The Battle Between Synthetic Grass and Natural Grass

The Battle Between Synthetic Grass and Natural Grass

Hey everyone, I hope you’re doing great! Many of you might know that I have had many issues with my house—well, I guess I should say that my rock and roll lifestyle has caused many issues. It sure goes through a lot of wear thanks to my chaotic nights, jam sessions, and backyard performances with my band. But as you know, every now and then I opt for a more tame lifestyle. I have had synthetic grass installed, and so I have some information to share about the benefits of choosing it over natural grass. I hope you find this helpful. 

Different home trends are on the rise these days. Most of these trends are decorative in nature, whether to the home’s exterior or interior. However, one of these is in the places least expected. Specifically, synthetic grass is an up-and-coming home improvement installation that can boost curb appeal for most commercial and residential properties. That said, this might raise the question of how it compares to real grass. 

Any homeowner should understand why artificial grass is better than real grass, especially if they reside in dry regions and overspend on professional care and chemicals for their lawn’s regular maintenance.

Maintenance

Artificial turf does not need any intensive upkeep. Unlike natural grass, It does not require pesticides, fertilizer, or mowing. One doesn’t even need to water synthetic lawns on a regular basis, as one would for grass. The only maintenance these synthetic turf needs are a timely wash and sweep. The upkeep is relatively minimal; once you install it, you can forget about the hassle of lawn care!

Safety

People might be a bit doubtful about this one. How can artificial turf be safe? Artificial grass is made from quality synthetic fibers, hazard-free and safe for pets and kids. 

Meanwhile, real grass can be an allergen, and it may require chemicals from fertilizers and pesticides for lawn care. In this way, natural grass may even be riskier than artificial grass. 

Versatility

Artificial grass is both pet-friendly and child-friendly. Those with grass or pollen allergies can safely play on this turf without irritation. Dogs also love artificial grass texture, not to mention that the material makes waste cleanup simple for pet owners. 

Weather Conditions

The synthetic lawn is resilient to any seasonal changes in weather. While natural grass is susceptible to nutrient loss, artificial grass will stay green and beautiful throughout the entire year. It does not need any chemicals such as fertilizers or pesticides to be sustained. Homeowners do not need to mow or weed it. Meanwhile, when it comes to natural grass, this is required and can be time consuming and expensive. 

Grass with Drops of Water
Photo by Marta Dzedyshko from Pexels

If you are looking to transform your law with artificial grass, the installation is best left to the professionals. For quality turf that looks as seamless and real as possible, hire the best company in your area.

Read Dennis Z.‘s review of NoMow Turf on Yelp

Cost

Nothing is worse than getting the water bill monthly and realizing that half of it went to the lawn. Fortunately, an artificial lawn needs far less watering to maintain; this ensures savings on the water bill all year long, allowing homeowners to spend their money on more essential areas of their life Artificial grass requires little to no pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers; it is low maintenance, as it does not attract weeds or pests. 

The Show Must Go On: How To Treat A Termite Infested Music Recording Studio

The Show Must Go On: How To Treat A Termite Infested Music Recording Studio

If there is one thing I have been missing recently, it is the feel of a guitar and the beautiful music that comes from it once I am in the zone and in my flow. I recently realized that I wanted to tap into that feeling again, so I decided to renovate my office into a music recording studio to spend more time doing what I love. I may have retired from the rock and roll lifestyle and business, but I very much enjoy going into the studio to jam.

Person Playing Brown Guitar

However, as we got into the demolition, I discovered something that horrified me. It had turned out that my office had been infested with termites. 

If you have followed me for some time, you know that this wasn’t my first rodeo. As soon as I realized what was going on, I immediately called a termite inspector and exterminator to resolve the issue. It wasn’t an easy situation to resolve. For those who are dealing with the same issue, I thought I would share my experience with the termite inspection and removal process.

What You Need To Know About Termite Inspection And Treatment

A termite inspection will take place before the termite treatment, in order to assess the extent of the infestation and decide the best course of action. Now, this may vary among termite experts, but I was told to prep before my appointment by clearing out all items from the area so that inspection could be properly done without obstruction.

During the inspection, they looked at both the exterior and the interior and noticed a few red flags, including discarded wings and mud tubes. I hired a company in Pasadena for my termite treatment. You will need to ensure that when the inspector comes, they will have access to all the areas of the house. With the size of my property, it took them forty-five minutes to inspect. Your inspection may take more or less time, depending on your house.

There are various ways to deal with termites.

Bait Systems

This is an extreme measure, however, it needs to be taken when one has colonies of termites within and surrounding their house. This is done by installing bait stations throughout the space. The baits are then monitored to detect future termite infestations as they enter into your house. 

Soil Treatment

This is usually done when the house is infested with subterranean termites. A trench is dug around the foundation of the house and the soil is treated with a substance that kills termites. The trench is then filled, and the insecticide remains in the soil to effectively kill all termites. 

Wood Treatment

There are many types of termite treatments for wood, however, foams are especially useful for areas that are difficult to reach. Termite treatment foams can be used indoors and outdoors.

If you also have an infestation and are looking for termite treatment, then you should prepare yourself—be armed and ready with information and expertise. You can give Grand Oaks Termite Control a call today for consultation and inspection.

Grand Oaks Termite Control
110 S Worthy Dr, Glendora, CA 91741

How To Keep Your Dog Healthy

How To Keep Your Dog Healthy

I had a long jam session last night, so this article is a guest post by our neighborhood dog walker. Enjoy!

Every dog-owner will agree that their pets are an integral part of their families and that they cannot imagine their lives without them. These animals are so adorable and affectionate, that their wellbeing becomes such a priority that cannot be compromised at any cost. Needless to say, a pet dog has nobody else to rely on apart from its owner to take care of its health. A balanced diet, regular grooming and exercise, and routine checkups at the veterinarian are necessary to ensure that your dog’s physical and mental health is taken care of.

Keeping your dog’s heart healthy can make your heart healthy too. According to a study titled Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, owning a dog is linked to better human well-being and longevity. That said, if you notice that your dog is suddenly having difficulty breathing or experiencing fatigue, they may have a heart problem. You should schedule an appointment immediately with a Cardiac Veterinarian.  

Furthermore, it is very important for you to carefully analyze your doggy best friend’s habits in terms of their activities, such as play, eating, drinking, and sleeping. Variations in these patterns are the clearest sign that their health may be in questionable condition.

Record their weight 

A dog’s weight, much like a human being, is dependent on a balance between nutrition and physical activity. For instance, if your dog has been fed nutritious meals and is yet underweight or overweight, then you wouldn’t be entirely wrong to suspect that they might be struggling with health issues. Overfeeding a dog to keep him strong and healthy is a common mistake, as obese dogs are more vulnerable to developing serious health issues. According to experts, the best way to tell whether or not you are feeding your dog more than you should is by feeling the area around its rib cage. If you can feel their ribs under their skin without much padding, then they are likely in good shape.

Wash your dog regularly 

There is no better feeling than petting the soft coat of your dog after a long, hard day. That said, you should check your dog’s skin frequently, as it can explain a lot about their health. Common causes for concern include scabs, white flakes, and red patches. As an owner, you should check your dog’s skin for fleas, lice, ticks, and any other such external pests that are capable of wreaking havoc. Spotted early, it can be controlled before it is too late. If there is a spot that looks like black dirt clumping their coat against their skin, it could be flea droppings. Therefore, in order to steer away from the possibility of your dog developing any such condition, they should be washed often.

Closeup Photography of Adult Short-coated Tan and White Dog Sleeping on Gray Textile at Daytime

Schedule routine veterinarian appointments 

Vaccinations can prevent the dog from contracting serious illnesses that might be irrevocable or even fatal. Getting your dog shielded from ailments like hepatitis and rabies through vaccination will give you peace of mind, sparing you of the headache that comes with constantly worrying about their health.

An Artist’s Desire To Start Over

An Artist’s Desire To Start Over

Have you ever looked at your life and wanted to start over?

Because…I have. Like most artists, I am never quite satisfied with reality as it is. I have always believed in the possibilities of creating something new, impactful, and amazing. I believe that this creative drive is innate within every artist. Sometimes it leads me into chaos, like not sleeping for 3 days in a row, and other times, it leads to a masterpiece—like my second critically acclaimed studio album. There is no way to predict where your ideas will lead you.

I believe that life is far too short for it to stay the same for too long. We are, after all, human, and that means our tastes and preferences change over time. Some of us will come to despise what we once loved, or we will come to find that that which we once could not get enough of, is now boring. In these cases, I don’t think of it an inconvenience to change things up and get to work—I see it as an opportunity. Tearing down the old and familiar can be messy, yet exhilarating.

I’ve been wanting to remodel our house for the past year. The architecture and style of my home had been largely influenced by my grunge rock days. I was into that. It’d be typical for me to wake up in the evening and not be able to tell if it was morning or evening. The house had a bit of a dark, mysterious feel to it, no matter the time of day.

Black Frame Under Red Pendant Lamp

But I started thinking that maybe I wasn’t getting the most out of life, living this way. I thought about moving to a new home, but I simply love Orange County too much. That’s when I thought about renovating my home, transforming it into a brighter and more open space.

I knew I needed to find the best team of designers, painters, carpenters, and architects. I googled “home remodeling orange county” and was delighted to find Inspired Remodels, a design and build contractor! I checked out their website and discovered that they can do it all: bathrooms, kitchens, full interiors, and custom carpentry. I knew I had to give them a call to see if they could take on the remodel I had in mind.

Sure enough, they assured me that my project could be completed by their team “from floor to ceiling.” That was relieving. I certainly wanted to have no part in the process; if it were left to me, I’d create a disaster. I will always just stick to making music, not renovating homes. I also looked up their reviews on Yelp—and they are fantastic. Moreover, their online portfolio had exactly what I was looking for.

The renovations were complete a few weeks ago, and I couldn’t be happier with my new home. I find myself waking up a lot earlier. Hello, productivity!

If you have an idea for your home renovation, you can give them a call.

Inspired Remodels
21098 Bake Pkwy Suite 102, Lake Forest, CA 92630, United States

The American Dream Becomes Reality

The American Dream Becomes Reality

I would like to speak about something near and dear to my heart to hopefully inspire all of you dreamers out there. I guess this will probably sound a bit more serious than usual, but here we go…

Who was the first person to give you one big chance at making your dreams come to life? For me, it was an executive in Los Angelos who gave me my first record deal. I was a young kid with no money and sky-high dreams. If it weren’t for that record deal, I probably would have ended up homeless in LA or back on my mom’s couch in Minnesota.

Every artist dreams of their lucky break. But for many of us who were born in the United States, we tend to take the American dream for granted. Success stories like Kenyan musician J.S. Ondara remind us of the transformative impact immigration has on the lives of artists around the world. In 2013, Ondara received his United States green card, and today his album “Tales of America (The Second Coming)” has been nominated to receive a Grammy Award.

Stories like Ondara’s remind us to persevere no matter our circumstances, and to appreciate how lucky we are to live in the United States. Moreover, my point is this: no matter how hard it seems for you to create your art, you must push yourself to do it anyway. You should unleash your creativity against all odds, because every day is an opportunity to make something beautiful even if it seems unlikely to make it big. You never know how many people are working harder than you while having fewer opportunities and resources. I truly believe that each one of us got to where we are today because someone decided to give us a chance. That person saw something in you that reminded them of themselves, and it was your determination and drive that convinced them to take a bet on you. And it’s up to you to pass on the good deed.

While on tour in Portugal, I met with an up-and-coming band out of Lisbon. They opened for one of our shows, and I was very impressed with their talent. After the show, their lead guitarist Adriano stopped by backstage for some advice on immigrating to the United States. I was caught off guard and I didn’t have all of the answers. I promised Adriano I would ask a lawyer in the United States and get back to him with answers.

Having dealt with a previous issue with my bandmate George (he almost got deported back to Canada), I reached out to the best immigration lawyer I knew of based in Orange County, Kiran Nair of K Nair Law Group. I knew that I could trust her expertise. Ms. Nair has represented cases in Los Angeles and San Diego, in front of the California Superior and Immigration Courts.

Kiran Nair Esq.

The next day, I met with Adriano and his band at one of Lisbon’s best coffee shops and shared some good news: I would fund their legal expenses to immigrate to the United States, and I knew exactly who to refer them as their immigration lawyer.

Keep on dreaming and never give up! And if you need an immigration lawyer, I recommend you give Ms. Nair a call.

K Nair Law Group, P.C.
31897 Del Obispo St #225, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675, United States