Diamond Certified Blog

by Chris Bjorklund
January 02, 2014

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has many valuable resources for consumers. Watch this video to learn about a few of them. Read more

by James Florence
December 23, 2013

Regular cleaning is an essential part of maintaining any floor, but many homeowners fail to realize that there’s often a right way and a wrong way to go about it. One of the biggest mistakes you can make in this regard is using a cleaning product that’s excessively harsh or contains “contaminants.” Here are a couple examples of how using the wrong cleaner can have undesirable consequences.

Hardwood flooring
Steering clear of the wrong cleaning products is important when dealing with hardwood floors. In particular, labels such as “finish revitalizer” or claims to “bring back the old shine” should be red flags. Read more

by Chris Bjorklund
December 20, 2013

Do you know what to look for when shopping for a used car? Watch this video for some helpful tips. Read more

by Chris Bjorklund
December 12, 2013

Watch this video to learn what to look for in a professional caregiver. Read more

by James Florence
December 10, 2013

You might not realize it, but your home may be a target if it’s bordered by tall trees. Every year, falling trees account for millions of dollars of damages to homes in the United States. For this reason, if you’re unsure about the condition of a tree near your home, it’s a good idea to have its health evaluated. While a DIY examination is no substitute for the expertise of a licensed arborist, there are various signs and symptoms you can look for to assess the health of a tree.

First, look for visible indications of the tree’s overall health. Signs of good health include full growth; vibrant leaves; and strong, contiguous trunk bark. Read more

by Chris Bjorklund
December 03, 2013

Watch this video for some helpful tips about cleaning and maintaining carpet, rugs and floors. Read more

by James Florence
November 21, 2013

When it comes to window frames, wood is one of the most popular choices among homeowners. Functioning on both aesthetic and functional levels, wood enhances a home’s visual beauty while acting as an effective insulator. However, unlike other options like vinyl and fiberglass, wood window frames require ongoing maintenance to keep them looking beautiful and functioning properly.

Since wood is a natural substance, its porous quality renders it vulnerable to degradation from outdoor elements like UV rays and moisture. Untreated wood products that are exposed to excessive sunlight are subject to rapid deterioration, causing discoloration as well as cracks that enable moisture to enter, which often results in the proliferation of mold and other fungi. Read more

by Chris Bjorklund
November 18, 2013

Will you leave behind a positive digital legacy? Watch this video for some helpful advice. Read more

by James Florence
November 12, 2013

Whether from force of habit or misinformation, many drivers still think it’s necessary to let their cars idle and warm up before driving in the morning. While this may have been important 30 years ago, modern technological advancements have made warming up a car before driving a thing of the past.

Prior to the 1980s, the fuel delivery systems in most cars were regulated by carburetors. With a carburetor, an engine needed to be warm in order to get the correct fuel mixture, which was why letting a car idle for several minute before driving was so important. By the end of the ’80s, however, a new kind of system was introduced: fuel injection. Read more

by Chris Bjorklund
November 07, 2013

Watch this video to find out why surge protectors are so important for households with a lot of electronic devices and appliances. Read more