August 2020

Solar energy has become quite the trend since 2016, when the federal tax credit for solar panel installations was extended out to 2020. Thousands of solar contractors came into existence then since and the same can be said for solar panel manufacturers. As with anytime a big influx comes into an industry, more products will be sold with less quality. With so many new manufacturers trying to push their products, it has become increasingly harder to separate the wheat from the chaff when it comes to quality solar panels. Thankfully, if you find an experienced solar installer with years of experience in the industry they are likely to have a great source for high quality, top rated solar panels. There are a few different qualities that separate good solar panels from even greater ones, we have decided to compile a list of those attributes to make it easier for you to spot the best products!

Energy Efficiency

Energy output is one of the most important factors to take into account when selecting solar panels. Higher quality panels are going to have a better energy efficiency and give you more bang for your buck with your installations.

Durability

Most residential and commercial solar installations are found on rooftops exposed to the elements. As a result, high quality solar panels are designed to take a beating from nature, they are built of higher quality materials and can withstand hazards like wind and rain much better than other panels.

Like we mentioned earlier, the easiest way to find the best solar panels is to contact the best rated solar companies! ESD Solar, the premier solar company in Tampa Bay and Florida, is a great place to start! With thousands of completed solar installations under their belts, the contractors at ESD will be able to source the highest quality product for your project!

This post was written by Daniel Massaad, owner and expert solar technician at Energy Solutions Direct! ESD is one of the premier Tampa solar companies! Our licensed and certified contractor are masters of their craft; with years of experience servicing the great Tampa Bay area and beyond, the choice is simple. ESD excels at offering you the best in solar value!

Do you suspect that your shower area’s tiles are starting to leak water? Have several of your tiles become lose especially after a shower? If so, then you likely have a water leakage issue on hand. In this article, we will be going over how the grout that is found between your tiles is vulnerable leaks and how you can perform a DIY  leak repair.

In most cases, leakages are triggered by a failing in the grout in your bathroom. Tracking the cause of your shower seepage might conserve you money if you feel comfortable dealing with a grouting repair.

Determine the Source of the Leak

A sure fire way of testing a shower floor to see if it leakages is to position a drain stop in the shower drain and load the pan up with water to the degree of where the wall begins. If the water settles for 10 hours without a leak appearing beneath the shower or the ceiling underneath, it is likely that the liner is intact and is safeguarding your home from water damages.

Grout Breakdown

With time and in cases where the shower is frequently made use of, deterioration begin to show in the grout and caulk which do deteriorate. Grout ought to be resealed every couple of years to keep the soundness of the shower.

Where products break down, mold unfailingly begins to grow and penetrates the mortar bed where it flourishes in a location where both water and organic substance are bountiful (the 2 points mold requires to grow).

When the property owner proceeds to clean the shower floor, oftentimes they can not push out the mold and mildew or if it disappears, it returns quickly as the cause can never be gotten to. This resembles tugging weeds and only getting the top and not the roots– the trouble grows right back.

Replacing the Grout

Clean soap scum and mold from the entire location, and after that examine the grout in between the ceramic tiles. Get rid of any loosened pieces (with a hammer and narrow chisel, grout saw, rotary tool, or perhaps an old flat-head screwdriver), until you reach sturdy grout. After extensively scraping and brushing out the joints, make use of a sponge or grout tube to use the new grout. (Pre-mixed grout, available in squeeze tubes or in tiny tubs, will probably be most convenient to utilize.) Wipe off any excess with a wet sponge after it has set.

To seal the joint where the porcelain tile meets the bathtub or shower flooring frying pan, scrape out and replace the old caulk. Thereafter, allow it about 3 days to rest and firm up. Perform a water pool test to replacement that the installation has been successful.

Your room is probably the best place in your house. It’s a place to relax, sit in a giant bean bag, and just read a book, browse through your phone, or just veg out. If you are looking to give your room that personal flair, why not check out the list of the # coolest things that you can have in your room. 

This list will give you an idea of what to include when you want to take it from bland to awesome. Everyone has their own personal preferences and tastes. So what are some things that you want? 

If you seem stuck on some ideas, don’t worry. We’re here to help you find what will look good in your room (so long as it fits your personal tastes). Enough talk, let’s get to the list:

• Cell phone and tablet holder

We are on our phones and tablets every day. So why not get a holder for it so you can free up your hands more often? You can sit back, navigate through your device, and be able to use your hands for other tasks. 

Whether it’s an iPhone, iPad, or an Android phone there’s a holder that will fit almost every device that you can hold in your hand. The best part about this holder is that you can rest it on a desktop and let it sit there while using your desktop computer. Most of them are in great quality, especially at the price they are going for these days. 

• Giant bean bag

Bean bag chairs are still the “in” thing even after so many decades. They are still comfortable than ever before. You can sit, lay back, and snooze for a few hours. 

Today, they’re bigger and sturdier than ever. Not to mention, they have giant bean bag chairs and beds for dogs as well. Put one in your room and you might have a nice place to relax with your four-legged best friend. 

• Portable video DLP Mini Projector

Back in the day, projectors were huge and clunky. Plus, they were impossible to fit in your pocket. If we were to tell you 20 years ago that a projector so small that it fits in your pocket would exist, you’d call us crazy.

Guess what? We’re not crazy anymore. They do exist. 

You can connect these to your phone, tablet, or computer. Compared to old school projectors, the picture is brighter and sharper by a large margin. Simply put, the picture quality is just awesome. 

And they are awesome. In fact, there are mini projectors that can adjust to different screen sizes. They can extend from 30 to 100 inches so you can watch your favorite videos and movies in any desirable size. Imagine with one pocket-sized device you can turn your room into a movie theatre. 

Now that you have the projector, now you can pop some popcorn, sit back and watch something. 

• Bluetooth speaker

There are times when you want to listen to some music. And you want the sound to fill the entire room. Sure enough, you’ll get that with a good Bluetooth speaker. 

Once you are able to connect Bluetooth to it, you can play music from Spotify, YouTube, Google Music, and so many other places. Most of these speakers have waterproof cases, which will mean you can take this speaker to the bathroom so you can listen to music (and sing in the shower). 

• Bedside lamp with speaker

While there are standalone Bluetooth speakers, some of them are part of something else. You can get a bedside lamp that has a built-in speaker. So you’re basically killing two birds with one stone. 

These lamps have multiple color features so you can choose a color based on your mood or whichever you prefer to create your perfect environment. You can listen to music and the light can move along with the music. 

Of course, these lamps aren’t complete without their built-in sleep timers. You can also adjust the lighting levels so you can keep it well lit most of the night and dim it down as you’re about to hit the sack. 

Final Thoughts

Your room is a place where you can really let your personality shine through. It’s your own personal space where you can decorate it to your own taste. And there are plenty of cool things to have. 

Whether it’s a lamp with a Bluetooth speaker, LED lights, or a beanbag chair you can never go wrong with what you can add as part of your decor. Make it a place where you can walk in and be proud of it. Also, keep the clutter to a minimum if you can help it. 

If you are decorating your room, put together a budget, and browse online for some item ideas. You might find a few that will stand out and vibe with your personal tastes.