Category: Garden Maintenance Dublin

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Before hiring a contractor, ask if maintenance, repairs and 24-hour service are offered.

Tips For Selecting A Cooling Contractor

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It’s easy to take modern indoor heating and cooling systems for granted. But the reality is these units keep us comfortable and happy all year long. That’s why National Indoor Comfort Week, April 23 to 29, has been set aside to recognize heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) contractors and the critical work they perform to ensure our home and work environments are comfortable.

The most important part of preparing your home’s cooling system for warm weather may be selecting a qualified contractor who is trained to maintain, repair and/or replace the components of your system.

To help you select a dealer who is certified in Heating and Air Conditioning, and who can professionally service your cooling system, the experts at Coleman Heating and Air Conditioning, a brand of the Unitary Products Group of York-a Johnson Controls Company-offer these suggestions:

• Educate yourself about HVAC systems. You can find this information in online resources and dealer and manufacturer Web sites. Understanding the basics can help you when interviewing a potential contractor.

• Ask friends, co-workers, real estate agents and home improvement specialists for recommendations. Advertisements can also direct you to a contractor.

• When interviewing a potential dealer, check for membership in professional organizations, such as NATE (North American Technician Excellence) and ACCA (Air Conditioning Contractors of America).

• Ask to see state and local licenses, certification for refrigerant handling, and proof of liability and worker’s compensation insurance. Be certain these documents apply to the contractor, as well as any technicians or subcontractors the contractor employs.

• Research the range of services a contractor offers. Does the list include scheduled maintenance, repairs and 24-hour service?

• Consider the number of years a contractor has been in business. In many cases, a reputation for quality, reliability and dependability grows with the length of service to a community.

A good HVAC contractor will visit your home to conduct an on-site inspection and ask questions about your cooling needs and concerns, before making any equipment or service recommendations.

• Ask for and check references. Consider them in conjunction with other information you have gathered in your research.

By following these simple suggestions, you will most likely find the contractor who best meets your needs, both in terms of technical expertise and professional integrity.

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Planning for a home remodeling project and selecting a general contractor can seem daunting. This helpful article takes the guess work out of the procedure by neatly organizing the process; from the planning stage to selecting a contractor, to the contract itself.

home remodeling, house remodeling, general contractor, remodeling, remodeling contractor

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Are you considering a home remodeling project for your property? Most remodeling projects involve either structural or aesthetic aspects which might require several specialized technical skills. If this is the case, you may want to enlist the services of a general contractor.

A general contractor negotiates a contract for the entire remodeling project, and either completes the specialized work with his own crew, or sub-contracts to other various house remodeling contractors. Some of the specialized areas might include planning/architecture, concrete, plumbing, electrical, roofing, dry wall, cabinetry, or painting.

The Planning

To get an accurate bid from a potential general contractor, it is very important to plan carefully, with much thought and consideration. You may want to involve an architect or draftsman to generate the blueprints for your project. Remember that any home remodeling features not included in the plans will not be included in the bid.

Once you have detailed plans for your project, you need to start the selection process for a general contractor. Canadian residents can go on-line to Handy Canadian.com for a list of qualified, licensed contractors.

The Contractor

It is a rule of thumb to get at least 3 bids from separate remodeling contractors. Provide each with an identical set of plans. Be upfront about your expectations, and request they be realistic about time, cost, and interruption factors. It is wise not to make a selection based on price alone; other considerations are equally important.

Before you accept a bid from a contractor ask questions: What experience and references do they have from projects similar to yours? Will they be working on other projects simultaneously with your own? If they will not be personally working at your site, how much time each day will they spend supervising? Will they use their own crew for some or all the work? How available will any sub-contractors be? What licenses and insurance do they carry? And what is the time line of the project, start to finish? These are questions any reliable, qualified general contractor should answer and outline in the contract.

The Contract

When negotiating the contract for your home remodeling project, be thorough and accurate. Include complete names and addresses of both parties, a detailed job description, material specifications, start and finish dates, any warranties on work or materials, and payment options.

It is fairly common for a general contractor to ask for 10-33% of the estimated cost in advance; most contracts provide for payment as work progresses.

A reliable, reputable contractor will agree to contract terms which help protect the interests of both parties.

By being thorough in your research, planning, and contracting process, you can look forward to enjoying the results of your home remodeling project for many years to come!

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Asbestos vinyl tiles are mostly used for flooring in the homes. However, with the growing awareness about the harmful effects of asbestos, people are removing the asbestos vinyl tiles from their homes and other buildings. You can either hire a professional company for removing the asbestos tiles or do it yourself with the help of some simple tips mentioned herein. However, you have to follow certain safety precautions to avoid asbestos exposure to you and your family during a…

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Asbestos vinyl tiles are mostly used for flooring in the homes. However, with the growing awareness about the harmful effects of asbestos, people are removing the asbestos vinyl tiles from their homes and other buildings. You can either hire a professional company for removing the asbestos tiles or do it yourself with the help of some simple tips mentioned herein. However, you have to follow certain safety precautions to avoid asbestos exposure to you and your family during and after the removal process.

Precautions for removing asbestos vinyl tiles are necessary because exposure to Asbestos dust is dangerous. Asbestos is a natural fibrous mineral and can break into to tiny light particles polluting the air especially when it is dry. Hence care should be taken for the proper removal of tiles from the floors. Exposure to asbestos is known to cause serious diseases such as asbestosis, respiratory problems and some types of cancers.

Removal of asbestos vinyl tiles is easier and safer than the sheeting. Tiles are safer to remove than the sheeting because the asbestos is embedded and held together by a vinyl resin in tiles.

Safety Precautions for Removing Asbestos Vinyl Tiles:

– Keep all the tools and protective clothing in the room before starting the removal procedure.

– Take precautions not to break the tiles while removing

– Use warm water to soften the adhesive and to prevent asbestos particles from floating in the air

– Never sand the tiles or the glue because sanding may release dangerous quantities of asbestos dust into the air.

– The safe way to remove the asbestos vinyl tiles and the glue is to wet them with warm water and popping them up with a floor scraper.

– If the tiles are glued to a layer of underlayment, you can remove large sections of the tiles and underlayment to reduce the amount of asbestos released in the air.

– Specialists in asbestos abatement opine that it is much safer to remove large chunks of floor than smaller pieces.

– Keep wetting the removed material with water to prevent release of asbestos fibers.

– Store and seal all the removed material in containers and seal them with duct tapes.

– Clean the floor and surrounding surface with water.

– Dispose of the protective clothing and removed material in containers with adequate asbestos labeling.

– Consult the landfill personnel before disposing of the asbestos containing materials.

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There are a wide variety of cordless drills on the market, each with different features. Regardless of the model you choose, make sure it is comfortable in your hand. Try several in the store to find one that fits you best. A few different hand grips are available and only by trying them will you know which you prefer. Look at the position of the controls to find one that will be easy to operate.

cordless drills, woodworking

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There are a wide variety of cordless drills on the market, each with different features. Regardless of the model you choose, make sure it is comfortable in your hand. Try several in the store to find one that fits you best. A few different hand grips are available and only by trying them will you know which you prefer. Look at the position of the controls to find one that will be easy to operate.

Features of Cordless Drills

Look for variable speeds. Harder materials require lower speeds. Softer materials require higher speeds. An adjustable clutch is an excellent feature to have on a cordless drill. These change automatically with the density of the materials being drilled. This feature is great for beginners, as it takes out the need for guessing about the right clutch position.

Consider the power level of the drill. Voltage ranges from two to twenty four volts. Consider your needs when choosing the right drill. Higher volts are needed for drilling heavier materials. Always choose a drill with slightly higher voltage than you think you ll need to be sure you will have enough power.

The battery is another important consideration. The battery life varies widely among drills. Look for a model with two batteries. With this feature, you can be using one battery while the other is charging. You won t need to stop working to charge the battery, as you would with only one. Change the battery as soon as you notice the power level drop.

Manufacturers of Cordless Drills

A Makita cordless drill is popular in woodworking shops. This company was one of the first to offer cordless models and continues to advance its technology. These drills are durable and have a long life. A variety of different models are available. Features like variable speeds and multiple torque settings make them versatile. The batteries have the latest technology. Many models come with two batteries and some come with a fifteen minute fast charger.

The Makita 18 volt inch cordless drill is a compact drill with good power. The ergonomic design makes these comfortable to operate, with efficient power. Features like variable speed and a shift lock drive system make drilling easier and more efficient. This drill comes with two long life batteries.

The Ridgid inch drill has 18 volts for sufficient power. This model comes with high capacity batteries and a dual charger that allows both to be charged at the same time. Features such as a two speed transmission and 24 position clutch make this drill an excellent, heavy duty tool.

Ridgid tools also make a great 3/8 inch cordless drill with 14.4 volts. This drill is powerful, but tends to be heavy. It weighs five pounds. Features such as variable speeds, reversible speed and a 24 position clutch make this a versatile tool. Two battery packs are included with this model.

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Snuggling under the covers and pulling your warm and cozy comforter up to your chin is so enjoyable on cold winter nights. When the comforter is a luxurious, beautiful one, it feels even better. There are several popular types of luxurious comforters available and each has its own advantages and disadvantages.

comforter

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Snuggling under the covers and pulling your warm and cozy comforter up to your chin is so enjoyable on cold winter nights. When the comforter is a luxurious, beautiful one, it feels even better. There are several popular types of luxurious comforters available and each has its own advantages and disadvantages.

When most people think of luxurious comforters, they picture white plushy down filled bed covers. These comforters are so soft and so warm that it s no wonder they are very popular. If you have been afraid to use a down comforter because you are concerned that someone in your family will be allergic to down, you may be pleasantly surprised to know that new cleaning methods have been developed that help remove allergens and debris from down to make it hypoallergenic.

If you love down, but you have a polyester budget, then you may want to look for a synthetic down comforter. These comforters are filled with special material that feels almost as soft and warm as real down.

And there are lots of choices of duvet covers to choose for you down or synthetic down comforter so you can easily match your d cor or change it whenever you want. Duvet covers also help keep a down comforter or synthetic down comforter clean so you won t need to have them professionally cleaned as often.

If a down comforter is not quite your style, you may want to look for a sophisticated satin comforter instead. These comforters come in a wide range of brilliant jewel tone colors, but you can also find them in classic black. Of course, satin can be a bit slippery and doesn t breathe well.

Silk comforters are quite beautiful, but aren t as slippery as satin. Silk comforters are very lightweight, but this doesn t stop them from being warm and cozy. With the increase in environmental awareness, these quilts made with natural fibers are really growing in popularity. However, silk comforters require special care, so don t wash them without checking the cleaning instructions on the care tag.

Suede comforters are perfect for a masculine bedroom, but are a bit on the heavy side. If you are concerned about caring for a suede comforter, you may want to consider a micro-suede comforter instead. Micro-suede looks like real suede, but is easier to care for and much lighter. While suede rarely is quilted, you can find quite a few micro-suede comforters with quilted designs.

If none of these luxurious comforters are right for you, you may want to take a close look at velvet comforters. These comforters provide a sumptuous, warm night s sleep. Just be prepared to have your quilt professionally cleaned if it is made with velvet.

Whichever comforter you choose, you ll be sure to sleep better when you are feeling warm and cozy.

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Powder coating is the youngest of the surface finishing techniques that is still in use today. It was first used in 1967 in Australia by Allan Davies.

powder coating

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Powder coating is the youngest of the surface finishing techniques that is still in use today. It was first used in 1967 in Australia by Allan Davies.

Powder coating is the simple technique of applying dry paint to a part such as metal or plastic, and after the final coating is the same as a finished 2-coat wet paint job. Powder coating can be applied in two ways; either by lowering an item into a bed of powder which may or may not be electrically charged, or the powder paint is electrically charged and sprayed onto the part. After being coating with dry paint, the part is placed in an oven and the powder particles melt and combine to form a permanent layer of paint.

There are two main types of powder available to use, either the thermoplastic powder which re-melt when heated, and thermosetting powders that will not re-melt when heated. This is because during the initial heating process a chemical cross-linking reaction is triggered so that the bonds cannot be broken.

The foundation of any high-quality coating job is preparation. Most powder coating failures are linked to a poor preparation process. It is important to know that the preparation treatment is different for different materials.

For all applications the preparation treatment for aluminum is to clean, rinse, etch, chromate, rinse and denim rinse. Oils and greases can be removed by weak alkali or neutral detergent solutions and the surface is etched to remove heavy oxides. After rinsing, the aluminum is dipped into a chromate or phosphate solution to form a adaptation coating. After rinsing the aluminum it is rinsed in de-mineralized water which gets rid of chemical salts on the aluminums surface. This process has two functions which include giving the aluminum a surface which is better for adhesion and protects the aluminum from under the paint corrosion.

If you are preparing a steel part, the steps you take to prepare your part are as follows: clean, rinse, etch, rinse, grain refine, zinc phosphate, rinse and acidulated rinse. The grain refiner is used after acid cleaning of steel surfaces and before zinc phosphate, because otherwise the zinc phosphate coatings produced will be very coarse and have a low adhesion ability. The etch is required to remove the zinc corrosion products which begin to form almost immediately the zinc is removed from the galvanizing kettle. The grain refiner ensures a fine phosphate is produced.

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You don’t need to spend a fortune on a backyard project. You don’t even need to be a master carpenter. In fact, with a small investment, you can be a do-it-yourselfer and dramatically impact the appearance of your back yard – and add to its long-term value.

Tips for Planning Your Backyard Paradise

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You don’t need to spend a fortune on a backyard project. You don’t even need to be a master carpenter. In fact, with a small investment, you can be a do-it-yourselfer and dramatically impact the appearance of your back yard – and add to its long-term value.

To finish a project as large as adding a new backyard deck or as modest as window box planters, Lou “Mr. Fix-It” Manfredini, a professional builder and author of the new book “House Smarts,” suggests concentrating on just one project at a time.

“Crossing just one item off your to-do list gives you an attractive, equity-increasing accompaniment to your home,” Manfredini said.

No matter whether the budget is less than $1,000 or more than $10,000, wood projects add enjoyment and value to any backyard paradise.

“Wood is a building material that always looks more expensive than it costs,” Manfredini said. “It is also very easy to work with and can adapt to any project plans.”

Backyard improvements using wood also are appealing to potential homebuyers. According to the National Association of Realtors, buyers of existing homes always look for special touches in the back yard.

Start with a project that is both uncomplicated and inexpensive

but will add immediate curbside appeal. Manfredini recommends building a window box planter. You can use it to grow everything from tulips to your own personal herb garden, and it can add instant warmth to your back yard. They are so easy to build that even a beginner should be able to construct a box in one to two hours, and for around $15.

“Window box planters are a great starter project because it let’s you gain confidence in your wood working skills,” Manfredini said. “You can also add decorations to the window box to make it more elegant. Additionally, the only tools you really need are a circular saw, drill, tape measure and screws.”

Once you build confidence in your woodworking skills, it’s time to move on to more advanced projects. There are a variety of projects that could be completed for under $200.

One project that Manfredini recommends is a wood garden bench. There are many different wood options that you can consider to match the d cor of your back yard, including cedar, redwood or even some of the newer treated woods.

Or, by investing a little more time and money, you can frame out projects that add space and storage to your back yard. An outdoor storage shed will cost around $2,000 in lumber and other supplies. It makes an efficient area to store the lawnmower, garden tools and seasonal items.

If you own a deck, also consider a deck box.

“A deck box is a great storage addition to any backyard deck,” Manfredini said.”From sporting equipment to pool toys to barbeque tools, a deck box is both functional and beautiful.”

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Just like there are many little things you could do to make an overwhelming difference to the outside of your home, there s lots of great projects you can tackle inside, without spending a fortune.

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Just like there are many little things you could do to make an overwhelming difference to the outside of your home, there s lots of great projects you can tackle inside, without spending a fortune.

While your whole home is very important, the two primary areas for sprucing up should be your kitchen and bathroom. The following tips will guide you through the inside of your home in general.

The world of real estate is becoming more sophisticated in its understanding of what sells. In this sense, there is a much better comprehension of how to spruce up our homes for sale.

There is a whole knack to being able to properly stage a home these days. Fortunately, it while it is an extremely effective effort, it is not one that takes a large amount of money. It just involves improving your current surroundings.

The key is to look at your home not through your own eyes, but through the eyes of the prospective buyer. Look at your home as though you ve never been there or seen it before.

Think of it as romancing your buyer with your house, so you ll want to set the mood.

Clear out excess furniture and accessories from inside your home as much as possible. If a piece of furniture is too big for the room, or is crowding the room, put it in storage, have a garage sale, or give it to a deserving charity.

This also goes for decorations, oversized stuffed animals, and other items that you may have collected over the years. Anything that takes up space, if it s not necessary, you ll want to clear it out.

Nothing is more effective at opening up a house than getting rid of clutter. It will look immeasurably more spacious without all of your extra things in the way.

Pay special attention to keeping hallways and doorways clear. Not only will this make the prospective buyer feel that they are purchasing a larger home, it will be easier to imagine their own things inside of it.

Your home should smell good. When this comes to selling the house, it means that there should be no noticeable odors

Smell makes an enormous impact on people when they enter a home. Furthermore, while smokers and pet owners may not even notice the smells in their home having become quite accustomed to them they may be an overwhelming turn-off for potential buyers.

In this case, have a non-smoking, non-pet owning friend come over to perform a sniff test.

While it used to be recommended that you bake bread or steam cinnamon potpourri before a potential buyer is to come through, it s no longer recommended. The same goes for spray air fresheners.

While no buyer will expect that your closets will be perfectly neat or empty, but they are looking for a large amount of storage space for their own things.

To help with this impression, the rule of thumb is to take everything out of your closet, and only put half of it back in. The rest of the stuff will need to find a new home; in the garbage, the clothing donation charity, or packed in your suitcases. The reason for doing this is that partially empty closets look much roomier than they may really be. And remember, it s space and storage that sell.

The same can be done for your kitchen cabinets and other storage areas. An added bonus is that when you re done sifting through your stuff to get half out of the closets, you ll already have gotten rid of a lot of things that you ll no longer have to move.

When people are looking for houses, it s very, very rare that they ll only see one or two houses. Therefore, if you re going to have a number of people view your home as they look at a dozen or so other homes, you need to make sure that yours is the one that stands out in their minds.

Of course, there are good ways to stand out, and there are bad ways. The bad ways must be avoided at all costs. Think about it: if you were to see five houses today, and another five a week from now, all with very similar features, how much would you really remember about each individual home?

The odds are, you ll remember the one that had some special little detail; maybe it s the one with the pink roses on the kitchen table. Not only will this sort of little thing make your home more memorable, but it will also let your house rate higher among the others.

It s like the hook that marketers aim for in commercials and other advertising. It s something different and positive that sets your home apart from other houses.

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Have you wondered why one person s carpet stays clean with three kids and numerous pets and another s looks like a battleground of grime, Kool-aid, and odors? It might be because one of these people understands that to keep your carpets clean and fresh, you have to act before the accidents. There are a number of preventative measures for keeping your carpets clean, even if you have four kids, two dogs, and a cat.

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Have you wondered why one person s carpet stays clean with three kids and numerous pets and another s looks like a battleground of grime, Kool-aid, and odors? It might be because one of these people understands that to keep your carpets clean and fresh, you have to act before the accidents. There are a number of preventative measures for keeping your carpets clean, even if you have four kids, two dogs, and a cat.

No Shoes

This one rule can make all the difference in the livelihood of your carpet. Too often, we start with good intentions-we will ensure the no shoes rule all the time. But laziness tends to set in, and before you know it, everyone is traipsing on your nice clean carpet with their nice, grimy shoes. It s simple enforce the no shoes rule at all times and your carpet will remain permanently cleaner.

Avoid Food

Another common sense rule, but nevertheless important, is a no-food-on-the-carpet rule. Understandably, this rule is harder to enforce if you have kids, but do your best. Food and liquids, in addition to pets, are your carpet s worst nightmare.

Vacuum

Vacuum at least once a week, but preferably more. This keeps dirt and dust from building up, and has the added advantage of keeping dust allergies at bay. Remember to vacuum beneath your furniture as well.

Steam Clean

Steam cleaning your carpets is great way to ensure their longetivity. Hire professionals or rent a steam cleaner every four to six months, depending on the state of your carpet. Shop around if you re worried about price, because price ranges can differ dramatically for the same service.

Remove Stains Immediately

Clean up stains immediately; the longer you let them sit, the longer they have to soak in. Blot at the stain with a mild soap like dish detergent (Dawn and Joy are great), but never scrub. Scrubbing a stain can cause it to spread and wear the fibers of your carpet. Besides mild detergents, vinegar and club soda also work well. Failing these methods or for darker stains like juice, pet accidents or wine, sprinkle salt or baking soda over the stain, let the stain soak in, and vacuum it up. Never use heat to dry a stain; it seals the stain into your carpet.

Keeping your carpet clean is the easiest way to ensure its longetivity and beauty. It is relatively simple and just a matter of reminding yourself to be faithful to your carpet. Treat it well, and it should last you many years (and guests!) to come.

http://www.fastfloors.com/

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According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor air may be four to five times more polluted than outdoor air.

Tips For Improving The Air In Your Home

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According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor air may be four to five times more polluted than outdoor air. With Americans spending nearly 90 percent of their time inside, indoor air quality is often taken for granted.

Allergens such as pollen, animal dander, dust mites, cockroaches and mold; irritants such as smoke, chemical odors and dust; and biological pollutants such as viruses and bacteria swirl in, often causing headaches, stuffy noses, tickly throats, nagging coughs, wheezing, shortness of breath, itchy eyes and more.

The average home has 72 trillion allergens floating in the air. “No matter how often you clean, those tiny little particles can get into your loved ones’ lungs, triggering allergies, asthma and a variety of other respiratory ailments. Fortunately, there are things you can do to make the air in your home better,” says John Spengler, Ph.D., professor of environmental health and human habitation at the Harvard School of Public Health.

Discourage mold growth. A musty smell or mold spots should sound an alarm. Replace missing grout, and repair or replace leaky faucets and pipes immediately. Use a mold-proof shower curtain, and wipe shower walls and tub toys dry after use.

Install a whole-house air cleaner. Professors from the Harvard School of Public Health recognize whole-house systems, such as Trane CleanEffects, as an effective way to remove triggers for allergies and asthma. The central air cleaning system removes up to 99.98 percent of particles down to .3 microns-as small as 1/300th the diameter of a human hair. The system is 100 times more effective than the standard 1-inch filter found in most home central heating and cooling systems.

Minimize dust mites. One ounce of dust can carry up to 40,000 dust mites. Wash bedding weekly in hot water (130