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Even The Best Garbage Disposal Clogs Up Sometimes

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Dispose Wisely: How to Choose a Garbage Disposal

After scraping the dinner plates into the sink, flipping a switch and watching the food particles disappear, many of us don’t think twice about our garbage disposals (also known as garbage disposers). We especially don’t think about installing a new one. However, even the best disposals will eventually need to be replaced. When that time comes, be prepared with these tips on what to consider when buying a garbage disposal.

Signs it’s Time to Think About Buying a New Garbage Disposal

First, determine if a replacement is necessary. Sure, it may not be your top priority, but if you find yourself experiencing the following, it may be time to replace your garbage disposal

What Garbage Disposal is Best for Me?

There are two types of garbage disposalsto choose from: the continuous feed and the batch feed. Both get the job done; however, the continuous feed disposals are the easiest to use. Also the most commonly used disposal, the continuous feed version has an open mouth and is operated by a switch. The batch feed disposal, on the other hand, requires that you place your food waste into the chamber and close the stopper lid to activate the food grinder inside.

Motor Size

– The smaller the motor size, the fewer and softer the foods need to be. For example, a one-third or one-half horsepower (HP) motor is perfect for a single homeowner occasionally grinding soft vegetables. A three-fourths or 1 HP motor, on the other hand, is much more suited to a large family that often eats at home and will provide smoother operation, finer pulverization and less jams — which equals less stress on your waste water system.

Grinding Chamber Size And Material

– Chambers in disposals with more HP will be larger, since their motors can handle more food. And chambers and blades made of stainless steel will last longer, be more efficient, are the easiest to clean and won’t rust

 

How to Select a Garbage Disposal

To many of us, the garbage disposal is one of the best kitchen appliances. It not only saves you from having to scrape off every bit of food from each and every dish, but it also lets you do the dishes without worrying about small pieces of food clogging your sink drain.

Garbage disposals are pretty simple devices so you don’t have to spend a lot of time narrowing down what you want. You can quickly select the feed type, motor size, and a few other features that fit your use and your budget. You also don’t have to spend a lot to get solid performance, but it’s a good idea to buy a quality product ad to keep the disposal clean. Better disposers are more effective and last longer than cheaper models, which means you won’t have the expense and effort of replacing it as soon.

Components of Design

Invented in 1927 by John Hammes, the garbage disposal hasn’t changed much over the years. A classic version is little more than a plastic housing containing a motor connected to a metal grinding plate with two “teeth” (called impellers) that help break down the food waste. The plate is surrounded by a perforated metal ring called the grinding ring. As the waste is ground up, water flushes the particles through holes in the grinding ring, out through the discharge opening of the housing, and into the drain pipe. The impellers help the grinding process, but they aren’t sharp and they don’t cut up food as a blender does; rather, they and the spinning plate force the food against the grinding ring, which is stationary and has a textured surface that breaks down the material.

Feed Type

Disposals come in two basic types: continuous feed and batch feed. Continuous feed disposals are the most common and generally the easiest to use. They are the open-mouth disposals that turn on and off with a wall switch. Batch feed disposals require you to fit a stopper lid into the mouth of the disposal to activate the unit. This makes it impossible to turn on the disposal while your hand is fishing down inside the unit. It also helps prevent accidental mishaps like turning on the disposal just as a fork is slipping into its mouth. Batch feed disposals can be more expensive than continuous feed and generally are less commonly available.

Motor Size

The motor size of a disposal is rated in horsepower (HP). Standard sizes include 1/3 HP, 1/2 HP, 3/4 HP, and 1 HP. For most households, 1/2 HP is plenty of power, but paying a bit more for a 3/4 to 1 HP motor can mean fewer jams and smoother operation, especially if you tend to be hard on your disposal. If you don’t want to worry about what goes into the disposal, lean toward a larger motor.

 

Garbage Disposal Buying Guide

Garbage disposals—sometimes called garbage disposers—are a cook’s best friend, grinding up and washing away kitchen refuse with the touch of a switch. If you are in the market for a new garbage disposal, this garbage disposal buying guide will show you that choosing one is a very simple process because your choices are limited.

From an environmental point of view, garbage disposals have pluses and minuses. They help minimize the amount of garbage that is delivered to landfills, but, in doing so, they require using significantly more water and energy, and they can strain septic systems and sewage treatment facilities. A good compromise is to compost food scraps whenever possible and use a disposer when not.

Disposal Grinding Power

Power, for example, makes a big difference both in performance and durability. At the low end, you can buy 1/3-horsepower units, but we recommend that you spend a little more to get a lot more.

Disposal Connections and Switches

Most garbage disposals interlock at the bottom of a sink’s standard drain outlet and are designed for easy connection. Various adapters and connection kits are available. They must be hard-wired or plugged into to a 120-volt receptacle with a 3- to 6-foot power cord that sometimes must be ordered separately. And they are connected to a drain pipe.

Septic Assist Garbage Disposal

Garbage disposals can be rough on a septic system because they expel wastes that are difficult for the microorganisms in the septic tank to digest.

 

How to Choose a Garbage Disposal

It’s hard to imagine getting by without a garbage disposal nowadays. Garbage disposals (sometimes called garbage disposers, depending on where you live) are strictly essential, but they save you quite a bit of dirty work and make cleaning dishes a lot more pleasant than it would otherwise be. If you’re building a new home, replacing a broken garbage disposal or simply want to upgrade your garbage disposal, you’ll want to know the different options that are available in today’s garbage disposals before you make your choice. Keep reading for some information on the options that are available and how you can choose a garbage disposal that works for your home.

eigh the differences between types of garbage disposals.

Garbage disposals come in two different basic designs: continuous feed garbage disposals and batch feed garbage disposals. Continuous feed disposals run as long as the switch is flipped, so you can funnel food into the disposal while it’s still on. Batch feed disposals only turn on when you put the disposal cover in place, so you run the disposal one batch at a time. Continuous feed sink disposals are the most common kind of disposal since they are convenient and relatively inexpensive. However, some people prefer batch feed sink disposals since they won’t turn on unless the cover is on, eliminating the risk of injury or flying particles.

Choose the level of horsepower you want for your garbage disposal.

The biggest difference between the least expensive and most expensive garbage disposal is horsepower. The most basic garbage disposals have as low as 1/4 horsepower motors, and the most powerful disposals have 1 horsepower motors; however, that doesn’t necessarily mean that the 1 horsepower models are the best garbage disposals available. If your household has few members and you don’t work your disposal very hard, then you can probably get away with a 1/4 horsepower or 1/3 horsepower model. Of course, if you want to be able to grind chicken bones and you have a larger family, a 1 horsepower garbage disposal may be a wise choice.

Consider how noisy you want your garbage disposal to be.

Sink garbage disposals are known for being noisy, but modern disposals have come a long way in terms of noise reduction. Many of the high-end sink garbage disposals have noise-dampening materials that significantly reduce the rumble that usually accompanies operating a disposal. If you want a quiet garbage disposal, you will have to pay extra. If noise is a key factor, look around for quiet garbage disposals. If saving money is more important, you can find plenty of garbage disposals that do a great, loud job

Decide whether you want a garbage disposal with stainless steel parts.

A garbage disposal repair often comes up when some piece or another inside the disposal becomes corroded after years of exposure to water and food. Garbage disposals made with stainless steel components can help you avoid these kinds of repairs. Since stainless steel resists corrosion, garbage disposals made with stainless steel grinders can last significantly longer than disposals made with other materials.

 

Garbage Disposal Buying Guide

Putting food down the drain is a modern convenience, thanks to a garbage disposal’s ability to grind food small enough so that it doesn’t clog your drains.

But some municipalities discourage residential garbage disposals because of inadequate sewer systems or water supplies. In these locales, all food waste has to go in the trash, not down the drain. And even if your community allows garbage disposals, using one may cost you more than you think.

That Sinking Feeling: Facts About Garbage Disposals

Garbage disposals address the often disparate demands of convenience and conservation by grinding up kitchen scraps, especially noncompostable leftovers, like meat and poultry, and sending them down the drain to a sewage treatment plant or septic system for handling, rather than to the landfill for slow decomposition.

Is a garbage disposal appropriate in my area? If you use a municipal sewer system, call your local sewer authority to find out its disposal policy. Some require a permit to use one, and some discourage them because of limited water and sewer capacity.

Is my septic tank big enough? Your municipality may require an upgrade if you have a septic system and use a garbage disposal. Check with your local building inspector or environmental health official. Alternatively, you may need to empty the existing tank more frequently.

What You Need To Know About Commercial Electrical Remodel

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A Commercial Electrician Serves All Types of Businesses

If you own or manage a business or industrial use space, you will need a good commercial electrician to keep your facility running smoothly. Whether it’s new installation, upgrades to existing space, or routine repairs, commercial electrical projects require different expertise than residential work.

Some reasons you may call on this type of business include:

  • Space improvements – an experienced firm can help you with the design decisions and then with the electrical requirements for new space or remodeling.
  • Security needs – including motion detectors, security lights, and backup generators.
  • Lighting – you may want this installed for aesthetic reasons, security, or both. This also includes lighting for signage, parking lots, walkways, etc.
  • Energy use analysis – an experienced team can evaluate your systems and tell you what ways you may be able to save on energy costs.
  • Upgrades – especially if your business is in an older building, you may have to make some changes to your electrical setup to make sure it is up to code standards. An experienced company will know what is required and how to keep costs as low as possible to meet local, state and federal requirements.
  • Generator installation – you may want to install a generator that will automatically start if the power goes out. Since this is tightly integrated with your electrical system, you should only use a firm experienced in this type of equipment and installation.
  • Routine maintenance – regular inspections and testing of equipment will help to ensure it is up to code and safe to operate.

 

Experience of Your Electrician

When it comes to the different fields, there are a few as we explained above. What you might also want to know is that there is also more than one level of education and experience that an electrician can have, and each level has its own certification and experience. There are particularly three categories in which an electrician can fall, and they are:

Apprentice – These are electricians who have recently started their training and are working towards getting a journeyman’s license. Many of the times, they are new to the field, and often work side by side with their supervisors, who are usually licensed journeymen, or even master electricians in some cases.

Journeymen – These electricians are professionals that have a certification and are just starting their journeys as licensed electricians. They’ll work unsupervised often, and they handle many different machine applications and power tools in order to do their jobs.

Master Electricians – The masters and jacks of all trades are master electricians. They have received all of their certifications in different areas as a journeyman, and ultimately landed their master electrician’s license. By doing so, they also have more training and experience on various applications and are excellent for any job, commercial or residential.

 

What Type of Training and Education Is Required to Become a Commercial Electrician?

commercial electricians need to be licensed before they can perform work on electrical systems. To help with the preparation of obtaining a license, these electricians can attend a sponsored apprenticeship or enroll in an associate’s degree program. To endure the training process, aspiring commercial electricians must obtain a high school diploma or the equivalent. Since circuit calculations are required on the job, individuals who seek a career as an industrial electrician should take courses in algebra. Aspiring electricians also take training programs that teach pneumatics and the principles of hydraulics.

Why Should You Hire a Commercial Electrician?

It’s a good idea to hire a commercial electrician if you’re planning on setting up a new business location, are updating an old electrical system, you’re “going green” and want a more eco-friendly approach to electricity, or are dealing with electrical issues. While doing DIY work might be tempting it is never a good idea, especially since you are running a business that will be serving the public. A commercial electrician can ensure safety for your business and its customers.

 

What Is the Difference Between Industrial Wiring and Residential Wiring?

The differences between industrial wiring and residential wiring are the insulation, voltage load, and installation process. Residential wiring is typically run through walls and attic crawl spaces in a single phase design, and it uses less voltage due to lower electrical load. Industrial wiring uses a three-phase design to create higher output to power high voltage equipment and multiple systems. Heavy-duty insulation protects industrial wiring from corrosive liquids or gasses. Sensitive and power-hungry machinery often require special, heavy-duty outlets.

 

The Difference Between Commercial, Industrial & Residential Electricians

As their name implies, residential electricians work in homes. They use single phase power supplies – 120 or 240 volts – run romex cable, and wrap their wiring in sheathed insulation that generally is hidden from view. This wiring approach helps minimize exposure and damage to the wires, as well as protect homeowners from electrical shock.

Commercial electricians work in stores and offices, usually installing power outlets and lighting. Their wiring typically follows a three-phase approach, with two smaller “legs” running one voltage and a larger “leg” running a higher voltage. Depending upon a business’ power needs that could be 120 volts/208–240 volts, or 277/480 volts.

Commercially, the three-wire system is used so each wire carries an overall lighter workload. Commercial wiring also ends to remain exposed, although it usually is run inside conduit for protection. In other words, unlike residential wiring that runs in rafters and behind walls, commercial cables may run along the exposed sides of ceilings and walls.

Industrial electricians are basically commercial electricians who primarily work in factories, chemical plants, and mines, etc. Like commercial electricians, they use a three-phase power set-up; however, instead of running MTC or MC cable, they mostly work with RMC conduit that powers motors and instrumentation or control circuitry.

Why Pest Control Services Are A True Necessity

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Eco-Friendly Pest Control Methods

It’s that time of year again. If you haven’t seen them already, it’s very likely you’re going to start seeing more and more pests trying to invade your garden and home. Fortunately, we’ve got some eco-friendly solutions for you. Rather than using toxic pesticides and harmful chemicals to rid your home of unwanted pests, try one or more of these eco-friendly options first. You and your family will be glad you did.

Plant Your Pest Control in Your Garden

Mint, basil, lavender, rosemary and other herbs work really well as a natural pest control. Planting these in your garden will not only help keep pests away, but these herbs can be used to control pests indoors as well. Herbs are what many consider to be “companion plants” for use in vegetable gardens and throughout the yard. Their purpose is two-fold: attract beneficial insects and deter pests.

If you don’t want to have companion plants in your garden, yet still want to prevent pests from overtaking the yard, try planing some of these: petunias, chrysanthemums, lemongrass, clover, eucalyptus, lavender or marigolds.

Season Your Window Sills

While most people season their food to make it taste better, certain types of seasoning are known to be quite offensive to insects and bugs. Cinnamon, paprika, cayenne, salt, tumeric, black pepper and other seasonings work very well as pest deterrents. Just sprinkle some seasoning in a line along the window sill. Let’s say it’s your way of drawing a line in the sand. You also might want to put some cinnamon, bay leaves or cloves in small bags to place in cupboards, closets, bookshelves or other places around the house where you’ve found pests.

 

How to Ensure an Earth-Friendly Approach.

  • Inspection: A professional pest control expert will discover the pests in your home; their hiding places, cracks, fissures, nooks, and crevices that need to be sanitized and sealed. He will tell you what kind of pests, where they are breeding and where/how they are feeding.
  • Source and shatter removal: They will tackle waste, garbage, wet walls, damp wood, cellulose and any other sources of food and for pest.
  • Debarring pests: An expert will tell you about the specific spots that are vulnerable to pest infestation. He will show you all the areas/habits/habitats that will attract bugs, termites, mosquitoes, cockroaches, rats or ants.
  • A pest control expert will use safe chemicals in safe dosages where most needed. He will keep pets, children, and seniors safe from pesticide nuisance (sensible utilization).
  • A final checkup: will ensure a pest-free home.

 

Green (or Organic) Pest Control

 The terms “Green” or “Organic” indicates that the service being acquired is based upon non-chemical measures and the use of naturally happening pesticides. Based upon this point of view, to provide a really “green” pest control service, only those items that come from “earth-based products such as borates, desiccant dusts such as diatomaceous earth and silica, or botanical insecticides and pesticides categorized in classification 25b by the EPA (EPA exempt materials) can be utilized. The EPA does not manage products in Category 25b, which usually include vital oils from plants. While these EPA exempt items may efficiently kill insects on contact, they do have their restrictions and may not deal with relentless insect issues considering that they have little to no residual effect on bugs.

Depending upon your particular bug concern, some popular important oils utilized for house pest control include:

 

Integrated Pest Management: The Eco-Friendly Approach

Our method eliminates the use of chemical alternatives, an essential step when taking a holistic approach towards pest control. Based on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs, our systems rely on comprehensive information about pests and their relationship with the environment.

IPM techniques also look at the relationship between pests and the environment. And while some pests require control, some insects are beneficial. Observing the tendencies of certain pests is essential in identifying the potential problems before engaging in their removal. To move forward in your pest control practices, think about incorporating a few friendly mechanical devices.

Stop! It’s a trap.

While the name itself sounds harmful, traps can effectively and efficiently help in removing your pest population in an eco-friendly way. Pheromone traps track the mating activity of pests by counting the number of insects trapped over time. The traps simulate a scent released by the female insect that will encourage the male counterpart to approach. The traps prevent the pests from mating, reducing population growth.

Be mindful of cracks

Trapping may not always be sufficient in monitoring your pest population. Some pests are easier to target using repellents and insect growth regulators (IGRs). Repellents ward off pests when they come into contact with a substance that damages their exoskeletons. They work best when placed in cracks and gaps around the outside of a home or building. If you’re managing an ant problem, repellents are the way to go. While repellents prevent ants and other small pests from entering your home, IGRs prevent pests from maturing fully and reproducing. This process is key in stopping the growth of your pest population. Keep in mind that IGRs can harm helpful insects like bees, so in order to reduce harm to other insects, focus on areas that are likely to attract fleas, cockroaches, and mosquitos.

Sealing the deal

For a long-term solution, facility maintenance is key. Our environmentally friendly practices prevent and ensure breeding grounds are eliminated through subtle modifications to your home. These practices include cleaning gutters, power washing floors, and sealing potential entryways. Closing off entry ways is a good place to start, but looking inside your home is just as important. Like those sneaky mice, pests are always looking for potential food sources. The most effective way to shoo off unwanted pests is to rid your home or workspace of your leftovers. Be sure to remove any crumbs after eating and eliminate debris in small spaces and hard to reach areas.

 

Why You Should Embrace Green Pest Management Efforts

 When you have to deal with a pest control issue in the home, you don’t want to compound the problem by introducing unsafe chemicals into the air you breathe. This piece of mind for the health and safety of your family is often reason enough to embrace green pest mitigation tactics and products, especially when extreme sensitivities, developing or compromised immune systems are at stake.

In addition to the home, green pest control methods are also popular solutions in kitchen environments, hospitals, hotels, offices and other commercial spaces, in addition to gardens, plants and outdoor areas. Using harsh chemicals to manage pests in such sensitive environments simply isn’t an option!

Some of the chemicals used in the pest management industry can be detrimental to health of anyone or anything that comes into contact with them – this include not only pests, but people as well. And, while the health of inhabitants in treated homes and offices are typically considered a top concern, it’s equally important to consider the safety of those working as pest control technicians; long term exposure to specific chemicals can cause serious damage to the respiratory system and other systems in the body.

Another reason for the growth in green pest management techniques relates to years of heavy reliance on chemical solutions to control pests. Unfortunately, such practices have resulted in unintended consequences, namely pests growing stronger and developing tolerances to specific insecticides, pesticides or poisons. Similar to more resilient microbes, bacteria and viruses, the threat of chemical-resistant pests is rather frightening!

The Benefits Of Infrared Scanning For Commercial Electrical Maintenance

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Common Electrical Problems in Commercial Buildings

Do-it-yourself instructional manuals and videos about keeping your building’s electrical works in good condition abound, but nothing beats an expert licensed electrician’s skills when it comes to commercial buildings in Singapore that are much more complicated than an average household.

Burnt Out Light Bulbs

Offices need to have functioning light bulbs all the time to complete daily operations, however, electrical devices need occasional fine-tuning, repair, and replacement when overused. A licensed electrician will not just replace the office’s burnt out light bulbs easily, but they can also check for faulty or loose circuit and socket that an amateur eye might overlook.

Flickering or Dim Lights

Dimming or flickering lights are not good for any business, but sometimes replacing the bulbs alone do not do the trick. When bulb replacement does not work, a more serious problem such as a poor connection in the circuit might be the cause. This issue needs to be addressed as soon as possible by an electrician services company in Singapore because it can lead to power arching.

Tripping Breakers

When the office’s circuit is using too much energy, it could be overloading. Ignoring this problem might start a fire, especially if the building constantly uses electronic devices. The best solution is to hire a good electrician to determine whether the office needs to add a circuit or to upgrade its electrical service.

Dead Outlets

Dead outlets can lower office productivity, because most businesses today rely heavily on electronic devices. It could be a sign that there is a poor circuit connection or the circuit breaker has tripped due to an excessive buildup of heat. Call a licensed electrician to inspect the office’s electrical works and prevent outlet wiring melting or fire hazards.

 

Industrial vs. Commercial vs. Residential Electricians: What’s the Difference?

We get it, there can be a ton of confusion when it comes to different types of electricians.

We’re all electricians, aren’t we all the same? While the three titles may sound similar, they are actually very different. The foundation of the skill set might be in basic electrical knowledge, but the application of their extended training is truly what draws the lines between the three

Education: Residential electricians must obtain a high school diploma, engage in an apprenticeship program, attend classes, 8,000-10,000 hours of on the job experience and the pass a competency exam to then become licensed to perform their work.

Experience: Typically, a residential electrician uses single phase power supplies – 120 or 240 volts.

Commercial Electrician:

Education: Commercial electricians must obtain a high school diploma, engage in an apprenticeship program, attend classes, 8,000-10,000 hours of on the job experience and the pass a competency exam.

Experience: Typically a commercial electrician is performing new construction or installing lighting, receptacles, transformers, and some power distribution.

Worksite: A commercial electrician typically works in commercial buildings, like business offices, retail stores, restaurants and other areas that are readily accessible by the public.

Common jobs: The essential tasks and daily pressures of being a commercial electrician typically involve common electrical repairs and installation of specific equipment. In many cases, the electricians are wiring breaker panels, transformers, generators, lighting, heating and general building requirements.

Industrial Electrician:

Education: Industrial electricians must obtain a high school diploma, engage in an apprenticeship program, attend classes, 8,000-10,000 hours of on-the-job experience and the pass a competency exam.

Experience: Typical experience for an industrial electrician is the installation of process equipment that requires specific knowledge of the manufacturing industry we are in. Wiring in a food processing plant uses different procedures than wiring in a automotive production facility. Understanding the differences in each of the industries is critical for an industrial electrician. A more advanced industrial electrician will be strongly involved in the control wiring and operation of process equipment.

Worksite: An industrial electrician typically works in plants and production facilities with complex, sensitive and expensive machinery and electrical systems. Manufacturing and production facilities have power needs that are far different from the general needs encountered in other avenues of the electrical profession. Many of the industries we work within are pharmaceutical, food processing, chemical, mining, and automotive.

Common Jobs: Industrial electricians maintain a more extensive range of electrical systems, from micro-currents to high voltage components

 

What can you expect from a job as an electrician?

An electrician is any skilled tradesperson who designs, installs, maintains, and repairs the electrical systems and products used in residential homes, businesses, and factories. Electricians work inside or outside buildings to ensure lights, industrial equipment, and appliances operate safely and reliably. There are many special types of electricians, including residential electricians, who install wiring and solve electrical problems in homes, and inside electricians, who maintain and repair control systems, motors, and electrical equipment in businesses and factories.

Responsibilities

As an electrician, you’re responsible for getting electricity from its source to the places where individuals and business consumers can use it. The specific responsibilities associated with this job may vary depending on the area of specialization,

Work Environment

Electricians may spend their time working inside buildings under construction or renovation or outdoors on power and telecommunications systems. They may work in large spaces or in cramped conditions. These working environments often involve live electrical wires, so they can be quite dangerous if the proper precautions aren’t taken. Often electricians work independently on projects, but they may also be part of a larger construction team.

Schedule

Electricians enjoy year-round job opportunities. Their hours vary depending on their role. Maintenance electricians usually have regular work which they complete in a typical 40-hour week. Most keep regular business hours on weekdays and don’t usually work on weekends, public holidays, or late at night. Some electricians work on-call and put in extra hours to troubleshoot urgent problems.

What Qualifications Are Required to Be an Electrician?

Education

Working as anelectrician is one of the best jobs you can secure with only a high school diploma or its equivalent.

 

Types of Electricians

If you’re an electrician or an electrical contractor or are thinking of becoming one, it’s important to understand the different types of electricians, the different specialties they can pursue, and the various kinds of licenses. This knowledge will help you determine where you can take your career and how to get where you want to be. Obtaining the right certifications also plays a vital role in reaching those goals

What Types of Electricians Are There?

You can break the types of electricians down into several broad categories based on the kind of work they perform. There are many variations and different levels of certification within each of these areas, but most electricians will fall into one of these two main groups: inside or outside

Inside Electrician

Inside electricians, also sometimes called wiremen, work with the electrical systems in buildings and structures. They may design, install, and maintain these systems to provide the building with reliable electrical power. These workers may specialize in residential, commercial, industrial, or another type of structure. They spend much of their time indoors but may also work on outdoor projects that connect to an indoor system, such as rooftop solar panels. They’re likely to work fairly regular hours

Outside or Line Worker

Outside or line electrical workers, sometimes called linemen, work outdoors on power transmission and distribution lines. The work of these electricians ensures that the electricity produced at power plants can move safely to substations through high-voltage lines, after which it will be sent to homes, commercial buildings, and other facilities. They work with higher voltages than inside electrical workers typically do and are more likely to have to conduct emergency work at odd hours. These are the workers you see outside in protective gear working on utility poles and transmission cables.

What Specializations Are Available to Electricians?

Within these two broad categories, there are many specializations that electricians can choose from. While you might not work exclusively in one of these areas, you may find that a majority of your work is in one or two of them, especially as you progress further into your career. The following are some of the specializations that exist for electricians.

 

Cost guide: electricians

Trusted Traders¹ to find out how much you might need to pay for a variety of electrical jobs around your home.

Ask electricians to break down the quotes they provide, so you know what you’re being charged for. Get at least three quotes to get a better idea of the going rate for your particular requirements.

Costs for sockets, cables and appliances

Unless otherwise specified, prices include labour and materials but exclude VAT.

Costs for rewiring and electrical inspections

Bear in mind that it will take longer to rewire an occupied house than an empty one, which can affect the cost.

How to save money when hiring electricians

Many electricians will charge per hour or per day, rather than having a set rate for certain types of jobs. You may be able to reduce costs by cutting the time they need to spend preparing for the work, for example by moving furniture out of the way before a rewiring job

How To Get Rid Of Cockroaches In Your Home

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Best way to get rid of cockroaches

It’s almost an Australian rite of passage to experience the pure horror of having a cockroach skittering across your floorboards or, worse yet, flying directly at you. And they’re not just unsightly, cockroaches can carry harmful pathogens and their presence can exacerbate allergies and asthma

What are cockroaches

While there are approximately 4,000 species of cockroaches around the world with 450 of those found in Australia, only very few of them are pests. Phew. The types you’ll most commonly creeping the bejesus out of you are the German cockroach (small and light brown), the Australian cockroach (large, brown with yellow streaks near its wings) and the American cockroach (large and reddish-brown)

What attracts cockroaches

Understanding why cockroaches are infesting your home is essential for removing them, and preventing their return in the future. Cockroaches are attracted to easily accessible food sources whether it’s human food, pet food or even cardboard, glue and soap. Don’t leave food, dirty dishes and plates around, clean under appliances regularly and ensure your garbage bin is well covered and removed regularly. Try to keep pet food dishes clear and clean overnight. Cockroaches also love warm and humid environments, which is why they’re attracted to kitchens and bathrooms. Check around sinks and drains for leaks.

How to get rid of cockroaches

While it might be an urban legend that cockroaches could survive a nuclear holocaust, they are an incredibly hardy creature. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to get kill cockroaches once they’ve made themselves at home.

Cockroach baits and traps

Cockroach traps and baits are an easy and effective way to kill cockroaches once they’ve entered your home, working for up to three months. They attract cockroaches, killing the critters and their eggs with a single feed from the bait, breaking the breeding cycle. When they return to the nest and die, they will also contaminate other cockroaches and their eggs. They’re best placed around hot water systems and under fridges, bathroom cabinets and washing machines. The benefit of cockroach baits is that there’s no fumes or mess involved, working away out of sight and out of mind. Keep in mind that while the baits don’t release any harmful chemicals, they can be hazardous if your pet chews them.

 

Dos & Don’ts of DIY Cockroach Prevention

Why are we so nauseated by roaches? It is reasonable due to the fact that most people depicted cockroach as an unsightly and disgusting pest because of their filthy habits and bad smell.

A roach infestation could be a problem for every homeowner. Once they make themselves comfortable in your home, it is very likely to raise the bar in controlling the problem. This is because cockroach tend to hide in hard to reach or cited harborages. Besides that, female cockroach also breeds and reproduces rapidly, which can increase the population of the cockroaches quickly.

Take care of your trash – Cockroach is associated with garbage disposal. Make sure you clear your trash regularly to avoid providing a food fest for roaches

Move your garbage externally, instead of locating right beside your home and ensure it is tightly closed – This is one way to stop cockroach access and transiting from the outside garbage to your home

Not sure when it is the right time to engage professional help to manage your cockroach problem? It is always good to seek advice and recommendations from our team of experts whom will do a site survey and home inspection to identify potential risks and infestation symptoms. Base on the severity and infestation level, our specialist would then recommend an ideal cockroach solution for your home. Practical steps and housekeeping tips are also available to guide home owners on how to prevent roaches in your property

 

Tips to Keep Your Car Cockroach-Free

Cockroaches are a real inconvenience. Not only do they cause distress but they can also transmit numerous diseases, which is why it’s only natural that we try to keep these pesky insects out of our homes. Cockroaches will come inside vehicles for the same reason they come inside our homes: to find food, shelter, and a place to lay their eggs.

Avoid Eating in the Car

Food is the number one lure for cockroaches. As much as we try to eat carefully in the car, food residue or crumbs are enough to attract roaches to your vehicle, regardless of how little. This may be a hard rule to implement, especially with children, but it is something that will prevent these pests from getting attracted to your vehicle. If you can’t avoid it completely, make sure to always do a thorough clean-up afterwards.

Clean the Car Regularly

Regular car cleaning is one of the most reliable ways car owners can do to keep their vehicle cockroach-free. Don’t overlook areas such as carpets, in-between car seats, and sides of the door. These areas are often neglected and can collect waste and food particles, which attract cockroaches. It’s important to thoroughly vacuum and disinfect these areas regularly, including secondary transfer of cockroaches externally. In addition, cockroaches feed on garbage, so make sure you throw out any garbage every time you leave the car. Cockroaches are also attracted to humid environments including water, so make sure that any spills in the car should be wiped up right away.

Avoid Clutter in the Car

Whether it is old receipts, piles of newspapers, cardboard, or sports equipment, clutter is one area they like to hide out in, especially in the boot of the car. The boot of the car actually creates ideal conditions for cockroaches to hide and breed in with its dark and humid environment. If you must keep items in your car, store them in a hard plastic container with a tight lid to keep cockroaches out.

Close Vents, Windows, and Doors Properly

No car is completely airtight, but making sure that you block primary entryways is a must. Before leaving your vehicle, make sure you close all windows, doors, and A/C vents properly. Air conditioning vents are one of the main entry ways cockroaches use to enter the car.  Apart from this, avoid parking in places where they thrive such as drainage openings, sewage drains, and near garbage bins.

 

How to Find a Cockroach Nest (and Get Rid of it for Good)

You’ve probably heard warnings about how quickly cockroaches can reproduce and spread through a house. When cockroaches take up residence in a home, it’s because they’ve found conditions they like. A lot.

What Does a Cockroach Nest Look Like?

A roach nest isn’t a tightly wound basket of twigs and grass like you might expect from a bird. And it’s not the sort of carefully gathered nest of materials that you might expect from a mouse or rat.

Cockroaches “nest” wherever they find a hiding place near food and water. A better word is colony: cockroaches live in colonies and their “nest” is simply the colony’s hotspot, where the roaches lay their eggs and hide from daylight (and people).

Where Do Roaches Live?

Most cockroaches love humid places. Depending on the type of cockroach, some like it hot and some stick to cooler, damp places. But one thing just about all of them have in common is a need for moisture.

How to Find a Roach Nest

Brace yourself for this one, because finding roaches means thinking like them too. You’ll need to get down on your hands and knees and poke around places that are hard to reach, and sometimes aren’t pleasant. You’ll probably get a little dirty, so put on some old work clothes and possibly a pair of gloves – because ready? You’re going in.

 

How Do You Get Rid of Cockroaches?

The last thing anyone wants to find in their kitchen or bathroom at night when they turn on the lights is tiny, skittering cockroaches trying to hideaway. Cockroaches are dangerous, quiet pests; sadly, sometimes you don’t know they’re there until you’re overwhelmed by the amount. Not only are they a revolting sight, but they can cause real harm if left alone. They can contaminate your food, transmit bacteria, and they can be extremely tough to deal with. Unfortunately, if you don’t know how to handle them, a cockroach infestation can keep coming back again and again. If you want to stamp out these pests, here are seven proven tips to help you conquer those cockroaches.

Identify Your Invaders.

There are so many different cockroaches, over 4,000 to be exact, which can make getting rid of them difficult. Identifying what you have is a key step in getting rid of them. It can be hard to get a look at what you’re dealing with, but if you do happen to spot an invader, keep in mind what they look like. Two of the most common cockroaches are German cockroaches and American Cockroaches.

Seal All Entry Points.

The best way to stop an invader is to not let them in. This sounds easier said than done, but if you perform regular checks on your home, you can stop all manner of pests from getting in.

Don’t Give Them A Place To Hide.

Cockroaches don’t like to come out in the open. They prefer dark, quiet places, so they are always on the lookout for places to hide. A way to keep them out is to clear out all hiding places.

Cut Out The Food Source.

No bug is going to leave if they have a smorgasbord ready for them. To get rid of any pests, eliminating their food source is crucial. Without a food source, cockroaches won’t stick around. Be mindful of where you have your food and how you store it, including any pet food. Any room where food is stored, prepped, or enjoyed should be cleaned thoroughly

Things To Consider In Finding A Good Chiropractor

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Tips to Finding the Best Chiropractors

Read Reviews

One of the most useful tools for finding chiropractor is right at your fingertips — the internet. Social review sites like Yelp, Angie’s List, Google reviews, and more will give you a comprehensive review of local people’s experience with the chiropractor you’re looking into.

Find A Specialist

If you’re looking into chiropractic care for a specific reason or ailment, it would benefit you to do some extra research about specialists in that particular field of specialty. This is where doctor referrals can come in especially handy

Schedule An Initial One-on-One

Perhaps one of the most important tips to finding the right chiropractor for you is to schedule an initial consultation. This one-on-one “interview” will allow you to get a sense of the doctor, office, practice, and what they can offer you

Make Sure They Listen To Your Unique Problems

During this initial consultation, be sure to notice if the provider seems to truly be listening to your health concerns. Showing compassion and understanding to patients is an integral element of well-rounded chiropractic practice, and you can be sure that your unique needs will be met as long as the chiropractor is engaged and invested in your health and wellness

Location and Office Setting

On a practical level, its useful if the location of the office is convenient to you and your lifestyle. Maybe it’s near your home or place of work. An easy drive will help you seamlessly integrate the care into your weekly/monthly routine. It also helps if the practice has multiple office locations for your convenience!

 

How to choose a chiropractor

Though there are many great resources for obtaining valuable information to assist you in your search for a chiropractor, it can be overwhelming, particularly if you are new to chiropractic. To help guide you in making an educated choice regarding your health care professional, keep the following five points in mind as you sort through the mass of information

Honesty and confidence

The first thing to look for in a chiropractic doctor is honesty. An honest doctor has both trust and confidence in each and every one of his patients, and that confidence is a reflection of his pride in providing proper treatment and getting successful results for the patient. A good chiropractor will recommend only the best treatment for your quickest and best results; not-so-good chiropractors will recommend you sign up for a package of long-term treatment even before seeing how you respond to treatment. If chiropractic is not the proper treatment for you, a good chiropractor will have no problem referring you to another health care professional to manage or co-manage your case

Techniques

There are a variety of techniques and methods of treatment in chiropractic, with no two being exactly alike. Each specific technique can work well with a specific patient, but no single technique will work perfect and heal everyone. This being said, any chiropractor that states her particular technique is superior to others or that absolutely guarantees results should be avoided. Although her techniques may be effective with certain patients, guaranteeing results is actually against the Laws of Chiropractic

Word of mouth

This is always a great place to start. Positive word of mouth in every profession is a good sign. If you are considering chiropractic for the first time, or considering choosing a different chiropractor, listen to others in your community more than the ads in the phone book, on TV or placed on Facebook. It is easy to look good in a well thought out advertisement, but the right chiropractor for you may be more successfully found by listening to others around you that have experienced chiropractic practice firsthand

Appropriate examination, diagnosis, and treatment

This is extremely important. Doctors of chiropractic have been through extensive training and education to become health care providers. This training included proper examination, proper diagnosis and proper treatment protocols. If a doctor lacks in any one of these three essential areas, he should not be treating you, period! What does this mean for you? If a chiropractor doesn’t talk to you about your health history and your current condition, doesn’t give you an initial physical examination (checking posture, reflexes, etc.), doesn’t give you a diagnosis regarding your condition, and won’t explain your treatment plan, find another chiropractor.

 

How to Find the Best Chiropractor For You

How to Find the Best Chiropractor Near You

Have you missed a lot of work days because of the pain affecting your lower back? If so, you’re not alone. More than 2 million low back pain episodes take place in the United States every year

What Exactly Prompted You to Start Seeking a Chiropractor?

This is one of the first things you need to do to find a good chiropractor. Why?  For the simple reason that some practitioners have specializations. Areas of expertise that may best suit your particular needs.  For instance, the pain you suffer from results from a specific sports injury. Perhaps tennis elbow or carpal tunnel syndrome. Or maybe running injuries that make your knee so painful it’s become hard to get up.

The Best Chiropractor is Well Recognized

Whenever you’re feeling ill, the first healthcare specialist you turn to is your primary care physician. You trust your primary doctor, so you can trust their recommendations for a top chiropractor too. If you’re seeing a spine specialist, it’s also a good idea to ask for their recommendation.

Qualifications

Keep in mind that chiropractors, although not medical degree holders, are still medical practitioners. That means they need to have a license before they can provide chiropractic care. And before they can get that license, they must have completed an undergraduate degree and a four-year chiropractic program. And that they obtained this program – a Doctor of Chiropractic degree – from an institution accredited by the Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE

Do Their Techniques Fit Your Needs?

As mentioned above, not all chiropractors have areas of specialty. Those who do undergo additional education and training. After all, there are more than 100 different types of chiropractic treatments, each of which have certain benefits and advantages over the others

 

CHOOSING A GOOD CHIROPRACTOR: HOW DO I DO IT?

Choosing a good chiropractor is difficult. It’s more difficult, perhaps, than finding out if chiropractic treatment is necessary for your condition, whether your insurance covers potential chiropractic treatment, and whether or not you should go to a chiropractor after a car accident.

But, no matter how difficult finding great chiropractors in Paradise Valley may seem, it is in no way impossible. We’ll give a few valuable guidelines and tips on finding a reliable chiropractor, and if you follow our advice, you’ll end up in good and capable chiropractic hands

WHAT SHOULD I CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING A CHIROPRACTOR?

Referrals – The best way to begin is to ask your doctor for a list of chiropractors they would recommend

Research – Licences are extremely important when it comes to choosing a chiropractor, so do your research and see if your potential chiropractor is really licensed to practice this form of treatment

Clinic quality – Investigate the clinic as well, not just the professionals working there. See if you like the facilities, cleanliness levels, and the overall atmosphere before settling on a chiropractor

 

Tips to finding the right Chiropractor

Everyone has his or her preference when it comes to healthcare. However, if you prefer a hands-on approach, chiropractic is your best prescription. Chiropractic treatment promotes healing without surgery or medication. The procedure is very popular, and studies suggest that over 27 million Americans use chiropractic. Chiropractic comes with several benefits, which explains the popularity. As such, there are several chiropractors available. With the several options, it can be overwhelming to choose the right chiropractor considering that the sessions are expensive. Fortunately, this article provides you with five tips for finding the right chiropractor.

Referrals

If you are not sure on where to start, ask your doctor for recommendations. You can also look for referrals from your family, friends, or any healthcare provider. Research several chiropractors and come up with a list of the best professionals. Make a call to each chiropractor on your list to see if he or she is accepting new patients. If so, book an appointment to meet and review the chiropractor. Meeting the professional will allow you to have a better analysis of the person before signing a long-term agreement

Credentials

Begin by finding out if your chiropractor is licensed. Licensure tells you that the chiropractor has gone through the necessary training. Additionally, it will tell you about his or her skills and experience in the field. Do not forget to check if your professional has a history of malpractice or any claims of disciplinary actions.

Experience

When it comes to health, you have to consider the background of your chiropractor. The more experienced he or she is, the better he or she will work on you. Remember to ask about the number of patients your preferred chiropractor has treated. If you are looking for a specific procedure, ask about the number of procedures he or she has performed, and find out the success rate

Hospital Quality

Some chiropractors are attached to hospitals. If so, consider the quality of care offered by that hospital. A top-rated hospital is likely to have fewer complications and a better outcome. You should also consider the location of the hospital. Check whether the facility is near to your place. You will probably need a closer hospital, which can provide timely care.

Must Know The Benefit In Using Shingles Roof For Your Roof

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pro tips to help you choose those shingles

Most people would agree that food, clothing and a roof over your head are basic needs. We’re two out of three at our house. The soggy realization that our roof was kaput soaked in a few weeks ago

Look at what you have: Replacing your roof with the type of material you already have is generally safe, since builders typically choose the right material for a home’s architectural style, structural support, color palette and location, he said.

Consider climate: Shingle color can affect your home’s temperature and, depending on your insulation, energy bills. Black attracts and retains heat, making attics hotter. A lighter roof reflects the sun and keeps interiors cooler.

Factor in house colors: Red brick houses look nice with dark brown, deep gray or black shingles. Light gray houses look smart with dark gray roofs. Beige or cream houses work with brown, warm gray or even colored shingles. If you’re planning to change the color of your house, now is a good time to consider the whole palette

Don’t make a statement: Your roof should not be the first feature folks notice. “A roof is meant to be in the background,” Craig said. “A very dark roof will be more pronounced. A light roof will compete with the facade for attention, which is why mid tones are most popular.”

 

How to Choose High-Quality Asphalt Roof Shingles

A new asphalt shingle roof is a significant investment. To get the most bang for the buck, you’ll want to consider the quality of shingles, the knowledge and skill level of the roofers you intend to hire, and also a few preventative maintenance guidelines. When high-quality asphalt roof shingles are correctly installed and well maintained, they can last for decades.

Though getting the best asphalt roof shingles for your project isn’t too complicated, choosing the right shingles involves more than just considering style and color. Now, we invite you to read on for the best tips on how to select and maintain asphalt shingles

Fiberglass Shingles – Fiberglass shingles are made from a woven fiberglass mat coated with top-and-bottom layers of asphalt and topped with ceramic granules. Since these shingles have a higher fire rating (typically Class A, while organic shingles only garner B or C) and are more durable than their organic counterparts, they come with extended warranty. Additionally, today’s manufacturers make available Energy Star certified fiberglass shingles, which keep buildings cooler and reduce air-conditioning costs.

Organic Shingles – Traditionally consisting of cellulose fiber (e.g. recycled waste paper or wood) saturated with asphalt, organic shingles are coated with a mixture of asphalt and mineral fillers. Compared to fiberglass shingles, organic shingles are costlier, heavier, thicker, and less environmentally friendly due to the high asphalt content. Because these shingles absorb more water than fiberglass shingles, they deform more as they age.

Choose the Right Style

One thing good about asphalt roof shingles is that they are made so many colours and styles some even look like other types of roofing materials. Before opting for a particular style,

 

TIPs for Choosing Your New Asphalt Roof

Taking care of your roof is a very important part of your home maintenance. As a key component of your building envelope, a roof is a system that needs to work together-that includes the underlayment, the flashing and the sheathing and of course the shingles. I always recommend protecting your home from the outside in, and your roof is a big part of that defence system

Your roof can impact the curb appeal of your home, whether you are selling or staying put. When it comes to a house, if the outside looks bad you can guess that the inside probably won’t be any better. The outside can usually tell you how much maintenance was put into the home overall.

A good roofer will fix flashings and soffits and replace missing or sagging shingles—and let you know if your chimney needs repairs. These aren’t expensive fixes, but if your home needs them and you go without, they can scare away buyers.

Research Your Shingle Options

Your roof’s first layer of protection is the shingles. During a rain or windstorm, the shingles are likely to get damaged first. Obviously, your roof protects your home year-round, but in the fall and winter any weak spots in your roof will really be tested. That’s why it is so important to have your roof inspected by a professional on a regular basis.

Research Your Roofing Contractor

The hassle of re-roofing is a headache for everyone. Find a good roofing contractor who doesn’t cut corners. Finding a roofing contractor is no different than hiring a regular contractor. Stay away from “fly-by-nighters,” including contractors offering to do the work for cash.

 

Roofing Calculator – Estimate your Roofing Costs

A new roof is a costly investment with practical and aesthetic implications – the roof is your home’s most important protection against rain, snow and natures elements. The roof can also significantly impact the appeal of your home in the eyes of potential buyers

Shingles are visibly worn

Are there so many of the colored granules gone that your roof looks like it has bald spots? While the shingles might still be keeping moisture out, a lack of reflective granules allows excess heat into your home, raising the temperature inside your house and increasing your air conditioning costs. Furthermore, once exposed, the underlying asphalt will soon dry out and crack, and then your roof will be susceptible to leaks.

Shingles are cupped and curled

This issue looks bad, but more importantly, it means wind-driven moisture can easily get under the shingles and into your roof deck where it might cause leaks and rot.

Shingles are cracked

The cracked areas aren’t keeping moisture off the deck, and the risk of leaks goes way up.

Your neighbors are getting new roofs

This is more than “keeping up with the Joneses.” When homes built about the same time as yours are being re-roofed, your roof is probably about due.

 

Tips to Picking the Best Roof Shingles For Your Home

Take the Weather into Considerations

Different types of shingles work best in different weather conditions. It’s therefore imperative to consider the weather in your location when settling on a shingle type

Assess Shingle vs. Structure

Look at your house’s siding and compare the color to the shingle colors available.

You need a shingle that compliments your siding as well as the general environment around your house. The good news is that there are numerous online resources to help you with color pairing. Closer home, you can look around your neighborhood to see how the different shingle types look against different sidings and backgrounds

Have a Budget

The start point should be determining how much you want to spend on the shingles. With this in mind, you can then start looking for shingles that offer you the best worth for your money

Look into Code Regulations

There are different regulations from state to state as pertains to roofing materials. This underscores the need to hire a professional roofing contractor to handle your roofing projects

Good Interior Painting Make You Comfort At Home

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Indoor Painting Tips & Techniques

Painting advice: To avoid lap marks, roll the full height of the wall and keep a wet edge

Lap marks are those ugly stripes caused by uneven layers of paint buildup. They occur when you roll over paint that’s already partly dry. (In warm, dry conditions, latex paint can begin to stiffen in less than a minute!) The key to avoiding lap marks  when doing DIY wall painting is to maintain a “wet edge,” so each stroke of your roller overlaps the previous stroke before the paint can begin to dry

Mix several cans of paint in a large bucket for a consistent color throughout the room

Paint color may vary slightly from one can to the next. If you have to open a new can in the middle of a wall, the difference may be noticeable. Mixing the paints together eliminates the problem. It’s best to estimate the amount of paint you’ll need and mix it in a 5-gallon bucket (a process called “boxing”)

Let the paint dry, then cut the tape loose for a perfect edge

Once paint is dry, you can’t just pull the tape off the trim. Paint forms a film between the wall and the tape, and removing the tape tears pieces of dried paint off the wall. So before pulling off the tape, cut it loose

Painting Techniques: Paint the trim first, then the ceiling and walls

Pros usually follow a certain order when painting a room. They paint the trim first, then the ceiling, then the walls. That’s because it’s easier (and faster) to tape off the trim than to tape off the walls. And you certainly don’t want to tape them both off!

Painting Techniques: Prime and texture wall patches to avoid a blotchy finish

Freshly painted walls often look blotchy. The color is uniform, but the sheen isn’t consistent. This usually occurs over the holes and cracks you patched with a filler or drywall compound. The porous fillers absorb the paint, dulling the surface (a problem called “flashing”). When light hits these dull spots, they stick out like a sore thumb. The smooth patch also stands out in contrast to the slightly bumpy texture of the rest of the wall. A quick coat of primer is all it takes to eliminate flashing and texture differences.

 

Interior Painting Tips

Buy a quart first instead of a large quantity in case you’re not committed to the color. Paint a piece of foam board and move it around the room to see how the light affects the color at different times of the day.

Know the square footage of the room you are painting before you head to the store. The pros recommend one gallon for every 400 square feet. Covering textured, rough or unprimed surfaces may require more

Prep

Paint doesn’t stick very well to dirty walls, so clean them with soap and water (or TSP) and rinse with water once done. Let dry overnight

Painting Ceilings

Scaffolding comes in parts called “bucks” and “cross bucks”. For a high ceiling, four bucks should suffice. Each buck costs about $12 a day to rent. You’ll also need: walk boards or planks to place along the bucks, these rent for about $10 each per day. -Wheels rent separately for scaffolding. They are important because they allow you to move the scaffolding with ease. Four wheels rent for about $25 a day

Time-Saving Options

Use an edger instead of painter’s tape. Buy a good quality edger (they’re fairly inexpensive) and take your time in the corners so that you don’t spend all the extra time taping off everything

 

Ways to Paint Like a Pro

Wait for dry weather

Humidity means drips and slow drying, so avoid painting on a rainy day. If you must paint when it’s humid, take your time — and take advantage of slow-drying paint to correct your errors before moving on to the next coat. But don’t overwork, or it will show when you’re finished

Do a thorough visual inspection and prep

Any cracked, flaking, or peeling areas need to be lightly sanded or scraped (and then thoroughly rinsed) before applying new primer and paint, because the weight of the new coat will pull the old paint loose. “You’ll just end up wasting your time and money if you don’t tackle that first,” says Tom Lee, Senior VP of Consumer Marketing for Behr. Greasy spots may also need a bit of washing with soap, followed by a rinse with clean water. Otherwise, give the walls a quick wipe-down with a damp cloth so that paint will have a clean, dust-free surface to stick to

Buy high-quality brushes, roller covers, and painter’s tape

If you’re splurging on great paint, you definitely don’t want to pinch pennies on the application. Good brushes and roller covers give excellent coverage so that you don’t waste time and paint on re-application, and high-end painter’s tape is the real deal when it comes to sealing out drips and blurs

Know your nap.

The more texture your walls have, the thicker the nap you’ll want on your roller cover so that it can reach into crevices and give complete coverage. But if you go too thick, you might actually create texture where you don’t want it, so be prepared to give your salesperson details about what you’re painting

Protect anything you don’t want painted.

You will never regret the time you spend covering floors, furniture, and hardware before you begin a paint project. Drop cloths are a must, and small plastic sandwich bags secured with tape are an easy way to protect doorknobs.

 

Interior Painting Tips for a Flawless Finish

Interior house painting is not intuitive, though it seems like it should be. Beginning in kindergarten with finger-painting, most of us are familiar with the process of applying paint to a flat surface. But a truly professional interior paint job is an entirely different matter. Incorporate these tips into your next interior painting project and make the job go faster and smoother, with a cleaner, more attractive appearance.

Use a Tack Cloth to Clean the Surface

A tack cloth is a very inexpensive painting tool that helps you clean the surface prior to painting or staining for flawless results. A beeswax-impregnated cheesecloth, tack cloth lightly pulls off sawdust, wood shavings, and all manner of debris from your surface. By using a tack cloth, you avoid applying a wet cloth to the surface. If you do not have a tack cloth, you may use a damp cloth, but make sure to squeeze it out thoroughly beforehand. Do not use a tack cloth over large surfaces. It is suited more for trim, doors, and cabinets than for walls and ceilings. Also, avoid pressing hard on the tack cloth as this may smear beeswax on the surface, and this can be difficult to remove.

Purchase High-Quality Roller Covers and Brushes

Cheap, low-quality roller covers leave fuzz and lint on the walls. Once fuzz and lint are embedded in the paint and the paint subsequently dries, you are left with bumpy walls that are difficult to repair. Inferior-quality brushes leave streaky brush marks; instead, purchase high-quality brushes and be meticulous about maintaining your pricey purchase. Some do-it-yourself painters make the mistake of purchasing inexpensive chip brushes. Chip brushes should not be used for interior painting. Rather, they are meant for applying glues, adhesives, and solvents. For both roller covers and brushes, it is worthwhile to pay extra for better tools. In the end, your surface will have a better finish.

Purchase High-Quality Paint

When you see one paint advertised for a price and another, apparently comparable paint for five times as much, what is the difference besides price? Often, rock-bottom cheap paints are builder’s grade paints that have fewer solids than higher quality paints. Solids are what help to create a good paint build. Builder’s grade paints such as Sherwin-Williams ProMar 400 Interior Latex and Valspar Professional Interior Latex do have their place in quick, low-cost, low-commitment paint jobs. But for a paint that will last, purchase a higher-quality paint.

Test for Loose Paint With the Duct Tape Test

Will the existing painted surface take new paint and will it hold this paint for years to come? While it is impossible to predict the future, you can get a good sense of the quality of a surface by testing it with a strip of duct tape. Lay a strip of fresh duct tape over the surface in question, then rip it off. If flakes of paint more than microscopic size come off, you may need to scrape and then sand.

 

Steps to Professional Interior Painting – Tips and Tricks for A Beautiful Home

Giving your walls and ceiling a fresh coat of paint is one of the quickest ways to improve the appearance of your home… or completely ruin it if you have no idea what you are doing. Cheap brushes, hastily purchased paint, and incorrectly applied painting techniques can all turn what was initially an exciting DIY project into nightmare material. But you don’t have to go down that road. Brew some coffee and check the tips below to paint your home interior like an expert would

Test first (Always)

Don’t be fooled by the color card at your local hardware store. While certainly helpful, it can give you a very misleading idea of how your chosen tint is going to look on your walls.

Take lighting into account

Sunlight or bright LED light bulbs can significantly alter your paint’s appearance and should be taken into account while you’re shopping for supplies. To eliminate any surprises, paint a piece of foam board in your chosen shade and periodically move it around the room. This will help you get a better idea of how your paint will look during the different hours of day and night

Consider the room’s dimensions

Among the most common mistakes when painting – failing to measure the square footage of the room before visiting the store to calculate how much paint you’ll need for your project. For instance, some interior experts will recommend that you purchase a gallon of paint for every 400 square feet.

Box your paint for a consistent color

When you purchase your paint, avoid using it on a bucket-by-bucket basis. Ensure that your Colors will stay consistent throughout the entire project by mixing all the paint you have into one large container

Tips To Find Good Post Construction Cleaning

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Post Construction Cleaning Tips

Whether you are building or renovating your home and the area, you know how terribly messy the process is. Removing the construction materials, cleaning the floors, washing the windows, and dusting again and again can seem time-consuming and downright depressing. Whether you decide to hire maids to the job for you or planning to manage it on your own, these tips can help you live through the experience with less stress

Invest in Stand Up Garbage Bags

When you are doing post construction cleaning on your own or contemplating opting for maid services, the right garbage bags can make a big difference. Thick and sturdy garbage bags that stand up on their own can save you a lot of cleanup time

Spread A Drop Cloth

Post construction cleaning can be extremely complicated if you fail to protect your floors. No matter what type of floors you have, constant scratching by the construction materials can ruin it. Newspapers don’t always cut it since they are easy to rip and don’t hold spills. Invest in a drop cloth to save on cleaning services.

Follow A Cleaning Plan

Post construction cleaning in Dyker Heights or anywhere else is a complicated task that needs a serious approach. You can make the process easier by creating a plan. For example, consider washing one room at a time

Keep The Furniture Covered

Many people decide that when the renovation is done, they can remove the furniture covers. They end up incurring substantial cleaning expenses. Don’t remove the covers until the post-construction cleanup is completed.

 

Residential Post Construction and Renovation Cleaning Tips

We have seen an upsurge in questions regarding post construction and renovation clean ups. With interest rates remaining low, there has been an increase in new and renovation construction for homes and alternative housing, such as apartment buildings, townhouses, and condominiums. This creates opportunities for residential cleaning companies to add this “niche” to their business and generate some additional revenue.

When it comes to residential post construction and renovation cleaning, no two will be exactly the same

If you are new to this type of cleaning, you will soon discover that no two jobs will be the same. Post construction clean up services include a wide scope of cleaning tasks, ranging from sweeping, dusting, mopping, wiping down surfaces, and cleaning/scraping windows. Other projects may require the removal of large construction materials, disposal of hazardous materials, hard floor care/grout sealing, carpet cleaning and driveway sweeping. You may be asked to perform detailed cleaning of chandeliers, blinds, high end furnishings, vaulted ceiling light fixtures and beams to name just a few. Be prepared for just about anything, and make sure you note everything the customer will want you to perform and in what time frame they will want it completed.

Cleaning specifications will require an assortment of different chemicals, tools, and equipment types, which in most cases will be supplied by you, the cleaning company. There can be three phases to post-construction clean-up work, which include the rough clean, light clean, and final clean. Some jobs may require only one phase, while others may require all three. It really depends on the customers’ needs, level of detail, expectations and scope of work.

If you’ve only cleaned homes in the past, you may not realize just how much work is involved in getting a post construction or renovation home ready for sale or occupancy. Unlike regular house cleaning, every surface must be cleaned, from top to bottom. Drywall dust, dirt, and debris gets on all surfaces and into every nook and cranny of the cabinets, ledges, window sills, fixtures and more.

The time frame for this type of cleaning is usually pretty tight, so you will need a crew large enough to complete all the tasks in the required time frame. In some situations, you may have to make a final trip to perform the last of the detailed cleaning, after the dust has completely settled. Travel time, multiple trips, equipment breakdowns, and new tasks added as you go; all will contribute to cost overruns. So make sure you bid these types of projects with plenty of profit “wiggle room.”

 

Amazing Tips That Will Help you to Get Rid of Construction Dust

You renovated your home recently and the tedious task of cleaning after falls on you? You did it by yourself or with professional help? Doesn’t matter. In both cases, you would agree that the post construction cleaning is one of the hardest tasks. It is sometimes even harder than the renovating itself. Keep reading to find out how to remove the construction dust from the walls and floors in your home.

Before you start the post construction cleaning

The first thing that you should do is to contain the dust only in the work area. We know it is a hard job since dust tends to spread everywhere like some kind of dark magic, but it’s best to have at least some preventative measures. Not only it will save you some time and energy when cleaning after, but it will also protect you from a lot of toxins and carcinogens, that the construction dust contains

Protect your belonging and furniture. Relocate everything that can be moved to another room.  The last thing you’d want to worry about is cleaning construction dust from upholstery and cabinets that could’ve easily been moved

Arm yourself with a decent vacuum cleaner and a mop. If the vacuum you own is too old and not powerful enough, or if the mop is past beyond it’s prime you need to get yourself proper ones. If you can’t afford to invest a couple hundred dollars in a new vacuum cleaner, consider hiring a post construction cleaning services near you

Unpainted walls

It’s always best to clean any dust from your unpainted walls before painting them. Painting over dust and debris can result in less than satisfactory paint job. Keep in mind that if you have any furniture covered with protective sheets in the room you have to make sure everything is properly protected and nothing has moved. While you can use old sheets, we recommend you invest in some plastic sheets for maximum dust protection. Make sure you clean all walls first, and not just the one that you’re about to paint

 

The Best Post-Construction Cleaning Guide

The Best Post-Construction Cleaning Guide

If you’ve been living with builders in your house, you know how destructive construction work can be. Even when everything goes according to plan and your tradesmen are as tidy as possible, dust and dirt are inevitable. With post-construction cleanup comes specialized cleaning requirements. Brick or drywall dust can damage your home if not cleaned properly, and some construction debris can be hazardous to your health

Pro Housekeepers are experts at post-construction cleanups. Whether you’ve finished remodeling, are at the end of an insurance claim, or got carried away with the DIY, our post-construction cleaning tips will help you get your house back in order again so you can enjoy its new look.

Before You Begin

Try to get the area as dust-free as possible before you start cleaning intensively. Not only will this make your final task easier, it’s safer to avoid breathing in a lot of dust or debris. Seal off any rooms that aren’t affected using plastic sheeting available from most hardware stores, and use masking tape (also known as painter’s tape) to secure the plastic to your walls and doors without causing lasting damage. Don’t forget to block vents and openings with more plastic sheeting to protect your HVAC system.

Always start from the farthest point from your front door and work out. That way you won’t be tracking more dirt through rooms you’ve already cleaned. For a first pass, get a soft-bristled broom and sweep each room as clean as you can. Even sweep the ceiling and walls to get all the loose debris, and brush toward the center of the room. If the dust is particularly bad, wear a good quality dust mask while you work. Lightly spraying the dust with water can make it easier to sweep.

Pro Tip: A wet/dry vacuum is great for picking up loose dust, or if the dust is really bad look for sweeping compounds at the local hardware store. These are sawdust-like mixtures used to bind the dust and make cleaning a breeze

 

POST CONSTRUCTION CLEANING TIPS

Construction work can be a messy job and the last thing you want to do is to leave your newly completed space looking like it’s still a work in progress. A thorough post construction cleanup is the finishing touch you need to wrap up your project and give it that clean, brand new feeling. But what exactly does post construction cleaning entail? The truth is, cleaning up after any sort of building project or construction work is entirely different from your regular everyday cleaning. Whether you’re dealing with renovated apartment spaces or a newly built commercial office building, post construction cleaning requires certain tools and specific techniques that can be tough to tackle. If you find yourself stressing over all the dust and debris goes hand-in-hand with cleaning after construction, here are some post-construction cleaning tips and tricks to get you started!

Make All Your Surfaces Sparkle

Take a look around any freshly completed construction space and chances are that there’s dust and debris particles over most, if not all, of the surfaces. Countertops, desks, mantles, windowsills and even baseboards all are going to need a full wipe down after any sort of construction project. When you’re ready to actually start cleaning, ditch the old rag and paper towels. Microfiber cloths can’t be beat when it comes to cleaning these messy construction site surfaces because they are designed to attract dust particles. Wipe down all of the surfaces in your site to get rid of dust, and then consider cleaning them again with a disinfectant to make sure your new space is as clean as possible. One last tip before you get to making your construction site surfaces shine: don’t forget about smaller surfaces and other places that collect dust like between blinds, above cupboards and high shelves, and the tops of door frames!

Don’t Forget About Your Floors

All of your construction site floors are going to need a thorough clean before your space is officially ready for business. Dust, dirt and all kinds of messy particles tend to settle and collect on the floor. All hard flooring will need to be swept and all carpeting will need to be vacuumed slowly and maybe even repeatedly to ensure a deep and complete clean. Be sure to use the right techniques and tools, you don’t want to make a bigger mess by moving dust to hard to reach areas or by creating any dust clouds. Go through with a mop after sweeping on hard floors for an added shine, and remember that your floors might need to be cleaned repeatedly if dust continues to settle.

Remember the Small Details

It might be tempting to call your post construction cleaning a wrap once you’ve cleaned all of your surfaces and floors, but there are some other easy-to-forget areas that need to be dealt with first. Take a look at your air vents, they might need to be dusted and vacuumed out to prevent dust from recirculating back into your cleaned space or clogging up your A/C system. Also, take a look at any new features like windows and inside any spaces like cabinets and drawers. They may have collected dust, but also they may have some labels or stubborn adhesives that still need to be removed. Lastly, don’t forget about your electric outlet covers. They can collect dust and need to be carefully wiped down to prevent becoming a safety hazard. Paying attention to these small details might seem like no big deal but it’s a big part of construction cleaning and remembering to handle all of them will make a huge difference in the safety and sparkling appearance of your new space!

Tips To Find The Best Exterior Painting

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HOW TO PREPARE EXTERIOR WALLS

The exterior of your home should leave you and your visitors with a lasting first impression.

In order to achieve a neat, clean finish and an inviting feeling, exterior walls need to be appropriately prepared for painting.  Depending on the condition of the walls, the surface you’re painting and the environment you’re painting in.

  1. Temporarily remove pot plants, garden hoses and any other items in close proximity to exterior walls.
  2. Wash walls with using a sponge and soapy solution (a small amount of detergent in a bucket of water) to get rid of any dirt or grime. Then hose down and allow time to dry. This will ensure the paint will adhere to the wall and not the dirt or grime.
  3. Check if any mould is present, particularly on the areas of the house which are not exposed to direct sun light, such as the south side of the house. Carefully apply the bleach solution to walls using a sponge and leave to soak for 15 minutes. Rinse thoroughly and again, allow walls to dry completely.
  4. Make sure plants and ground near the walls are covered with plastic or canvas drop cloths, so as to not cause damage.
  5. Assess the walls for any damage or surface lumps and bumps.
  6. If there is any peeling or flaking areas, scrape them to remove the loose paint then gently sand the surface down.
  7. Fill any dents or nail holes in the walls with a pre-mixed exterior grade filler, using filling blades.
  8. Use acrylic gap sealants for cracks or gaps in areas where there may be movement e.g. near doors and windows. Be sure to use paintable sealants, not silicone, on areas you wish to paint.
  9. Once the fillers and sealers have set, sand down these areas. While you’re there, sand down any rough or shiny spots to improve adhesion and finish.
  10. Spot prime the filled areas with Taubmans 3 in 1 sealer primer undercoat.
  11. To finish, apply painter’s masking tape to fittings which can’t be removed and around edges which may be fiddly and difficult to paint around, such as trims, windows and doors.
  • To avoid exterior paint blistering or flaking over time, test the existing paint for adhesion before repainting. Cut an ‘X’ through the old paint with a scraper or blade. Apply painter’s masking tape over the ‘X’ and firmly apply pressure. Remove the tape in a swift motion. If old paint appears on the tape or lifts on the edges of the ‘X’ cut when the tape is removed, it will need to be removed prior to repainting.
  • For a really effective finish, apply a coat of Taubmans 3 in 1 sealer primer undercoat to the entire wall. This allows for good adhesion and blocks out dark or existing colours, making it easier to paint over and providing a smoother, more professional looking top coat.
  • Remember, you’ll need to add a few more materials to the list to complete this step. You’ll need:
    • A 230 or 270mm paint roller frame
    • A matching roller cover with a 9-12mm nap
    • A matching paint tray
    • A roller pole

 

Steps to Prepare Your Home for Exterior Paint

There’s more to exterior painting than coming up with paint color schemes. Nearly half of the house painting process is preparation. Before you open that paint can, follow these steps to guarantee your exterior paint will look great and be sure to last.

  1. Before house painting, wash the exterior

Before you tackle painting your home, be sure to wash your house exterior from top to bottom, all around.

  1. Scrape and let dry before you think about exterior paint

After the house has thoroughy dried, scrape away any flaking paint. A standard paint scraper, a little elbow grease and a lot of patience are all it takes.

  1. Apply caulk before you tackle exterior home painting

Caulk any cracked seams between clapboards or along vertical junctions. Fill voids and cracks with caulk until it overflows, then wipe away the excess with a damp rag or towel. Be careful not to caulk gaps between structures that are supposed to be there for ventilation purposes — for instance, between the edge of a soffit and a gutter.

  1. Make repairs … then consider your exterior paint colors

Repair any damaged or rotted areas first. In extreme instances, this may require the assistance of a carpenter or handyman. Don’t get in over your head with jobs that call for replacement of clapboard, stairs or overhangs.

  1. Apply primer first when house painting

Prime any bare or exposed areas on your home’s exterior with an exterior-grade oil-based primer. This will seal the bare wood and create an air- and moisture-tight barrier between the house and your new paint job. A light sanding by hand, or with a palm sander for especially rough bare spots, is highly recommended prior to priming.

  1. Trim nearby plants and trees before applying exterior paint colors

Landscape and trim any trees, bushes or plants in close contact to your home. This will guarantee enough space for you to work around the house without having to fight branches and thorns, and also will prevent foliage and plant life from hitting the wet paint once it’s applied.

 

Bare timber & nail heads

Before painting, any timber that has been exposed to the elements for more than four weeks should be sanded back to a fresh, new surface. A grey or weathered surface makes an unsound base that promotes peeling and flaking. Simply sand the surface back to remove all greyed timber.

Replace old steel nails with galvanised nails for improved strength and durability. Ensure any nails are punched at least 3mm below the surface, then spot prime and fill holes with a flexible wood filler and sand smooth.

Tannin staining

Some common building timbers contain a natural staining material called tannin. Timber tannins can often break up and carry through to the timber’s surface via moisture in the wood. Cleaning the surface thoroughly and apply an exterior top coat with tannin blocking properties.

 

Priming Your Home’s Exterior Before Painting

On most unpainted exterior surfaces, the standard procedure calls for a primer coat followed by two topcoats of paint. This procedure is also recommended for any painted surface that requires significant scraping and repairs. However, you may be topcoating only because the surface is dull or because you want a new color. If that’s the case and the existing paint is sound, a single coat of “one-coat” acrylic latex paint applied properly offers adequate protection and coverage in lieu of the two topcoats.

You can apply quality latex paint over any oil- or latex-painted surface that’s in good shape. If the paint is sound, you generally need to prime only scraped or repaired areas. You can also use a stain-blocking primer in lieu of regular primer to seal knots in board siding or trim and to cover stains that you can’t remove, such as rust.

If you’re applying latex paint over a glossy paint, play it safe and prime the entire house, even if you’ve sanded or treated the existing finish with a deglosser. Hardboard siding may also require a primer. As a general rule, use an alkyd primer and a latex topcoat when repainting.

Be sure that your primer is appropriate for the surface you’re painting. Cedar and redwood, for example, usually require an oil-based primer to seal the surface so that tannin stains don’t bleed through the topcoat. Also make sure that the primer and topcoat are compatible. How do you know? By telling your supplier what you’re painting, reading the label, and (though not always necessary) using the same brand of primer and topcoat. To make it easier for a colored topcoat to cover primer, have your paint dealer tint the primer to the approximate color of the finish coat.

 

The Best Time of Year to Paint the Exterior of Your Hous

Summer tends to be the ideal time for painting, since it’s typically dry and warm. Since not every homeowner can paint over the summer, though, some opt to paint in early spring or into the late fall. While some contractors stretch the painting season as long as possible, quality painting contractors know that it’s important to paint at a time when weather conditions are consistent and temperatures don’t vary significantly overnight or from day to day. Since the weather can change from year to year, contact your local painting contractor to assess conditions.