Checking Your Home Electrical Safety Inspection

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Professional Electrical Safety Inspections Done Right

To avoid electrical related accidents, it’s always best to undergo electrical safety inspections. You don’t want to risk the lives of your loved ones, nor do you want to risk losing all of your possessions and valuables to an electrical fire. Everything can have an impact on your home’s electrical circuit including age, usage, and the installation of newer electrical devices. When buying, selling, or even just for your peace of mind, it’s important to have an electrical safety inspection done.

There are a few important things that you need to keep in mind when it comes to your household and electricity usage. In order to protect your family and loved ones it is in your best interest to know and understand your homes electrical panel. You need to know which fuse or switch on your panel controls the corresponding light or outlet. If you have any doubt with regards to your homes safety, have a licensed professional come to your home to conduct the necessary and relevant checks.

The National Electrical Code (NEC) is the standard code that all licensed electricians must adhere to in order to meet state and local regulations with regards to electrical safety standards. Remember, each state has its own specific rules and regulations regarding electrical codes. You need an electrician who is licensed to work in your specific state. It is illegal for any person to do an electrical installation if they are not state licensed. Licensed electricians need a minimum of 14 hours approved continuing education to ensure that they understand all code regulations and are up to date on any changes that may have occurred.

A safety inspection will cover all areas of your home that receives electricity, including attic. It will also cover and check all grounding and bonding of circuits, branch circuits within your home, wiring methods and related devices.

General Electrical Safety Checklist:

Are all light fixtures working and have diffusers been installed?

Are the cords in good condition without signs of deterioration, bends, or wear and tear?

Are extension cords being used in place of permanent wiring?

Are all appliances grounded?

Check the wiring methods and ensure that they are suitable for the current use.

Ensure that all conductors of a circuit are grouped together.

Check for wet and damp locations and the suitability of boxes and fittings in that area.

Check wiring and bending space in cabinets and boxes.

Ensure that any switches in wet or damp locations are properly installed in weatherproof enclosures.

Ensure that the household is compliant with branch-circuit voltage limitations.

Check what grounding electrodes are present on the premises.

Home Electrical Safety Tips

You power your home with energy, but do you know electrical safety? The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that 31,000 home electrical fires occur every year, and with over 180 cases involving electrocution or electricity-related incidents that could have been avoided, home electrical safety is too important to ignore. At Constellation, we care about the safety of our customers, and by following these electrical safety tips you can protect your home and your family.

What causes electrical fires in homes?

The National Fire Protection Association notes that faulty or damaged wiring and related electrical equipment cause 69 percent of electrical fires, followed by lamps, light fixtures, cords, plugs, transformers and other power supplies. When looking for potential fire hazards in your home, always be sure to consult with a professional.

Electrical Safety Tips for Your Home

Many electrical fires can be prevented by following some simple electricity safety tips. Below are 10 household electricity safety precautions every homeowner should know and follow. Always remember to ask a professional if you’re uncertain about the safety of an electrical outlet or appliance.

Check that you’re using the correct wattage in all your fixtures and appliances.

Using the right bulbs can prevent electrical problems, so check all lamps, fixtures and appliances to ensure you’re using the correct wattage. If a light fixture has no wattage listed, use 60-watt bulbs or less. For unmarked ceiling fixtures, choose 25-watt bulbs.

Watch out for overloaded outlets to protect your home.

Overloading an electrical outlet is a common cause of electrical problems. Check all outlets to ensure they are cool to the touch, have protective faceplates and are in proper working order.

Home Electrical Safety Inspections

Inefficient or unsafe electrical systems in your home can have devastating effects. If you think your appliances are working fine, or you’ve had no electrical issues in the past, remember it only takes one degrading wire or breakage in an electrical circuit to cause a fire.

Protect your home with Rytec Electric

Determining potential hazards or weaknesses in your electrical circuits, before they cause any problems, is essential for the safety of your home.

Avoid costly repairs with a home electrical inspection

It’s easy to avoid expensive repair bills when you work with Rytec Electric. Our certified electricians identify problems and electrical hazards, before any long-term damage occurs, and offer free in-home quotes for any electrical repair work needed.

Don’t wait until your appliances stop working, or an electrical fire breaks out. Rytec Electric provide detailed analysis of all electrical systems in your home during an electrical safety inspection

QUALIFIED ELECTRICAL SAFETY INSPECTION

WHAT DOES AN ELECTRICAL SAFETY INSPECTION ENTAIL AND WHEN IS AN ELECTRICAL SAFETY INSPECTION REQUIRED?

You might wonder what exactly an electrical safety inspection involves for you and we can explain exactly what it is, why it is important and when an electrical safety inspection is required.

The purpose of an electrical safety inspection is to verify that your electrical wiring, set up and electrical appliances are compliant with safety standards. Having a professional electrical safety inspection company conduct inspections means you can be more confident in the protection of you, your household or your team at a commercial premises.

An electrical safety inspection involves inspecting and assessing wiring and circuitry, checking for outdated wiring that needs upgrading, testing power points and lighting as well as security, testing smoke alarms, examining the meter box, checking for exposed wires or any electrical hazards and determining whether there is any DIY wiring; the latter is not recommended for the purpose of safety and insurance.

BUYING A NEW HOME OR COMMERCIAL BUILDING? LET US PERFORM A QUALITY ELECTRICAL SAFETY INSPECTION

For safety and peace of mind, when you are considering purchasing a property, whether it is residential or commercial, you should engage the services of a qualified electrical safety inspection company with professional services

Why? Because you need to be confident that the wiring is competently achieved and safe without electrical hazards

Electrical Safety Inspections

If you own a home that is at least 30 years old or has recently suffered some type of damage, it’s essential you get a thorough electrical safety inspection. We provide complete interior and exterior inspections that cover every single component of your home. You can feel confident that your assessment will be performed by certified and licensed electricians who have extensive experience and training with all types of residential wiring systems. If there are issues with your electrical wiring, we’ll identify them, give you an accurate and honest report, and help you with the right solutions that are specific to your home.

The Benefits of Electrical Safety Inspections

There are numerous benefits and advantages of hiring a technician to perform a safety inspection in your home. At the top of the list is fire prevention. Electrical problems are the number one cause of residential fire damage in the U.S. alone. An inspection can identify possible hazards and prevent them before they happen. Wiring assessments also prevent electrocution from using small appliances and electronics that are connected to a faulty outlet. Inspections can keep your insurance rates low and your home resale value high. And, last, they insure that your electrical system is operating as efficiently as possible, which saves you money each month on your energy bill.

What Does an Electrical Safety Inspection Include?

In order to determine the value of a safety inspection, it’s important to know just what will be inspected and what an experienced and trained electrician will be looking for. A proper electrical inspection will cover every point along the route of your wiring, from the power lines attached to your property, all the way to the last outlet or last switch. With that in mind, here are a few key areas that we inspect. This is not a comprehensive list, but rather, it showcases the highlights.

Why Choose Us for Electrical Safety Inspections

One of the biggest challenges in getting an electrical safety inspection, is finding the right company to do it. We specialize in home electrical safety inspections. Our electricians have decades of combined industry experience along with years of training and education in all wiring systems both old and new. We are committed to the safety of your family and want to help you avoid the pitfalls that come with old worn out wiring. We work closely with each of our clients through every step of the safety inspection. You get the results that your looking for with an accurate report of every single component in your electrical system

A Breakdown Of The Many Residential Cleaning Company Advantages

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Benefits of Choosing a Professional House Cleaning Service

People around the world undertake many painstaking efforts to get their homes sparkling clean and free of mess. Naturally, we all love and strive for cleaner spaces to live in. However, cleaning your home can be a tiring and time-consuming affair. Working folks and people with a lot of family responsibilities often feel that hiring professional cleaners for their homes is a better option, because it not just helps you save time but also gives you peace of mind. It is quite evident that experts who have adequate training and experience can do any job better than non-experts. Cleaning homes call for patience and a lot of hard work to things done. Since professional house cleaners have modern tools and equipment to get your house cleaned efficiently, you can trust them as helpful companions.

Everybody with children will understand that sometimes they don’t like to wait for something no matter what the situation, whether that be reading a book, going for a walk or going to the cinema. Having something to put your mind at rest such as a house maid can bring much more happiness to the whole family rather than just the person who feels weighted down by day to day chores.

There is no one who can do better than the professionals for e.g. everyone can bake cakes but no one can compete with Baker because he has the right tools to use and have mastery in baking cakes. Similarly, in the commercial cleaning industry, Professional cleaning services have extensively trained cleaners who know exactly what they are doing. The cleaning staff is armed with high-ended devices to complete the task. They carry special cleaning solutions with high powered vacuums. They never cut-out corners, they focus on the location which you could miss on.

Letting just anyone in your home to clean your belongings is a scary thought for many homeowners. Rest assured, cleaning service employees are educated on how to clean a home to professional standards and work quickly. For example Good Cleaners hires quality employees with a passion for professionalism and getting the job done right the first time. Always ensure you’re working with a bonded and insured company that requires employees to undergo background checks. Enjoy your time away from cleaning knowing that your home and belongings are in trustworthy hands.

The most important benefit is also the most obvious—a clean home! Professional cleaning services are experienced in making your home shine from top to bottom. Imagine coming home to a house where the mantle is dusted, the shoes aren’t lying in the middle of the floor, and the beds are made, all without any pestering. You can truly relax once you get home and focus on putting your time towards the people and things you love.

Tips for Finding the Right Professional Cleaning Services

Ensuring that your home is always clean is one of the ways of making it a conducive place to be. However, there are those instances when doing the cleaning task on your own becomes almost impossible because maybe you are too tired to complete the task. Or it could because you do not have the right equipment to do the task. If you are in the same situation, then hiring a professional cleaner is the best way out.

Research and References

Before choosing a cleaning company, it is important to make sure that you have the necessary information with you. This might include talking to people who might have hired the particular company that you intend to hire and get to know what they have in mind. You can also use the internet to collect all the necessary information. It is hard for you to make the wrong choice if you have the right information.

You also need to consider the reputation of the cleaning services. The reputation is mainly meant to give you a hint on the quality of services to expect if you hire the particular cleaning services that you have in mind. If for instance, the cleaning company that you are looking at has a good reputation, then it means that is known for offering quality services. Working with such a company guarantees you the assurance that you will get quality services

Cleaning Experience

Cleaning services is a job that needs to be handled by professional people. People who understand what it takes to offer quality cleaning services. One of the qualities that a good cleaning company need to have is the experience.

It is the experience that tells you that the cleaning company has handled different cleaning situations in the past and you can, therefore, trust them to offer you the quality services that you seek. It is always good to ask the cleaning company to tell you the number of years that they have been in the business. From there, it will be easy for you to draw conclusions.

Tips to Choose and Hire a Good Housecleaning Service

If you recently moved to a new area or if you think the time is right to hire a professional house cleaning service, you certainly have many available choices. Here are five tips and tricks you can use to help you find a great company that you can trust to do the job right.

Choose a Service Someone Referred

First, choosing a professional house cleaning company to come into your home is a big one. After all, you need to be able to trust your cleaning company to treat your belongings as their own. Ask neighbors, friends, and family for recommendations. Never simply choose a company just because they offer the lowest prices or because they can arrive sooner than another, as this is often a recipe for disaster. Take your time and hire someone that you can truly trust. You will be glad you did in the end.

Individual Housecleaners vs. Companies

There are benefits to both choices. An individual can give you more personalized attention to detail. He or she will get to know you, your family, and your preferences quickly enough. However, they may cancel unexpectedly due to personal or family issues of their own, leaving you in a bind. A company can also get to know your family and your preferences over time, but the odds of someone canceling on you are minimal. Companies may also offer you a discounted rate depending on how often you schedule someone to come.

Schedule a Phone or Face-to-Face Interview

Even if a company comes highly recommended, make sure that you take the time to interview the representatives who will actually come to your home. This way, not only can you get a feel for that individual, but you can also make sure that you get along, or that you see things eye to eye. Ask them questions about the types of products they use, whether they change cleaning supplies between homes, and even whether they have insurance in the event something should happen. These things are important.

Do a Walk-Through

If you really prefer a company, invite the person who will usually come to your home over for a walk-through. This gives you an opportunity to discuss your preferences. Avoid the need to clean your home first, though; you want to give the housekeeper a sense of your home’s usual state. This way, you can get a proper time estimate and not just a rough estimate based solely on square footage.

The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right House Cleaner

Choosing the right house cleaner for your home can be a frustrating and time consuming process. Why? Because you’re bombarded with borderline misleading advertising, confusing claims and insufficient information. From super-low prices and high-pressure sales to unqualified techniques and unreliable services. How do you find a qualified, competent and professional house cleaning service?

Herein we layout everything you need to know to equip yourself to find the right house cleaner. Some of this knowledge may overlap with what you know already and there’s no need to read this guide in chronological order, so feel free to skip to any section that addresses your concerns. We’ve laid out a clear table of contents to help you navigate. Topics covered include, but are not limited to, how to avoid house cleaning rip-offs, questions you should ask when shortlisting cleaners, mistakes to avoid when choosing a home cleaning service and much more.

Be aware of these three house cleaning rip-offs

A ridiculously low price

To some degree, all of us are lured by a low price because we want to work within a budget. But some house cleaners use price as the bait for their false and misleading advertising. They offer an initial cheap price usually between $19 and $25 per hour (Australian dollar terms) and then, once they’re in your home, they elongate the hours spent and what would normally take 2 hours extends to 3.5 hours. Or they pressure you into buying “add-ons”. It’s as if you were buying a car and found that the dealer was charging you extra for the tires and steering wheel. House cleaning is not as cheap as some unethical cleaners would like you to believe.

Eco-friendly bait and switch

This one is heinous and downright unethical. Perhaps one day eco-friendly products and solutions will cost the same or even cheaper as chemical cleaners but for now we understand there’s a premium to using most eco-friendly products. For the benefit of your living and/or family, you order an extra to use eco-friendly products or choose your cleaner because they state they are eco-friendly, only to discover or worse find out through reactions that while you’re away, the cleaners have used cheaper harsh chemicals.

Unsupported claims: “Best House Cleaner in Sydney”

You’ll read this in almost every ad. You’ll hear this from virtually every house cleaner. Heck we’re guilty of it too but we stand by our quality. First of all, there are multiple and subjective ways to measure this. Remember this: The cleaner that’s best for you is the one you trust, has a strong track record, can communicate and understand your requirements and provides a thorough cleaning. So, before you choose a home cleaner, identify your objectives. Then select the cleaner that provides the best fit for what you want.

How do I choose a professional house cleaning service company?

Services being offered – The cleaning company needs to be able to deliver to all the requirements like Janitorial & cleaning services & specialized cleaning services. The cleaning agency needs to be able to customize the service as per your requirement. The agency should be able to cater to changes at home or come in at different timings to suit your requirements.

Staff with the Right Skills – Availability of the workforce with adequate skill set is essential. The agency needs to have a proper support mechanism to recruit staff, conduct regular training & upskilling. It’s important to understand what instructions are being imparted to the team, how often is training being done and who trains them.

Market Presence – The agency needs to have a presence in the locations where you have a home. If you have multiple homes, It will be essential to learn how they operate from these locations & how do they ensure standardization across locations.

Feedback from clients – The best judge of a service is to take input from clients. It will help to understand the strengths & weaknesses of the cleaning agency. It will also help you plan the way you intend to structure the contract & service.

Adherence to quality standards & compliance – A check on the vendor’s compliance with regulations & cleaning standards is vital. The vendor also needs to use the appropriate chemicals that are approved and are less harmful. Using the right chemicals, in the right way & ensuring the proper process gets followed can be decisive to avoid accidents.

How To Prevent & Get Rid Of Silverfish

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SILVERFISH

Although most silverfish live outdoors, they readily can be found in homes. Silverfish prefer places with high moisture, such as basements, bathrooms, laundry rooms and kitchens. Silverfish are known as nuisance pests because they do not bite humans or pets but cause damage to household items, like clothing and books.

Silverfish are difficult to exterminate because they move around at night. Most of the time, homeowners don’t know they are in the home until they notice the damage causing by silverfish feeding.

Instead of choosing chemical controls that contain toxic and harmful substances, you can choose controls to eliminate the silverfish pests in your home.

You can make homemade traps and use products found in the home to help control silverfish. If these do not work, you can buy poison-free products from Safer® Brand to control silverfish and other insect pests in your home.

So…What’s a Silverfish?

What are silverfish? They are silvery, but they are definitely not fish. They are insects that have silvery, overlapping scales that tend to easily rub off. They come inside searching for food and find any minute food particle left lying around your home. Silverfish don’t stink or bring germs inside your home.

Silverfish Pest Control Tips for Businesses & Commercial Buildings

Silverfish are nocturnal pests, emerging at night to find food and water. For the best silverfish pest control, you’ll need to understand the bug and the methods of control.

Unlike many pests, silverfish cause no direct bodily harm. They do, however, cause quite a bit of property damage. They feed on clothing, upholstery, paper, and similar items, leaving a trail of destruction behind them.

Identifying Silverfish

Silverfish are segmented insects that measure from 1/2 to 3/4 inches long at maturity. They look similar to a pill bug but are more streamlined.

Silverfish: Impact on Business

Silverfish love polysaccharides. These polysaccharides are complex carbohydrates such as starch, dextrin, and cellulose.

What You Can Do

You can take steps to eliminate silverfish. By removing their sources of food and comfort, you’ll reduce their population.

Silverfish

The Latin name for silverfish, Lepisma saccharina, translates to “sugar eater”. It was chosen because silverfish tend to eat starchy foods high in carbohydrates and protein. The insect’s common name comes from the insect’s distinctive metallic appearance and fish-like shape and movement. They are commonly found feeding on books or book bindings, but may also eat loose paper, photographs, sugar, coffee, hair, carpeting, flour, dried meat, rolled oats and clothing, especially if it has been starched. They are nocturnal and can survive in most climates, but prefer high humidity (75% to 90%) and warm temperatures (70-80° F).

The female silverfish deposits eggs continuously after reaching the adult stage and may deposit more than 100 eggs during her life. Eggs are deposited singly or in small groups in cracks and crevices ready to hatch in anywhere from 2 weeks to two months after being laid. Silverfish have variable life cycle lengths and can reach adulthood as shortly as three months after hatching; however, they have been known to take up to three years to reach adulthood

Take preemptive action around your home or area you would wish to achieve control. Below are some methods of preventing silverfish from becoming a problem.

Insecticide treatments should target areas such as cracks and crevices, around baseboards, closets and attics where silverfish are likely to be active. Look for products with active ingredients like d-Limonene (Orange Guard, Safer Ant & Roach Killer), Clove Oil and Thyme Oil (Essentria G), Boric Acid, or Diatomaceous Earth for fast, economical and efficient control.

Silverfish

As the name implies, silverfish are silver or gray insects that move from side to side in a manner that resembles the motions of a swimming fish

Diet

Silverfish can go for long periods of time without nourishment. When the pests eat, they prefer foods high in carbohydrates and protein, including cereal grains, dried meat, dead insects, and other silverfish. Inside homes, silverfish may attack and eat synthetic fabrics, silk, glue contained in book bindings, wallpaper, and paper products. Nymphs can cause just as much damage to books, paper products, stored foods, and clothing as adults since they need to feed in order to grow.

Habitat

Silverfish are typically seen in moist, humid areas in the home, such as bathrooms, basements, and attics, much like its relative the firebrat. They tend to hide their presence from humans, which means any damage they cause could go unnoticed

Eggs

Silverfish lay their eggs in cool, moist, and dark places, such as cracks, crevices, and other narrow spaces near sources of food. The tiny, white, oval-shaped eggs are laid in groups of 1 to 200.

Nymph

Newly hatched silverfish are white and squishy. They do not grow their characteristic silver scales for several weeks. Once the scales come in, young nymphs have the appearance of tiny adult silverfish. The insects continue to molt throughout their lives, maturing through over 60 instars and growing to an average size of 3/4″.

Silverfish! What Are They And How To Get Rid Of Them?

Silverfish are scientifically known to be around 400 million years old. Making them quite possibly one of the oldest species of insects to walk the face of the earth. Their name is courtesy of their appearance, with a light grey complexion and fish-like appearance these small wingless insects are a big inconvenience to deal with.

How To Identify Silverfish?

The first thing you should focus on is proper identification. This helps in evaluating the problem and the degree of infestation that is taking place in your house.

How Do Silverfish Get In Your House?

Silverfish are nocturnal creatures, meaning they are most active during the nighttime. Due to their proclivity to the dark, they are extremely sensitive to light. Hence they prefer damp and high humidity conditions to thrive.

What Do Silverfish Eat?

The biggest problem associated with silverfish is mainly related to their consumption habits. For survival, these creatures consume a diet rich in polysaccharides such as starch, cellulose, sugar etc

Are Silverfish Harmful?

Silverfish are not carnivorous in nature, that means that they do not need to feed on humans or other animals for their survival. They do not bite and are not venomous in nature. They are not known to carry and transmit any diseases to humans.

Bathroom Remodeling Software

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MUST-KNOW BATHROOM REMODELING TIPS

Getting ready to start a new bathroom remodeling project? Is this your first time going through a home renovation? It’s an exciting chapter of your life and one that should be approached the right way. We compiled our favorite tips and tricks to help you learn the perfect balance between your creative customization needs and functional design ideas that can help you tie the whole bathroom together.

PLAN YOUR BATHROOM

Before you even call a remodeling company for your bathroom remodel, you should first talk with everyone who will be using the space. Try to have a discussion about the fixtures and finishes you are supposed to use and how much of a budget you’re willing to shell out. As you plan for your budget, it’s important to have a little extra, because you never know if there will be some unexpected problems that will increase the cost later on

How to Design Your Bathroom?

A lot of homes usually have at least one bathroom with a sink, toilet, and bathtub. Then, there are optional extras, such as the shower, and in some cases, a bidet. An extra sink is also a popular choice for most people, especially in households where the bathroom is often used by more than one person.  A master bathroom should especially take into consideration the space required for two sinks, two vanities, and even two medicine cabinets.

Customize Your Bathroom

Similar to a standard bathroom, a customized bathroom is filled with a number of suite fixtures. The difference is that the final design usually has a matching countertop and built-in cabinets around a certain area of the room.

Wet Rooms

Thinking about all of your different customization options can actually be a little overwhelming, especially if you are having trouble deciding what direction you want to go in. Assessing your purpose, budget, and goals can help clear your mind, allowing you to focus on what you need to get started.

Design Tips to Know Before Remodeling Your Bathroom

Pop quiz: What’s the average amount of space required for a toilet? How much does a basic bathroom remodel cost? And how do you pick out the right vanity? If your answers to these questions are some combination of “What?” “Huh?” and “Um … ,” don’t worry. You’re not alone.

There’s so much that goes into a bathroom remodeling project that unless you’re a professional who does it every day — or a homeowner who’s been through the process numerous times — then all the nitty-gritty details, processes, options and decisions are going to sound like they’re in a foreign language. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t prepare for the test.

Know What a Bathroom Remodel Costs

Before you begin any project, it’s important to put your expectations into perspective when it comes to how much money you’re willing to invest. The size of your bathroom, the quality of materials you want to include and whether you’re planning to do some of the labor yourself all can affect the cost of a remodel.

Don’t Make the Toilet the First Thing You See When You Open the Door

Ask a bathroom designer what his or her best tried and true tip is, and this is what you’re likely to hear. The reasoning is simple. Oftentimes bathroom doors get left open, meaning that you or any guest in your home walking by will see the toilet — which, come on, isn’t the most aesthetically pleasing thing to look at. If you’re hoping for a spa-like vibe, putting the john front and center in the design can sort of kill the mood as you’re transitioning into the room. So, what should you make the focal point? Anything but the toilet.

Consider Leaving Those Vintage Finishes

The point of your bathroom remodel might be a fresh, new look, but some things are easier to replace than others. For example, in older homes, wall tiles may have several coats of concrete and maybe wire lath. The difficulty in removing these can cause labor costs to skyrocket. Instead, you might want to keep the vintage tiles and spend your time and money elsewhere. Besides, vintage finishes such as tile can be a cool feature.

expert tips for a top bathroom remodel

PLAN A BATHROOM LAYOUT AND STICK TO IT

When it comes to bathroom renovations you’ll want to avoid making unnecessary changes to your existing sanitaryware layout — the fewer alterations you make, the lower your plumbing costs will be. If you do need to move some key elements, then at least keep the toilet close enough to connect to the existing soil pipe. Find out more about bathroom plumbing in our quick guide

APPOINT AN ELECTRICIAN EARLY ON IN A BATHROOM REMODEL

You will need to find an electrician for any rewiring, lighting schemes and the addition of an electric shower or shower pump. Chat to one before any building or plumbing work starts so they can plan their jobs into your bathroom refurbishment schedule.

CHOOSE SANITARYWARE BEFORE PLASTERING OR TILING

To ensure the hot and cold pipes and waste are in the correct positions, you need to choose all sanitaryware before plastering or tiling. Specify everything before first-fix stage, as leaving key decisions until the sales are on can mean expensive alterations with your bathroom renovator.

SALVAGE ANY USABLE SANITARYWARE

Bathroom renovations provide a good opportunity to reuse any good-quality taps or sanitaryware – roll-top baths are usually salvageable – or, for a cost-effective way to update existing fittings, you can always re-enamel or add a new surround to a bath. This is not only cost-effective, but a great way to maintain character.

MIX AND MATCH TO MAKE SAVINGS ON A BATHROOM RENOVATION

When you remodel a bathroom, stick with white, and mix items of sanitaryware from different suppliers, in order to offset affordable buys against luxuries such as a quality bath. However, avoid cheap fixes such as plastic baths or shower trays that are so thin they are flexible and, therefore difficult to seal and make watertight.

Things Nobody Tells You About Renovating Your Bathroom

Renovations of any kind are a daunting process. But when it comes to the bath—a space that needs to be both hyper-functional and serene, practical and, ideally, a little bit luxe—the stakes somehow seem higher. There are a million decisions to be made along the way, from mirror to grout—and the price tag can be surprising

Don’t assume your contractor is on the same page.

“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,” say the mother-daughter team behind Matriarchy Build in How to Avoid Rookie Remodeling Mistakes. “Someone we know had a contractor demo the wrong bath,” they add.

How much does a bathroom remodel cost? More than you think

Think you can remodel your bathroom head to toe for a couple thousand dollars? We hate to tell you: the average cost of a bathroom remodel was $11,364 in 2016, according to the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA). A basic, low-grade renovation with less expensive materials or smaller swaps could run from $1,500 to $5,000, while a top-of-the-line, tip-to-toe renovation could run up to $23,000.

You may want to rethink that statement-making bathtub

You may be tempted to upgrade your bathroom with a dramatic freestanding bath. But it might not be the most practical choice going forward, particularly if you’re petite, hate cleaning, have an old rickety house, like to take long baths, or take more showers than baths.

Flattering lighting requires planning.

Don’t think you can install a few lights and call it a day: because bathrooms are sometimes small and/or dark and filled with mirrors (which complicates how light bounces around), lighting requires careful thought and placement. The simplest way to light a bath is a single diffuse light in the center of the ceiling. Have a bathroom that’s already pretty bright? A pair of wall sconces should be sufficient. Thinking about ceiling-inset downlights? Place with care: avoid installing directly over light-colored countertops (since those will reflect the lights), and place close to the wall over a vanity to maximize light when looking in the mirror. And if you spend a lot of time applying makeup, consider vertical fluorescent light fixtures on either side of the mirror

Selecting a Bathroom Remodeling Contractor

Have you decided upon remodeling your bathroom? If you have then you have probably made one of the best investment decisions, in terms of value and comfort. There are several factors that you will have to consider before engaging the services of a contractor for remodeling your bathroom. After all, the correct choice is the key to a successfully remodeled bathroom.

One of the first steps

One of the best ways of finding a qualified contractor is to talk to your relatives and friends about their experiences with contractors and ask them for recommendations. Find out the reasons for their good or bad experiences. You can also use online referral services, such as www.SmartGuy.com, which provide ratings and comments on different contractors.

How Credible Is The Contractor?

After you have considered a few contractors for the job, the next step is to verify their credibility. This can be done by giving them a call or visiting their website. Ensure that they have all the licenses required by the state or local municipalities. Also, check if they have any designations from professional bodies like the National Association Of The Remodeling industry (NARI) or the National Association Of Homebuilders (NAHB).

Conduct an Interview

How many bathroom remodeling contractors should one select from?  Generally you should select at least three, though a few more could be better as you can always get new ideas from them. Set up meetings with them.

Be Particular About Paper Work

After you have finalized selecting a bathroom contractor for your job, go through the documents that he or she has submitted. Assess the professional nature of those documents. Go through the documents in detail to make sure they are fair.

The Top Things You Should Look For When Renting A Party Bus

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Tips for Renting a Party Bus

Party Buses come in all shape and sizes and are used for taking the family to the Manhattan Cruise Terminal to the next great concert at the Wells Fargo Center. Here are 7 tips to make sure whatever the destination, your Party Bus rental is perfect.

Plan in Advance

Party Buses are popular and if you are going to a public event like a sporting event or concert, there is a chance you are not the only one with the idea. So by securing your Party Bus rental in advance, you can make sure you get the best bus available with all of the amenities you want

Choosing your Vehicle

Party Buses are just that, a party. Like any party, you need to know how many people will be attending. This is important because you don’t want to rent an 18 passenger Party Bus and have 25 people on it and you don’t want to rent the 48 passenger Party Bus and have the same 25 people. Know your headcount before you pick the vehicle

Plan your Destination

This may seem obvious as you are renting a Party Bus to go somewhere but most bus rentals have multiple stops in the night. Going to dinner before the concert? Your driver will need to know where. What about after the tailgate and big football game? Want to hit a local pub to watch the late games. Let your driver know so they can plan your route, ensuring you arrive as quickly and safely as possible.

Understand the Cost

When renting a Party Bus, there will obviously be a cost to the night. Make sure you understand what the hourly rate will be, what happens if you go long and is gratuity or other taxes or fees included. Many people rent a Party Bus as a group, sharing the cost. So if you are the organizer, make sure you understand the entire cost for the evening to make sure everyone can contribute evenly.

Tips for Choosing the Best Party Bus

When you are planning to transport a big group of individuals while having fun and luxury, you need to hire a party bus with great amenities and attributes. Party buses come in different designs to meet the personal interests of various customers. Choosing the right party bus may be challenging; you need to find a credible dealer.

You need to consider a couple of things that will make your event superb. Depending on the type of occasion you are hiring the party bus, you should choose the right kind of entertainment and spacious interior to fit your guests. The following are the primary considerations to make when hiring a party bus.

On board Packages and Amenities

You need a party bus with modest and efficient amenities. Ensure you ask the service providers to provide a list of on board packages you are likely to receive before hiring the bus. You would want to get the best entertainment with a stereo sound system, custom bar, leather seats and many more.

Understand the Rental Rates

Every bus rental companies have different structures and terms of payment. It is essential to understand every charge involved in the entire rental period. Always check to be sure about any additional fees or penalties that are associated with the party bus.

Narrow down Your Choices

Before you hire a party bus, it is important to narrow your shortlist by conducting research. Compare more than one bus rental companies to find a perfect choice for you. The online reviews and ranking for the rental company will help you to determine the credibility of the available options of rental companies. You also need to consider the number of years the company has been in business.

Tips for Choosing the Right Party Bus Service for Events

There is a number of reputed vehicle rental agencies in Singapore that provide party bus charter services especially to tourist groups and visitors travelling together or as a team. The vehicle hire outfits offer luxury bus charters that are appropriate for renting by tour operators and travel agencies who more often than not have a tough time selecting the appropriate mode of party bus shuttle based on affordability, quality of service, and safety

Narrow down your shortlist or choices

Every rental party bus service firm in Singapore claims to be the best in the business. Every second vehicle rental agency providing a luxury party bus charter makes tall claims of having the maximum number of customers and asserts to have been in business for several years. If you consider yourself to be a seasoned traveler with many years of touring experience, then obviously you will shortlist 4-5 agencies and carry out a detailed background check on each

Inform the service provider about some essentials well in advance

After you have made up your mind to choose a specific service provider, it is imperative that you let the agency about some specifics or essentials. These particulars amongst other things will obviously include the date of journey, the name of the carrier, scheduled event time, the hotel you’re scheduled to stay, no. of passengers or tourists, and your event itinerary.

Crosscheck the rates and see if they have any promotional offers

Check out whether the company is charging by the hour or has a flat rate for its party bus pickup and drop services. Don’t feel diffident in asking if they’ve any promotional offers for customers travelling as a group.

Make a final call before pickup

Despite the fact that you already have reserved a party bus charter, make it a point to call up the service provider 1 hour before your party bus ride is about to arrive.

Tips When Picking Your Bachelorette Party’s Perfect Party Bus

When you go out for a wild night of dancing and drinking with your best friends, the last thing you want to think about is transportation. Many different ride-sharing apps are available now in cities across the United States, but for a celebratory event like a bachelorette party, you’ll want to ride in style. Follow the tips below to pick the best party bus for your bachelorette party

Don’t Overcrowd: When planning your bachelorette party, you may instinctively want to invite everyone you’ve ever friended on Facebook, but you need to be a bit more selective when there is a party bus involved. When you rent the vehicle, the limo service should say how many people it’s suited to hold. Do not assume that it will fit more than advertised. Even if you looked up pictures of the interior or heard from a friend that a certain party bus has room for more than the website says, there are regulations that a company has to follow that restrict the number of people allowed in the vehicle. If the limousine arrives and you have more guests than they can fit, some of your party will have to stay behind. Alternatively, you do not want to have too few guests for the size of the limo, as that means you are drastically overpaying for what you need.

Have a Vision: You’ll want to have thought about two things before booking a party bus: your level of luxury, and the route of your night. Party buses come in a wide variety of makes and models and with a wide variety of potential services. Some may serve champagne and play music, some may have an entire dance floor inside. The Guinness World Record holder for the heaviest limo is the Midnight Rider, which measures 70 feet long, weighs 25 tons, and boasts 460 square feet of space. As a comparison, the average square footage of a one bedroom apartment in Baltimore is 599 square feet. While you may not need a limo the size of a mid-sized apartment to rent for the night, have a solid idea of what accommodations you do want so that you book the right limo service and vehicle for your bachelorette party.

Plan Your Route: Having a clear plan of where you will be going throughout the night is also advisable. The driver will need to know the specific start and end times of the night and the locations of your pick-up and drop-off points. This information is often required when booking, so try writing out an entire itinerary for the evening so that you do not surprise your driver with any unexpected stops. For instance, if you plan to take pictures beforehand, account for that time so the driver isn’t waiting around. If you have smokers in your party who will want to stop for a cigarette break, schedule that in as well, possibly with a bathroom break attached.

Rules, Rules, Rules: While your guests may be just trying to have a good time, they need to be respectful of the vehicle and the driver. At the beginning of the trip, make it clear to your guests that the trusty “if you break it you buy it” rule applies while in the vehicle. Also be sure to introduce them to the driver at the beginning, that way they are familiar with the person taking them around. Be clear and firm with any boundaries you need to set, as your name will be on the rental and you’ll be the one taking the fall if something goes wrong.

Tips for Party Bus or Limo Rental

Renting a party bus or a limousine is the preferred mode of transportation for weddings, bachelor and bachelorette parties and other festive events. It’s also a great way to safely transport family, friends or employees to and from an outing, sports event or concert.

Plan details

Some companies want to know more about the event so they can arrange for decorations. Some companies, in fact, specialize in certain events.

Choose your limo rental or party bus vehicle

Not every limousine is a stretch and not every limousine is a sedan. Though a stretch SUV may not reflect the desired elegance for a wedding, it may be just the ride for a bachelorette party.

Decide on refreshments

Part of the fun of renting a bus or limo is starting the party before you arrive at the event. Check with the company about its policies and offerings for food and beverages.

Consider your music

Though some companies offer radio or satellite radio, you may prefer to bring your own music on your iPod or mix CD. You’ll want to discuss this preference in advance

Chronic Back Pain Management

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How to Manage Your Multiple Sclerosis Pain

Each person with multiple sclerosis has a different pain story. You might not have any at all. Or you could feel a tingle, stab, or spasm.

Why Does MS Hurt?

The pain can affect different places in your body. It depends on the cause:

Damage to the neurons in your brain and spine

Aches in your bones, joints, and muscles

Lots of things affect what you feel, including how long you’ve had MS, your age, and how active you are.

All-Over Pain

Your feet, legs, and arms might burn and ache. In the early stages of the disease, you might feel a tightness around your belly or chest that gets worse at night, after exercise, or with changes in temperature. It’s called the “MS hug.” It could make surprising things uncomfortable, such as the feel of your bedcovers or getting dressed.

Treatment: Your doctor will consider what kind of medicine you need. You might take a pain reliever like acetaminophen or use a skin gel with a pain reliever like lidocaine. Your doctor could prescribe medications for seizures or depression. They affect how your central nervous system reacts to pain. You can also try warm compresses or pressure gloves. They help change the pain to warmth.

On Your Face

It might feel like a terrible toothache. Or it could be a stabbing pain in your eye, cheek, or jaw. It can happen when your chew, talk, or brush your teeth. It may last from a few seconds to a few minutes. But it isn’t a problem with your teeth. Instead, it’s the result of nerve damage.

Treatment: Your doctor may prescribe anti-seizure drugs or may give you a nerve block injection. If your case is severe and medicine doesn’t help, you may need minor surgery to block those pain pathways.

In Your Neck

You may feel a brief shock when you nod your head forward. It can travel down your spine and into your arms and legs.

Treatment: The simplest, treatment is to wear a soft neck collar to hold your head steady. Your doctor may prescribe an anti-seizure drug such as gabapentin, pregabalin, or lamotrigine to reduce pain.

Causes of Chronic Pain in MS

Neuropathic pain, is caused by damage to the nerve fibers from the inflammatory process. And that may cause burning, tingling, and painful pins-and-needles sensations. Sometimes, people even perceive a light touch as painful in certain areas of the body “Some people describe a sunburned feeling. It can be different in different people,It can sometimes feel deep; it can sometimes feel on the surface.

Spasticity is a common type of stiffness in people with MS that’s caused by damage to motor nerve fibers., “It can cause muscle spasms, cramps, and an overall achiness and tightness in the body parts that are affected. And the spasms can be very painful and debilitating for people with MS.”

Finally, immobility and fatigue can cause people with MS to compensate by using other muscles in ways that cause pain. This process commonly causes back or joint pain, even if your underlying mobility issues mainly affect another area of the body.

Treatments for MS signs and symptoms

Physical therapy for multiple sclerosis

Physical therapy can build muscle strength and ease some of the symptoms of MS.

  • Physical therapy. A physical or occupational therapist can teach you stretching and strengthening exercises and show you how to use devices to make it easier to perform daily tasks.
  • Physical therapy along with the use of a mobility aid when necessary can also help manage leg weakness and other gait problems often associated with MS.
  • Muscle relaxants. You may experience painful or uncontrollable muscle stiffness or spasms, particularly in your legs. Muscle relaxants such as baclofen (Lioresal, Gablofen), tizanidine (Zanaflex) and cyclobenzaprine may help. Onabotulinumtoxin A treatment is another option in those with spasticity.
  • Medications to reduce fatigue. Amantadine (Gocovri, Osmolex), modafinil (Provigil) and methylphenidate (Ritalin) may be helpful in reducing MS-related fatigue. Some drugs used to treat depression, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, may be recommended.
  • Medication to increase walking speed. Dalfampridine (Ampyra) may help to slightly increase walking speed in some people. People with a history of seizures or kidney dysfunction should not take this medication.
  • Other medications. Medications also may be prescribed for depression, pain, sexual dysfunction, insomnia, and bladder or bowel control problems that are associated with MS.

Managing pain in general

People with MS can manage their pain by doing light physical activities such as swimming, water aerobics, walking, and stretching.

Making some diet and lifestyle changes can also help reduce pain. Studies suggest that there may be an association between vitamin D deficiency and muscle pain. However, more studies are necessary to determine whether taking extra vitamin D can help with MS-related pain.

Vitamin D plays an important role in muscle function and maintenance. It also produces anti-inflammatory effects that can reduce muscle pain.

People can increase vitamin D and calcium consumption by increasing their daily intake of foods high in vitamin D and calcium.

Some of these foods include:

  • milk
  • eggs
  • fish
  • vegetables

Lifestyle plays a significant role in managing MS symptoms. Some natural pain remedies listed above focus on lowering stress, which can trigger MS symptoms.

Relaxing activities such as massage and yoga specifically focus on decreasing emotional stress by releasing physical tension within the body.

Other ways to lower stress include meditation, slow breathing exercises, and counseling.

Neurontin (gabapentin) for Pain Management in Multiple Sclerosis

Neurontin (gabapentin) is an anti-epileptic drug but it is also used to help multiple sclerosis patients control pain caused by MS lesions and spasticity. Gabapentin affects chemicals and nerves that cause seizures and some types of pain.

Neurontin is to be taken orally, usually three times a day, with or without food. It might help control the condition but will not cure it. Neurontin should not be stopped when symptoms are relieved or the patient may experience withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, sleeping disorders, nausea, pain, and sweating.

Common neurontin side effects may include dizziness, drowsiness, or headache. A generic version of Neurontin has been approved by the FDA, but may not be available due to patent issues or exclusivity for uses.

Pain can have a significant negative impact on the quality of life of people with MS. A combination of medicine and positive lifestyle changes such as exercising and staying active, massages, chiropractic treatments, hydrotherapy, and acupuncture may improve the patient’s the quality of life.

Regular analgesics are typically not enough to ease pain from nerve damage in the central nervous system, so drugs that treat seizures (phenytoin, gabapentin, carbamazepine) and antidepressants (amitriptyline, nortriptyline) and some benzodiazepines (clonazepam) are commonly first choices for pain management in MS.

An Introduction To Benefits And Advantages Of Tile Roof

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A guide to different roof tile types

When it comes to finishing a roof, there’s an array of roof tile types to choose from, with options available in various materials, shapes, profiles and sizes. Choosing the right one often comes down to aesthetics, but other factors to consider will include the roof pitch, weight, weather resistance, sustainability and budget

One of the first things to consider when making a choice is the material of the tiles. Roof tiles come in a wide range of materials, and here at Marley, we specialise in providing clay tiles, concrete tiles and cedar shingles and shakes. Other options may include natural stone and fibre cement.

Clay tiles

A traditional favourite, clay tiles have been used for thousands of years. Modern clay tiles are available in hand-crafted or machine-made formats, with the two types differing mainly in terms of look and price

Concrete tiles

An alternative to clay or slate, Marley’s concrete roof tiles offer excellent performance and can provide the appearance of other more ‘natural’ products. Colour options are similar to clay, with a range of reds, oranges, browns and greys.

edar shingles and shakes

For a truly natural appearance, cedar shingles and shakes might be the perfect solution. They’re also one of the most sustainable roofing materials available. Since they are also very lightweight (weighing between 4.0 and 8.1kg per square metre), the carbon footprint of transporting them is minimal, and they’re easy to move around on site.

How to Choose the Best Option for You

Whether you need to use roof tiles for a new or old roof, it is important to choose carefully the most suitable for your roof. In this article you will find information on the most popular types of roof tiles and the prices that are sold in the market.

When it comes to roof tiles, there are a variety of colours, shapes and materials available, which can make it difficult to choose the right one. Comparing the features of different types of roof tiles will help to find the right choice for your home, so look at all the factors concerned. For instance, colour should match the style of your house and surrounding properties, the weight of tiles should be suitable for the strength of the roof and they should meet your budget as well as being water and weatherproof.

Slate Roof Tiles

Slate roof tiles can improve the appearance of your property and also increase its value. Slate tiles are made of 100% natural stone and they are extremely durable. If a slate roof is installed and maintained properly, it can last up to 100 years. They are also environmentally friendly as they can be recycled, if they outlast the building that they are installed on.

In addition, slate is a great natural material that is dense and also water-resistant. Furthermore, slate can withstand temperature changes, making it a wonderful (and popular!) roofing tile choice. Another advantage is that slate is also resistant to insects and corrosion and that it requires very little maintenance.

Disadvantages of slate roof tiles

The biggest disadvantage of slate roof tiles are the cost and the installation. Several types of slates can cost as much as 150 per square metre while the installation cost ranges from 25 – 45 pounds per m2. Another big drawback is the difficulty of finding a truly experienced roofer to handle the installation process with care, as slate tiles can also spall or shed layers

Selecting your roof tiles

Offering the home owner a wide choice of colours, shades and styles, roof tiles can be easier to work with, especially for the novice roofer. The UK is well looked after by companies operating at either end of the price spectrum. Larger companies like Marley, Russell and Sandtoft look after the mass market sector, whilst independent manufacturers like Dreadnought offer a more bespoke and traditional roof tile that is more suitable for prestige properties.

Interlocking Tiles – amongst the cheapest and most convenient way to cover a pitched roof, some are also suitable for low pitches. These roof tiles are large so you do not need a lot of them to cover a normal sized roof (just ten tiles is enough to cover one square meter).  Interlocking tiles do not always work well on complex roof designs as they can be difficult to cut. Concrete interlocking tiles tend to be fairly chunky and may look cheap, whilst the higher quality thinner clay interlocking tiles can be pricey.

Pantiles – before interlocking tiles became fashionable, pantiles (tiles with an ‘S’ shaped profile) were popular, especially in the east of England.  Pantiles work well on almost any type of roof adding a quality and perspective not found with plain or interlocking tiles. Many colours and profiles are available manufactured from either concrete or clay.

Plain Tiles – Plain tiles are a good option for traditional roof designs and are available in many shades and colours, both traditional and modern. It takes approximately 60 plain tiles to cover one square meter of roof, so they can take longer to install than interlocking tiles, but the end result can be very pleasing.

Clay or concrete, handmade, handformed or machine made?

Handmade – a handmade tile is one that is completely made by hand. Desirable especially in period properties or where you are looking for a unique appearance and a warmer, deeper colour or shade.

Machine made tiles offer the home owner a very standard and consistent roof cover. Translating into a cheaper price, the downside is that one roof may look like any another.

Handformed tiles are a middle ground choice that offer some of the unqiue character of a handmade tile but at a cheaper price.

Clay tiles – traditional “Spanish” style clay tiles are the most well-known tiles, but there are many other designs available today.  Clay tiles tend to last slightly longer than concrete tiles (40-50 years).  Whilst clay tiles are slightly more expensive than concrete, they are warmer in colour and are much less likely to fade as the tiles age,

Concrete tiles – Concrete tiles offer a cost advantage but may not be as durable or colourfast as clay tiles. Cheaper concrete tiles also tend to have the colour ‘painted’ on one side of the tile which is more likely to wear off in time.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT ROOF TILE FOR YOUR HOUSE

If you’re thinking about which roof to get for your house, be prepared to pick from possibilities that range from the familiar to materials you never knew existed. Some roofing materials, such as clay tiles, asbestos or fibre cement roof, and metal roofing, have remained virtually unchanged for a long period of time. But a considerable array of other roofing materials has joined them in the Indian market; from concrete and ceramic tiles to newer products made from asphalt /bitumen like roofing shingles, Onduline roofing sheets and Onduvilla roofing tiles. In this article, we’ll help you become more acquainted with your options and the features you should consider when comparing one to another.

With a roof making up 40% of a home’s overall design, selecting the right tile can have a huge impact on a project. Choosing the best materials will ensure the durability of your roof. Selecting the right tile for the roof design requires aesthetic, technical and financial considerations, including evaluating the product life cycle – such as material performance and environmental impact – without forgetting the complexity of the installation and the need for maintenance of the roof. Let us look further into each of these factors.

DESIGN

The look and design which is being achieved for any project will also dictate the roofing materials. Contemporary, traditional, flat or pitched roofing – these all need to be considered when specifying roof tiles. If you are looking for a roof covering with a complex design incorporating a lot of features and potential tile cuts, then it may be better suited to using bitumen-based products like Onduline or shingles since they are flexible, easy to cut and to get the right details.

ROOF SLOPE

The slope or pitch of your roof’s surface is a consideration that may eliminate some roofing possibilities, especially if the slope is low. All roof tiles have a minimum slope/ pitch requirement. A pitched roof is very effective at carrying and distributing not only the weight of the chosen covering, but also deals effectively with environmental factors such as wind, rainwater and snow. Onduline recommends a roof pitch/slope of minimum 15 degrees for its products.

LOOK AND STYLE

Because the roof is typically very visible from the street, appearance of a roof material will often dramatically affect the look of a home. The colour, texture, and type of material should be compatible with your home’s exterior finish and style. Be true to your home’s architectural style. For instance, asphalt shingles or metal roofing may not be the right choice for a traditional house design whereas roofing tile like Onduvilla may be a good choice since it has a similar clay tile look. In other words, choose a material that will be consistent with the design vernacular of your home.

Choosing a Roof Tile

Materials

The natural beauty of terracotta is built to last, with a 50-year performance guarantee.

Background

Terracotta tiles on average have 13 tiles to the square metre, although this will vary with the complexity of the roof design. They are designed to interlock at both the head and the sides and can be laid in either a cross bond or straight bond fashion, depending on the profile.

Profile

The profile refers to a tile’s shape and design at its cross-section. This can be either flat or shaped. A key consideration when choosing a profile is the pitch of your roof, as well as the architectural style of the house. In the wet, the steeper the roof pitch, the faster the rainwater will run off it. The channels in shaped profile tiles also act as a natural watercourse for rain.

Colour & Finish

Next, it’s colour, one of the most fundamental influences on the style, character and essence of your home

Colour Selection

When it comes to colour, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of options available. But by planning well in advance and following a few simple guidelines, you can create a look you will admire for years to come:

A good place to start is by collecting reference material – photos you’ve taken yourself or from magazines and brochures of inspiring colour schemes.

The architectural style of your home and its environment (including surrounding homes) is a major factor. Now’s not necessarily a good time to unleash that desire to be original!

As a general rule, look for colours that together are either in harmony or contrast. Primary considerations in selecting roof colour are the guttering and fascia finish of your home, as these are in closest proximity. Next are exterior walls, garage doors and window frames.

Currently, we are seeing a move toward lighter colours that blend with the natural environment. For a more substantial appearance, roof colour should be darker than walls.

Trust your instincts and choose what’s right for you, not your friends or family.

Professional Residential Painting Can Increase Your Property Value

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Steps To Choosing A Painting Contractor For Your Home

Choosing the right painting contractor to help you protect and beautify your home can be an overwhelming task, especially if you’ve never hired anyone to do a home improvement project before.

Explore Your Options

There’s no shortage of resources available to you when you’re trying to locate prospective painting contractors, but there’s also no guarantee that any of the random names you’ll find while searching the web or browsing through the phone book will be reputable contractors.

Get Multiple Bids

After you’ve selected a few companies that have piqued your interest it’s time to get bids.  It’s always a good idea to get multiple bids for comparison purposes.  Avoid the temptation of choosing a prospect simply because they have the lowest bid price, as that is by far the most dangerous way of selecting a contractor.  But a little healthy competition never hurt anyone and it helps to keep prices at a reasonable level.

Interview The Candidates

One of the biggest reasons why people end up dissatisfied with their contractor is that they didn’t know the right questions to ask before they made their decision.  When you meet with your contracting candidates you should treat it like a job interview

Check References

Your final act of due diligence in choosing a painting contractor is to check their references.  Any contractor worth their salt will have a complete list of references they will provide you with so you can check out their work for yourself.

Steps to Choose the Best Painter for Your House

Colours speak volumes about a person. More so when it’s for your house. Choosing the best colour code for your room or house is as important and painstaking as building the house itself. However, it’s not so tough either. It all starts with finding out the best painter or contractor for residential painting. In this article, we look at the ways in which you can choose the best painter for painting your house.

Meet Multiple Contractors

The big hoarding of a smiling painter in your neighbourhood might not necessarily be the best for you. Try to call in at least three reputable contractors and allow them to inspect your house. The more time the contractor spends in moving around the house and briefing you, the better bonding your house will have with the painter. As an added advantage, you might gain some expert knowledge about painting a house and may act as a source of information for your friends and relatives.

Negotiate Early

Trust is important for getting a job done. But when trust overpowers, relationships sour. Often, contractors bid low to earn your trust, and midway to the project increases the turnaround time and cost. As a customer, you must make your expectations clear, and also responsibility in case of an exigency.

Acquaint Yourself with Paint Types

It’s true that an experienced contractor would ideally brief you with the best paint options, but, as a customer, knowing the basics of paint can make you stay one step ahead. Paint can be either latex or oil-based. Latex paint is washable and tends to last longer than oil-based paint. However, oil-based paint gives a brighter visual appeal to wooden textures. Polish or sheen is the next matter of consideration.

Get a Formal Contract Letter

An official contract letter saves you from unnecessary harassment in case anything goes wrong. A contract letter should clearly state the total cost, inclusions and exclusions in the paintwork, and all pertinent details of the contractor, like name, office and residence address, phone numbers, and license number. If possible, get a copy of the contractor’s insurance policy. It would save you from legal trouble in case a neighbour’s property gets damaged, or the painter gets hurt, due to an accident.

Choosing a Painter; Tips to Making The Best Choice!

Choosing a painter can be a real challenge. The right painter can make your home look spectacular, a bad painter can be a complete disaster. Before hiring any painter, I always suggest looking for a referral that you trust. Take the time to speak with friends, family, even your local paint store. While online reviews can be helpful, they can also be misleading, or even fake. Here are 5 important tips you definitely should know about before choosing any painter!

How to they prepare the house before painting begins?

Painters will have different ways of preparing the exterior of a home that they will be painting. Will they be sanding down the house? Do you need paint or can you use a stain? Most importantly, how to you protect those who live there, so that no one will be breathing in the dust from the paint that has been removed? In an older home there might be lead in that dust, I certainly don’t want anyone to be breathing that in. Ask your painters what they do to capture the airborne particles. Painting is primarily about changing the color of your home, but your safety is just as important!

Do they tidy up as they go?

When you are painting the interior, professional painters should be mindful of the fact they are in someone’s home. This applies even if you’ve temporarily vacated it for redecoration. As such, they ought to keep mess to a minimum before, during, and after the paint job. I have found the cleaner they are, the more they care about your home and the better the job is once it’s done!

Do they bill for work they have not done?

You may not have the time to supervise the painters’ comings and goings. This means you need to trust them to get to work and stay for the contracted hours. It is so important to see them at work, and to have a detailed list of the work to be done.

Are the paint cans labeled?

Always look to see if the paint cans are labeled. If the paint pots used are not labeled the painters might be using a different paint brand than what you contracted for. That could mean that the painters are using a cheaper line of paint. That’s fine if that is what you told them to do. But if you paid for premium paint or a specific brand, you’ll want to see it come out of the name brand paint can and onto your walls.

How to Choose A Good Painter

As a homeowner, you will probably repaint your home a few different times in the courser of owning it. So, how do you choose a good painter? Sure, you can ask your friends and neighbors to begin with. But, what if they do have one to recommend? Although many people simply pick a random name out of the phone book, your better of going to a website like SmartGuy.com, which lists thousands of local professionals many with ratings you can verify.

Make a plan.  Make sure you know in advance exactly what you want to paint and what color. In order to keep your costs down, you want to do it right the first time. Also, when meeting with various painters, make it clear that you want several coats, as well as the type of paint you want to use. Like most materials, there are better quality paints, and cheaper paints that won’t last as long. Emphasize the need for proper preparation and make sure all of this is in the contract you sign.

Get a few estimates. Seek a written detailed estimate from each of the painting contractors. The estimate should include a summary of labor, material costs, the number of requested coats of primer and paint, the specific brand of materials, and details of the scope of job that is to be painter.

Verify references and past jobs. Get a list of past clients from each painter and call them to see how they did, how long it took them and if they experienced any problems working with the painter. You might want to even ask them for references of a few jobs they did five years earlier to see how they are holding up

Consider reviews. Before hiring the painter, look and see if they have a BBB rating or SmartGuy rating. You can also enter their company name followed by the words “rip off” or “scam” and see if anything comes up. You might also find some information on their company at your state’s Contractors License Reference Site.

Tips to Choose a Professional a Residential Painting Contractor

Many home owners like to spruce-up the look of their home every once in a while. One of the best ways to do this in a cost-effective manner, with the least amount of trouble is to get the interior and exterior walls of your home repainted. While you do this, it’s important you hire the services of a good Residential Painting contractor for the job. If you conduct an online search you will find there are a number of painting company listings

Zero-in on the right company- As mentioned earlier, you will find a number of painting companies online. Make sure the professionals you hire handle residential projects. The kind of detailing and rendering required in residential painting jobs is intrinsically different from what is required in commercial projects. And hiring a contractor that has tackled house painting jobs means you get the kind of service you need.

All-round services- The Residential Painting contractor you opt for the job should be able to provide comprehensive services. It means they should meticulously power-wash all the glass doors and windows and these should also be masked while the walls are being painted. Simply put, they should handle every little aspect of interior and exterior painting

Type of paint- Today, the market is flooded with a variety of paint finishes and textures and it’s important that the company be able to provide you different options to choose from. They should also have a colour consultant who would be able to provide advice about which type of paint and colour would look good in your home. This consultation becomes a very important aspect of the job.

Exterior painting tasks- When you hire a Residential Painting contractor to get the indoor spaces of your home painted, you may also want them to paint the exterior walls, as well as features such as boundary walls etc. It’s best to check with the company whether they are able to handle all these jobs. The paint and techniques used in exterior painting is different from that used for indoor areas; and it’s important that the contractor you hire for the job, be able to tackle this expertly too. After all, you don’t want the paint job of the exterior of your home to look like it has been handled in a shoddy manner.

Property Commercial Electrical Maintenance

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Choosing the Right Contractor for Electrical Maintenance

When it comes to maintaining your business’s electricity, choosing a professional contractor is essential. The right contractor brings with them the right knowledge and skills to repair and maintain your office’s electrical systems. So, if you’re running a business or franchise and are in need of an emergency repair or electrical maintenance, read on to make sure you get the right help and services.

WHAT IS ELECTRICAL MAINTENANCE?

As more and more businesses become reliant on high-quality electrical systems in this digital age, it’s necessary that electrical maintenance is performed to keep things running smoothly. Electrical maintenance can include anything from changing light fixtures to installing hi-fi equipment or fixing a non-functioning or broken air conditioner. Anything that requires electricity can be maintained or repaired by a contractor. Commercial electrical work is a complex sector of the electrical trade and can include fitting or repairing of industrial warehouse lighting, installing security systems and more.

WHY IS ELECTRICAL MAINTENANCE IMPORTANT FOR BUSINESSES AND FRANCHISES?

Many business’s success and security relies heavily on electricity. From video surveillance cameras to integrated security systems, as well as smart lighting systems and energy-saving technology; if these become faulty or in need of repair, your business will suffer. Electrical maintenance is therefore essential in servicing these complex systems to prevent downtime or a major technical glitch.

WHY YOU NEED AN ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR

An electrical contractor will be able to identify potential issues, as well as provide ongoing maintenance to ensure that your business’s electrical systems are all running as they’re meant to. An electrical contractor provides a range of services including repairs, installation, inspections, safety testing and preventative maintenance. Modern workplaces bring a degree of difficulty when it comes to electrical maintenance and repair, with strata units having advanced systems and wiring requiring an expert electrical contractor. Master electricians are your safest option for electrical maintenance on your business or franchise, since they generally have both the electrical experience and the business know-how to ensure the best service, keeping the efficiency and successful running of your business in mind.

WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING A CONTRACTOR

There are many ways of finding an electrical contractor, along with many considerations to make when choosing the right one. You will need to find a trustworthy and competent electrician who can meet your expectations. The first thing to consider is the purpose of requiring a contractor. Are you planning on renovating or refitting an office? Are you installing a new security system? Or is there an emergency repair that requires prompt attention?

Essential Tips To Help Your Choose the Right Commercial Electrician

Electrical work in a commercial setting is different and distinct from domestic electrical work, and therefore requires an experienced electrician. Correctly functioning and safe electrics are essential to your business, workplace, warehouse or store, so choosing the right commercial electrician is key.  A high quality commercial electrician can not only be useful to establishing functioning electrics at your business or workplace, but can also be an essential business resource to keep you up and running when electrical faults arise. Here we look at 6 of the most important things to look for when choosing a commercial electrician, so you can make the right choice for your business

Choose An Experienced and Knowledgeable Electrician

Because commercial electric work can be both unique and complex, it’s important to work with an experienced and well trained electrician for commercial projects. Commercial electrics is much more than just domestic or residential electrics on a larger scale, it is a completely unique system with its own features and nuances. To ensure the highest quality result, and safety for you and your business, always choose a fully trained, experienced and knowledgeable commercial electrician. Ask your electrician about their commercial experience and training, as well as whether they have proper licensing. This ensures you work with the best quality commercial electrician and always receive high quality and reliable results.

Can They Meet Commercial Demands?

It is essential that your commercial electrician is able to meet the demands of commercial electric work both in terms of knowledge and practical capability. Commercial electrical work requires the versatility to excel in rapidly changing and diverse settings, and the flexibility to work well with both the design and installations as well as repairs and maintenance. A good commercial electrician should also be able to work with a team of construction professionals on a project, so it may be advisable to check your electrician’s past experience, particularly in terms of communication and working with others

Confirm Licensing and Insurance

Of course, when choosing a commercial electrician, it is absolutely essential that they hold the proper licensing and insurance for the work they will undertake. Choosing a licensed electrician means you avoid being liable for paying worker’s compensation if the electrician accidentally suffers any accident or injury on the worksite. Likewise, electrician insurance provides coverage to pay for damages if something goes wrong, while bonding (another form of insurance) provides coverage if your electrician disappears before the project is completed.

Check Reviews and References

You want to learn as much as you can about your commercial electrician before your hire them, to ensure you’re making the right choice. While word of mouth and recommendations were previously the best way to learn about an electrical contractor, now with online reviews, websites and references, you can easily learn even more about your electrician’s past projects, their client’s reviews and work portfolio. Check online reviews of your electrical contractor’s commercial work to assess how they completed their projects in the past. To get more specific feedback, you can also contact your commercial electrician directly to ask for references from past commercial projects that are similar to the current project you are undertaking. This can allow you to get a clear idea of the way your electrical contractor works on commercial projects and even give you the chance to speak directly with a past client.

Ways to Choose the Right Maintenance Electrician for Your Commercial Business

As we enter the digital age, more and more of your business relies on high-quality electrical systems. When looking for maintenance electricians, especially for emergency situations, it is important to choose reliable, professional tradesmen. But how do you find the right electrical services?

Scope of work

Whether you are up for a refit, moving offices, or needing repairs, commercial electrical work is a complex sector of the electrical trades industry. Once you have contacted a likely choice, make sure to explain clearly what your expectations are of the job and the available budget. Ask to be taken through what approach they would take. An experienced electrician should be able to identify potential issues, outline likely parts required and get a rough timeline of the works

References

The internet is a valuable source of information when you are looking to hire commercial trades. Check out Cablewise’s Projects page here for a gallery of delivered jobs across the Perth metropolitan area. Past project galleries are invaluable for ensuring the electrical services you need to match the expertise of the specialities of your short-listed electricians.

Quotations

When making contact and asking for a quote, there are a few things you can be aware of that help you determine the professionalism of your likely electricians

Nothing is worse than trades that don’t meet commitments or deadlines. Whether they have taken on too many jobs or are simply disorganised, quality organisations like Cablewise take great pride in being on time, every time.

All electrical work in WA requires certification of tradesmen who are required to hold a current electricians license. It is important for safety that your hired tradesmen carry the appropriate licence for the job.

Just like your business, your electrician should have public liability and business insurance. These details should be provided when asked for, you don’t want to be unprotected when works are underway.

Service quality. In the electrical trade, service is not limited to the end result. A professional job takes into consideration time, minimises disruption to your commercial activity and respond to queries promptly.

Time required. As part of a quote, you should be presented with a likely timeframe for works to be completed. This can vary depending on the size of the electrical team, speciality equipment necessary, and the experience of completing similar projects in the past.

How to Choose The Right Commercial Electrician

Properly functioning and safe electrics are crucial to the running of your business, workplace, warehouse, or store, so working with the right commercial electrician is key. Such a professional will be able to:

ensure the safety of your workplace, employees, and customers

keep you up and running, even when electrical faults arise

recommend the best lighting options to enhance productivity & lower your utility bills

establish functioning electrics at your business

Professional and Licensed Commercial Electricians in Calgary

At Fluorescent Man Lighting, we have a team of highly qualified, licensed residential and commercial electricians who have the expertise and equipment to meet your lighting needs quickly and safely. Whether you require an installation, repair, or replacement, we can help get you back up and running in no time!

Essential Tips To Help You Choose The Right Commercial Electrician

Electrical work in a commercial place, such as an office or warehouse, is very different from residential electrical work and therefore requires a commercial electrician who is experienced within this setting.

Choose an Experienced Commercial Electrician

Electric work in the workplace tends to be both unique and complex, which is why it’s so important to work with an electrician who is well-trained in commercial projects.

Confirm Licensing and Insurance

Whenever you work with a commercial electrician, you MUST make sure that they have the correct licensing and insurance for the work they’ll be undertaking

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT COMMERCIAL ELECTRICIAN FOR YOUR BUSINESS

Commercial electrical work can be very different from domestic electrical work. Choosing the right commercial electrician for your business requires many considerations. Make the correct choice by following these simple tips.

Experience

Commercial electric work requires experience. Check your electrician’s experience and knowledge with commercial electrical work. The more experienced your electrician is, the more knowledgeable they will be with complex projects.

Resources

Does your electrician have the internal resources and team to meet all your electrical needs? Don’t settle for a one-man band. A good commercial electrician should have a team of well trained professionals

Communication & Cleanliness

You’re running a business, so you don’t have time to waste. Make sure your electrician communicates well and is able to liaise with other contractors who may be on site too. While your electrical work is important, you need your business to continue running. Your commercial electrician should understand this, and make an effort to keep their work area clean and tidy for you

License and Insurance

It goes without saying that it is critical that your electrician should have proper licenses and insurance for the work they perform. In the unlikely case that there is an accident on site, you will be assured that your electrician is covered.

Deep Cleaning In A Commercial Kitchen Area

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How to Find and Hire a Maid Service: Questions to Ask, Tips and More

Looking for a House Cleaner?

Keeping a home clean can be a never-ending chore that consumes much of our free time. If life seems to revolve around mopping, vacuuming, dusting and changing bed linens, hiring a professional housekeeping service in your area may be the solution.

This guide covers everything to expect from a housekeeping or maid service including package options, what questions to ask and what they charge. This guide is for a service, not a live-in housekeeper who typically has more responsibilities such as laundry

Depending on your location or the company you use, these services are referred to by several names: housekeeper, cleaning service or maid. “Maid” historically referred to a salaried, live-in employee of wealthy homes who ran the household much like a butler.

Steps to Choosing the Right Cleaning Service

Choosing the right service is a straightforward process of research and asking the right questions.

Professional Cleaner vs. Personal Organizer

Before you choose a housekeeper, ask yourself if you really need it. If what you’re trying to avoid is a cluttered mess, you may want to opt for a personal organizer. They organize your space, design better storage solutions and help you get – and stay – clutter free.

How to Choose a Home Cleaning Service

If the mess of your home stresses you out but you just don’t have the time or patience to keep it in order—you may want to consider hiring a home cleaning service to help lighten the load. Before you do, use these tips to hire the best home cleaning service for you and your home. A home warranty is another great investment to keep your home in top shape.

How to choose a home cleaning service

The first thing to decide when choosing a home cleaning service is whether to hire an individual or a professional cleaning service.

Individual

An individual can provide a more personal touch—it may be easier to get to know them, give them specific directions about how you’d like your house cleaned, and you may feel more at ease when they’re in your home around valuables or breakable items.

Cleaning companies

A housekeeping company is a good choice if you’d like the work done quickly, as they usually send out several employees at once to clean your home. A company can often accommodate your specific schedule. There will always be back up employees, so it’s less likely a cleaning service will cancel or run late.

Choosing who to hire

Recommendations from friends and family can be the most helpful way to find a reputable cleaning service or individual.

Simple Tips on How to Choose the Best House Cleaning Service

Before you book a house cleaning service…

When looking for the best house cleaning service, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with information overload.

What do you really need help with?

First of all, it’s important to take stock of the things you really want cleaned because not all cleaning services perform the same services. For example, some do your laundry, make the beds, wash the dishes, etc. – so it’s important to know what you need before you book and make sure that the company you hire does those tasks.

Frequency matters

Need a monthly cleaning, bi-weekly, or weekly cleaning? Or maybe just a one time clean for moving out? Take a really close look at how often you need house cleaning appointments. Maybe you can get away with bi-weekly cleanings instead of weekly?

Look Up Reviews Or Ask Friends For Recommendations

Asking friends, family and coworkers who have had hired a house cleaning service before for their recommendation can save you a lot of headaches because you can be relatively sure that if they had a good experience, you will too. That’s one of the main ways Scrubbi grew the way we did.

Flat rate is better

You know that jaw-dropping cleaning quote that’s $100 less than the others? Yes it sounds great and all but you’ll definitely want to double check to see if it’s a flat rate.

TIPS FOR CHOOSING A PROFESSIONAL HOUSE CLEANING COMPANY

Nowadays, there are several house cleaning companies. As far as hiring the best is concerned, the process can be a bit tricky. When choosing a reputable cleaning firm, your choice should not be dictated by the cost quoted. According to cleaning service, you do not want to hire a service provider that will damage your property and disappear. This is something that has happened to many homeowners. To make the right decision, there are many factors to consider. The following are some of the factors.

Status of the Firm

You should ask yourself whether the cleaning company you want to hire is established or not. This is because you do not want to hire a company that you cannot track if something goes wrong. How can you determine that the company you choose is experienced and established? You can determine this from the way they communicate, the quality guarantees, and the cost they offer. If you find a company is not well-established, you should move to the next one.

Services Offered

An established cleaning company will offer a wide range of cleaning services. They can offer services from residential to commercial cleaning to sanitation services. If you find a company that shies away from hard and time-consuming tasks, there is a serious problem. In that case, you should be cautious when hiring them.

Trained Staff

You do not want to hire someone who is not trained. This is because the staff will handle your most important assets. You do not want them to damage your items because of lack of knowledge. Also, you need maids that understand the various good cleaning practices. Therefore, before you choose a cleaning company, you should ask whether their maids are cleaning. If they are not hired, you should move on onto another company.

Certifications

You need a reputable company that has certifications and adheres to the right cleaning standards. Usually, an established company will follow certain principles and standards to ensure it provides high-quality services. In addition, you should visit their offices to check the different certificates they have. A reputable firm will display such certificates in their offices.

Reasons Why Your Home Needs A Professional Home Deep Cleaning Service

With an increasingly hectic lifestyle, more and more people are realising that they do not have the luxury of time that the earlier generations had. Life is always on the run, and mundane everyday matters are being relegated to the background for lack of time and energy. Tasks such as home deep cleaning every day is now becoming cleaning the house every weekend. This is leading to build-up of dust, insects and germs in various spaces in the home. Though most people try to make an effort to clean the house thoroughly every weekend, the tremendous effort that this needs usually leaves them tired and drained at the end of the day. Moreover, they are hardly able to enjoy life in the weekend as they should.

Home deep cleaning services are the answer to all this. They help people who are short of time and energy due to job or other responsibilities to get their homes cleaned without any worries or problems.

It Saves You Time And Energy

We will not write much on this point, as it is an obvious benefit. Instead of you slogging away scrubbing the bathroom floor or cleaning the oily kitchen exhaust pipe every few months, these experts can do the work for you. You save the time and can spend it on more important matters like taking your kid out for a walk, finishing a task you like to do but have not had the time for it due to work.

It Saves You Money

Most people do not realise that hiring home deep cleaning professionals helps them save money. Let us forget for a moment the saying that ‘time is money’ and simply look at how these experts actually save money for you.

It Is Stress-free, Quick Service

When the question comes to home deep cleaning vs regular cleaning, this is perhaps the most important USP of professional services. The experts come to your house at a time that is convenient for you and help you by cleaning the areas that you cannot clean yourself. You only pay for the service you choose.