Shop Your Lighting Project at Rayneau’s Electrical Department

Rayneau  Electrical  Department can help with your next project. 

Is your home feeling a little dim? Rayneau has all of the electrical products you need. Light up your life! Read on for some of the great products we have in stock to power your next home lighting project.

Extension Cords – You can never have too many! Extension Cords come in both indoor and outdoor varieties, so for your safety, make sure you select the right one for your needs. Once your cords start to fray or you see any sign of damage, be sure to pick up a replacement at Rayneau to lessen your risk of electrical shock. 

Most savvy DIYers keep a variety of different lengths of extension cords on hand for whatever project may come up. We carry cord lengths ranging from the 25m long  CABLE REEL 25M 240V CR2513  Ace SJTW Outdoor Extension Cord to 50m  CABLE REEL 50M 240V CR5013 

Power Strips – Power Strips are an important item, for both the safety and convenience of your family. Water and electricity shouldn’t mix, which is why one of our best-selling items is the CORD SURGE WHT 6OUT 750J 3FT. This electrical product is water resistant and will minimize the flow of electricity when in contact with water.

 Electrical boxes and electrical switches – Electrical boxes and accompanying switches come in a variety of different materials, so they’ll get the job done no matter what you need. If your project requires a basic steel box, fiberglass or if PVC is what you need, check out this link above.

Electrical tape – Electrical tape is a must for any lighting-related project. If you’ve had issues with your tape not sticking in the past, you may need a specialty tape like Catfish Electrical Tape 20m Black Our Electrical Department representatives at Rayneau will be happy to help you pick out the perfect type.

Circuit breakers – A circuit breaker is designed to interrupt electrical flow in case of a short or an electrical overload. Typically, different types of breakers  operate from different points in your home and can handle different amounts of current – so it’s important to do your research before purchasing a circuit breaker. Rayneau carries breakers that can range from 50 to 200 amps or more.

Come in today at our Corinth, Monchy, Babonneau or Vide Bouteille locations and one of our helpful Electrical Department customer representatives will be happy to assist you in picking out the necessary electrical products for your next home lighting project.

At Rayneau, we're always Happy to serve you!!!

Storm and Hurricane Preparadness!

When it comes to the beautiful summer weather, we learn to take the good with the bad. Sometimes though, Mother Nature tends to get a bit too cranky. Whether she throws us a tropical storm or a hurricane, it’s best to know what to do. Below, we share some before and after tips, as well as go over what equipment  and tools could come in handy.

Before the Storm

Trees

Inspecting your trees should be a priority.

Look for cracks in the trunk or on major limbs as well as branches that are too close to your house (or other important structures), and their proximity to power lines.

Try to stay ahead of the storms by trimming dead branches and those too near to your structures. Keep in mind that you should not attempt to trim branches that are too close or touching power lines. Call LUCELEC and make them aware of the problem.

Fences
It’s a good idea to keep your fencing in good shape for a variety of reasons, and storm preparation is no exception. Repair or replace any loose boards that may fly off in high wind. This is also a good time to stabilize or replace any posts that are loose or weak. Renting a post-hole digger will make this a simple project.

Store away loose objects
Store any loose objects if a storm is expected. Lawn furniture, trash cans, tools and any other objects that be easily blown around should be secured in a shed or garage.

After the Storm

Access the damage. Check if power lines are effected or not and call LUCELEC if necessary. Be cautious of leaning trees and other hazards.

If trees are down, read on for recommended equipment to make your clean up easier.

If trees are not down, inspect for cracks and fallen branches.

The Storm/Hurricane Equipment Checklist

Chippers
Nothing makes short work of a fallen tree quite like a chipper. You should try to rent the proper size chipper that best fits your needs. Most homeowners get by nicely with smaller models that can be wheeled around the yard by hand. The silver lining here is that you will be turning your yard waste into useful mulch for your landscaping projects.

Ladders and Lifts
These are useful for repairing siding, windows, gutters and roofing from storm damage. If you find that the repair job is beyond your ability, use the opportunity while up there to take pictures of the damage for insurance purposes.

Generators
Depending on your needs, generators can be essential during prolonged power outages.

Pressure washers
If the storm brought flooding, a pressure washer can do wonders to scour silt and grime away.

Pumps
If you are unfortunate to have your bottom floor full of water, a pump can be vital.

As with using all equipment, safety is paramount. Follow all directions concerning proper gear and procedures to ensure your storm cleanup goes as smoothly and safely as possible. If you have any questions concerning availably or what equipment will best fit your needs, give us a call at 714 –RENT (7368). Let us help you get the job done.

Also, visit our hardware stores conveniently in Corinth  450-7247, Vide Bouteille 450-7246, Monchy 450-7248 or Babonneau  450-5759 as we have all you need in preparation for the inclement weather and post cleaning.

At Rayneau, we are always happy to serve you!

5 Simple Steps to Stain Your Hardwood Floors!

Hardwood floors typically last for the life of a home, but with wear and tear of everyday use, they will eventually need refinishing. Hardwood floor refinishing is a fairly simple do-it-yourself project. You may need to use some equipment for sanding the wood floors, applying stain and adding a protective wood finish to make your hardwood floors look shiny and new again.

A Stained Hardwood Floor

Sanding, staining and sealing a wood floor takes time and effort. It’s a demanding project, even for a veteran home handyman  or a "do-it-yourselfer." That said, you can save a considerable sum by doing it yourself, sometimes more than half of what it would cost to hire a pro. If you’re ready and willing to take on the task, keep reading for more tips on how to stain your own hardwood floors.

After you've sanding your floor, you might want to change the color of your wood. However, be careful before you start. If there is a lot of scratching from your floor due to the sanding, the scratches will look worse when you apply stain therefore make sure the floor is smooth by filling the scratches with a sealer.  

Here is what you should do to stain your floor:

1) Make sure that all of the excess sawdust is removed
 Thoroughly vacuum up the enormous quantity of sawdust created during the sanding stage of the project. Don’t use your regular household vacuum, though—it’s probably not up to the task. Opt instead for a heavy-duty shop vac fitted with a brush attachment and, ideally, a new filter. You won’t want sawdust mixed into your stain so be sure that there isn’t anything on the bare floor.

2) Ventilation
At last, you’re ready to stain—but not before ensuring proper ventilation (after all,

floor finishes can emit harmful vapors). If you didn’t want any ventilation while you were sanding because it would blow the sawdust around, it will be the complete opposite in this situation. You will want ventilation so you don’t have to inhale any of the stain fumes.

3) Start staining
Use a two-inch paint brush to go with the grain with long, even strokes. If you find that you applied too much in one area, you can lightly wipe it off with a rag. Always make sure that you are working towards an exit door. 

4) Repeat if necessary
Let the stain dry, then assess whether you’d like the finish to be darker. If so, apply a second coat. If there are any light spots, you may want to apply an additional coat.

6) Applying the finishing touch

When the stain is completely dry, it’s time for the last step—protecting the finish with polyurethane sealer. Using a high-density foam roller (and if necessary, a two-inch brush for some parts of the room), apply a thin, even coat across the entire floor surface. Wipe up any excess, then let the coat dry to a glossy finish.

Materials and Tools Available at Rayneau

– Shop vac 
– Tack cloth
– Protective eye-wear and dust mask or respirator
– Stain
– Lambswool stain applicator
– Rags
– Two-inch paintbrushes
– Polyurethane sealer
– High density foam roller

– Protective gear

For more details, call 450-7247 and ask to speak to Michael in our Paint  and Sundries Department for expert advice on staining your hardwood floors. At Rayneau,we're Always Happy to Serve You.

5 Fashionable Colours for Your Home Designs

Are you considering refreshing your home décor or buying a new home and would like it to reflect your personal style? 

When it comes to home design, color choice is everything. Not only can color affect mood, but it can also impact the perceived size and brightness of your space.

According to Michael, our expert in the Paints Department, there are five fashionable colours you might want to consider.

         

Pewter

Pewter is a neutral beige-gray. It's a functional choice that works virtually anywhere in the house. Thanks to its muted tones, it goes well with just about any color or accent, from bright and bold shades to lighter pastel ones.

Mustard

Which hue is great for drawing in the eye? Mustard. It’s perfect for highlighting decor or accenting a specific part of your home. This one is best used in smaller doses because it’s so strong.

Light Blues

Light blues are naturally soothing. That makes them an appropriate option for bathrooms, bedrooms and powder rooms -- places that could use the calming effect of these tones.

Deep Green

Nature-inspired deep greens are an excellent choice for large rooms. That goes double for ones with lots of windows and natural light. These dark hues aren’t great for smaller spaces -- they often make the area feel more cramped.

Pastel Colours

Simple, muted pastels are perfect for places where a minimal feel is best. They also evoke cleanliness, making them well-suited to kitchens, laundry rooms and bathrooms.

These are just a few of the shades that designers are strongly recommending this year.. Test out swatches, consider your decor and think about how you use each space. Your home's interior will be refreshed in no time.

Visit any of our stores at Corinth, Vide Bouteille, Monchy and Babonneau: At Rayneau, we are always happy to serve YOU!

Follow us on FaceBook or check out our website here.

5 Landscaping Techniques for Upgrading your Pool

You are really privileged to have a pool at home especially on these hot summer days.

The pool will undoubtedly be the place most used by family, friends and guests if they are lucky to be enjoying a holiday at your place. If not, a swim in the pool after a taxing day at work is a time to which to look forward

When you have a pool, there are many more small and big details that you need to pay attention to - as keeping the pool clean, well maintained and safe. With so much detail to attend to, you may have overlooked the aesthetics of the pool and its surroundings. When you incorporate the right landscaping techniques, you can create a beautiful space around your pool. This makes the pool more inviting to everyone and your property looks better overall.

Here are 5 Poolside landscaping tips:

1 - Surround your pool with a patio or terrace

For an above ground pool, a deck tends to work better. This is because you can go straight from the deck into the water without having to climb the stairs to the pool, while a patio can be installed around the deck an in ground pool.

2 - Enhance the area around your pool with appropriate vegetation

Plants, shrubs and spreading trees, such as flowering trees, are not ideal for landscaping to use in landscaping. Using evergreen plants are best because the leaves don’t fall in the water and limit the amount of debris that ends up in your swimming pool. The right vegetation not only adds a unique decor, but it can create a sense of intimacy to your yard. It can even protect the lawn adjacent pool from getting damaged by too much water.

3 - Install a fence around the deck or patio of your pool

This feature of landscaping is not only attractive, but it also serves as an essential safety tool.

4 - Use the landscape that is already there

If your yard has a great view like a lot of plants or a lot of rocks, try to incorporate these aspects into your aesthetics instead of creating look that does not fit the rest of your neighborhood.

5 - Keep your taste in mind while landscaping around your pool

If you prefer a simple landscape, couple the minimal vegetation with a standard fence. However, if you are adventurous, consider creating a tropical theme. For example, use palm trees, hibiscus flowers, and an elaborate stone fence. When choosing any theme, try to match the environment in which you live.

If you're ready to get started on improving your pool’s landscape, then pay us a visit at our Corinth (450-7247) Monchy (450-7248) Vide Bouteille (450-7246) or Babonneau (450-5759) branch.  At Rayneau, we are always ready to serve you.

#ShopRayneau #EverythingUnderOneRoof

Renting a Forklift from Rayneau Rentals and Sales

Renting a forklift from Rayneau Rentals and Sales is a cost effective way for companies to have access to a forklift. Whether you operate a small business or a construction company, there is a good chance that you use forklifts in your warehouse. 

Forklifts allow you to move large objects or stacks of objects around a warehouse. The cost of these machines is enormous, more than most companies would like to spend on this necessity. Instead of shelling out thousands of dollars for a brand new forklift, consider finding a forklift rental from Rayneau Rentals and Sales. This is great for a variety of businesses or organizations, from the agricultural sector to construction.

Forklifts in the Agricultural Sector

If you work on a farm, then you know that you might not need a forklift year round. Most farms only need a forklift for moving their crop or unloading supplies at the beginning of the season. Having to purchase and then store a forklift is an expense that farmers can do without. Contact Rayneau Rentals and Sales and start saving money and space.

New Businesses Need to Be Careful with Money

When you start a new business, money can be tight. There are a lot of different costs that go into starting a business. Finding ways that you can eliminate extra cost could end up making or breaking your company. If your business has a warehouse and moves a lot of material around, then you are probably going to need a forklift. Renting a forklift from Rayneau Rentals and Sales is a smart decision. This is especially true if you only need a forklift occasionally, such as when supplies or other materials arrive.

Construction Companies Benefit from Forklift Rental

Construction companies often make a lot of use out of forklifts. When they go to a job site, they need to pay to transport the forklifts, store them, and maintain them. Opting to rent from Rayneau Rentals and Sales can eliminate the costs

 Rayneau Rentals and Sales is your rental company with good rates to start saving your business money today. Call us at 721(RENT) - 7368 or visit us at Vide Bouteille, on the Gros Islet Highway. #ShopRayneau #EverythingUnderOneRoof

Don't Let Your Guard Down - Get Ready With Rayneau!

Historically, the majority of tropical storms and hurricanes that have impacted our island have occurred during the months of August and September. However, we are already in hurricane season, and a damaging storm can occur anytime between now and November. Therefore, it is not too early to start preparing yourself, your family, your home, and your business for a tropical storm or hurricane.

• "Hurricane season's most active weeks are still ahead of us, so the short-term lull in the Atlantic should not make you let your guard down."

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) 2019 seasonal outlook predicts an average number of hurricanes this season. Regardless of the number of storms, it only takes one storm to create devastating effects — especially if you aren’t prepared when it hits. Find out more about the hazards of hurricanes., and what you can do to make sure your family, your home, and your business are ready before a storm hits.

Know your emergency shelters

It’s important to have plans in case your family needs to take action before or during a storm. There are a few things you should consider:

If you live on the coast or in flood prone area, you may have to evacuate in the event of a major storm.

While you'll no doubt get instructions from the local government, it's wise to create your evacuation plan well before a disaster strikes. This way, you can know ahead of time about the nearest shelters.

Build an Emergency Kit

Hurricanes can cause extended power outages, flooding, and blocked roads. You should have an emergency kit to sustain yourself and your family for at least 72 hours in case you lose power, if stranded in your home, or nearby stores are closed or damaged. Make sure your kit includes:

• Bottled water                                     Shelf-stable food             Flashlights
• A radio and extra batteries                 A first-aid kit and sanitation items        
• Important documents and records
• Clothing                                             A charged cell phone        Cash

#ShopRayneau For Hurricane Supplies .

As part of your emergency plans, The National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) has recommended that the following hurricane preparedness supplies should be part of your supplies repertoire. At Rayneau we are well stocked to meet all your hurricane needs. 

Stay Informed

As a storm approaches, monitor media reports and follow instructions from public safety officials with these tools:

•     Social Media — Follow NEMO Facebook  for emergency updates during hurricanes.
•     Local  Radio and Television Stations — Check with your local emergency radio and television stations for timely emergency notification.

Preparing for a tropical storm or hurricane takes a bit of time and effort, but it will be worth it if a storm hits St Lucia. Share these tips to help friends and family prepare during hurricane season.

Pay us a visit at our Corinth (450-7247) Monchy (450-7248) Vide Bouteille (450-7246) or Babonneau (450-5759) branch for all your hurricane supplies.

Happy Birthday to a Wonderful Boss!

Birthday is a momentous occasion, an anniversary of the day on which one is born. It is a day to reminisce the chance life gave one to commence a duty. It is also an important moment to celebrate the joy of being alive, and these celebrations consistently accumulate to form a cluster of sweet memories. Everybody has a birthday, and our boss is certainly no exception.

Today, Mr Rayneau Gajadjar, our boss, team leader and CEO of RG Group of Companies Ltd is celebrating his Big Day and  the management and staff of the company are celebrating with him to make his day more exciting and make him feel appreciated.

We at RG Group of Companies Ltd hope to make our boss’ Big Day more colourful by sending many birthday wishes to him.

“Wishing a very happy birthday to a very wonderful boss. We’re  grateful to work with a boss who treats us with love and respect. It is our hope that you continue to spread your wings and fly. May your heart know happiness today and on all the days of your life.”

                                                                                      Happy Birthday Boss!!!!

Happy Emancipation Day From RG Group of Companies Ltd!

• “If you know your history, then you would know where you coming from.”  -  Bob Marley

TODAY is Emancipation day – a day when St Lucians, in particular, African St Lucians, observe the ending of chattel slavery and the dawn of freedom from servitude. RG Group of Companies Ltd takes the opportunity to salute our African St Lucian brothers and sisters as they celebrate with the rest of St Lucia what is easily the most important day on their calendar and by extension the St Lucian calendar.

August 1, 1834, marked the end of slavery in the Caribbean and in some countries August 1 is observed as a national holiday. All across the Caribbean— in St Lucia Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Dominica, Grenada, all the islands — there will be tributes to our ancestors, church services, and street processions to observe the end of this very dark period in our history.

August 1, 2019 marks 181 years since the proclamation of full freedom for Africans in the British colonies.  Emancipation Day is a way for people of African descent in the Caribbean to remind themselves of the struggle for freedom.

It was not until 1834 that slavery was actually abolished on Saint Lucia. Even after slavery was officially abolished, all former slaves had to serve a four-year ‘apprenticeship’ which forced them to work for free for their former slave masters for at least three-quarters of the work week, meaning final freedom did not come until 1838. Full freedom for enslaved Africans in St Lucia was not achieved until August 1, 1838.

Emancipation Day was first "established," after the British Parliament passed the Slave Emancipation Act in 1833 banning its policy of enslaving and transporting Africans across the Atlantic Ocean to the Caribbean islands.

ON August 28, 1833, the bill for the abolition of slavery in the British dominions received the royal assent. It stated:

•  Be it enacted, that all and every one of the persons who on the first day of August one thousand eight hundred and thirty four, shall be holden in slavery within such British colony as aforesaid, shall, upon and from and after the said first day of August, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-four, become and be to all intents and purposes free and discharged from all manner of slavery, and shall be absolutely and forever manumitted.

The passage of this bill in the British Parliament in England led to the emancipation of slavery in all British colonies, including St Lucia, on August 1, 1834.

The bill's passage immediately transformed thousands of enslaved Africans who were six years and older into apprentices with the intention of manumission in 1838 for former household enslaved Africans and 1840 for those who worked in the field. All children six years and under were to be made free immediately.

In 1997, the then government introduced Emancipation Day as a public holiday - It had been recognised on the first Monday in August. The introduction of Emancipation Day as a holiday provides the opportunity for us to reflect on the journey of our ancestors in their struggle for freedom.  As Bob Marley sings, "If you know your history, then you would know where you coming from". An understanding of our past and the experiences of our ancestors is important as we continue to build our country.

Not much has changed in the lives of the children of the slaves since Emancipation from our 300-year-long nightmare. We keep the hope that we can completely free ourselves of the shackles that were once on our feet. 

Today, RG Group of Companies Ltd joins our brothers and sisters in the Caribbean in remembering the pain of slavery, vowing that no one will ever put us in chains again. We keep the hope for a better future for our children.

As we celebrate another Emancipation anniversary, let us as a nation redouble our efforts to wipe away the blood and tears of slavery and make Emancipation a reality of Freedom, Equality and Justice for the sons and daughters of the enslaved and for all St Lucians regardless of race, ethnicity and culture.

Happy Emancipation Day to all St Lucians, and to all of our customers, clients and readers!