet examined.

A little alertness on your part can make in big difference in your pet’s life. Make sure you never take the above-mentioned signs lightly. Make life comfortable and healthier for your pet. Approach the vet on time and enjoy a healthy and joyous togetherness with your pet.

 

Adjustable Foam Cannon for Pressure Washer

Adjustable Foam Cannon for Pressure Washer

Rydell Auto Accessories Car Wash Adjustable Foam Cannon for Pressure Washer
Click to View More

As I said in the video I got this cannon to try to make aircrete, I was skeptical, because I figured it would add too much water, but since I also have siding and cars that need cleaning, I figured I had nothing to loose.  Turns out I was right, this is not the right tool to make foam for aerated cement, but it does a wonderful job cleaning stuff.

Right out of the box I could tell the quality of this foam cannon, this is a solid tool and the sellers added a good sized roll of Teflon tape to help with installation, which is a nice gesture.

There were no instructions in the box, but if you need them then you probably shouldn’t be using a tool as dangerous as a pressure washer….  Press the hose onto the barb, screw on the soap container after adding soap, and finish by screwing in the right adapter for your wand.

Its simple to put together and should not take you more than a couple minutes.  I took me an additional couple of minutes to figure out to controls as I had never used a foam cannon before.  the nozzle turns to create a solid stream or a fan shaped mist.  the dial on the top controls to amount of foam made.  I used both extremes, one to wet and rinse the car, and another to cover it in foam.

This device is inexpensive and really helped was old tree sap off my car.  Dirt came off touch free, but the stubborn tar took a little (not a lot) of additional scrubbing with a rag.

All in all, I think this is a great product, and I would definitely get it again.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BT5G7HL

 

10 Items to Keep in Your Survival Kit

10 Items to Keep Your Survival Chances in Check
Buy at Amazon

Zombie apocalypse. Doomsday. End of the world.

These are some of the situations that we just regularly see in movies, TV shows, or in books. We tend to be amazed on how the protagonist manages to survive a certain kind of situation that seems impossible to escape. But have you ever thought of your escape plan if ever these situations happen in your lifetime? More importantly, have you ever thought of the things that you need to have in order to survive?

And if natural disasters and panic have already raged your neighborhood, will you just get the items that you instantly see based on your instincts and or will you easily grab your ever-reliable emergency survival kits and run as fast as you can for your dear life? For me, the latter sounds much better.

Of course, preparing ahead is much, much better compared to rushing things especially during doomsday where the atmosphere is already tense, nerve-wracking and full of fear. A prepper naturally has the foresight and prepares everything as organized and as detailed as possible. You wouldn’t want to miss out on a single item that you need to have for you and your loved ones’ survival.

Here are 10 Items to Keep in Your Survival Kit in order to have to keep your survival chances in check if ever the worse day happens.

1. Water Supply To Quench Your Thirst

This comes first in our list. Without water for 3 to 4 days, you’ll eventually die and that is the ultimate situation that you need to avoid as you fight for survival. You will definitely need to have ‘drinking’ water intact and not just any other type of water unless you want to die of other water-related diseases. Have a big table-top ceramic filter type of water container to store your drinking water.

2. Food Storage To Avoid Starving

This is a no-brainer if you really want to survive doomsday. Come the end of the world, major supermarkets will definitely run out of their food supply because of the panicking people that filled the supermarkets and retail stores. You can choose to store and prepare survival food kits that match your nutritional needs. Don’t forget to address the food allergies of your family for your survival. Make sure that these food kits will last longer, say 6 months. These survival food kits in case of disasters will surely provide you food and energy that you need if ever the food supply totally runs out in your area.

3. A Handgun For Defense

If the situation becomes truly chaotic (think of the possibility if zombies attack you at your own home or if other people desperately try to get your food supply), you will need a handgun for self-defense and for defending your family. For example, if your home alarm system has been destroyed by an earthquake, you need to be aware of burglars and people who will target your house for their own supplies. Learn how to use one and for starters, experts recommend having handgun that you are comfortable shooting in a caliber that is 9mm or larger. Don’t forget to load set-defense ammunition in the handgun, that is what it is made for.

4. A Portable Radio To Be In The Loop

After you have safely evacuated your chaotic neighborhood, you’ll definitely need to be in the loop on the current events in your area and for possible safe places that you can evacuate to. Having a portable radio will allow you to stay informed and this is a great advantage since information is power.

5. First-Aid Kits

Prepping for the worst day also includes preparing for what might happen along the way during your escape. In case of an emergency, make a handy list of your first-aid essentials such as regular medicines, antibiotics, and gauze bandages if you or a family member ever gets wounded while on the run. Check to ensure that you have enough of each item in your first-aid kit.

 6. A Handy Map And A Compass

Another no-brainer, these will come in handy should you need to locate the fastest and easiest escape route towards the next safe place. Yes, a lot of people are relying on their GPS or their other gadgets but if battery runs low, then your map will be your golden ticket to survival. Have a good quality road map of your area or secure a topographical map of your hometown and possible retreat areas. Along with a map, a compass will also come into good use if you need to go around the woods for your safety.

7. Flashlights

This will be extremely useful at night and for dark places that you might encounter. Be sure to have extra batteries as well for this item. A handy L.E.D flashlight that produces a strong light is needed for your survival.

8. Lighter And Fire Starters

If ever you need to stay out in the woods for several days, you will need lighters, matches and other fire starters to keep you warm and to possibly cook food as well. This will also be handy should you need to boil dirty water for it to be potable.

9. The Reliable Swiss Army Knife

This item is definitely included in the top security items list. A Swiss Army Knife is incredibly handy and valuable thanks to every function that it can do for your survival. You’ll never know when you’ll need it especially if you’re in an area where certain tools are out of reach.

10. A Hiking Backpack

You might think of the need for a place to put all the necessary items for your survival. Why not go for your hiking backpack as your “bug out” bag? Be sure that it has plenty of space and/or compartments and check to be sure you can carry it with a full load of your essential items. This will contain all of your emergency survival kits so be sure that your backpack is strong and intact.

Having this top 10 security items list will serve as your preparedness guide for terrible events such as doomsday. Properly securing and preparing each item will definitely help you in your survival and you will be assured that you’ve prepared ahead of those terrible times in the future.