Benefits And Advantages Carpet Flooring

Before Buying Carpet

Consider these facts before buying carpet.

The carpet in your home impacts the interior beauty, décor, comfort, livability and upkeep. It’s a truth of housing: floor coverings can make or break a home. So learn all you can before buying carpet, you can start right here, right now. Because knowledge about carpet specifics and characteristics, about its traits and subtle differences, can be invaluable.

KEEP THIS IN MIND ABOUT SEAMS.

Most carpets are manufactured in 12 foot widths (there are a limited number of 15’ and 13’ products available as well). Unless the room to be carpeted is narrower than these widths, the carpet will need to be installed with seams. Some carpets show seams more than others.

TIPS ON STAIRCASES AND LOOP PILE CARPET.

Be aware that, as carpet bends over stairs, its backing may show depending on texture, color and density. Plus, you should know that loop pile carpet can snag, particularly at a seam or at a carpet transition. Loop pile carpets are not recommended for homes with pets, as their nails can “snag” the loop as well. But never fear, in the Carpet Maintenance section we provide information on how to properly care for loop pile carpet.

REMEMBER THAT CARPET HAS A ONE-TRACK MIND.

The nap of all carpets run in one direction. Carpets should always be installed in the same direction to maintain the most uniform appearance. Pile reversal, or shading, is a normal characteristic of many cut pile style carpets. This can be particularly apparent with plush carpet. If this becomes an issue, consider window treatments and furniture placement as a way to minimize this affect

WANT DURABILITY? SEEK QUALITY.

Higher quality carpet will typically have greater pile density, and tighter twist construction, which will result in higher levels of performance.

Carpet

Carpet is a fiber like your clothing; it must be cleaned and maintained to keep it looking good. All manufactures require carpet to be cleaned every 12 to 18 months. Depending on your selection you may need to clean your carpet more often. This is especially true of lighter colors. Most manufactures recommend hot water (steam) extraction for cleaning carpets. Please refer to your manufactures warranty guide for specific cleaning and maintenance requirements for your carpet.

SEAMS – All carpets will show seams. There is no such thing as an invisible seam. Berbers, low profile, flat weave, pattern loops all will show more than plush carpet. Lighting from windows will enhance the visibility of a seam.

SHEDDING – New carpet can and will shed. Fiber type, twist and construction will affect how much a carpet will shed. It is normal to see some fibers in your vacuum for the first 6 months.

SHADING / TEXTURE – Carpet can appear to look and feel different once installed in your home. Dye-lots, lighting, paint color, furniture lay out all will affect the appearance of your carpet. Please remember the carpet sample you are looking at is only a representative of what you will be getting, not an exact match.

ROLL MARKS / INDENTS – Sometimes carpets can have crush/roll marks that are noticed after the carpet is installed. This condition is not a defect and can be corrected by steaming the affected area. Please be aware heavy objects, such as furniture can and will leave permanent dents in your carpet.

Flooring Trends

Something I get asked on a daily basis…what are the trends these days? For a while things were a bit stagnant in the flooring industry and it was hard for me to give a definite answer for that question. And then within the past few years I have really seen some cool new trends emerging. So here is a list I compiled based on a. what customers are calling in and asking for b. what products are taking over the industry c. what I see are reoccurring trends on many of the most popular interior design sites.

Restored/Rustic/Hand Scraped

When I first started in the industry many customers were willing to pay extra just so they could get less knots and variation in their wood flooring…and now it is become more popular for floors to have character to them. I have always found wood that had character, graining and variation was a good thing for my house hold because it certainly helps to camouflage wear and tear. And also being a wood nerd I do like to see the product in its most natural state, imperfections and all.

Wide Planks

Growing up and traditionally all of us have seen and are familiar with the 2 ¼ and 3 ¼ inch widths in red or white oak. Starting about 15 years ago is when I first saw planks getting wider (4 to 5 inch widths), then on to 6…7..and now 8 inches wide! It is truly amazing how far they have come with milling on these products. One thing to note is that with very wide plank boards they need to be engineered. For some people that’s a deal breaker because they want solid for the fact you can sand, stain and urethane.

Oil Finish Wood Floors

This is still something that most people are weary of. And of course I can’t blame them. “You mean…I get a floor that has no finish to it…and I am supposed to trust that it won’t damage more than a floor that is protected with a urethane finish??” I think it is going to take a while for people to feel comfortable purchasing a floor with no finish. With that being said a funny thing happened over the past week. As I was having dinner at my parents they mentioned it might be good to have the floors upstairs refinished…because they never have been refinished and they just thought it was time. Besides, the downstairs floor has been refinished 3 times since we lived in that home! Come to find out the floors have NO FINISH. Just the oil finish – that’s it! What is great about low gloss finishes is you don’t see the scratching as much as you would a high gloss. So with the oil finish it hides damage done to the floors even better. With oil the advantage is you NEVER have to refinish your floors.

Who Is The Softest Of Them All?

Carpet companies have gotten smart…they realize customers are feeling with their hands to choose carpet…not their feet. So I have seen softer and softer carpet fibers emerge within all manufacturers. Do be warned though…we have seen some that are starting to compromise in performance and mat down that are very plush and very soft. The best recipe for a carpet that will perform for many years to come is short (referring to carpet fiber length), tight (the tighter the carpet yarn the better) and dense (referring to the amount of fibers per square inch). Of course we don’t like to name names as far as lines that don’t perform well but will steer you on the right direction when stopping in any of our store locations for soft fibers that will wear well in your home!

What Is the Best Carpet for Allergies and Asthma?

Dust, mold and pollen are bad news for allergy and asthma sufferers. So you certainly wouldn’t want to invite those things to stay in your home by settling in your carpet. But that’s exactly what carpet does – traps those pesky, invisible allergens without you knowing. And with every step, they are released into the air for you to inhale.

What to Look For

Carpeting made of synthetic materials is better at repelling pollen, dust and allergens. This is because the fibers are not organic and provide an inhospitable climate for things like mold. In addition, you should ask for carpeting that’s labeled as hypoallergenic. Nylon and olefin carpets resist moisture, dirt and mildew, making them good options. Also ask about polyester, Triexta and Air.o.

People with sensitivity to chemicals will want to avoid volatile organic compounds (VOC), which are carbon-based chemicals that quickly evaporate at room temperature. They may trigger allergies, respiratory irritations and headaches. Look for Green Label or Green Label Plus products to make sure you’re purchasing the lowest possible VOC-emitting carpet. Lastly, don’t forget about the carpet padding – make sure it’s also synthetic and free of allergy-triggering vapors and chemicals.

Be Careful During Installation

Avoid triggering an allergy flare up while your hypoallergenic carpet is being installed (cue Alanis Morissette’s Ironic). Take these precautionary measures to cut down on allergens flying through the air:

Have the carpet installer unroll and air out the carpeting in a well-ventilated area

Ventilate the room as much as possible by using fans, a vacuum cleaner with a fine filter, and opening windows – to rid the area of dust and other particles coming from the new carpet

Stay away from the house during and immediately following installation

Clean Your Carpet Regularly

Even after making the smart choice of purchasing a hypoallergenic carpet, you’ll want to help keep allergens away with regular cleaning. Pros recommend vacuuming weekly, and deep cleaning, with shampoo and/or steam cleaning, every 6 months. Using a vacuum with a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter can be especially helpful. It’s a good idea to hire a professional carpet cleaner to get rid of embedded dirt that a regular vacuum or DIY carpet cleaner can’t extract. In addition, consider enacting a closed window policy during allergy season and “no shoes” rule in your house – this will reduce the amount of allergens that enter your home and settle in your carpet.

Brilliant Carpet Repurposing Ideas That Will Astound You

I recently began thinking about replacing my living room carpet. It’s pretty old and although there are amazing carpet cleaners on the market today, sometimes it’s good to just add something new. So, once I decided to buy new carpet, I started wondering about what to do with the old carpet that I was pulling up. I mean, I could just take it to the dump, but wouldn’t a DIY project be more fun?

I found some wonderful ideas for repurposing old carpet. Some of these are seriously genius ideas and all of them can be done with old carpet or rugs, whatever you may have on hand. You can also do many of them with carpet samples, so if you have a few of those lying around, get them out and let’s do a repurposing project with them! Repurposing old items is such fun and it’s a really economical way to use up those items and get some new ones at the same time. Repurposing really does save you money and you can reuse practically anything

From ottoman makeovers to cat scratching posts and even some sensible cleaning supplies, you can turn those old carpet strips and rugs into some amazing things. There are boots – yes, boots! – coasters, window cleaners and so much more that you can make with leftover carpet or old carpet that you’re planning to replace. Of course, there’s always the option of reusing that carpet in another room – or on the staircase – but if you don’t have an obvious use for it, repurpose it into something great!

amazing ways to repurpose that carpet and add a few beautiful new pieces to your home and garden. I hope you enjoy these ideas as much as I do and I hope you’ll share which one you used to repurpose your carpet!

Why Choose A Tankless Hot Water Heaters

Design a Tankless Hot Water Installation

There are several things that you have to consider with a tankless water heater installation: water hardness, gas flow, exhaust and venting, drains, and the dreaded recirculating pump.

Water Hardness

Hard water will kill a tankless water heater.  Calcium build-up will destroy the efficiency of the heater and eventually plug the heater.  Be sure to test your water for hardness before installing a water tankless water heater.  I live in the southwest, and our water is super hard.  I needed to install a water softener as part of the installation. I chose to get the Premier 40,000-grain High Capacity Water Softening System from Costco.  The price was great, and it appears to have a high quality Watts valve. The water softener has run flawless since November 2013 and our clothes, and bathrooms have never been cleaner.  Life before our water softener was full of calcium buildup on everything, and this water softener has been a complete workhorse.

Gas Flow

A tankless water heater needs a lot of gas to the heater when it is running.  If the heater can’t get the necessary flow of gas, the onboard computer will generate a fault and the heater will not function correctly. If you don’t have a 3/4″ gas line running to the water heater, you are going to need to install that.  You need as short of a gas pipe run from the gas meter as you can get with the gas pipe being 3/4″.  This is an area that I would encourage you to hire a plumber for.  I was blessed that our house had a 3/4″ gas pipe headed directly to the area where the existing water heater was installed.  I didn’t need to do any piping from the gas meter to the water heater.  Some people suggest that you need to test that you have enough pressure from the gas meter and to install a larger meter from your gas company. I didn’t do any special testing and the gas meter is the original gas meter that was installed with the house in 1991.

Exhaust and Venting

Venting a tankless water heater is just as important as making sure it gets enough gas.  You can’t just use the existing vent that you have for your tank water heater.  An example of incorrect venting is the following installation that is completely wrong: One of the vents on the water heater installation above is used for the fresh-air intake. There are so many problems with this water heater installation it is amazing that it even worked in the first place.

What is a Recirculation Pump for a Tankless System?

Sometimes called a circulator pump, it is a pump that periodically circulates water back to the water heater to be reheated. There’s a clue that this is not a cost-free technique. This prevents water in the pipe from cooling off, so it is hot when you turn on the tap or shower.

A recirculation system includes:

1). A water heater and pump combined or separate. This can be a tankless water heater with an integrated recirculation pump or a water heater and an external pump. The Rheem RTGH is one of example of a unit with a built-in recirculation pump. Other models, like the Rinnai RL water heaters, can be programmed to start an external pump during peak water usage times.

2). A recirculation method – 2 options. The first option is a dedicated return line for circulation. That means your home would have three pipes instead of two – cold, hot and recirculation. This is a viable option if it is installed when the plumbing is originally installed or if you have a one-story home and pipes in the basement or crawlspace are easily accessed. If your home doesn’t have a recirculation line, then a bridge valve will be installed at the furthest fixture that allows the cold water line to be used as the means of cycling water back to the water heater.

3). A way to control when the circulation pump runs. The two common options are a timer that periodically turns on the recirculation and an aquastat or thermostat that turns on the pump to keep water in the line at the desired temperature.

HOW TO CHOOSE A WATER HEATER

Heating water is the second largest single user of energy in the home. While we all enjoy a soothing hot shower, rising energy costs—along with their adverse environmental impact—make it a good time to take a closer look at the various options now available.

Storage Tank: The most common hot water system used in homes. Water is kept constantly heated in the storage tank by electricity, natural gas, oil, or propane. Hot water is drawn out of the top of the tank when a faucet is turned on and cold water flows in the bottom to replace it.

Tankless: Also known as on demand water heaters. Water is heated by electricity or gas when the water flows through it without the need for a tank.

Solar: Water is circulated from the tank through a solar collector where it is heated by the sun. If the water in the tank is not hot enough, a conventional water heater is used to bring it up to the desired temperature

Factors in Choosing a Water Heater

So which type of water heater is right for your home? There are several factors to consider including the price of the system and installation, the cost and availability of energy sources, the energy factor (EF) rating of the water heater, and whether the system meets new water heater regulations.

A tankless water heater saves you money!

In contrast to a conventional storage (or “tank”) water heater – which heats the water with a relatively small burner, the tankless water heater applies more energy (over 5 times more -32~40,000 BTU for a tank unit and 150~500,000BTU for a tankless) per second to the water so that it can be heated instantly . This higher energy output requires a higher volume gas supply than the tank water heater, and a larger exhaust vent also. Even though the rate of gas usage is significantly higher when the unit is running, it runs for a fraction of the time of a conventional water heater and gains it efficiency in that way.

A tankless water heater saves you space! A tankless water heater is also significantly smaller than a tank water heater – only about the size of a bed pillow, giving you the space back that a tank water heater would otherwise occupy, the tankless water heater can even be installed flush mounted within a wall, taking up virtually no space at all!

A tankless water heater saves on repair and replacement costs! You can also expect a tankless water heater to last many times longer than a tank water heater, up to 25 years! Compare that to the 2-12 year life expectancy of a tank water heater.

How to get hot water faster from a tankless water heater:

You are heating the water quickly but wasting more water down the drain and waiting longer for hot water.

We love tankless water heaters because they are more energy efficient, you will never run out of hot water (when properly sized) and they take up less space.

But in order to get hot water faster without wasting water down the drain you need a circulation system. One that returns the cold water in the hot water line to the water heater and one that has a high speed pump to move the water faster than just water pressure alone can.

And it needs to be a system that does not operate continuously (continuous operation voids the water heater’s warranty) and that does not keep your water lines hot unless there is a demand for hot water (wastes energy and promotes pinhole leaks).

Quick And Clever Shingles Roof Repairs

The Guide to Types of Roof Shingles to Consider

weather can drop like a speeding car on a highway that spots a state trooper. It can go from 80-degree weather to low twenties within hours. The turbulent weather brings about damaging storms such as tornadoes and hail storms. Our first line of defense against this temperamental weather is none other than our roofs.

Knowing the different types of roof shingles that will not only weather the storm but provide aesthetic value and durability is helpful when making an investment in your roof.

Here at Turner Roofing, we offer the following types of roof shingles:

Asphalt

Wood Shake

Tile

Metal

Slate

Synthetic

However, not all of those types of roof shingles are best suited for the crazy weather. That’s why we’ve created the ultimate guide to types of roof shingles you need in

Asphalt Architectural

Ashphalt shingles are the most common type of roof shingle. They are the most cost-effective type of roof and usually come in three-tab cutouts. The downside is that they will wear out more quickly than some of the other more durable types of roof shingles.

Asphalt Architectural Class 4 impact shingles.

Roof Shingles are rated on their ability to handle hail damage or impact. The Class 4 shingle is tested with a 2” steel ball that simulates a piece of hail. They test the shingle by impacting it with the steel ball in the same spot twice to ensure it won’t be damaged. Having a shingle that can resist this type of impact can help protect the underlayment of the roof, preventing leaks. This is obviously an appealing type of roof shingle to insurance companies and many insurance companies will provide a discount to those who use this type of roof shingle. If you’re looking at making a new roof investment, check with your insurance company to see what kind of discount you can receive for using a Class 4 shingle.

Can You Install an Asphalt Shingle Roof During the Winter?

For the most part people who live in cold weather state understand that the spring, summer and early fall are the ‘roofing seasons’.  People in these areas budget and plan to get their roofs done when the days are long and the temperatures are mild.  But sometimes things happen and people get put into situations where they need to get a roof installed during the winter months.  Perhaps the home is being sold and a new roof becomes a contingency of that sale.  It could be a tree fell on the roof necessitating its replacement.  Perhaps the roof was approved by the homeowners’ insurance company for replacement and they suddenly realize the deadline for completing the work is looming; perhaps the insurer has made replacing the roof a requirement for continuing insurance coverage.  Maybe a leak late in the year finally brought the poor condition of the roof to the attention of the homeowners and replacement is the only solution that makes financial sense.

Can the people who do get put in these situations still get a quality roof installation?  The short answer is ‘yes’, but to understand that let’s look at the two main reasons why most roofing companies and roofing customers don’t consider winter the best time to install an asphalt shingle roof.

The first challenge to winter roofing with asphalt shingles is the shingles themselves.  The shingles will lose some flexibility in the cold.  They will also become more difficult to cut.  The temperature of the shingles and humidity in the air lines can affect how the pneumatic guns drive the nails, so the pressure setting for warm weather may need to be adjusted when it is cooler to avoid over or under -driving the fasteners.  These are all challenges that can be overcome by taking a little more time and paying closer attention.

The larger issue with the materials has to do with sealant on the back of every shingle.  This sealant is activated by heat and sunlight and it seals the shingles together which prevents the wind from getting under them and lifting.  The sealant on shingles installed in cold weather may not activate right away; it may not activate until spring.  The temperatures and conditions to activate the sealant will vary by manufacturer and it’s also possible that while the shingles on the southern exposure may seal, those on northern slopes may not.  If this is a concern, most shingle manufacturers recommend hand-sealing every shingle to avoid winter blow-offs.  This can add a lot of work to the project.  There may also be added cost if hand-sealing is necessary.

The second challenge to roofing in the winter is basic human nature.  People who have to labor outside in extreme conditions are probably not automatically going to do their best work.  Working in heavy coats and boots is clumsier and time consuming.  Without careful supervision workers may try and take short-cuts to get things done more quickly.  Extra time must be devoted to safety as winter conditions can make a roof more slippery.  For a winter roofing project to go well the crew needs to be motivated to do a good job, well supervised and allowed to work at a pace where they can take the extra time necessary to ensure a good installation.

Warning Signs That Your Roof Is Shot

A solid roof above your head is pretty crucial if you’ve become accustomed to having a warm, cozy, and leak-free home. Here’s how to notice and deal with potential issues before they become big ones.

“An asphalt shingle roof should last between 20 and 30 years,” says Claude McGavic, executive director of The National Association of Home Inspectors. “If you have a 40-year-old roof,there could be a problem — even if it looks good from the ground.”

How much time you’ve got left: Five to 10 years, depending on your roof’s condition. If you live in a development and your neighbors are all starting to replace their roofing, that could be a sign that you should do the same.

The shingles are curling.

Shingles can curl in two ways: There’s cupping, which happens when the edges of the shingles turn upward; and there’s clawing, which is when the edges stay flat and the middle starts to come up. “Both are signs of weathering and indicate that problems — potentially leaks — are relatively close to fruition,” says Mark Graham, vice president of the National Roofing Contractors Association.

Entire shingles are missing.

From a functional standpoint, there should be no problem with just replacing a few shingles here and there. “What you do need to be prepared for is the fact that it’s just about impossible to get a new shingle to match the color of an old one,” says Graham. “Granule colors have changed pretty significantly over the years. Plus, the colors change slightly with weathering.”

HOW TO KNOW IF YOUR ROOFING CONTRACTOR HAS DONE A GOOD JOB

How Many Layers?

It’s harder to maintain a roof that has three or more layers of shingles. Extra layers also burden the house with unnecessary weight. Reputable contractors remove old shingles if a building already has two layers of this roofing material.

Drip Edge Issues

Roofers must install drip edges to prevent water damage, basement flooding, stains and soil erosion. If your home has a shingle roof, the gables and eaves should feature a drip edge. This metal flashing fits between the shingles and underlayment. It carries rainwater away from the house and enables gutters to work correctly

Effective Flashing

To stop water from leaking into your home, roofers should install metal flashing around vent pipes, chimneys and similar protrusions. It’s important to place this material under rather than over shingles. Chimneys need a combination of counterflashing and step flashing; a single sheet of metal won’t prevent water from entering the attic

Chimney Saddle

Does your chimney measure more than 30 inches wide? If so, the contractor ought to have installed a “saddle” that prevents leaves and rainwater from collecting behind the chimney. Instead, water flows into gutters or off the edge of the roof. This preserves the wood under your shingles and stops the flashing from rusting.

Underlayment

Roofers should place an underlayment between the sheathing and shingles. This barrier helps protect your house from water leaks. It often permits the roof to last much longer as well. An underlayment represents a crucial part of any professional roofing project.

Metal vs Shingle – Things to consider for your Log Home Roofing Solutions

Ran across an interesting article (see below) in www.builderonline.com that may interest many of you when researching roofing solutions for your new log home, or if you are considering re-roofing your existing home.  In the 24 years of selling log homes, this is one of the most frequently asked questions we’re asked to give an opinion on.  It really comes down to budget, but the insight offered below is valuable when making a decision.

If you were to ask a sampling of production builders what is the best roofing material on the market, they’re likely to tell you asphalt. The average residential architect, on the other hand, would probably say metal is the real deal. Heaven only knows what a home buyer or custom home client will choose—slate, clay, concrete—or if they’ll even care.

The roof is arguably the most important surface in a home, perhaps even more essential than the exterior walls. As the most exposed plane, the roof has a mammoth task. It’s under constant assault from the sun and rain, and, if leaky, could result in thousands of dollars worth of direct repair as well as ancillary damage. Still, a roof is one of those things that many consumers don’t think about until there is a blizzard, hail storm, or rainstorm.

So what accounts for the discrepancy in material tastes? That builders, architects, and home buyers have opposing views of roofing material is telling, but their preferences speak to individual agendas as much as it speaks to the materials.

Most home buyers, for example, care mostly about price and don’t care as much about material as long as the roof functions properly and for the foreseeable future. Production builders care about looks and function, too, but affordability is top of mind. And architects want a roof to function well, but they are concerned that it be aesthetically pleasing.

Bait For Rodent

How Do I Get Rid of Rodents in My Home?

Mice and rats are never welcome house guests, but their adaptability and low dietary needs make it easy for them to become your new uninvited roommates. A small hole in the wall or door is all a mouse needs to enter your home. What’s more, if there is food available inside they have absolutely no reason to leave.

As a pest control company in Greensboro, NC, we know that it can be hard to completely rodent-proof your home, but making your home as inhospitable as possible to these critters can go a long way in preventing an infestation. Here are some easy ways to make sure that mice and rats aren’t making themselves at home in your home.

Keep a Clean and Uncluttered House

Rodents eat as little as 15-20 grams of food a day, so even just a tiny crumb left over after dinner can keep a mouse alive and well in your house. Wiping down counters after meals and not leaving dirty dishes out can go a long way to cutting down on possible food sources. It’s also important to keep clutter in your home to a minimum. Mice and rats like to nest and hide in clutter, so keeping floors and other surfaces clean and visible makes it harder for mice to feel secure in your home. Keep this in mind for storage areas where rodents usually reside — such as basements, attics, and large closets.

Seal up Food and Keep It out of Reach

Mice aren’t picky when it comes to food so it’s important to keep opened food containers, garbage receptacles, and even pet food sealed up tightly. Feeding pets only at meal times when they are likely to clean house on their meals is a good way to make sure mice and rats aren’t finding bounties of food in easy access locations.

Seal Entry Points in Your Home

Open doors and windows are the easiest access point for rodents. Keeping them shut at all times and installing screens in the ones you want to keep open can go a long way in keeping all kinds of pests outside. It’s also important to check your doors and windows for small holes. Mice can enter your home through an opening as small as a ¼”, so walking around the outside of your house and patching up any visible holes will close off easy entry points.

How to get rid of mice and rats in a commercial kitchen

If you detect rodents in your food business, you need to deal with them right away. Some of the most common methods used to eradicate rodent infestations are:

  • glue boards
  • traps
  • poisonous bait

GLUE BOARDS

Glue boards do not contain poison so you don’t run the risk of contaminating food with chemicals. Rodents run onto the glue board and get stuck, though rats can often free themselves so they are more effective if you are dealing with mice. Be sure to check these often and discard of the boards and dead rodents once caught.

TRAPS

Mouse and rat traps are another option, with the spring trap being the most commonly used. Fresh food is used as bait, and the rodent is trapped by the spring when it tries to eat the food. Check traps frequently and dispose of dead rodents. (Wash your hands thoroughly afterwards!)

POISONOUS BAITS

Poisonous baits should only ever be used with extreme caution and must be kept well away from food and food preparation areas. Employees should be instructed to stay well away from them.

What do I do when the bait is being eaten off the snap trap but the rodent is not being caught? 

Position the snap trap so that the baited end of each trap is placed perpendicular to the wall.  Rodents generally travel with their bodies against a wall for protection. The use of 3 or more snap traps is recommended in problem areas.  It may be necessary to bait a rat trap without setting the trap and allow the bait to be eaten a couple of times.  Then set the trap with more bait. Rats tend to shy away from new objects so this method gets them accustomed to the trap.  Mice are more inquisitive than rats, so pre-baiting is less likely to be needed.

Rodents Tip

Protect Tack and Equipment from RodentsYour feed room isn’t the only room in the barn you want to safeguard from rodents. The fleecy underside of your good Western saddle and those thick quilted leg wraps make perfect nesting material for mice and rats. Keep the door closed and fill hole and gaps with steel wool or metal hardware “cloth” to deter them from entering. Store out-of-season items like blankets, sheets, leg wraps and bandages in sealed containers (metal is best), making sure they’re clean and totally dry first.

Don’t Let Rodents Contaminate and Waste Feed

Did you know the average adult rat consumes nearly 10 percent of its body weight in food per day? Rodents contaminate far more feed than they eat from their urine, droppings and hair. To deter rats and mice in your barn, store all grain products, pellets and supplements in metal bins (clean metal trash cans are ideal) with tight-fitting lids. Sweep up spilled feed — including in the stalls — on a daily basis and dispose of it in a tightly sealed metal trash container.

Clean Up After Rodents

Properly cleaning up rodent-contaminated areas can help prevent hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare, but potentially fatal respiratory disease that people can get after inhaling dust contaminated with rodent urine or droppings. Follow these tips to properly clean up a rodent-contaminated area:

  • Air out enclosed areas for at least 30 minutes by opening doors and windows. Leave the enclosed area while it’s being aired out.
  • Don’t vacuum, sweep, or stir up dust in and around rodent contaminated areas – this can cause contaminated dust particles to be inhaled. Note that dust mask may provide some protection against dusts encountered during cleaning, but does not protect against viruses.
  • Spray and wet down dead rodents, nests, droppings, urine, and other contaminated materials with a 10% bleach solution (1 part bleach to 9 parts water) and let this soak for 10 minutes. Other disinfectant products can be used – follow the label instructions for dilution and disinfection time.
  • Wearing rubber gloves, wipe up the contaminated materials with paper towels, rags, or mops and place waste into a double plastic bag and into the garbage.
  • Before removing gloves, wash or disinfect them.
  • Wash hands with soap and warm water after removing gloves (or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water is not available).

Hot Wedding Dj Trends

Have you asked these Things of your Wedding DJ?

When it comes to looking for a vendor for a type of wedding service the options can be overwhelming. Who ever it is that you decide to go with for your own reasons ask them the following questions to be sure that you will be looked after during the organising and on the day.

What Is Your Experience?

This is a big first question that you should be asking. Who will my DJ be and what is their experience. If your DJ has only worked one type of event then their experience is going to be limited but if they have worked parties, bar’s, nightclub’s, private function’s and many other events then they will be well seasoned with great mixing techniques and a huge library to be able to think quick and read the room. Ultimately you would want someone that has had to perform for different types of crowd’s in different situations.

What Is Included in the Package And How Long Do You Play For?

Meaning what equipment comes with the package and how long do you play for. Basic package calls for at least 2 speakers some simple up lighting for mood and some dance lighting from up high facing down to the dance floor. Premium should offer more services such as more speakers placed through out the room, lighting that is controllable to create scenes for different moments such as the bridal entrance or speeches or perhaps something to tie the DJ setup into the room so it does not stand out

If Your Equipment Fails What Is Your Backup Plan ?

What happens if your computer crashes or equipment fails? This is real and if you have been doing this job long enough then you will have been faced with some sort of show stopping technical crash. A computer would be a high-risk item to crash so do they have a backup? How do you play with out one?.DJ decks, if they stop working then can you still operate from just the software on your computer. So ask them what are their technical backups, a photographer wouldn’t take one camera body to a wedding and a good entertainment service will have backup plans.

When Will You Arrive ?

No doubt as a bride you have a day long time schedule going through your mind of when each service will be doing what. Your DJ will normally turn up about an hour and a half before the reception opens, enough time to load in, set up, test equipment and come and find you and ensure that everything inside the reception space is looking good and their music is good to go.

What Does a DJ Need to Know for a Wedding?

Are you a wedding DJ, or are you planning on becoming one? Whatever the scenario, there are certain things you will need to know for a wedding. After all it’s one of the biggest days of the couple’s life, so you can’t afford to foul it up.

That’s not to say I don’t get things wrong from time to time… but I do have a list of things to know, which cuts down how big an impact those errors can potentially have. I hope that you find my wedding DJ checklist useful – this also perfectly complements a list of wedding equipment that I put together, so take a look at that too.

What a Wedding DJ Needs to Know

By using this checklist of things that you will need to know when DJ’ing at a wedding, it will dramatically reduce your stress, and help to ensure that your part in the wedding day goes without any hitches.

Planning makes perfect, and that’s so important with any wedding DJ gig. Due to the massive variances, timings, and people involved in a wedding, it’s critical that you, the DJ, are as in-sync with the bride and groom as is humanly possible.

What Songs are Played When and For How Long?

The bride and groom will have their own special playlist of tunes that they are going to want to be played – it’s not just about the songs though, it’s also about when they are played and for how long – the most important one being the first dance.

THINGS THAT A PROFESSIONAL WEDDING DJ MUST DO

We all have heard stories or seen first-hand what happens when a wedding DJ is unprepared.

A successful wedding is made up of many pieces, and the DJ is like the glue that will help maximize the value of each of these things! A DJ can truly make or break a wedding reception – which is why this is one of the most important decisions a couple can make when planning their special day.

A great wedding DJ must have great customer service skills and broad knowledge of the wedding industry. I use these two skills to make all of the guests feel welcome, and to put together an organized schedule that makes the event flow smoothly. Many people think that it’s all pretty obvious, but for some reason with many wedding DJs, it’s not. That’s why you must make sure your wedding DJ understands these things. Don’t be afraid to ask 100 questions in that initial interview if you have to!

PROFESSIONAL DJs Listen!

A great wedding DJ will closely listen to your wants and needs. If necessary, they will also offer suggestions on how to incorporate those things that are important to you on your big day. They know that you’re trusting him/her with determining the flow of the day, and they take that responsibility very seriously. A professional DJ will always make the needs of the couple a top priority.

PROFESSIONAL DJs Pronounce The Names Correctly.

Professional DJs take the responsibility of announcements and introductions very seriously. Usually this means that they will re-spell any tough names phonetically on their timeline to help them pronounce them properly for introductions and toasts. “Nothing is more unprofessional than a DJ or MC mispronouncing someone’s name in the wedding party, there is NO excuse for it.”

PROFESSIONAL DJs Read The Crowd and Take Requests!

If your DJ is a professional, he or she has a broad musical knowledge and is going to make sure everyone from the Bride and Groom to Grandma and Grandpa have a great time. A professional Wedding DJ should be able to read the crowd and always know what the next best song is that will keep the crowd dancing. Through preparation and experience, the DJ will play many crowd favorites throughout the evening. A great DJ will also take requests.

Things That Can Go Wrong On Your Wedding Day Because of Your DJ

As a wedding DJ, I always enjoy talking to married couples, especially about their wedding experiences. Even couples who have been married for 25+ years will often look back in horror as they explain what went wrong on that special day. Surprisingly often, I hear “ Our wedding was great, but our DJ…awful!” When planning and budgeting, many brides lump the importance of the wedding entertainment into the same category as things like the tablecloths and draping. Trust and believe, I’ve never heard a single complaint where the wedding was great, but the tablecloths were all wrong and ruined everything! In 25 years, no one will remember the tablecloths, but they absolutely will remember the experience they had with their wedding DJ.

The Music You Want is NOT the Music You Get. When I work with my wedding clients, we make custom selections together for things like their entrance music, first dances, mother / son and father / daughter dances, etc. We customize and plan everything down to the pre-ceremony playlist and the dinner music to make sure that we create the vibe that is intended for each couple on their special day. BEST CASE SCENARIO – your DJ Misses one of these important cue points. Lets imagine walking to the center of the dance floor to dance your first dance, and instead of the song you’ve selected playing, you’ve got to awkwardly figure out what to do when the DJ cues up a different song. Do you dance? Do you wait for the right song? Everyone is watching. And this embarrassment and disappointment, you will definitely remember years from now when you say, “Our wedding was great, but honey, do you remember what the DJ played instead of our first dance song?” Sigh.

The Event Flows Awkwardly / Timeline Events are Missed. Even with a Wedding Coordinator on board, Brides often forget that the DJ has full control of the flow of the event. A good DJ will work with the coordinator and vendors, and make adjustments as needed to make up for any day-of changes to the schedule. Sometimes the photographer runs late with the cocktail hour. Sometimes dinner takes too long to be served. These are all things that are not in the control of the DJ, but a good DJ will know how to adjust to make sure all of the cues are still hit. A bad DJ will not be able to make adjustments on the fly, in the best case, making your event flow awkwardly, and in some worst cases, causing you to run out of time for certain events like your cake cutting, your first dances, your bouquet toss, etc. As you know, you only get one chance to do your wedding day. Imagine that the DJ doesn’t know how to coordinate or make schedule adjustments and you barely get through dinner and a first dance before it’s time for the reception to be over. I bet you’ll remember that disappointment for a long time

The Music Sucks and all Your Guests Leave Early. This one is a big deal and really illustrates why it’s important to hire a DJ who cares more about your event than their ego. A good wedding DJ is going to work with you to determine what music you want to hear as well as what music your guests may want to hear. They need to be versatile to be able to play to a diverse age and demographic range. And they need to be able to read a room and make adjustments as needed. A BAD wedding DJ will come in and play whatever THEY want to play. Or they’ll completely miss reading the room and get caught in their own head or their own ego. Can you imagine the look on your grandma’s face when your wedding DJ decides to get the party going with a Trap Music set right in the middle of your wedding dinner? Now if that’s the music you want for your reception, then this might be ok for you, and Listen, I’ve played IT ALL for Weddings. The beauty of being able to customize with a DJ is you can create an event that’s true to you. For most people, this would be a HUGE PROBLEM. And even if it’s not trap music or something inappropriate, a DJ who isn’t strong at reading a room and keeping them engaged will guarantee that your guests leave early. I’ve attended weddings and events where the DJ was terrible and the guests left in some cases up to 2 hours early, many times to continue the parry somewhere else. Then there you are on your big day in a big empty room dancing by yourself. And I’m pretty sure you’ll be hard pressed to find a venue that refunds for guests leaving early.

Equipment Failure and NO Backup Plan Ends the Party Early. As a full-time Mobile DJ, I always have backup equipment and a plan for any sort of equipment failure. Just like anything, sometimes unforeseen things happen. A Good Dj will be prepared for whatever failure could happen on their end. (Ex. I’ve got backups of all of my equipment right down to the microphones. If anything goes wrong, we just pull out the backup and we are up and running again in no time, in many cases without any knowledge or impact to the client.) A Bad Wedding DJ will not be prepared for equipment failure. So when their speaker goes out, the microphone stops working, or maybe their laptop dies, then this means that the party is over unless someone has an aux cable that they can plug into their phone. Sorry about that.

Questions for a Wedding D.J

How did you choose your D.J. name?

I was reading the autobiography of Miles Davis when it was popular to change your name to something iconic while giving it a new spin. I smile a lot. The second it came out of my mouth that was it.

What songs typically work well at weddings?

Aretha Franklin, “Respect.” Diana Ross, “I’m Coming Out.” Skee-lo, “I Wish.” Stevie Wonder, “Signed, Sealed, Delivered.” Redbone, “Come and Get Your Love.” Young MC, “Bust a Move.” Talking Heads, “This Must Be the Place.” And A-ha, “Take on Me.” They’re strong, iconic and legendary with sing-along value. Even if you didn’t know the lyrics when you hear the repetitiveness, it’s easy for people to catch on.

Any pet peeves?

When clients send long lists of what to play, and what not to; when their parents make too many suggestions; and when they give me a Google document in real time and start crossing things off and adding more songs.

What are some of your rules?

I don’t play cheesy disco, the “YMCA,” “Macarena” or “Stayin’ Alive.” I don’t play hip-hop during dinner. I try to set a vibe early on. I play a little bit of everything during that first hour so I can determine what people are gravitating toward and then go hard with that later.

What distinguishes wedding music?

These are songs that resonate with people who are feeling love in the air. They don’t have to be love songs, but they have to create nostalgia and memories. You want music that attaches songs to certain moments. When people sing out loud collectively, there’s a shared connectivity. Shouting at the top of your lungs creates endorphins. I want to pull people out of their comfort zone and to dance like no one is watching.

Benefits Of Using Payroll Service

Useful Tips That Can Assist You in Selecting a Payroll Service

Selecting a payroll service provider when payday comes, representatives consequently surmise that they won’t just be given the compensation, however will be given the right measure of pay. A straightforward system to ensure that everyone is getting installment, and the IRS is not on your rear is a finance administration.

A few individuals may trust this payroll service is an exercise in futility, since it should be possible in a house. All things considered, having a specialist to adapt to confounding expense laws, and to comprehend the expense of any mix-ups is a major point of preference. In this article, you will learn 4 valuable tips that can offer you in picking the best finance some assistance with payroll services. They are as per the following which you can easily get:

Costs and Hidden Charges

The principal question that you ought to ask to a finance administration provider is the amount they charge to give you this administration. They may accuse a settled expense of an additional charge for every check, or a charge in view of the rate of finance. You may longing to pay your staff every week, except find that every week will spare your cash; this is something that should be considered. Moreover, bear in mind to see that extensive subtle elements of the bill to discover those concealed charges that few organizations may neglect to compose the payroll outsourcing.

Restrictive Services

Counting paychecks, these administrations much of the time give other selective administrations to organizations. These selective administrations are redone reports, retirement arranges, direct store, regulating of worker advantages, and so on. A couple of associations can manufacture tweaked virtual products to satisfy your specific needs. If the workers are in particular states, you ought to guarantee that the organization has across the country scope abilities related to payroll outsourcing. You can likewise examine with the better business organization to find if the organization has any due grumblings.

Recommendations:

Bеfоrе you search payroll services оn Google, you ѕhоuld ask people you know who hаvе used this kind оf service. It іѕ good tо hаvе a recommendation frоm your friend, bесаuѕе іt іѕ better tо trust that payroll service which іѕ recommended bу your friend, rаthеr than аnу payroll service you don’t know. Recommendations аrе thе best method tо fіnd оut thе quality, аnd reputation оf thе company.

Eаѕе оf Access:

Nowadays, mоѕt payroll services permit access tо a safe site fоr employees tо check their personal payroll history. Having a website which іѕ protected bу a password tо observe, аnd print pay stubs, check payroll history, аnd kеер record оf vacation аnd sick days gives the best service tо your employees. Bу using this service, your employees саn easily check their information that means іt will definitely reduce thе аmоunt оf queries you hаvе tо answer tо your employees аbоut payroll.

How to Choose a Payroll Service That’s Right for Your Business

Enlisting a payroll service is a tactic being adopted by an increasing number of small businesses across the U.S. That’s because of the many compelling reasons to outsource your small business payroll, including:

Potentially significant savings in time and labor

Reduction or elimination of expensive payroll processing errors

Greater compliance with government regulatory and tax requirements

But opting to outsource payroll is just the first step a small business must take. Next comes selecting the right payroll service provider for your specific needs. Where to start?

Enthusiastic Referrals and References

A common first step is asking fellow business owners for referrals (particularly in businesses similar to yours). Once you get a few names, conduct your due diligence. Read online reviews and customer testimonials. Contact various providers and request a list of satisfied client references. Any company that’s slow to comply or doesn’t follow through at all should be eliminated from consideration.

With all of this information in hand, you can look more closely at a short list of qualified candidates. Here’s a checklist of “must-haves” such a provider should offer:

Experience

Choosing a newly established payroll service provider because it offers discount pricing or some other incentive is probably not a good idea. Making sure your employees are paid promptly and without error is a top priority, and best not left to providers with little or no experience. Any established provider will be able to demonstrate a record of accuracy and reliability, and offer additional resources beyond just payroll.

A Personalized Approach

Not all small businesses are created equal, and any quality outsourced provider must be equipped to match their services to a company’s specific needs. That means scrutinizing your business structure and customizing their approach, avoiding a generic, one-size-fits-all strategy.

Strong customer service should be an essential element of this personalized approach. This includes round-the-clock support (not just on days when your company payroll is being processed). It should also include a single point of contact: a highly trained, dedicated payroll specialist who can address a wide range of payroll and tax needs, and, most importantly, understands your small business and the larger industry in which you operate.

Advanced Technology

A top-tier payroll service provider should offer advanced online payroll software, complete website functionality, and a proven track record of incorporating technological advancements to make their services even better. Find out if the provider offers you and your employees access to information on an integrated platform accessible through a Web browser, mobile app for smartphone or tablet, etc.) and if that platform resides in the cloud. Request a trial run of the provider’s payroll software to determine for yourself if it’s easy to use. Try accessing data from a smartphone or other mobile device. Beware of providers who rely upon outmoded technology to process their clients’ payrolls.

Outsourcing Payroll: Tips for Choosing a Provider

Looking to outsource payroll? Here are 5 qualities to look for when evaluating potential providers.

1. User-friendly technology

In addition to being easy to use, payroll software should be SaaS (“cloud”) based so you can access information anywhere with an internet connection and on any device.

2. Tax administration

Some payroll software providers leave the burden (and risk) of paying taxes and filing returns to you. To maximize the benefits of outsourcing payroll, choose a company that also handles payroll tax administration.

3. Customer service

Payroll is complex; you can assume you’ll occasionally have questions or need help. Having the option for a single point of contact is important, as is 24/7 availability for after-hours support.

4. Compliance expertise

Don’t assume all providers keep their systems current with the latest tax rates and regulations. Be sure to choose an established provider with a proven history of helping clients comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

5. Modern payroll features

The best payroll providers offer a wide range of payroll features including:

  • Pay options like direct deposit, paper checks, and paycards
  • Employee self-service to check stubs and W-2s
  • Mobile apps
  • Reporting and analytics

Tips of choosing the right payroll company

Payrolls are important; it’s essentially what makes your employees the happiest.  Choosing the right payroll company can help lessen stress and make the process run smoothly. Here are top five tips in choosing the right payroll company for you!

1) Look for a top-notch customer service

Picture this-  it’s the first Friday of the month and your employees have to get paid, but for some reason the payroll system isn’t working…you are in panic. Angry employees are no fun.  You only notice this half an hour before the payroll report is due. You call up your payroll company and put on hold for around 40 minutes…panic turns into more panic. There is no better feeling than being able to reach someone on the phone when you have a question, no matter the time of day.  When finding the right payroll company for you, make sure they have a great customer service team who is always available when you need them!

2) Data security as strong as the secret service

Security is one of the most important aspects of choosing the right payroll system for your company. Considering all of the sensitive information that payrolls have, if someone who is not authorized gains access to it, it can be a nightmare for both the employers and employees. Make sure you choose a payroll system that is insurance and have a high-security encryption.

3) Clear pricing and no unwanted surprises

“Get monthly payroll for little as $13.99 when you sign up today!”- sounds pretty enticing doesn’t it? However, it’s important to always look closely at the fine print of the advertisement.  Furthermore, make sure you look at what are the additional features you may need and if they will cost you. For an example, some payroll companies charge additional fees for automatic check signatures or printing and check delivery.  Before choosing the right company for you, make sure you outline exactly what you need and get an estimate on the total cost.

4) Take consideration of your company’s employee count growth

Look for a payroll company that grows with your employee growth. It should be easy to start off with and to add on new employees as needed. Consider evaluating the set-up time that it takes for you to set-up an employee. Time is of the essence!

5) Look for top notch IT solutions

It’s 2018, your payroll system should not look like dinosaurs have used it. Look for a payroll company that has a great IT infrastructure!

What’s New in Residential Electrical Remodel

Tips for Easier Home Electrical Wiring

Even if you have years of wiring experience, there are always a few tricks you may not know. We worked with two master electricians with decades of experience between them to glean their tips, tricks and techniques. From straightening cable to labeling wires, these tips will help you wire better, faster and neater.

Uncoil Cable Without Kinks

Pulling plastic-sheathed cable through holes in the framing is a lot easier if you straighten the cable out first. If you simply pull the cable from the center of the coil, it’ll kink as you pull it through the studs. The trick is to lift a handful of coils (four loops will reach about 12 ft.) from the center of the roll (left) and toss them across the floor as if you’re throwing a coiled rope. Next, walk along the length of cable, straightening it as you go (right). The electricians we talked to prefer this method because they can keep the cable contained in the plastic wrapper for easier handling and neater storage.

Pack Electrical Boxes Neatly

If you’ve done much wiring, we’re sure you’ve had times when you could barely push the switch or outlet into the box because there were so many wires. The solution is to arrange the wires neatly and then fold them carefully into the box. Here’s how to keep wires neat and compact: First, gather all the bare ground wires along with a long pigtail and connect them. Fold them into the back of the box, leaving the pigtail extended. Next, do the same for the neutral wires. If you’re connecting switches as shown here, you don’t need a neutral pigtail. Leave the hot wire extra long and fold it back and forth across the bottom of the electrical wire box. Put a wire connector cap on the hot wire to identify it. The neatly packed box makes it easy to identify the wires and leaves you plenty of room for the switches.

Remove Sheathing from Underground Feeder (UF) Cable

Underground feeder (UF) cable has a tough plastic sheathing that allows you to bury it directly in the ground without running it through a conduit (of course, it has to be buried deep enough to satisfy the electrical code). But that tough sheathing is also difficult to remove—unless you know this trick. Start by separating the black and white wires from the bare copper by grabbing each with pliers and twisting (top). They’re easy to tear apart once you get them started. Pull them apart until you have about a foot of separated wires. Next, remove the sheathing from the insulated wires by grabbing the end of the wire with one pliers and the sheathing with another pliers and working them apart. After you get the sheathing separated from the insulated wire at the top, just peel it off (bottom). Repeat the process to remove the sheathing from the black wire. Finally, cut off the loose sheathing with scissors or a knife.

No-Snag Fish Tape Connections

After going to all the trouble of working your fish tape to its destination, the last thing you want is to lose the cable or get your tape stuck on something inside the wall as you pull it back. Here’s how to avoid both problems. Start by stripping an 8-in. length of cable. Using a side cutters, cut off all but one wire. Cut at a steep angle to avoid a “shoulder” that could catch on something. Then bend the single wire around the loop on the end of the fish tape and wrap the whole works with electrical tape to form a smooth bundle. Now you can pull the wire without worrying that it might fall off, and the smooth lump won’t get snagged by or stuck on obstructions.

Rewiring Tips

Approach the work with care

Rewiring needs a careful approach and, like all electrical installation work, is subject to regulation and legislation. Part P of the Buildings Regulations deals with electrical safety in domestic dwellings, and covers significant alterations and new additions (such as new kitchens and extensions) in UK homes.

Understand when rewiring is needed

Homes which have not been touched or rewired for over 20 to 30 years usually require attention. This is not only because the wiring is potentially dangerous but also because older wiring systems can’t cope with the demands of modern living.

Those runs of wires go everywhere: under floors, through walls and across ceilings, so first fix is best done without carpets or furniture, so floorboards can be lifted and ceilings cut into. To position new sockets and switches at legally correct heights, plaster generally needs to be chased into, too. This is why it’s important to plan what’s going where in each room before starting the first fix stage, so you know where you need lights, plug points and any other electrically driven items.

Avoid additions mid-way through

They are costly and time consuming. One way to avoid them is by drawing a plan of your home with each room on graph paper and marking up the position of beds, sofas, kitchen units and so on. You can then consider the lighting and switches required. Little things like under-cabinet and bedside lighting are easy to do when planned from the start, but costly to undertake later.

Think about futureproofing

Today we are a super-consuming society hooked on ‘tech’. In terms of electrics, this means mood lighting, surround sound, high-speed Wi-Fi, kitchen gadgets and TVs in the bathroom. Electrical circuits must be up to the job — and you need to plan ahead.

RENOVATION TIPS FOR FIRST TIME HOME OWNERS

When you have decided to take the plunge and upgrade your home there are a number of areas that will improve your ROI and even increase your home’s value.  With everything from new appliances, new walls, paint and fixtures there are many smaller projects that can be completed quickly that will have dramatic effects.  If you are not sure where to start, the kitchen, bathroom and basement will always yield the best return on your investment dollars – especially so if you choose energy-efficient and eco-friendly options. Plan carefully as smart choices will go a long way to recoup your money.

Once you have settled on what type of upgrades you wish to be completed the next task will be to locate a trusted local contractor. Before hiring an electrician or an electrical contractor to start your project there are a number of tips we can share to help you ease into the renovation, reduce your risk and improve your ROI – or get the best bang for buck

If you are planning a renovation and need some help understanding what to prioritize your safety with focus on your return on investment – give us a shout.

Tips to Increase Your Home’s Value

Plan your remodel.

Whether you just bought a house or you have lived there for a while, the fastest way to increase your home’s value is by making a plan.

You will fare better if upgrades are made intentionally and not on impulse. Home improvement projects cost about 20 to 25 cents on the dollar. The other 75 to 80 cents spent go directly back into the home through increased value.

Start slowly. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. If your home is new, get to know it. If you have already been there a while, get started. List the things you want to change and the updates you would like to make. Don’t worry about organization, just write it all down. Take a guess on how long you may want to live in the house. If you’re planning on selling, talk to your realtor and make a selling plan.

Tackle one room at a time.

How can you harness the energy that comes from new ideas and still be smart when you make those improvements? Make the commitment to tackle one room at a time. Whether it’s a simple coat of paint or knocking down a wall, by tackling one room at a time you keep projects achievable.

Make a list of all the things you dream about doing, break your list down into categories based on cost and write down how much time each project may take. What this does is help you get results. If you only have a day or a weekend, choose a project that fits within your timeframe, comfort level and financial commitment.

How to Avoid Rookie Remodeling Mistakes

Do all of the foundational and exterior work first.

It’s natural to want to move on to the next phase of your project, but ensure the house is sound before you begin interior work. That means replacing windows and putting on a new roof if needed.

This happened to us: On our most recent project, we added two decks to the back of the house. They were complete and sealed, but then water started to leak in: Water is a constant headache of old house life. We had to add a step as a water barrier and have the decks sealed again, and then again, before we were good to go inside.

No construction detail is too obvious.

When you’re functioning as the general contractor—or even working with a general contractor—you have to spell out every part of the plan, and never assume everyone is up to speed. Someone we know had a contractor demo the wrong bathroom.

Your prized possessions are another person’s trash: Label what stays and what goes where.

What you consider charming—a stained glass transom, original wallpaper, an old hall light—your crew may assume is being replaced. So make sure you are clear about what’s staying put. And take the time to spell out what goes where.

Create a spreadsheet of all your materials, fixtures, paint colors, and furnishings.

You’ll need to revisit these selections over and over again, to share and reshare with your GC and/or subcontractors. Start keeping a list of all the details from the get-go.

How Buying Commercial Truck Tires Can Save You Money

SEnuke: Ready for action

Commercial truck tires in order to be chosen carefully because they are acustomed on trucks that are utilized in businesses or commercial purposes. The actual truckers exert extra effort in the quest to find the right ones for their trucks. Very best tip ever when you’re Nextroad D79 Buying commercial truck tires is to go all out and spend more for incredibly best tires. It odd to advice you to buy expensive truck tires and tell you you saves money doing so, but it’s possible. Here’s why:

Buying quality tires preserves money general health last longer and are more durable than inexpensive added wheels. This means you do not have to keep buying new tires every time inferior tires break in. Buying more often is more than buying expensive ones now but not buying again for years after who seem to.

Inferior tires may be cheaper but once it breaks down, it will cost you through buying expensive tires primarily. Commercial trucks often carry important loads and but if your truck breaks down, you might not be capable of making that important delivery, thus, making you lose money and clients as good. This would be bad for business and will often make you lose well over the price expensive auto. Quality tires can enhance the performance of the truck and will often make deliveries on time or even earlier.

Expensive truck tires produces your travel smoother because it has better treads. Quality tires have better rolling resistance which is why you reduce the use of acceleration when traveling time, anyone save cash on fuel also. Remember that fuel pricing is very unpredictable and often on fuel is every driver’s dream come genuine.

But it is far from enough to enjoy quality and expensive tires to suit your commercial 18 wheel trucks. You have to take care of your commercial truck tires as now. Doing so will make them last a lot longer. You have to make sure they are properly inflated at all times. If you feel a little slack, pump them immediately to avoid accidents. Check your tires regularly for any wear and tear. Remove objects which have stuck during heading for prevent them from getting buried better. Commercial truck tires are easy to purchase nowadays especially by the the world. You can find great deals online and compare prices and features at the comfort of your own residence.