Unfortunately, once the grout has been applied and dried, it is ready to absorb any liquid that comes its way, like water. By penetrating the grout with sealer first, you are pre-empting water and other liquids from penetrating the grout. Grout sealer is that simple. Do You Always Need Grout Sealer? Yes, you need it, except when you happen to be using epoxy-based grout. Grout sealer is not needed with epoxy-based grout, because this type of grout naturally sheds water with no additives needed....

Rhubarb has a fast growth rate. Plant in the early spring, but don’t start harvesting until the second growing season. Also, note that rhubarb leaves and roots are toxic both to people and pets. Selecting a Planting Site Select a sunny spot in the garden with good soil drainage. Because rhubarb can live for many years, aim to pick a spot where it can grow undisturbed. Make sure no nearby tree or shrub will eventually grow too tall and shade it out....

Latin Name The botanical name assigned to this species is Acer cissifolium and it is part of the Aceraceae (maple) family. The name cissifolium is used because the leaves resemble those of species in the Cissus genus. Common Names In addition to vine leaf maple, you may see ivyleaf maple, vine-leafed maple, ivy-leaved maple, vineleaf maple, or ivy leaf maple. This tree is not actually related to the ivies, which are found in the Araliaceae (ivy) family....

Circuit breakers fit into the circuit breaker box, usually found in a utility space in your home. They provide a bridge between the main bus bars in the panel that delivers power into your home from the utility company and the circuit wires that run through your home. The circuit breakers are where the hot wires for each circuit are connected. With arc-fault and ground fault breakers, this is where both the hot and neutral wires connect....

As a result of an entirely different process, the products end up having a different look and feel. For these reasons, these different types of rugs can also differ in longevity and cost. Before making a purchase, learn the key differences between the rugs. What Is a Hand-Knotted Rug? Hand-knotting is an ancient art used to make rugs that are masterpieces of intricate designs. A hand-knotted rug is a one-of-a-kind rug that is woven completely by hand on a special loom....

How to Make an Underwriter’s Knot The photo clearly shows an underwriter’s knot before it is pulled tight. Note that the wire end that started on the left passes behind the cord before running through the loop on the right. The wire end that started on the right passes in front of the cord before running through the loop on the left. It doesn’t matter which wire end passes on the front or back of the cord; it only matters that one goes in front and one goes behind....

When I didn’t have much going on it was really easy to just buy any plant I thought looked nice. I wasn’t very intentional with my purchases which led to me slowly killing some plants along the way (and let’s face it: a few of them went very quickly—in, like, two weeks). But as with anything, we learn from our mistakes. Here’s what I figured out my houseplant style and what I learned along the way....

Before Replacing Your Dryer Dryers can last for 10 to 14 years, and as they age, you should be aware that you will likely be looking at repairing or replacing your dryer sooner rather than later. If your dryer is not very old (under four to five years), and needs to be fixed, then depending on the cost to repair it, it might be more cost-effective to have it repaired. But if it is older, you might want to consider replacing it with a newer model, which will use less energy, saving you money in the long run....

When you start shopping, you’ll see terms and choices that can make the buying process a bit confusing, such as “fill power,” “down” versus “down alternative,” and “channel” versus “baffle construction”? Read on to learn more about these terms and what you need to know when choosing your perfect duvet. Before Replacing Your Duvet or Comforter A well-constructed duvet or comforter can last you 10 to 25 years. If your comforter or duvet is still in great shape, but you think it no longer goes with your bedroom, or you’re looking to change up the style, consider getting a duvet cover for your old comforter....

Before Buying a New Area Rug Rugs put up with a lot from us in our homes they get walked on, played on, wiped on, spilled on, yet provide us with padding and comfort for our feet, and change the look and feel of the entire room. They deal with a lot of wear and tear from our family, including children, pets, and visitors. A rug that is starting to look worn and tired, is stained, and in some cases starting to emit an odor is indicative of a rug that is past its time and should be replaced....

We spoke with top interior designers who shared their tips for making a Victorian inspired space look nice and sophisticated, not stuffy. Choose Your Colors Wisely While Victorian style is known for its deep hues, sometimes more subdued choices are key when it comes to choosing colors to work with in a mod space. “Victorian style is traditionally very detailed (think: intricate woodwork and floral wallpaper), so contrasting these elements with clean lines, simple silhouettes, and light colors like pastels can give the style the breathing room to really be appreciated,” designer Kevin O’Gara states....