#DIY Concrete Mixing

[ramimarly]

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[mudmixersblog]

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[marybatson]

sorry to be purposefully obtuse for the fun of it but modern buildings don’t even lay bricks like that im laughinggg

[leebrontide]

After two years in this house we're finally doing the DIY project I've wanted to do since before we closed.

The kitchen in Rhombus house was last updated in exactly 1990. It features knobless honey oak cabinets, a Styrofoam tile drop ceiling, florescent lights, a sad and cracked yellow and beige vinyl floor, and, my personal top pet peeve, a badly chipped warm beige laminate countertop.

But new countertops are VERY expensive and we spent all our money on insulation and windows with fancy features like being able to close all the way.

But the countertops are so sad and chipped and pathetic that it's kind of like...we can't really make them worse, you know? And there's a freedom in that.

So, last year, we got a fancy white concrete skimcoat mix, and bits of colored recycled glass to add some shimmer. It was incredibly cheap. Like $100. Now we have finally secured childcare and means of keeping cats out of the kitchen.

I wouldn't do a poured concrete countertop because my sister had one in her house and after a decade it warped so badly you could get your whole hand under the hump.

But we're gonna try this skimcoat, then sand it, then seal it.

Because, again, we can't really make the countertops any worse.

Plus, I got a bigass white enamel farmhouse sink for free on craigslist we can put in.

Will report back.

[where-are-the-ninja-today]

Yup, new research! So now, since the logic and science behind the whole thing is in hands of professional scientists, (and from my point of vision i would be in a dead end of research on The Science) i am gonna be updating more on what i got about the general timeline of the whole sky-pirates saga.

So far the concrete events discovered are:

> Return of Nadakhan and his crew into Ninjago

> Chuncks of the city rose into the skies, and at least one of them still had a civilan on it (the one i floated on)

> Cole lasted longer than Kai did, and had to retrive something from the pirate ship, (basing on the fact that Kai, in that answers-ask you recieved, said he only saw dreams of green crystals space, but Cole had dreams with stuff happening before he got to the green crystal space), which means at least that ninjas where defeated in that whole saga over a stretched period of time, and not one by one

> Ninjas were out of public's favor at some point (my friend's another friend shared that they remember having a very vivid dream about seeing ninjas being arrested and sent to jail for something, but knowing what i know thanks to hindsight of knowing about Nadakhan and having research done, i am suspecting they were framed)

> I had the gall to jump from definetly higher than a sky-scarper with a bedsheet for a parachute (wow. Sure glad that got erased, if that was real, or that it never actualy happened if the whole thing realy was 'just' a multiplayer dream (it still is yet to be determined by the scientists which one is true))

About the alt fasion, i don't have any brand recomendations, but i do have a bit of an advice on sewing and general diy work. For sewing training, start off with small, easy stuff like making fingeless gloves and very simple doll outfits out of socks.

Also, don't worry about making it messy, worst case worst, expand on the mess and make it look like it's intentional, or even just embrace the bad as is, it's allright, and if anyone dogs on you about it, they're just plain wrong.

Besides, you can always just use manicure scisors to cut the thread, take off a patch you ended up changing your mind about/messed up stitch-work, kinda mish-mush the cloth around the freshly patch'less area, (Just go between the threads of cloth while sewing, instead of ripping through the threads that make up the cloth. It's kinda easy on anything that is made of fabric/wool, just use a thiner needle and give your needle's point a slightest wiggle whenever it meets any resistance), and it's all fine, as if no one ever sewn anything onto it before

You can also just pin the patches on with safety pins, if you are too worried about sewing. That'll make them interchangeable and easy-to-move too! It would be a hastle to un-pin everything before sending it to washing machine tho, so take that into account

As for patches themselfs, you can make 'em out of old clothes that are too small to fit and too worn out to donate or scraps of cloth from any other projects, and i don't remember which paint, but you can mix some paints with fabric softener and use it to paint patch-art on the cloth. you can also use bleach for some cloths. (Please do make sure you do some safety research and do the chemicals work somewhere with good air flow and take safety precautions!)

(OOC: the advice is given both in and out of character, if that needs to be specified ówò" )

- ��� anon, (OOC P.S.: sorry if this is a bit too long, or actualy not that warranted, i just figured it'd be nice to share some knowlage on diy'ing for alt fasion stuff with someone who has an interest in the alt fasion, and then it ran by itself (.‸ .")7 )

ooo timeline very informative

this is very informative thank you for the fashion tips mushroom anon 🫡🫡🫡 I will attempt this with my old socks

[screenmobile]

Does a Patio Need a Foundation? What You Should Know Before You Build

So, you’re thinking about adding a patio. Maybe you want a cozy spot for morning coffee, a space for weekend BBQs, or just a solid upgrade to your backyard. But before you break ground, there’s one big question—does a patio need a foundation?

The short answer? It depends. Some patios can sit right on the ground, while others need a solid foundation to keep them from shifting, cracking, or sinking over time. Let’s break it down so you can figure out what works best for your home in South Bend.

Patio vs. Deck—Is There a Difference?

Before we jump into foundations, let’s clear up a common mix-up: patios vs. decks.

Patios sit directly on the ground. They’re made of materials like concrete, pavers, brick, or stone.

Decks are elevated structures, usually built with wood or composite boards, supported by posts and footings.

Decks always need a foundation, but patios? Not necessarily. The deciding factors include climate, material, and ground conditions.

When a Patio Needs a Foundation

While patios don’t need the deep foundations decks require, some situations do call for a stable base:

1. You’re Using Heavy Materials

If you’re going for a concrete slab patio or large stone pavers, you’ll need a compacted base underneath. Otherwise, over time, the weight can cause shifting or cracking.

2. You’re Dealing with Soft or Shifting Soil

South Bend’s climate can be unpredictable, with rain, snow, and freeze-thaw cycles affecting the ground. If your soil is clay-heavy or prone to erosion, a foundation helps prevent sinking and uneven settling.

3. You Want a Long-Lasting Patio

Technically, you can lay pavers right on the ground, but without a base, they’ll shift, sink, and grow weeds in between. A compacted gravel and sand base keeps everything stable.

4. You’re Building on a Slope

Got a slightly sloped yard? A foundation (or retaining wall) helps level out the area before installing your patio. Otherwise, you might end up with a lopsided setup.

When a Patio Can Skip the Foundation

There are some cases where a full foundation isn’t necessary:

If you’re using gravel or mulch for a casual, relaxed patio space.

If you’re installing interlocking pavers and using a flexible, well-compacted base.

If your soil is naturally firm and doesn’t shift much with seasonal changes.

Even in these cases, you’ll still want some level of prep work—like clearing out grass and compacting the ground—to avoid future headaches.

What Type of Foundation is Best for a Patio?

Okay, let’s say you do need a foundation. What kind should you go with? Here’s a quick rundown:

1. Gravel and Sand Base (Best for Pavers and Brick)

Ideal for DIY patios

Provides drainage and prevents shifting

Requires compacting with a tamper or plate compactor

2. Concrete Slab (Best for Permanent Patios)

Durable and long-lasting

Works well in South Bend’s freeze-thaw cycles

More expensive but low maintenance

3. Crushed Stone with Geotextile Fabric (Best for Preventing Weeds and Erosion)

Great for areas with soft soil

Helps prevent weeds from growing between pavers

Adds stability while allowing drainage

4. Pier Footings (For Raised or Covered Patios)

Needed if your patio will support a structure (like a pergola or sunroom)

Ensures stability and prevents sinking

Common Patio Foundation Mistakes to Avoid

Even if you’re hiring a contractor, it’s good to know what not to do. Some of the biggest mistakes include:

Skipping the base entirely. (Sure, it saves time—until your patio starts sinking.)

Not compacting the base properly. Loose soil leads to shifting over time.

Ignoring drainage. Without proper grading, water can pool and damage your patio.

Using the wrong materials for your soil type. South Bend’s clay-heavy soil? You’ll need extra drainage layers.

Do You Need a Permit for a Patio in South Bend?

In many cases, no. Most simple patios—like pavers or a concrete slab under 30 inches high—don’t require a permit in South Bend. However, if you’re:

Adding a roof, walls, or a pergola

Digging deep footings

Building near property lines

…it’s best to check with South Bend’s building department to avoid any surprises.

Final Thoughts

If you’re investing in a patio, taking the time to prep the ground is absolutely worth it. Even a basic gravel base can prevent long-term headaches like sinking, cracking, and uneven surfaces.

Want a hassle-free way to upgrade your patio? Screenmobile South Bend specializes in outdoor solutions, from screened-in patios to retractable enclosures—giving you a beautiful, bug-free space to enjoy year-round.

Thinking about a patio upgrade? Reach out today and let’s bring your vision to life.

[falloutnewvegastransedmygender]

Nulli Dii, Nulli Domini - Ophelia Bacon Epilogue (Part 1) Ophelia and Julie drafted a new constitution for the Mojave, know as the Mojave charter. Each region would be run independently, with their own selected representative to organize the structure. Freeside elected to have dual representation in Julie and the King. Vegas had Ophelia herself be their representative, though she deferred this to Veronica, who had become quite the figure in her cocktail dresses. As she would take on the duty of Mojave Guardian, in charge of protecting all the communities between the Rocky Mountains and the Colorado River. She established her base in Novac, an ideal launch point for any action due to its central location. Primm elected to have Johnson Nash represent them, and Goodsprings of course had Trudy do the honors. Part of Ophelia's role as the Mojave Guardian was to travel and get their reports instead of them risking travel themselves. Novac actually elected to have Manny represent them. Arguing that he was the reason they had survived. Trading Post 144 mostly collapsed, so Ophelia simply had some Securitrons post there to keep the roads safe. Boulder City took some time to settle on their leader, but eventually settled on a young woman named Rosalie. Jacobstown, a bit surprised to be included, defaulted to having Marcus be their representative. Ophelia sent no Securitrons there, a sign of trust in the Super Mutants, and slowly the town became a place for all peoples to mix freely. Especially as treatments for the Nightkin and Ghouls who felt their sanity slipping were pioneered. Ophelia extended the olive branch to the Powder Gangers, both those in Vault 19 and the NCRCF. She spoke to them, knowing they had been political prisoners. Offering to send them back to NCR, or help them build a new community in the region. Given the fight at Goodsprings, many thought she was lying. Over the months and years though, she eventually convinced them to try again. No NCR ruling class would exist here. Westside decided to have a show of strength and elected to have Red Lucy be their representative. This lasted about three months before she told them to fuck off. With their show of force option out the door, they elected to have Anderson become their representative. The surviving Fiends began to integrate primarily into this community following their treatment plans from the facilities Ophelia set up at Sunset Sarsaparilla HQ, either quitting drugs entirely or managing moderation. Sloan began to boom as Ophelia needed more concrete for her construction projects. She was building schools and housing and wells and she needed concrete. The miners simply elected whoever they had as the work chief represent them. Ophelia's route through Sloan often meant meeting a new work chief frequently.

[alvfr]

The Ex from Hell - Part 1

[Part 1] [Part 2] [Part 3]

This is what I wrote based on this prompt here and I liked it so much it spawned more parts, so I'm trying to collect them. I'd love to hear your thoughts if you take the time to read and feel free to reblog if you want <3

WIP: The Ex from Hell Excerpt rating: T Word count: 2.4k

The important thing to remember, was that I was not trying to summon a demon. The fact that I was not trying to summon a demon while performing a ritual to summon a demon definitely complicated things, but my life was nothing if not complicated. It should not have worked. I had skipped half the so-called essential equipment and preparations listed in the Book, slapped the sigil down in broad messy strokes using a broken makeup brush, and mumbled most of the incantations under my breath so low I barely heard it myself. It should not have worked.

And yet, the sigil — painted in bright millenial pink leftover from a DIY project — started to glow on the concrete floor. So far along, the ritual pulled out the rest of the incantations from my mouth, I could not have stopped now even if I tried, while a tension built everywhere in the room, including my body. It pushed and pulled in my chest, my throat, my sinuses, my skull, my eyes — growing and growing until I feared my whole head would pop right off my shoulders. It did not. With the anti-climax of a cut trip wire, the dam burst and the sigil flashed so bright I almost lost my vision and was left to stare blindly at the vaguely humanoid shape appearing in a vortex of smoke and shadows. The smell of burning filled the damp basement, mixing with the sickening odor of mold and rotten wood.

The thing, still concealed in the dark, spoke in a guttural tone; its language sounding as old and dead as the civilization it once stemmed from. Probably asking the standard question about which foolish mortal had dared summon them, yadda yadda yadda. Stars continued to dance before my eyes and I blinked several times in order to adjust to the dim light after all the poor LED-candles had gone out from the demon’s arrival.

“English, please,” I said and coughed from the thick smog that coiled into my throat. “And can you do something about that smoke before it sets off the carbon monoxide detector?”

To its credit, the smoke cleared in an instant while a way-too-familiar voice said in perfect modern-day English: “You have got to be kidding me.”

And as my eyes adjusted, I wished they had not. For standing in the circle atop the haphardouzly painted sigil, naked and perfectly sculpted like a mahogany statue, stood none other than my ex-husband. 

“Santiago?” I spat, out of breath and unable to put the appropriate amount of venom into his name. “What are youdoing here?”

Because it was him. Everything about him exactly as I remembered, apart from his eyes that glowed a dull red, like the reflection of a distant hellfire. Not even the finest shapeshifter or body double could manage such a perfect replica and especially not the expression of pure and utter contempt highlighted by the curl of his lip and the pull of his brows. 

“What am I doing here?” His voice, unheard for seven years now, cut its way through my ear canals like every vowel wielded a razor. Determined to carve out the path again after all this time. “I was summoned! An exclusive VIP-can’t-refuse-can’t deny invitation dragging me back to this horror show of a dimension. The real question is, what are youdoing here? And where,” he swept his muscular arm along the room with his suspicious glare trailing, “is the foolish mortal who dared summon me and will regret it to their dying day?”

“What did you just call me?” 

“I called you nothing!”

“Foolish mortal?” I repeated in a mocking deep voice, arms already crossed over my chest and hip cocked to the side. “Why do you talk like some kind of,” the realization slapped into my brain like a ruler over my fingers, taking the question mark out of my mouth as I whispered, “demon.”

Instead of the hard denial a part of me still hoped for, Santiago’s vivid attention returned to me and my skin grew prickly and cold. He tilted his head, like a grown hellhound burdened with behavior imprinted as a puppy, a habit always displayed when he was confused. “You summoned me?”

“No!” The word shot out before I could stop it and I gritted my teeth before amending it to: “Well, yes, but not on purpose.”

“You what then? Tripped over the paint bucket, swore in ancient Akkadian and accidentally performed a summoning ritual?” Santiago took a step forward, stopped and gave his surroundings another disdainful glance. His lip curled further into what could only be classified as a snarl. “Now what in the eight blazing hells is this?”

“Nothing.” I bit my teeth together, but was helpless at the sound of his impatient snort. “It’s just a circle.”

“A circle? This isn’t a circle, it’s a damned fun fair laser show.”

“It’s a circle, gods be damned! It just happens to be made up of LED-strips.” My defence raised immediately at the sight of his disbelieving face, the distant memories all too close in the blink of an eye. “You make do with what you have, all right?”

“Of course. A circle, made from whatever trash you happened to have lying around. What are you, some kind of,” his voice turned cold and changed its pitch before his last word, “witch.” He drew his hand over his mouth, each of his fingers ending in sharp black nails I had failed to notice before. “Oh, no.”

“Yeah, oh no. For once, I agree with you. “I barely looked up from where my finger trailed the handwritten lines of the Book. “Now shut up for a second.”

“What are you doing?”

“Trying to see if I accidentally used the Summon-A-Lying-Two-Timing-Scumbag spell instead of the Summon-A-Demon one! Not that they’re mutually exclusive, as demonstrated by your very presence.” I slapped the book shut, erupting a cloud of dust that made me cough. “I can’t believe you never told me you were a frickin’ demon, Santi!”

His voice sounded like a roaring waterfall just before the surface. “Just like you never told me you were a filthy, disgusting witch!” 

Witch. Witch witch witch witch witch.

“Because I’m not!” Again, the pressure in my chest made me chomp down on my own lip. “Or I wasn’t. Look, I used to be one, then I quit, and now I’m sort of back, but I don’t really want to be, okay?”

“Glad to see your remarkable eloquence has remained unchanged.” Santiago’s hooded eyes looked heavier than before, as if consumed with instant boredom in my presence. The familiarity wreaked havoc with my insides. “And you never cared to mention this during our three years of holy matrimony?”

“There was nothing holy about our marriage,” I snapped back, my knuckles turning white from clutching the Book in my hands. “Apart from the sex. Speaking of, could you use your demonic shenanigans and conjure some clothes?”

His voice smoothed as river water reaching the sea as his lean body tightened further. “Am I distracting you?”

“Yes,” I bit out, knowing myself defenceless from trying to subjugate the truth. For all the hardships our marriage had suffered, his physical appearance had not been part of it. “I honestly thought I’d never have to say this again, but cover up your damned dick, Santi.”

So familiar with the workings of his face, I recognized both when his mouth moved to stretch into a dangerous smile and when it stopped in puzzlement. The way the nostrils of his slightly hooked nose flared, the way his thick eyebrows twitched up — either struggling with the effort of conjuring the loose pants materializing on his lower body or with the effort of fighting it.

“What,” he growled, “in the eight hells is this?”

“I told you. It’s a circle.”

“You trapped me! Spellbound me! Oh, you dirty little sneaky witch, you really are all the same, aren’t you?”

“I sure as hell didn’t have plans to make any kind of pact, if that’s what you mean. And definitely not with you.” I forfeited his attention in favor of the Book, flipping through crinkled pages in fast succession. “Now can you shut up?”

“What are you looking for now, witch, in that little book of yours?” 

“A vanquishing spell. We need to get you out of here.”

A puff of smoke came out his nostrils. “Hmph. You went through all this trouble just to cast me aside again? Without telling me why I’m even here? For what purpose you summoned me?” Even while straining my eyes on the Book, Santiago’s glare sent shivers down my spine. “Which of the tedious reasons can it be? Humans are all the same, after all. My first guess would be money, but you are looking plumper and softer than ever before so that can’t be it. Sex?” A tantalizing tilt to both his jaw and tone. “Have you caught an itch you can’t scratch yourself these days? The trap blocks your scent, it’s hard to tell. It can’t be power, not when you managed to ensnare me with this circus rendition of a circle. So what does that leave?”

I did not look up — I had found the correct spell, at least I hoped so — but had to answer. “Protection.”

“Protection?” he repeated, all of a sudden so human-like it made my heart ache. “Protection from what?”

Before I could reply, a heavy knocking sounded from the basement door and a skeleton claw of fear grasped my heart harder than ever this night. “Have you quite finished, girl? Is the demon fully subdued?”

“Not yet, Grandaunt Hester,” I said and winced at the high infliction of my voice. I gave Santi a wide-eyed look, pleading with him to keep quiet until she went away. “Give me a little more time, please, Grandaunt Hester.”

A different voice came from the door now, reedier and harder. “We don’t have much time, child. Hurry.”

“I will.” 

Santiago made motion to speak, but I flapped my hand at him to make him wait until sure the old hags had gone back up the stairs. The way his jaw set and his eyes widened as he glared at me told me everything I needed to know and I bowed my head to escape that look, trying to decipher the Book’s writing instead. Despite my attempts, I caught the way he again surveyed the basement and the stack of boxes along the wall, each marked with a different name.

“We’re in your family home,” he whispered; not a question, saving me the trouble of coming up with an answer. “You hate your family. Would rather poke your eyeballs out than spend another minute in their presence. Or at least that’s what you told me.” Not a question either, did not beget an answer. “Was it a lie? What is going on?”

Damn. 

“No, it wasn’t a lie,” I said and avoided any and all of his attempts to look me in the eyes. It was never a lie. Could never be a lie. “It’s complicated, okay? Things have changed. I have changed. For what it’s worth, I wasn’t trying to summon you — or any other demon for that matter, but I had to at least make half of an attempt so I could tell Grandaunt Hester that I did and now we need to get you back before they come down here and sees you.”

“Oh, I see. You’re that kind of witch, are you?” Santi’s dull red eyes glinted in the shadows. “No wonder you were always such a bitch. Could not help yourself. I just have one question, disgraced queen of my heart.” I steeled myself for the inevitable, but Santi’s eyes seemed to have caught on something and he asked: “What is that half-dead succulent doing on my sigil?”

“Book said there had to be a living sacrifice.”

“Traditionally that would mean a little baby goat or a lamb. Maybe a rooster.”

“Okay, this is the twenty-first century, it’s not like you can just go out to the mall and get yourself a live goat or a frickin’ rooster in the middle of the day. Besides, you know I have allergies.”

“I do know that.” His head tilted as he watched me. “And so you used a succulent. I see no gifts or offerings, this sigil is half a brushstroke away from being inelligeble, not to mention in a most gaudish color, these candles run on batteries where half of them have already failed, and you stand there fully clothed when I know for a fact that every last penned summoning ritual begets complete and utter nudity. And yet,” he held up a clawed finger to still my protest about how damned cold it was down here, “it worked. Why?”

“You make do with what you have,” I repeated myself from earlier, as honest an answer as I could make it. “Now shut up, I need to concentrate.” I held the book aloft and started stumbling through the unfamiliar language, feeling the strings of my mind pulling the strings of the universe.

“Are you seriously going to vanquish me?” He sounded dreadfully bored. “Me? Dead rose of my garden, you know me. Let me out of the circle and we can talk.” The incantations flowed out my mouth, preventing me from answering his increasingly desperate questions. The shadows swirled, the sigil flared. “Stop it now, my broken-winged dove. What do you need protection from? Why do you need a demon? Do you need help? I can give you that, just stop talking and open this circle. Put down the book.” The further my words went, the stronger my voice grew and the basement filled with the opposite of the pressure from earlier. A vacuum, no less uncomfortable for that. “Put down that book and talk to me, hells be damned!” 

Incantation done, I put down the book just as he asked and watched the shadow vortex crawl up Santiago’s legs. “This was awful. Let’s never do it again.”

“You have changed,” Santiago snarled, sounding choked on the smoke expelled from the sigil. “Grown fat and strong, have you? Sober, even?”

“Painfully so. Now go to hell, Santiago.”

All the strings of the universe grew taut and rigid before everything shattered with the same anti-climatic pop from before. Only the sigil, painted in my favorite color, and the forlorn LED-strips remained in the basement. I closed the book and braced myself for facing my Grandaunt Hester, planning to give her nothing but the truth. 

Not the whole truth, but nothing but the truth. 

[alvfr]

The important thing to remember is that I was not trying to summon a demon. The fact that I was not trying to summon a demon while performing a ritual to summon a demon definitely complicated things, but my life was nothing if not complicated. It should not have worked. I had skipped half the so-called essential equipment and preparations listed in the Book, slapped the sigil down in broad, messy strokes using a broken makeup brush, and mumbled most of the incantations under my breath so low I barely heard it myself. It should not have worked.

And yet, the sigil — painted in bright millennial pink leftover from a DIY project — started to glow on the concrete floor. So far along, the ritual pulled out the rest of the incantations from my mouth; I could not have stopped now, even if I tried, while tension built everywhere in the room, including my body. It pushed and pulled in my chest, my throat, my sinuses, my skull, my eyes — growing and growing until I feared my whole head would pop right off my shoulders. It did not. With the anti-climax of a cut trip wire, the dam burst, and the sigil flashed so bright I almost lost my vision and was left to stare blindly at the vaguely humanoid shape appearing in a vortex of smoke and shadows. The smell of burning filled the damp basement, mixing with the sickening odor of mold and rotten wood.

The thing, still concealed in the dark, spoke in a guttural tone, its language sounding as old and dead as the civilization it once stemmed from. Probably asking the standard question about which foolish mortal had dared summon them, yadda yadda yadda. Stars continued to dance before my eyes, and I blinked several times to adjust to the dim light after all the poor LED candles had gone out from the demon’s arrival.

“English, please,” I said and coughed from the thick smog that coiled into my throat. “And can you do something about that smoke before it sets off the carbon monoxide detector?”

To its credit, the smoke cleared in an instant while a way-too-familiar voice said in perfect modern-day English: “You have got to be kidding me.”

And as my eyes adjusted, I wished they had not. For standing in the circle atop the hazardously painted sigil, naked and perfectly sculpted like a mahogany statue, stood none other than my ex-husband.

“Santiago?” I spat, out of breath and unable to put the appropriate amount of venom into his name. “What are you doing here?”

Because it was him. Everything about him precisely as I remembered, apart from his eyes that glowed a dull red, like the reflection of a distant hellfire. Not even the finest shapeshifter or body double could manage such a perfect replica, especially not the expression of pure and utter contempt highlighted by the curl of his lip and the pull of his brows.

“What am I doing here?” His voice, unheard for seven years now, cut its way through my ear canals like every vowel wielded a razor. Determined to carve out the path again after all this time. “I was summoned! An exclusive VIP-can’t-refuse-can’t deny invitation dragging me back to this horror show of a dimension. The real question is, what are you doing here? And where,” he swept his muscular arm along the room with his suspicious glare trailing behind, “is the foolish mortal who dared summon me and will regret it to their dying day?”

“What did you just call me?”

“I called you nothing!”

“Foolish mortal?” I repeated in a mocking deep voice, arms already crossed over my chest and hip cocked to the side. “Why do you talk like some kind of,” the realization slapped into my brain like a ruler over my fingers, taking the question mark out of my mouth as I whispered, “demon.”

Instead of the brutal denial a part of me still hoped for, Santiago’s vivid attention returned to me, and my skin grew prickly and cold. He tilted his head, like a grown hellhound burdened with behavior imprinted as a puppy, a habit always displayed when he was confused. “You summoned me?”

“No!” The word shot out before I could stop it, and I gritted my teeth before amending it. “Well, yes, but not on purpose.”

“You what then? Tripped over the paint bucket, swore in ancient Akkadian, and accidentally performed a summoning ritual?” Santiago took a step forward, stopped, and gave his surroundings another disdainful glance. His lip curled further into what could only be classified as a snarl. “Now, what in the eight blazing hells is this?”

“Nothing.” I bit my teeth together but was helpless at the sound of his impatient snort. “It’s just a circle.”

“A circle? This isn’t a circle, it’s a damned fun fair laser show.”

“It’s a circle, gods be damned! It just happens to be made up of LED strips.” My defense raised immediately at the sight of his disbelieving face, the distant memories all too close in the blink of an eye. “You make do with what you have, all right?”

“Of course. A circle made from whatever trash you happened to have lying around. What are you, some kind of,” his voice turned cold and changed its pitch before his last word, “witch.” He drew his hand over his mouth, each of his fingers ending in sharp black nails I had failed to notice before. “Oh, no.”

“Yeah, oh no. For once, I agree with you. “I barely looked up from where my finger trailed the handwritten lines of the Book. “Now shut up for a second.”

“What are you doing?”

“Trying to see if I accidentally used the Summon-A-Lying-Two-Timing-Scumbag spell instead of the Summon-A-Demon one! Not that they’re mutually exclusive, as demonstrated by your very presence.” I slapped the book shut, erupting a cloud of dust that made me cough. “I can’t believe you never told me you were a frickin’ demon, Santi!”

His voice sounded like a roaring waterfall just before the surface. “Just like you never told me you were a filthy, disgusting witch!”

Witch. Witch witch witch witch witch.

“Because I’m not!” Again, the pressure in my chest made me chomp down on my own lip. “Or I wasn’t. Look, I used to be one, then I quit, and now I’m sort of back, but I don’t really want to be, okay?”

“Glad to see your remarkable eloquence has remained unchanged.” Santiago’s hooded eyes looked heavier than before as if consumed with instant boredom in my presence. The familiarity wreaked havoc on my insides. “And you never cared to mention this during our three years of holy matrimony?”

“There was nothing holy about our marriage,” I snapped back, my knuckles turning white from clutching the Book in my hands. “Apart from the sex. Speaking of, could you use your demonic shenanigans and conjure some clothes?”

His voice smoothed as river water reached the sea, and his lean body tightened further. “Am I distracting you?”

“Yes,” I bit out, knowing myself defenseless from trying to subjugate the truth. For all the hardships our marriage had suffered, his physical appearance had not been part of it. “I honestly thought I’d never have to say this again, but cover up your damned dick, Santi.”

So familiar with the workings of his face, I recognized both when his mouth moved to stretch into a dangerous smile and when it stopped in puzzlement. The way the nostrils of his slightly hooked nose flared, the way his thick eyebrows twitched up — either struggling with the effort of conjuring the loose pants materializing on his lower body or with the effort of fighting it.

“What,” he growled, “in the eight hells is this?”

“I told you. It’s a circle.”

“You trapped me! Spellbound me! Oh, you dirty little sneaky witch, you really are all the same, aren’t you?”

“I sure as hell didn’t have plans to make any kind of pact, if that’s what you mean. And definitely not with you.” I forfeited his attention in favor of the Book, flipping through crinkled pages in fast succession. “Now, can you shut up?”

“What are you looking for now, witch, in that little book of yours?”

“A vanquishing spell. We need to get you out of here.”

A puff of smoke came out his nostrils. “Hmph. You went through all this trouble just to cast me aside again? Without telling me why I’m even here? For what purpose did you summon me?” Even while straining my eyes on the Book, Santiago’s glare sent shivers down my spine. “Which of the tedious reasons can it be? Humans are all the same, after all. My first guess would be money, but you are looking plumper and softer than ever before, so that can’t be it. Sex?” A tantalizing tilt to both his jaw and tone. “Have you caught an itch you can’t scratch yourself these days? The trap blocks your scent; it’s hard to tell. It can’t be power, not when you managed to ensnare me with this circus rendition of a circle. So what does that leave?”

I did not look up — I had found the correct spell, at least I hoped so — but had to answer. “Protection.”

“Protection?” he repeated, all of a sudden so human-like it made my heart ache. “Protection from what?”

Before I could reply, a heavy knocking sounded from the basement door, and a skeleton claw of fear grasped my heart harder than ever that night. “Have you quite finished, girl? Is the demon fully subdued?”

“Not yet, Grandaunt Hester,” I said and winced at the high infliction of my voice. I gave Santi a wide-eyed look, pleading with him to keep quiet until she went away. “Give me a little more time, please, Grandaunt Hester.”

A different voice came from the door now, reedier and harder. “We don’t have much time, child. Hurry.”

“I will.”

Santiago made a motion to speak, but I flapped my hand at him to make him wait until I was sure the old hags had gone back up the stairs. The way his jaw set and his eyes widened as he glared at me told me everything I needed to know, and I bowed my head to escape that look, trying to decipher the Book’s writing instead. Despite my attempts, I caught the way he again surveyed the basement and the stack of boxes along the wall, each marked with a different name.

“We’re in your family home,” he whispered, not a question, saving me the trouble of coming up with an answer. “You hate your family. Would rather poke your eyeballs out than spend another minute in their presence. Or at least that’s what you told me.” Not a question either, did not beget an answer. “Was it a lie? What is going on?”

Damn.

“No, it wasn’t a lie,” I said and avoided any and all of his attempts to look me in the eyes. It was never a lie. Could never be a lie. “It’s complicated, okay? Things have changed. I have changed. For what it’s worth, I wasn’t trying to summon you — or any other demon, for that matter, but I had to at least make half of an attempt so I could tell Grandaunt Hester that I did, and now we need to get you back before they come down here and sees you.”

“Oh, I see. You’re that kind of witch, are you?” Santi’s dull red eyes glinted in the shadows. “No wonder you were always such a bitch. Could not help yourself. I just have one question, disgraced queen of my heart.” I steeled myself for the inevitable, but Santi’s eyes seemed to have caught on something, and he asked: “What is that half-dead succulent doing on my sigil?”

“Book said there had to be a living sacrifice.”

“Traditionally, that would mean a little baby goat or a lamb. Maybe a rooster.”

“Okay, this is the twenty-first century; it’s not like you can just go out to the mall and get yourself a live goat or a frickin’ rooster in the middle of the day. Besides, you know I have allergies.”

“I do know that.” His head tilted as he watched me. “And so you used a succulent. I see no gifts or offerings; this sigil is half a brushstroke away from being ineligible, not to mention in a most gaudish color. These candles run on batteries where half of them have already failed, and you stand there fully clothed when I know for a fact that every last penned summoning ritual begets complete and utter nudity. And yet,” he held up a clawed finger to still my protest about how damned cold it was down here, “it worked. Why?”

“You make do with what you have,” I repeated myself from earlier, as honest an answer as I could make it. “Now shut up. I need to concentrate.” I held the book aloft and started stumbling through the unfamiliar language, feeling the strings of my mind pulling the strings of the universe.

“Are you seriously going to vanquish me?” He sounded dreadfully bored. “Me? Dead rose of my garden, you know me. Let me out of the circle, and we can talk.” The incantations flowed out of my mouth, preventing me from answering his increasingly desperate questions. The shadows swirled, and the sigil flared. “Stop it now, my broken-winged dove. What do you need protection from? Why do you need a demon? Do you need help? I can give you that. Just stop talking and open this circle. Put down the book.” The further my words went, the stronger my voice grew, and the basement filled with the opposite of the pressure from earlier. A vacuum, no less uncomfortable for that. “Put down that book and talk to me, hells be damned!”

Incantation done, I put down the book just as he asked and watched the shadow vortex crawl up Santiago’s legs. “This was awful. Let’s never do it again.”

“You have changed,” Santiago snarled, sounding choked on the smoke expelled from the sigil. “Grown fat and strong, have you? Sober, even?”

“Painfully so. Now go to hell, Santiago.”

All the strings of the universe grew taut and rigid before everything shattered with the same anti-climatic pop from before. Only the sigil, painted in my favorite color, and the forlorn LED strips remained in the basement. I closed the book and braced myself to face my Grandaunt, Hester, planning to give her nothing but the truth.

Not the whole truth, but nothing but the truth.

It’s a bit awkward that you managed to actually summon a demon; almost as awkward as that demon being your ex spouse.

[gmskipbins]

Skip Bin Hire in Avalon: A Must-Have for Renovation and Building Projects

If you’re planning a renovation or starting a construction project in Avalon, one thing you can’t afford to overlook is waste management. From broken tiles to timber offcuts, renovation and building jobs produce large amounts of waste—and managing it properly is crucial.

The solution? Skip bin hire in Avalon.

Whether you're a homeowner doing DIY or a contractor working on-site, hiring a skip bin offers a stress-free, cost-effective, and eco-friendly way to deal with debris. Here’s why skip bins are an essential part of any successful building or renovation project.

The Reality of Renovation Waste

Even small renovations can generate more rubbish than expected. Demolishing a bathroom, redoing a kitchen, or knocking down a few walls means dealing with materials like:

Tiles, bricks, and plaster

Old cabinets and shelves

Broken fixtures and fittings

Timber, nails, and insulation

Dust, rubble, and packaging waste

Leaving this waste piled around your property is not only messy but dangerous. It’s also often against Avalon council guidelines.

A skip bin provides a central, contained location to safely dispose of everything as you go—keeping your site clear and your project on track.

Why Skip Bin Hire is Ideal for Builders in Avalon

If you’re a tradie or builder, you already know how important it is to keep a clean and compliant worksite. Skip bins are an efficient way to handle site waste and avoid costly delays.

Benefits for builders include:

Quick bin delivery and removal

Multiple bin sizes available

Same-day or next-day service

Licensed waste removal and recycling

Better safety and site organisation

With skip bin hire in Avalon, you won’t waste time making dump runs or sorting rubbish onsite. Just load the bin and let the professionals handle the rest.

Choosing the Right Skip Bin for Renovation Waste

For renovations and building projects, you’ll likely need a skip bin suited to mixed heavy waste—which includes timber, tiles, metal, concrete, and more. GM Skip Bins offers a range of sizes to suit jobs large or small:

2m³ or 3m³ bins – Great for bathroom or laundry renos

4m³ to 6m³ bins – Ideal for full kitchen or bedroom remodels

9m³ bins – Best for large-scale construction, full home renovations, or shop fit-outs

Still unsure what bin size fits your Avalon project? Just give our friendly team a call—we’ll recommend the most cost-effective option.

Permits and Placement in Avalon

If your skip bin will be placed on private property (like your driveway), you generally don’t need a permit. But if the bin needs to go on a nature strip, footpath, or street in Avalon, you’ll likely require a council permit.

GM Skip Bins can guide you through the process to ensure you're fully compliant. We’re local and experienced, so we know how to get things done quickly and legally.

Eco-Friendly Construction Waste Disposal

Renovation and building work don’t have to hurt the environment. GM Skip Bins is committed to sustainable waste management. We sort through your construction waste at our recycling facility, salvaging materials like:

Metal

Brick and concrete

Timber

Cardboard and plastics

This means less landfill, fewer emissions, and a greener Avalon community.

Why GM Skip Bins for Avalon Projects?

Choosing a local provider means fast, reliable service when you need it most. GM Skip Bins is trusted by Avalon homeowners, tradies, and builders because we offer:

Competitive pricing with no hidden fees

Fast delivery and prompt pickup

Expert advice on bin sizes and permits

Friendly, local customer service

We’ve helped hundreds of customers complete their projects cleanly and efficiently.

Book Your Avalon Skip Bin Today

Renovating or building in Avalon? Don’t let rubbish slow you down or put you at risk. With skip bin hire from GM Skip Bins, you’ll keep your site clean, safe, and compliant.

Call us today for a free quote or book your skip bin online—it only takes a minute.

[screens01]

Non-Slip Epoxy Flooring Brisbane: Safe, Durable, and Stylish

If you're looking for a safe and durable flooring solution in Brisbane, non-slip epoxy flooring is the perfect choice. With its seamless finish, high durability, and anti-slip properties, it's widely used in residential, commercial, and industrial spaces across South East Queensland. Whether you’re upgrading your garage, workshop, or commercial kitchen, non-slip epoxy ensures both safety and style.

Why Choose Non-Slip Epoxy Flooring?

Epoxy flooring is a resin-based surface system that bonds to concrete, creating a strong, long-lasting floor. Adding non-slip additives or textured finishes enhances grip underfoot—ideal for high-traffic or wet areas.

Key Benefits:

✅ Enhanced Safety – Reduces the risk of slips and falls, even in wet or oily conditions.

✅ Durability – Withstands heavy foot traffic, machinery, and chemicals.

✅ Low Maintenance – Easy to clean, stain-resistant, and seamless.

✅ Versatile Design – Available in various colours, finishes, and textures.

✅ Cost-Effective – Long-lasting, with minimal repair or replacement needed.

Ideal Applications in Brisbane

Brisbane’s subtropical climate and active lifestyles mean flooring needs to be both tough and slip-resistant. Non-slip epoxy coatings are commonly used in:

🏠 Garages and Driveways – Prevents accidents caused by oil, water, and dirt.

🏢 Commercial Kitchens – Ensures workplace safety where spills are common.

🛠️ Workshops and Warehouses – Withstands heavy equipment and frequent traffic.

🏋️ Gyms and Fitness Studios – Offers traction for users and equipment.

🏊 Pool Surrounds and Patios – Perfect for wet, outdoor environments.

How Non-Slip Epoxy Works

Anti-slip epoxy flooring involves mixing aggregate materials like silica sand, quartz, or aluminium oxide into the resin during application. These materials create texture that provides grip, even when the surface is wet or greasy.

Types of Non-Slip Epoxy Finishes:

Quartz Epoxy – Combines colour and texture using decorative quartz granules.

Flake Epoxy – Vinyl flakes are broadcasted for a textured, decorative finish.

Trowel-Down Epoxy – For heavy-duty applications with a coarse anti-slip finish.

Brisbane’s Trusted Non-Slip Epoxy Installers

When it comes to epoxy flooring in Brisbane, choosing an experienced local installer is key. Professionals understand Queensland’s climate, building codes, and surface prep requirements to ensure long-term performance.

What to Look For:

✔️ Fully licensed and insured flooring contractors

✔️ Experience with commercial and residential projects

✔️ Customisable slip-resistance levels

✔️ Free site inspection and obligation-free quotes

Non-Slip Epoxy Flooring Cost in Brisbane

Prices typically range from $45 to $100+ per square metre, depending on the finish, size of the area, and surface preparation needed. Non-slip features may add slightly to the cost but are well worth the safety benefits.

Get a Free Quote Today

Looking for non-slip epoxy flooring in Brisbane? Whether you're upgrading your home, commercial space, or industrial facility, professional epoxy application ensures the job is done right the first time.

👉 Contact your local Brisbane epoxy flooring experts today for a free consultation and custom quote.

FAQs

How long does non-slip epoxy flooring last?

With proper installation and maintenance, epoxy floors can last 10–20 years, even longer in low-impact areas.

Is non-slip epoxy flooring good for outdoor use?

Yes! Epoxy with UV-stable topcoats and anti-slip additives is ideal for driveways, patios, and pool areas in Brisbane’s outdoor settings.

Can I install epoxy flooring myself?

DIY kits are available but professional installation is recommended to ensure proper preparation, curing, and slip-resistance.

How do I maintain non-slip epoxy floors?

Simply sweep and mop regularly. Avoid harsh chemicals or abrasive tools. For outdoor epoxy, periodic pressure washing is effective.

[concretefloor01]

Epoxy Coatings: Durable, Stylish, and Long-Lasting Surface Protection

Discover the benefits, applications, and advantages of epoxy coatings. Learn why epoxy is a top choice for commercial, industrial, and residential flooring.

What Are Epoxy Coatings?

Epoxy coatings are a type of durable surface finish made by mixing a resin and a hardener. When combined, they form a strong, chemical-resistant plastic material that bonds tightly to concrete surfaces. Known for their glossy finish and high-performance qualities, epoxy coatings are widely used in garages, warehouses, commercial kitchens, and showrooms.

Benefits of Epoxy Coatings

1. Exceptional Durability Epoxy coatings are resistant to wear and tear, making them ideal for high-traffic areas. They can withstand heavy machinery, impacts, and constant foot traffic without cracking or chipping.

2. Chemical and Stain Resistance Epoxy is highly resistant to oils, chemicals, and spills, making it perfect for automotive workshops, laboratories, and industrial facilities.

3. Easy Maintenance Epoxy floors are non-porous and seamless, which means they don't trap dust, dirt, or bacteria. They can be cleaned with just a mop and mild cleaner.

4. Aesthetic Appeal Available in a wide range of colors, finishes, and decorative options such as flakes or metallic pigments, epoxy coatings enhance the visual appeal of any space.

5. Cost-Effective Given its longevity and minimal maintenance needs, epoxy coating is a cost-effective flooring solution in the long run.

Common Applications of Epoxy Coatings

Garages and Workshops Epoxy coatings protect concrete floors from oil stains, tools, and tire marks while giving a clean, professional look.

Commercial and Retail Spaces Glossy epoxy floors add a modern touch while providing a slip-resistant, easy-to-clean surface.

Industrial Facilities Epoxy coatings offer excellent resistance to chemicals and abrasion, making them ideal for factories and warehouses.

Healthcare and Laboratories Seamless and hygienic, epoxy floors help maintain sterile environments.

Types of Epoxy Coatings

1. Self-Leveling Epoxy Perfect for uneven surfaces, creating a smooth, level finish.

2. Epoxy Flake Flooring Decorative flakes are added for texture and visual interest—great for showrooms and commercial spaces.

3. Anti-Static Epoxy Designed for environments with sensitive electronic equipment to prevent static build-up.

4. Quartz-Filled Epoxy Combines epoxy resin with colored quartz grains for strength and slip resistance.

Why Choose Professional Epoxy Coating Installation?

While DIY kits are available, professional installation ensures:

Proper surface preparation

Long-lasting adhesion

Even application with no bubbles or imperfections

Customized finishes suited to your needs

Final Thoughts

Epoxy coatings offer a sleek, long-lasting, and low-maintenance solution for a wide variety of settings. Whether you need durable flooring for a commercial kitchen, a polished finish for your garage, or a high-performance surface for industrial use, epoxy is a smart and sustainable choice.

[sbaconcreting]

Concrete Services in Abbotsford: Why Choose the Best Concreters

Concrete plays a vital role in construction. From driveways to patios and foundations, it provides strength and durability. If you’re looking to upgrade your space or start a new project, choosing expert Concreters Abbotsford makes a big difference. Abbotsford has seen strong growth in both residential and commercial construction. With this rise, the demand for reliable concrete work has also increased.

Why Local Experience Matters in Abbotsford

Abbotsford’s unique urban structure blends older homes with modern builds. The climate and soil in the area can affect concrete performance. That’s why local Concreters Abbotsford bring valuable knowledge to each job. They understand the environment, drainage needs, and local building codes. This ensures long-lasting, problem-free concrete work.

Many homeowners in Abbotsford seek ways to boost their property’s value. A new driveway, patio, or path does exactly that. Skilled concreters deliver smooth finishes and perfect levels, improving both appearance and function.

Types of Concrete Work Available in Abbotsford

A skilled concreter offers more than just a basic pour. In Abbotsford, homeowners and business owners look for decorative finishes, exposed aggregate, stamped patterns, and coloured concrete. These services bring style and durability together.

Driveways remain the most common project. The right Concreters Abbotsford ensure the slope, thickness, and strength of your driveway suit your needs. For patios, concreters help design relaxing outdoor areas that withstand heavy use and weather changes.

Concrete slab installation is also in high demand. Whether for a garage, shed, or new home build, slabs need perfect setup. Precision during pour and curing helps prevent cracks and unevenness in the future.

Choosing Skilled Concreters Saves Time and Money

Trying DIY concrete work may sound easy, but mistakes are costly. Poor finishing leads to cracks and uneven surfaces. Choosing professional Concreters Abbotsford guarantees strong preparation, correct ratios, and proper curing time. This saves time and prevents future repairs.

Professionals also work faster. With the right tools, they mix, pour, and finish efficiently. Their experience allows them to handle different weather conditions, site constraints, and tricky slopes.

The Right Finish Elevates Your Property’s Look

In recent years, decorative concrete has grown popular in Abbotsford. Homeowners choose textured or coloured finishes for driveways and patios. This adds personality while still offering strength. Skilled concreters know how to blend design and structure.

Exposed aggregate gives a natural stone look, perfect for modern homes. Stamped concrete creates patterns like brick, stone, or tile. With so many options, Concreters Abbotsford help you find the right match for your property.

Site Preparation Is Key to a Strong Result

Every good concrete job starts with preparation. Clearing, levelling, and compacting the soil ensures proper support. Reliable concreters never skip this step. They add reinforcement when needed and check for correct drainage.

In Abbotsford, many properties sit on sloped land. Without good preparation, concrete may shift or crack. That’s why hiring experienced Concreters Abbotsford helps avoid these problems. Their detailed groundwork prevents issues later.

Why Choose Local Concreters Over Big Firms

Big companies often juggle too many jobs at once. You may get delayed starts and less attention. Local Concreters Abbotsford offer better communication, quicker scheduling, and personalised service. They rely on word-of-mouth and take pride in every project.

When you support local concreters, you also boost Abbotsford’s economy. Most local contractors source materials and hire workers from the area. This creates a strong network of trusted professionals.

Clear Quotes and Honest Advice

Experienced concreters give detailed quotes. They explain materials, timeframes, and expected outcomes. This helps clients plan ahead with no hidden costs. Good Concreters Abbotsford will also tell you if a certain finish isn’t right for your needs.

Whether you’re laying a driveway, slab, or patio, you deserve transparency. Local concreters build long-term relationships with their customers through honesty and consistent results.

Ongoing Care and Maintenance Tips

After the pour, concreters offer advice on curing and sealing. Sealing protects the surface from stains, moisture, and wear. Many Concreters Abbotsford also provide aftercare services like resealing and small repairs.

Following their advice extends the life of your concrete. Proper maintenance ensures your driveway or patio stays beautiful and safe for years to come.

Contact Us Today to Schedule Your Project

If you’re planning a concrete project in Abbotsford, don’t settle for less. Choose skilled Concreters Abbotsford who offer quality, experience, and local knowledge. From small patios to large foundations, we deliver strong results with a clean finish. Contact us today to schedule your consultation and bring your concrete vision to life.

[northernrestorationuk]

Powerful Tarmac Cleaning in Leeds – Clear Away Stains and Dirt

Regarding first impressions, your exterior surfaces matter as much as your interiors—sometimes more. Over time, driveways, walkways, and car parks lose their shine as dirt, algae, oil stains, and weather elements take a toll. That's why professional Tarmac Cleaning in Leeds has become essential—not just for homeowners looking to restore curb appeal but also for commercial property managers who understand the value of cleanliness and safety.

Whether dealing with years of build-up on a domestic driveway or managing a large commercial exterior, expert cleaning services offer the deep clean you can't achieve with basic DIY tools. In Leeds, businesses and homeowners turn to exterior cleaning specialists for robust solutions that transform their spaces.

Why Tarmac Cleaning is Crucial

Tarmac is a durable surface, but it's not invincible. It can collect algae, moss, lichen, oil stains, tyre marks, and graffiti easily. Left untreated, these problems don't just look unsightly—they can cause the surface to degrade over time. Professional pressure washing and jet washing techniques remove stubborn grime, prevent long-term damage, and restore the surface to its original state.

A clean tarmac surface improves safety. Slippery moss or oil spots can pose serious slip hazards, especially in high-traffic areas such as commercial car parks or public footpaths.

Comprehensive Exterior Cleaning Solutions in Leeds

Leeds is home to various exterior cleaning specialists who provide more than just tarmac restoration. These professionals use advanced equipment and eco-friendly products to tackle multiple surfaces. Let's explore the full spectrum of exterior cleaning services available to residential and commercial clients.

Jet Washing and Pressure Washing – Power That Delivers Results

Jet and pressure washing are highly effective for cleaning hard surfaces like tarmac, concrete, and block paving. These systems use high-pressure water jets to strip away dirt, algae, paint, and chewing gum. The result? A visibly cleaner, safer, and more professional-looking surface.

For tarmac, pressure must be applied carefully to avoid dislodging loose aggregate. That's where experience counts. Reputable cleaning companies in Leeds have the training to clean thoroughly without damaging the surface.

These same tools are also used in services like flagstone cleaning in Leeds, ensuring the delicate natural stone is cleaned with just the right force to restore its beauty without risk of erosion.

Flagstone and Brickwork Cleaning – Restoring Natural Beauty

Flagstones and bricks are stunning materials but require regular care to look their best. Over time, dirt, mould, and pollution can mask their colour and texture. If you're looking for Flagstone Cleaning in Leeds or need experienced brickwork cleaning services, the right professionals can bring your surfaces back to life.

Brickwork cleaning companies use a mix of gentle steam treatments and precise chemical applications to clean without damaging mortar or creating water ingress issues. Whether you need a historical brick facade restored or a modern patio revitalised, these companies have solutions that protect the integrity of your building.

Graffiti Cleaning Services – Fast and Effective Removal

Graffiti can be a major headache for property owners. It not only looks bad but can also attract further vandalism. Speedy graffiti cleaning services are essential to prevent this cycle from continuing. In Leeds, many companies offer rapid-response graffiti clean-up services using non-abrasive cleaning agents that break down paint without damaging the surface beneath.

Graffiti removal is often paired with protective anti-graffiti coatings, which make future clean-ups quicker and prevent paint from soaking into the substrate. Whether on tarmac, cladding, or brick, graffiti doesn't stand a chance with today's cleaning technology.

Cladding Cleaning – Commercial Exteriors, Rejuvenated

Your building's cladding plays a significant role in its appearance. Over time, exposure to the elements leads to discolouration, algae growth, and corrosion—especially on metal and composite materials. Cladding cleaning services help maintain the look and lifespan of these materials.

Cladding cleaning typically involves steam cleaning, low-pressure washing, and chemical treatments. Professional cleaners can handle everything from small retail outlets to massive industrial warehouses. Clean cladding boosts a property's visual appeal and reflects a business's commitment to professionalism and hygiene.

Steam Cleaning – Gentle but Thorough

Steam cleaning offers a perfect balance of power and care for sensitive surfaces. Operating at high temperatures but low pressure, steam penetrates porous materials and kills mould, algae, and bacteria at the root without harsh chemicals. It's beneficial for historical properties, delicate brickwork, or sandstone paths.

Steam is often the method of choice for brickwork cleaning companies, and it's increasingly used in commercial roof cleaning, where aggressive cleaning could risk leaks or tile damage.

Commercial Roof and Building Cleaning

Your roof is one of the most exposed parts of any building. It's also the most overlooked. Moss, debris, and bird droppings look unpleasant and can cause water pooling, blocked gutters, and structural decay. That's whycommercial roof cleaning is critical to long-term property maintenance.

In Leeds, roof cleaning teams use specialist harness systems and extendable poles to safely access and clean commercial roofs without needing costly scaffolding. This service is often bundled with gutter cleaning, ensuring rainwater flows freely and reducing the risk of water damage.

For more significant properties, commercial jet washing and commercial power washing companies are essential partners. They offer scalable cleaning solutions for office buildings, shopping centres, warehouses, and more—professionally handling everything from the cladding to the car park.

Tarmac Cleaning for Commercial and Residential Clients

Whether you own a commercial property or want to maintain your home's appearance, Tarmac Cleaning in Leeds is a practical investment. For homeowners, it's about aesthetics and property value. A clean driveway boosts curb appeal and signals care and maintenance to guests or prospective buyers.

For businesses, the stakes are even higher. Dirty, stained, or graffiti-covered tarmac can affect customer perceptions and brand image. In retail, hospitality, or healthcare industries, cleanliness is directly tied to trust. That's why so many companies in Leeds rely on exterior cleaning specialists who understand how to clean efficiently and discreetly and, at times, minimise disruption to operations.

Benefits of Professional Tarmac Cleaning Services

Improved Appearance – A clean surface is visually striking and adds value to your property.

Enhanced Safety – Removing slippery moss, oil, and algae helps prevent slips and falls.

Extended Lifespan – Regular maintenance prevents surface degradation and cracking.

Eco-Friendly Options – Many companies use biodegradable detergents and water-conserving systems.

Time and Cost Savings – DIY tools can't match the results of professional equipment and expertise.

Graffiti and Stain Removal – Quick removal of paint and oil improves the surface instantly.

Preventative Care – Treatments can include sealing to protect the tarmac from future wear.

Choosing the Right Cleaning Company in Leeds

With so many options available, choosing the right cleaning company comes down to experience, equipment, and customer reviews. Look for teams that offer a full suite of services—tarmac cleaning, jet washing, pressure washing, graffiti removal, brickwork and flagstone cleaning—so you can get everything done simultaneously.

Ensure they're insured, trained, and use environmentally safe products. The best providers will conduct a free site survey and provide a precise, competitive quote with no hidden costs. Many also offer regular maintenance packages so your property looks great year-round.

Conclusion

From small residential driveways to vast commercial spaces, Tarmac Cleaning in Leeds is about more than just cleanliness—pride, safety, and longevity. Whether you're dealing with oil stains, graffiti, moss, or general grime, the right exterior cleaning specialists can make all the difference.

Combine services like Flagstone Cleaning in Leeds, brickwork cleaning, cladding maintenance, and graffiti clean-up, and you'll have an exterior that reflects the professionalism and care your property deserves. With tools like Jet Washing, Power Washing, Steam Cleaning, and Commercial Roof Cleaning, Leeds-based cleaning companies are equipped to handle the most challenging jobs easily.

Don't let stains and dirt define your property. Invest in robust cleaning solutions that restore, protect, and impress—starting with your tarmac.

[fantasticundertowmarionette]

Expert Plumbing Services You Can Rely On: Find a Local Plumber in Bentleigh, Black Rock, Brighton, and Burwood

When plumbing issues arise, they often come with little to no warning, leaving homeowners and businesses scrambling for a reliable solution. Whether it’s a leaking tap, burst pipe, or complete bathroom renovation, having access to a dependable Plumber Bentleigh, Plumber Black Rock, Plumber Brighton, or Plumber Burwood can make all the difference.

Fortunately, professional services like Your Choice Plumbers are here to take the stress out of any plumbing situation. With trained professionals, prompt responses, and a dedication to customer satisfaction, you’ll never be left in the lurch when plumbing emergencies hit.

Why Professional Plumbing Matters

DIY might sound tempting, but plumbing requires expertise. From complex drainage issues to simple tap installations, a licensed plumber ensures compliance with building regulations, efficient problem-solving, and durable repairs. Choosing a certified Plumber Bentleigh or other local expert means protecting your property from water damage, mold, and costly repairs down the line.

Meet the Local Plumbing Experts

Plumber Bentleigh professionals are known for their fast, affordable, and friendly service. Whether you're dealing with blocked drains, sewer backups, or gas fitting issues, these experts are just a call away. They are equipped with advanced tools and bring years of hands-on experience, ensuring minimal disruption to your routine.

In coastal areas like Plumber Black Rock, saltwater and corrosion can present unique plumbing challenges. Local plumbers understand the region's environmental factors and are trained to provide tailored solutions that stand the test of time. From regular maintenance to emergency repairs, hiring a Plumber Black Rock technician guarantees quality workmanship.

Enhancing Homes with Precision in Brighton

When it comes to luxury residences and heritage homes, Plumber Brighton specialists offer a blend of technical skills and aesthetic sensitivity. Whether you're planning to renovate a vintage bathroom or install energy-efficient fixtures in a modern home, Plumber Brighton services focus on functionality without compromising on style.

Brighton’s plumbing needs often include custom designs and high-end installations. Experienced plumbers in this area handle everything from hot water system replacements to complex under-floor heating systems. They work closely with builders and interior designers to achieve seamless results.

Timely and Efficient Services in Burwood

Plumber Burwood technicians are trusted by both residential and commercial clients for their attention to detail and responsive service. Plumbing in Burwood often deals with older infrastructure, meaning problems can quickly escalate if not managed correctly. That’s why hiring a seasoned Plumber Burwood professional is essential for identifying issues early and recommending cost-effective solutions.

Burwood is home to a mix of apartment complexes, educational institutions, and family homes. This variety means local plumbers must adapt to different types of systems and structures. Whether it's routine drain cleaning or backflow prevention, these experts deliver tailored solutions backed by solid warranties.

The Role of Advanced Tools and Technology

Modern plumbing isn't just about wrenches and pipes. Today’s plumbers use high-resolution drain cameras, hydro-jetting machines, and thermal imaging devices to diagnose issues accurately. Whether it’s a hidden leak under concrete or a collapsed pipe in the yard, technologies employed by professionals like Your Choice Plumbers make detection and repair far more precise.

By choosing an experienced Plumber Bentleigh, Plumber Black Rock, or any of the other regional specialists, you benefit from access to this high-tech equipment and the skilled hands that operate them. The result? Faster repairs, less mess, and long-lasting results.

Preventative Plumbing for Peace of Mind

Most major plumbing issues can be avoided with proper maintenance. Hiring a Plumber Brighton or Plumber Burwood for regular check-ups can help detect small leaks, clogged drains, or inefficient fixtures before they turn into emergencies. Preventative plumbing also improves water efficiency, saving you money on utilities in the long run.

Simple practices like annual inspections, water pressure checks, and flushing out water heaters can go a long way. Your local plumber can even offer water-saving tips or install eco-friendly fixtures to reduce your carbon footprint.

Why Choose Trusted Names Like Your Choice Plumbers?

When it comes to reliability, professionalism, and expertise, Your Choice Plumbers stands out in the crowd. Serving suburbs like Bentleigh, Black Rock, Brighton, and Burwood, this team brings years of experience, transparent pricing, and a customer-first approach. Whether it’s a middle-of-the-night pipe burst or a long-planned kitchen upgrade, you can expect swift and courteous service.

What sets Your Choice Plumbers apart is their commitment to customer education. They don’t just fix problems — they explain the causes, prevention strategies, and maintenance tips so that you’re equipped to keep your plumbing system running smoothly in the future.

Conclusion

Plumbing issues are inevitable, but stress doesn’t have to be. With a reliable Plumber Bentleigh, Plumber Black Rock, Plumber Brighton, or Plumber Burwood, you’ll have peace of mind knowing expert help is just around the corner. Whether it's an emergency, an upgrade, or regular maintenance, choosing professional plumbing services ensures safety, efficiency, and long-term value for your property.

Next time your tap leaks, your drain backs up, or you’re ready for a bathroom overhaul — don’t hesitate. Call your local plumbing specialist and experience quality service that flows effortlessly from start to finish.

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What is the Best Way to Lay a Patio?

If you want to enhance your outdoor living space, laying a patio is a fantastic way to create a functional and stylish area for relaxation, entertainment, or dining. But what’s the best way to do it? Whether you're a DIY enthusiast or planning to hire a professional, understanding the right steps can make all the difference.

Planning Your Patio: Setting the Foundation for Success

Before you start laying your patio, take the time to plan properly. A well-thought-out design ensures durability and enhances the aesthetic appeal of your outdoor space.

Choose the Right Location – Consider sunlight, accessibility, and drainage to determine the best spot.

Decide on Materials – Common patio materials include concrete pavers, natural stone, brick, and gravel. Each has its own durability, maintenance, and cost benefits.

Measure and Mark the Area – Outline the patio dimensions and ensure they fit well within your outdoor space.

Check for Permits – Some areas require permits for patio installation, so it’s best to verify with your local authorities.

Preparing the Ground: A Solid Base is Key

Proper groundwork is the foundation of a strong patio. Skipping this step can lead to an uneven or shifting surface over time.

Excavate the Area – Dig out the ground to about 6–8 inches deep, depending on the material you’re using.

Level the Ground – Use a rake to even out the soil and compact it using a tamper to prevent future sinking.

Add a Base Layer – A mix of crushed stone or gravel provides a solid foundation and aids drainage.

Compact and Smooth – Use a plate compactor to create a firm and even base before moving on to the next step.

Installing the Patio: Laying Pavers or Stones Like a Pro

Now that your base is ready, it’s time to lay the patio material. This step requires precision to ensure longevity and a polished look.

Add a Layer of Sand – Spread a thin layer of sand over the base to help the pavers settle evenly.

Start Laying the Pavers or Stones – Begin from one corner and work outward, placing each piece snugly together.

Maintain Consistency – Use a level and spacers to ensure uniform gaps and alignment.

Cut as Needed – If necessary, cut pavers to fit the design using a masonry saw or chisel.

Finishing Touches: Ensuring a Long-Lasting Patio

Once the pavers or stones are laid, the final steps help secure everything in place and improve the patio’s durability.

Fill the Joints – Sweep fine sand into the gaps between the pavers to lock them in place.

Compact Again – Use a plate compactor to set the pavers.

Seal the Surface – Applying a sealant protects against weather damage and extends the life of your patio.

Add Patio Enclosures – Consider installing patio enclosures to create a more versatile outdoor space that can be enjoyed year-round.

Why Patio Enclosures Enhance Your Outdoor Living

A well-laid patio is great, but adding patio enclosures takes it to the next level. With a quality enclosure, you can:

Extend Your Living Space – Enjoy your patio regardless of weather conditions.

Increase Privacy – Block unwanted views while still enjoying the outdoors.

Keep Pests Away – Enclosures help protect against bugs and debris.

Boost Home Value – A professionally designed patio with enclosures adds long-term value to your property.

Ready to Upgrade Your Patio?

Whether building a new patio or enhancing it with enclosures, the right approach ensures a stunning and functional outdoor space. Want expert guidance and custom solutions? Visit Screenmobile of Michiana Shores, MI, today to explore top-quality patio enclosures and outdoor/indoor screen solutions!