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Kitchen Remodeling Experts Are Truly Exemplary

Kitchen renovation mistakes to avoid at all costs

Kitchen remodel.

What do those two words make you think of? Though we all like the idea of a new kitchen, you might also associate those words with lots of stress, lots of worry, and lots of indecision.

Failing to consider appliances

Appliances are something you should think about first. They are the workhorses of your kitchen, and should not be an afterthought. In addition to performance, you will want to take into consideration the color, style, and size of the appliances you need. When you have decided on appliances, decisions on your kitchen design and other details fall into place much more easily.

Not getting a kitchen expert

Remodeling often comes down to budgeting. No matter how good at DIY you are, it is always a smart idea to bring in a kitchen design expert to help you plan your project. “One of the things I hear most when people are beginning a kitchen renovation is that they are overwhelmed by all of the choices and information. A critical part of my job is helping my clients sort through and simplify all of that information so that we can help prioritize their wants and needs.”

Failing to plan for storage

One of the most overlooked aspects of a kitchen remodel is the importance of storage. Features like pantry pullouts, lazy susans, drawer organizers, and pull-out spice drawers add efficiency, convenience, and sometimes even new storage to a kitchen. “Clients get very excited about storage and organization”

Sacrificing your countertop space

Do not think you can skimp on your countertop because you want to create room elsewhere. If you have to choose between your countertop landing space and another element, choose countertop space. More counter space room gets you more room for preparation, entertaining, and eating. As long as you keep your walkways clear and moveable, you are always going to appreciate more counter space.

Factors Impacting Kitchen Remodel Costs

These are areas in which you will need to make decisions and that impact the cost of your kitchen remodeling project. Knowing them and their relative impact will help you understand how your decisions affect your remodeled kitchen’s cost.

The Type of Kitchen You Desire

Impact on cost: large

You can select any kitchen from an economy to high-end luxury kitchen. You may want a kitchen with good quality appliances or top-of-the-line gourmet or commercial grade appliances. If cooking is not your thing, you may want to keep your kitchen small. If you entertain, you may want a large kitchen with room enough for people to mingle without getting in your way. Each of these types of decisions will impact the cost of your kitchen remodel.

The Level of Reconfiguration and Size

Impact on cost: large

Not changing your kitchen’s size or configuration (floor plan), keeping appliances, plumbing, lighting, and counters where they are now, requires the least amount of work and is the least costly. In the industry, we refer to this as a “pull and set.”

Changing the configuration, but not the size or structural elements, like the location of walls, windows, doors, and so on, still requires opening walls for adding new electrical, water, wastewater, and gas lines. We then must repair the walls we opened by installing new drywall before placing appliances and fixtures. So, changing your kitchen’s configuration adds more cost.

Changing the configuration and structural elements, like walls, doors, windows, or size adds the most cost to a kitchen remodel, short of building an addition for your kitchen.

IMPORTANT: Configuration and structural changes may have a significant impact on your kitchen’s cost, but if your current kitchen is configured poorly, is not the right shape or size for your needs and the look you desire, these changes are well worth the investment both for your needs and when you sell your home.

Type of Flooring

Impact on cost: small to moderate

The flooring material you select will not only influence the functionality and aesthetic appeal of the kitchen, but it will influence the price as well. Natural stone, hardwood and designer tile floors typically cost more than engineered wood, laminate, basic tile, or faux stone floors. Flooring can have an impact on your kitchen remodel’s cost, but unless you go for very cheap or very expensive flooring material, it usually doesn’t greatly impact the kitchen’s remodeling cost.

Kitchen Cabinets

Impact on cost: large

The new kitchen cabinets you select, their quality and quantity can greatly impact your new kitchen’s cost. There are many types and grades of cabinets. Kitchen cabinets come in three main categories, regardless of their quality. These categories are Stock, Semi-Custom, and Custom.

Must-Have Accessories for Kitchen Cabinets

Maximizing your available kitchen cabinets storage space with add-on parts and accessories should be a primary goal for your kitchen remodel. Maintaining peak function in your cooking space is all about accessibility within your work zones, ease of use, and limiting how much you need to move around so that you can focus on what matters most: delicious meals and good company.

Roll-Out Pantries & Beyond

Pantries are out in full force in today’s kitchen remodel landscape. Having one designated region of your storage for cans, jars, and dry goods is a huge boost to storage efficiency.

There are a variety of different pantry styles available:

Chef’s Pantry: A typical chef’s pantry consists of numerous layered shelving units which swing out and permit you to arrange their contents with great efficiency.

Wall Cabinet Pantry: Wall cabinet pantries combine a door shelf with interior shelving.

Roll-Out Pantry: Ultra convenient to your perishable food storage in a fridge, roll-out pantries give you heightened versatility in the kitchen.

Pull Out Pantry: Full height pull out pantries can be positioned close to appliances to maximize storage of cookware and food combined.

“If you’re putting together a new pantry, remember this: You’re worth the good stuff.” From spices to tools of the trade, the chef’s pantry is stocked with quintessential elements of your cooking.

Wall cabinet pantries represent the most widespread standard in kitchens throughout the U.S. Convenient storage for your non-perishables allows you to jump right into cooking without needing to run back and forth to storage space in a different room. Beyond that, it also allows you to be more dynamic in your food preparation, grabbing new ingredients or specialty tools on the fly as inspiration takes you.

Important Things to Consider for Your Kitchen Renovation

Renovating a kitchen can be an exciting endeavor but even for the experienced design there is a lot to consider. Here are some things to consider as you go so that you don’t overlook anything that could compromise the quality of your finished product

Decide “Why” You are Renovating

Are you renovating the space to add features? Get an updated, more modern aesthetic? Or to better use the space? Make sure to decide on achievable goals before you get started so that you don’t get sidetracked. It’s important to have a clearly defined path.

Use Visual Planning Tools

It’s important to know how everything will look and work together before you start installing new elements. Collect samples of different woods or tiles; collect paint swatches; cut-out images from magazines or computer print-out of appliances or furniture that you want to include. Not only will this help you envision the finished product but you can pin to all together on a board to keep your purchasing focuses on the agreed upon theme

Consider “Timeless” Design Trends

Design trends come and go so quickly – what’s fashionable this year will be out-of-style next year. As easy as it may be to get caught up in the latest trends, sticking to timeless design schemes will ensure that your renovations don’t become immediately outdated. Look back at the trends of the last decades and make note of elements that stood the test of time

Pay Attention to Small Details

It’s easy to dedicate all your time and energy to the big, important elements of your kitchen, but it’s the small touches that really pull any space together and make it your own. Things like choosing the right backsplash or faucet style will make all of the difference for the finished product. It’s the smallest touches that really bring life to any room.

THINGS YOU DON’T WANT TO HEAR ABOUT KITCHEN REMODELING

It’s exciting to remodel your kitchen, but don’t go into the project with your eyes closed. Kitchen remodeling is an investment, and you want to make sure you do it right. You may not want to hear these truths about kitchen remodeling while you’re in the starry-eyed, dreamy phase, but they’ll save you a lot of hassle in the long run if you take them seriously.

Talking to a Designer Too Early Will Ruin You

It may be tempting to find a designer right away and start making plans. But don’t rush! You need to know, deep down, what you want before you begin talking to designers. Designers have good ideas, but they aren’t YOU. They won’t be living in your home, and cooking in your your kitchen. Only you will. Figure out a general idea of your style before you talk to someone else.

If You Don’t Plan Carefully, You’ll Be Unhappy

The traditional kitchen triangle is normally an adequate layout. But don’t accept it, or any other layout, without some thought. If you choose a layout that doesn’t fit your habits and lifestyle, you’ll end up working harder in your kitchen than you need to. And that will make you less likely to spend time in the room, which will cut down on your enjoyment.

If the Kitchen Is Too Customized, It Will Be Harder to Sell Your Home

It’s always a good idea to keep resale in mind when you remodel your kitchen — even if you aren’t planning on selling your home. You never know when life plans will change. A completely customized gourmet kitchen will not pay off in a resale. However, it may be more important to you to have that gourmet kitchen now than to avoid losing money in a resale. Only you can know what’s most important.

If You Get Too Caught up in the Look, You’ll Miss Important Things

Ultimately, we all want a beautiful kitchen. Plus, that can often be the best part of planning — picking out colors and countertops. But don’t get too caught up in the look that you forget important things like storage

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Your Guide To Carpet Flooring Brands

How can I match my wall color to carpet?

How to choose the colour of your carpet

The choice of which colour carpet to have will be based on several factors, including:

  • Does it need to hide stains?
  • The mood you wish to create
  • Does it need to create a sense of space?
  • The décor of the room it is in

Matching colours

Colours can be separated into three categories:

  • The building blocks for all colours — red, yellow, blue.
  • The result of combining primary colours — green, orange, purple.
  • The shades produced when primary and secondary colours are mixed.

How to Match Carpet Colors and Paint Colors

Matching paint and carpet colors requires patience and a bit of perseverance. The problem begins with the paint chip. It only provides you with a minimal view of the color, which changes once it’s on the wall. The reason for this effect is metamerism — it happens when you put on two seemingly alike dark-colored socks in the morning under one type of light, only to discover that you have one blue and one black sock on when seen in the light of day. Take the time to match paint color choices to your carpet under all types of lighting so you’ll be pleased with the final results.

Natural Light Effects

The amount of natural light in a room affects color perception and causes subtle changes to wall and carpet colors as the sun moves during the daylight hours. Light also intensifies or lessens based on which direction the windows face in the room in relationship to the sun’s arc across the sky. Rooms with north-facing windows receive a hint of blue light, accentuating a blue carpet and pale blue walls, while west-facing rooms receive the warm oranges produced by the sunset glow, which can saturate yellows, oranges and reds in the carpet and on the walls. Rooms that face east get a dose of green, making these colors appear more vibrant, while south-facing rooms receive the most intense, bright light of them all, which shows up marked differences between shades, tints or tones.

Testing Color Choices

Bring a sample of the carpet with you when you begin the selection of paint chips and colors to narrow down your choices immediately. Compare them inside the store’s bright lights and in the direct light outside for a truer match. After selecting multiple paint chips in varying shades, tones or tints of your color — celadon green for walls for a sea-foam green carpet, for example — bring them home and hang them on the wall in the room where you plan to add them. But first, hold them against the carpet sample for a comparison inside the home. Periodically check the paint chips at various times of the day in the room to notice the changes. Narrow your selection down to one or two colors.

Paint Samples

Pick up two or more small paint samples. The minor cost is nothing compared to having to paint your room twice to get its color matched to your carpet. Select an area of the wall exposed to the natural light in the room. Paint a 1-by-2-foot area, next to the carpet — don’t forget to tape it off to prevent drips — with the colors separated by a few inches, but basically side by side. Live with these colors on the wall for a few days or weeks – however long it takes — to find the one that works the best for the carpet. You can watch how the light changes the paint’s color directly and avoid costly redos.

Follow the “Rule of Three.” In interior design

The “Rule of Three” dictates what is aesthetically pleasing in design schemes. The use of harmonious colors throughout furniture and décor instantly brings the entire space together. For example, using three coordinating shades of the same color on the three largest objects in the room, such as the carpet, the walls, and the curtains, can easily create a cohesive design. For the ultimate in relaxation, use a grey-blue color scheme, matching a blue toned carpet with a light blue-grey wall color. Compliment these two colors with medium blue and white patterned curtains, keeping the room monochromatic in tone and following the “Rule of Three!”

Multicolored Neutral Carpets

In new homes or remodeling projects, start from the ground up with carpeting. Neutral colors are a good choice for carpeting as they allow more flexibility with wall color, furniture and accessories. Multicolored neutrals with small flecks of color also help camouflage stains and spills. Pick one of the color flecks for use as the wall color. The most common multicolored neutral is beige carpet with flecks of light and dark brown. This carpet complements a range of warm neutral paint colors such as wheat, tan, coffee and gray hues with brown undertones. Warm yellow and gold walls would also work. Earthy greens and shades of blue look especially good with light and dark brown. Strong hues for accent walls include burnt orange, burgundy, chocolate brown and charcoal gray.

Tips

  • If choosing colors is difficult for you, consult a color selection tool on a paint company’s website, or ask an informed representative at a paint store.
  • To streamline the painting process, use an all-in-one primer and paint, which allows you to skip the priming step.
  • It’s important to prime walls, if using regular wall paint, before testing a new paint color, unless the walls are already white or light. If the new paint color is tested on a dark, nonprimed wall, the new paint color won’t be an accurate representation of its true color, as the old dark color may show through.
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Common Materials For Residential Roofing

Roofing

Not sure what your roof looks like? Out of sight, out of mind? When it comes to roofing will make sure that your roof is safe and secure. It is, after all, important to the health of your entire home, yet many homeowners tend to not think of doing an annual exam on that very important piece of their home.

If you haven’t had your roof inspected lately, or even in the past year, is here to give peace of mind to roofing. Many things can compromise your roofing and exterior components that will make it even more vulnerable to the next storm that may hit. Be proactive, not reactive. We offer free exterior inspections to ensure that your exterior is free of any damage or aging components that could affect your interior as well

Roof Replacement or Roof Repair – What to Look for?

committed to roofing by understanding that the roof itself is one of the largest and most expensive elements of your home, and it goes far beyond what color of shingle looks the best. Our highly trained professionals take the time to educate you through the entire process and have the tools to show you personally what could be compromising those important things UNDER your roof.

Valleys – If your roof valleys are damaged, rain and other elements can flow thru your valleys causing damage. This needs to be inspected for further damage.

Granule Loss –  If you are noticing granules in your gutters this may be a sign your roof needs to be replaced. The granules are designed to protect your roof and if they are coming off, your roof is now compromised. free inspection will determine how much loss is there.

Shingle Staining – If you notice that there are dark areas on your roof this may represent algae growing on or under your shingles and this needs to be looked at soon and could represent other problems as well.

Residential Roofing Services

Your home is one of your largest investments. More than that, however, your home is where you spend your time. It is the focal point for your family, where you and all of your possessions live. Doesn’t it make sense to protect this investment with a quality roof? As the first line of defense against the elements, your roof protects more than just a house. It protects YOUR home, and everything in it.

Residential roof repair and replacement for any type of roofing material, including shingle, slate, and tile

Storm damage remediation that meets your insurance needs and licensed claims adjusters on site to help with your claim

Complete manufacturer warranties and limited labor warranties, depending on your product

A team of experts that can help you choose materials or give you advice on new construction

Cool Roofs

A cool roof is one that has been designed to reflect more sunlight and absorb less heat than a standard roof. Cool roofs can be made of a highly reflective type of paint, a sheet covering, or highly reflective tiles or shingles. Nearly any type of building can benefit from a cool roof, but consider the climate and other factors before deciding to install one.

Just as wearing light-colored clothing can help keep you cool on a sunny day, cool roofs material that is designed to reflect more sunlight and absorb less heat than a standard roof. Cool roofs can be made of a highly reflective type of paint, a sheet covering, or highly reflective tiles or shingles. Standard or dark roofs can reach temperatures of 150°F or more in the summer sun. A cool roof under the same conditions could stay more than 50°F cooler and save energy and money by using less air conditioning.

A cool roof can benefit a building and its occupants by:

Reducing energy bills by decreasing air conditioning needs

Improving indoor comfort for spaces that are not air conditioned, such as garages or covered patios

Decreasing roof temperature, which may extend roof service life.

Beyond the building itself, cool roofs can also benefit the environment, especially when many buildings in a community have them. Cool roofs can:

Reduce local air temperatures (sometimes referred to as the urban heat island effect)

Lower peak electricity demand, which can help prevent power outages

Reduce power plant emissions, including carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrous oxides, and mercury, by reducing cooling energy use in buildings.

Types of Roofs and How They Can Be Made Cool

There are many types of roof systems available, but the surface exposed to the sun is the one that determines if a roof is cool or not. You can usually make a new or existing roof cool by selecting the appropriate surface.

Roofing Marketing Articles

One of the biggest challenges for any roofing business is generating qualified leads. In fact, it’s a constant battle of testing and throwing things against the wall to see what works. The roofing space, like other trades, is unique, in that its biggest challenge is not sales and marketing but the lack of skilled labor.

“A sales lead is a prospective consumer of a product or service, created when an individual or business shows interest and provides contact information. Businesses gain access to sales leads through advertising, trade shows, direct mailings and other marketing efforts.” Generating qualified leads is the backbone of most businesses. There are a lot of different ways for a roofing business to generate leads.

Types of Leads

There are two types of leads. Business to Business leads (B2B) and Business to Consumer (B2C). Generally speaking, B2B leads are going to be more expensive than B2C leads. Residential prospects are much less sophisticated than commercial roofing prospects. Think about it, how many times does a homeowner deal with roof repairs? Not much.

Canvassing

Canvassing is old school but it still works. There is nothing like a face-to-face meeting. The most effective time to canvass is right after a storm.

Here are some tips that will help you canvass.

Be prepared for anything

Set clear objectives: Appointment, contact information, or sale

Have a proven script ready

Follow up

Roofing Guidelines for Commercial and Residential Projects

If you are planning to do a roofing project, the information below will be helpful as you work through your project.  If you need additional information or have other questions about your specific project

Residential:

Repair of less than 10×10 (100 sq. ft.) is okay and no permit needed.

The City of Longmont has a “1 square” rule as of 2012. If more than 100 square feet of roofing requires repair or   replacement,  then the entire roof must be replaced not just the affected roof area or plane. See Amendment 16.06.440 section R908.

Re-installation of existing materials – Any existing flashings, edgings, outlets, vents, or similar devices that are a part of the assembly shall be replaced where rusted, damaged, or deteriorated.  Aggregate surfacing materials shall not be reinstalled.  (R908.5)

Materials and methods of application used for re-covering or replacing an existing roof covering shall comply with Chapter 9.  (R908.1)

Roof Coverings and assemblies shall be applied in accordance with the applicable provisions of the IRC Chapter 9 and the manufacturer’s installation instructions.  (905.1 and R908.1)

It is the Roofing Contractors responsibility to meet all requirements of the manufacturer’s installation instructions.  (904.1)

The homeowner may pull a roof permit without obtaining a contractor’s license; provided the house is the primary residence, and no contractor will perform the work.

Ladders and mid-roof inspections are not required unless flat roof.

Drip edge is required both eaves and rakes.

Over-lay is not allowed over existing roof.

All roofing must have a sustained wind warranty of 110 mph and no 3-tab unless it’s laminated. Nearly all manufacturer’s 3-Tab shingles will not meet this code. The only exception is for detached non-habitable structures.

For asphalt shingle roofs with multiple layers of roofing, all existing layers of roofing must be removed.

Asphalt shingles shall be classified for 110 mph sustained wind.

Roof ventilation is required unless a closed cavity roof system with condensation control is used in compliance with IRC table R806.5 climate zone 5 (R20) or IBC table 1203.3 climate zone 5 (R20). Ventilate the roof as per IRC code section 806.2 or per shingle MFG.  Take the footprint of the attic space and divide that area by 300 (1 square foot per 300 square feet rule), then divide that number by 2 (required ventilators half up high, half down low). Now multiply that number by 144 (to get to square inches).  Divide this last number by the square inches that each ventilator is going to provide and that will give you the number of ventilators required up high.  Lower ventilators are generally not within the scope of work for a re-roof unless required by manufacturers specifications.

Roof slopes between 1”12 and 2”12, above non-habitable space, shall be permissible to apply a bituminous membrane (ice and water guard) then asphalt shingles.

The City of Longmont does not require Ice & Water Shield or comparable unless required by the manufacturer or on an application with a slope less than 2:12. Manufacturer’s installation instructions and code must be followed; where in conflict the more restrictive applies.

Can inspect without homeowner as long as no dogs in yard and access granted. Have permit card taped to front door or window.

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The Best Way To Replace A Truck Engine Rebuilding

Step by Step motorcycle engine rebuild

In our second installment for the Purpose Built Moto Guest Builder series, we linked up with Ian Don, a mate of mine for a while now who you may recognize from the custom builder documentary “Handcrafted“. Ian is Known for building technically brilliant and beautifully detailed vintage triumphs. Ian’s a self-taught man, with a lot of skills he could share. When I asked him to be part of the series, he jumped in headfirst and wanted to give you all an insight into an engine rebuild. Something he’s grown to love after getting to know the process and becoming comfortable in his skills with the rebuilding in’s and out’s.

This article take’s a high-level approach to showing you the steps you can take to tackle an engine rebuild your own motorcycle engine. written around a vintage triumph engine rebuild, however, the steps covered here can be logically applied to any motorcycle. the idea isn’t to hold your hand through the entire process but to give you enough information to inspire the confidence you need to go and learn the rest on your own. So let me shut up and hand you over.

“Many a time when I’ve been leaving an event or the local to have drawn a small crowd around the bike, there’s always a couple of old guys there quietly whispering about how it might be shiny but those old triumphs are a bugger to start “ten kicks at least”

It’s always really satisfying to tickle the carbs, whisper a quick warning to the bike under my breath “don’t you dare not start in front of all these people” and kick the bike into life with a single kick, try not to look too smug and take off giving the fuel tank a little pat.

For me when I decided to build my first engine a pre-unit 1951 Triumph I had never done anything more than changing the oil and filter on a car. I actually didn’t even know the names of the major components so I bought a Haynes manual and then just spent hours pouring over the diagrams and learning the part names and studying the diagrams so that I could actually get my head around how the engine worked and what parts did what.

ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES OF REBUILDING YOUR ENGINE

So you or your mechanic has discovered the bad news: your vehicle or equipment needs a new engine. The next step hinges on two major factors: the age of the vehicle or equipment and your budget. Read on for a summary of how these factors affect your choice of a new engine or rebuilding the existing one. After that, bring yourself up to speed with our handy list of advantages and disadvantages of rebuilding an engine.

OLD ENGINE, NEW TRICKS

So what is a rebuilt engine exactly? Using extensive experience and precise tools, EngineTech’s staff cleans, hones, bores and rebuilds your engine from the ground up. The end product is essentially a brand new engine with enhanced performance and efficiency. A rebuilt engine often costs less than a new or used engine, let alone a new vehicle or piece of equipment. We back our rebuilt engines with warranty programs designed to keep your rebuilt engine running smooth.

IS IT WORTH IT?

As mentioned above, two main elements impact the value of rebuilding an engine.

How old is the vehicle or equipment that needs the engine?

If it is more than 10 years old/250,000 km, a rebuilt engine’s value may not live up to its cost. Old vehicles or equipment can suffer non-engine-related breakdowns and mechanical failures– leaving you with a working engine and nothing to make use of it.

What is your budget?

Another key issue when deciding between new and rebuilt is deciding what you can afford. New vehicles and equipment usually require down payments worth thousands of dollars. If not, you might also be at risk of overpaying in interest over the lifetime of your financing. Rebuilt engines are almost always more affordable– if you can afford the aforementioned down payment, you can likely pay for a rebuild outright (no future payments required).

The Difference Between Used, Rebuilt And Remanufactured Diesel Engines

Diesel engines are have long been used successfully in multiple industrial and commercial applications around the globe, due in part to their efficiency and long life span, and constitute the vast majority of units in service. Coupled with an electric generator, these gensets are valuable energy sources where there is no connection to a power grid or source of electric power. Remote applications in the energy, mining, marine and other industries often make generator sets a necessity

They are also a reliable source of emergency power as a reliable standby when the grid fails or is compromised. Their use in hospitals, commercial buildings, and first responder facilities has been well recorded for their reliability after natural disasters. When purchased new, their service life can be lengthy with proper operation, loading, and maintenance. They are readily available in the marketplace as used, providing useful life. Diesel engines and generators can be further extended by rebuilding or remanufacturing.

What Are Used Diesel Engines?

Used diesel engines are exactly that. They have had previous service with a prior owner or operator and, subject to testing, are deemed to be operational or can generally be repairable.Their minimum life span can be negotiated contractually with the seller based on a warranty.

Pros And Cons Of Used Diesel Engines

The purchase of a used diesel engine or genset is usually the least expensive option. The caveat is that there is no guarantee that the engine will perform as intended or for the necessary service life. Internal components of the engine are not disassembled, replaced and not normally inspected.

What Are Rebuilt Diesel Engines?

Rebuilt engines are ones that have been disassembled and inspected. Once the inspection process has been completed serviceable parts, as defined by manufacturer’s specifications, are reused.

SIGNS IT MIGHT BE TIME TO REBUILD YOUR DIRT BIKE ENGINE

When to rebuild your four-stroke dirt bike engine? This is a great question. First, we need to determine how to know when the right time comes to rebuild your four-stroke.

Engine wear is directly related to RPM and mechanical stress, so riders engaging in riding where the engine is on the rev limiter frequently, the engine is operating at a high RPM without any load on it, the gearbox is loaded or unloaded abruptly, or gears are selected hastily will require the rider or mechanic to service the engine frequently.

Most of you will relate the scenario I have illustrated to motocross racing. At the top levels of racing, mechanics are constantly checking or rebuilding the engines to make sure they are operating at maximum power.

Fortunately for most of us we are not riding or racing at the top level, so our bikes and engines last quite awhile longer. Unfortunately everyone’s scenario is different- depending on the type of riding you do, the environment you ride in, how often the oil is changed, etc. which makes it difficult to standardize or pinpoint any sort of service interval.

As an engineer, mechanic, and rider my philosophy has always been to replace components preventatively before they fail. My reasoning here is that the costs attributed with a failed component are much higher than a replaced component. Let us consider a scenario where a piston fails. This could have been avoided had I replaced the piston, which would have only cost me $130. Instead it’s quite likely that the entire engine will need to be opened up and serviced, making the price of the repair extremely expensive.

TIPS FOR TURBOCHARGED DIESEL ENGINE MAINTENANCE

Diesel technology has come a long way in recent years from ultra-low sulfur diesel to biodiesel. Gaining DPF filters to cut down on emissions and high efficient common rail injection systems to gain maximum miles per gallon. All of these changes are great if you are taking the proper steps to keeping your diesel vehicle running at peak performance. How do you do that you may ask, well luckily for you we are here to help.

Diesel Engine Turbochargers

Turbochargers are a huge part of making your diesel run efficiently. In order for you to get the maximum life and performance out of your induction system there are a few simple ways to make sure this part does not fail prematurely.

First off always allow your vehicle to start up and idle for a few minutes. Getting in and mashing the gas as soon as you start it is one of the worst things you can do to a cold engine. You must allow time for oil to reach all the nooks and crannies inside of your engine, the turbo is just one of the major parts this oil needs to reach.

Oil additives are also great for turbochargers and oil systems in diesel vehicles due to the amount of heat these engines create. Oil additives will help keep lubrication at peak levels and help these intricate parts stay running for a long time.

Biodiesel, ULSD & Diesel Fuel Additives

Fuel has been going between ULSD and biodiesel. These are the two main fuels you will see at any truck stop or fuel station. No matter what one is readily available near you a diesel fuel additive is always necessary. Diesel fuel additives will keep those injectors flowing at full capacity, with a nice even spray pattern.

You also want to find a fuel additive that demulsifies water. A lot of additives on the market will try and burn the water out through the injection system, but why? Why make it harder for your diesel vehicle that has a fuel water separator for a reason? The fuel water separator is made to take the water out of diesel fuel, so find yourself an additive that removes water and makes that systems job that much easier.

Another thing diesel fuel additives are great for is fuel gelling. In the cold months no one wants to go out to their vehicle for it not to start, so why not have a sense of security by using a fuel additive to eliminate this headache.

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Tips For A Successful Home Renovation

How do I choose a renovation contractor?

So why would you choose one over the other? And how do you decipher what you want and need in a general contractor?  We’re here to help! Keep reading for a narrowed down a list of criteria to keep in mind when you’re picking your renovation company.

Plan what you want from your renovation 

You’ve spent the time thinking about what you want and scrolling through Pinterest to find inspiration – now it’s time to make your plan for your must-have items. Take a look at what you want and what you need from your renovation.

As you make a clear plan of what you need from your renovation it will help you narrow down your choices and make your conversations more informed with your potential contractor. They’ll be able to provide you with a more accurate estimate when you have outlined some of the details already, saving you from surprises down the line .

Making a short list of contractors

There can be a lot of options when it comes to hiring a contractor for your remodel. Now that you have your list of wants and needs, it’s time to look at companies that match with your values. Certain companies specialize in different types of renovations; for instance, here at Melanson, we work mostly with families. We make their newly purchased home feel like it’s their own or update their existing home to match their evolving needs as they move through different life stages.

The main focus in our home renovations is:

  • Making your home kid-friendly
  • Adapting your home as your family grows
  • Making your accessible to multiple generations

Those renovations could include:

  • Making new use of a bedroom
  • Refreshing your kitchen
  • Updating your bathroom
  • Giving your exterior a facelift
  • Increasing the energy-efficiency of your home

Choosing a local company

Loving local isn’t just about artisanal candles or handmade clothing – it’s about picking businesses within your immediate radius.

Hiring a company that works within the Calgary area means they are within reach at all times. They are on-site to manage the process and are well-acquainted with the trades working on your home.

The added benefits of working through them to access their local subcontractors directly affects your bottom line.

  • It saves you on transportation
  • Gets you faster delivery
  • And, most importantly, means your contractor has long-standing relationships that gives them more bargaining power for lower supply costs

It can also increase your chances for a trusted word-of-mouth referral since they’ll be more likely to have worked with someone within your circle.

Make contact with your list 

The research stage is complete and it’s time to make contact with your short list of contractors. You should be down to your top 4-5 options at this point and are ready to find out more about how their services can benefit you.

Compare at least 3 bids

Comparing 3 bids will give you the best idea of how much your project will cost. Here’s how to pick the best one from there:

  • Throw out the lowest bid right away if they are drastically lower than the other two  – they’re likely cutting corners or aren’t using skilled labourers
  • Look for any red flags or hidden costs, sometimes the most expensive bid is the most expensive because they’ve fully disclosed all of their costs. They may seem more expensive but once you add up the hidden costs of the competitors you could be way out of budget
  • Weigh your needs and wants against the bid – if the best contractor is a little over your budget for what you’ve asked for, there might be some wants you can compromise to ensure you get the best quality work

Make a payment schedule

Your chosen contractor should be willing to work with you on a payment schedule. Beware of contractors that ask for 50-100% up front, this can be a red flag for financial issues or they may fear that you won’t like the work when it’s complete.

  • Expect to pay approx. 10-20% up front unless substantial material costs are required right away
  • Expect an additional 5-15% for additional interior selection upgrades. For the freestanding tub that you just have to have!

Agree on the contract

The contractor should supply you with a contract – make sure it is clear and comprehensive – and ask for anything you feel is missing or needs clarifying.

  • This should outline the payment schedule, start date and expected completion date
  • Have an understanding of the hours they’ll be working on the project, for your own peace of mind and to notify your neighbours
  • Find out who will be responsible for securing the permits
  • Ensure it includes proof of insurance, WCB coverage and that you’re waived from any liens a subcontractor could take out against the company
  • Find out what the final approval walk-through looks like and if there’s any warranty on the work
  • Clarify who is responsible for cleaning up after the job is complete

The easy steps all home renovators should know

The initial appointment

From your initial contact you should be made to feel your Renovation enquiry is important, even if you are right at the beginning of your Renovation Ideas. A suitable appointment should be made and attended to on time by the contractor. This contractor should display a trade confidence but also demonstrate a willingness to discuss your ideas and concerns with you, after all,

THIS IS YOUR HOME!

Most importantly, this appointment should be offered as an Obligation and Cost Free opportunity for you to discuss your ideas with a trade professional. You may then decide to progress to Quotation stage where a small quotation fee may be charged for an all inclusive  quotation.

Your renovation quote

Your Renovation quote should arrive to you quickly, no longer than 3 weeks. This is the contractors chance to deliver its first promise to you. It should be a comprehensive, all inclusive quote that accurately costs your proposed renovation to you. It should include all the specifications mentioned in the initial appointment and consider all council, trade and certification requirements. On review of this quote, the contractor should welcome any questions or changes you may have.

This renovation quote should leave you confident about a realistic price to achieve a high quality renovation to your home.

Getting to know the contractor

Before making a final decision on which contractor you will engage, take the time to get to know them. It’s very important to do some research on any prospective contractors. Confirm their license validity with QBCC and any records against them. This should always yield a clear result. Does the contractor have an office you can visit? Are you speaking with a trades person or a salesperson? What is the “vibe” you are getting from them? What’s the contractor’s response to your questions and concerns? Can you preview a contract before signing? Do they have testimonials and past clients you can speak with? These answers are a great indication of the company you are thinking of entrusting your family home to!

You have decided on a contractor. What now?

Congratulations… You have decided on a contractor but now is the time when you should be listening hardest to your instincts. If you have chosen the right contractor they will continue giving you the time and attention to details you deserve, even after informing them they are your chosen contractor. The right Contractor puts a great deal of emphasis on client communication and will guide you through the steps following a contract signing.- Drafting Certification and Construction- right through to the end of your completed renovation and then tells you to contact them anytime for any future questions or concerns, that you are a client for life!

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Packing Services Vs Mechanical Seals

Packing Services

a full range of services to help you make your overseas move. International moving services are a world away from booking a traditional moving van to relocate your household goods. packing services offer door-to-door convenience for any destination worldwide.

How you prepare your household goods for moving is up to you. offer a pick up service if you would like to pack your own items. However, can also provide a full-service move, where team of experts come in and professionally pack your belongings, using custom crates where necessary, to ensure that all your prized possessions have the maximum protection.

Packing Services for Overseas Moving

If you are considering doing the packing for your overseas move yourself, you might want to think again. This kind of packing is an art. When you take a serious look at all that’s involved in getting it right, you might just change your mind. recommend that you let international moving experts pack up your household goods for you.

Items of furniture are generally solid and they are not designed to be moved. They are vulnerable to dents, surface damage, pieces being knocked off, and cracks. Any and all of these potential problems can become a reality if they are handled incorrectly. You don’t want to find that items have been misplaced, lost, or damaged when you get to your new destination.

packing experts know just how to wrap and protect all of your possessions to ensure that they arrive overseas safe and sound: no chips or scratches. They tissue or bubble wrap everything securely

What should I look for in a good moving and packing service?

You have recently purchased a new home or wanted to shift to a newly built home? It really makes us delightful, but at the very next moment, the thought of the complicated process of house shifting can spoil your mood.

But finally, when you decide to take a step towards your new home, you are really worried about how the things would be properly managed and shifted without hampering the furniture and furnishing. Then it comes to the need to hire professionals who can efficiently take care of fragile stuff and shift them to the new place safely.

Here are the tips on how to choose any company for these services?

First step: Do the research

It is very necessary to have some basic idea about the various service providers who have done the task successfully in the past. There are so many websites available online today where you can check the details of the service provider nearby your area.

Step two: Make a list and contact:

The next step is to list down all the service providers nearby your area or you can also take help of your colleague/relative who has used these services in the past. Before proceeding to call the selected list of service provider and inquire about the services in details and the charges.

Make sure that they are verified and there is no any credential issues. Check out their registration, document and trade license to ensure their market presence. If they are a private organisation, it must be verified by the local municipal corporation.

Be aware of fake pricing

Last but not the least; be cautious of the false promising of cheap prices of newly started companies. You must clarify if there any hidden charges like loading, unloading etc. Make sure your valuable stuff will be shifted carefully and safely.

Packing Help For Moving

Packing help and handy packing tips for moving from the country’s top movers. We’ll get you ready for the easiest move of your life.

Packing Help

Before it gets on the moving truck, it needs packed right. Find the right team so your belongings can stay safe on their journey.

Loading & Unloading Help

Finished packing? Get everything from your books to your fridge loaded and unloaded quickly and affordably.

PACKING

Packing your belongings for an upcoming relocation is a long and time-consuming process when you do it on your own. But if you hire the right type of help for the job, packing doesn’t have to be a part of your moving problems.

experienced packers will make packing an easy endeavor by showing up at your doorsteps fully ready and equipped for the job ahead. With the right type of knowledge, plenty of experience, and only the finest packing materials

WHICH TAKE THE STRESS OUT OF RELOCATION

Moving stress seems to be a mandatory part of every relocation – at least, that’s what people believe. But the right moving company with the right set of services can take that moving stress completely out of the picture.

it goes without saying that put a lot of effort into providing you with unmatched quality when it comes to packing assistance options. packers will not only soothe your moving anxiety, but they will also demonstrate skills that got them past the screening process and made them an indispensable part of moving and packing team.

Do you feel perfectly capable of taking care of packing? Perhaps you already have experience with the matter so now you just need one thing – sturdy moving boxes

LABOR ONLY MOVING & PACKING SERVICES

If you are moving on your own, you may need some help lifting those heavy items onto your truck, or you may need help packing some of those valuable or specialty items

want to ensure your move in or around Orange County goes off without a hitch. That’s why offer packing services and moving labor services. team has experience packing, loading, and unloading all kinds of items. can help you eliminate some of the stress from your upcoming move. Make your next move a breeze with the help of full-service movers.

Affordable Pricing

Have handled all kinds of labor and packing situations, from high-rises to small business to single-family homes. Some items you own may be too heavy for you and your family to move on your own. Some might be too important to risk not being professionally packed for the move.

movers will assist with getting your heavy items successfully from your home to the moving truck and vice versa at your new home. Do you need specific equipment to move some items out of your home? will come with everything needed to get your items loaded and unloaded successfully.

Simple and Efficient Packing Services

Did you wait until the last minute to start packing your home or business? Packing can be an overwhelming part of the moving process. No one truly realizes how much stuff they have until they start to pack it all up. If you are dreading packing your belongings

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How To Install A Home Water Testing

WATER MATTERS

WHAT IS A TDS METER?

A TDS meter is a small hand-held device used to indicate the Total Dissolved Solids in a solution, usually water. Since dissolved ionized solids, such as salts and minerals, increase the conductivity of a solution, a TDS meter measures the conductivity of the solution and estimates the TDS from that reading.

WHY MEASURE TDS?

First, it’s important to know what TDS really is: Total Dissolved Solids. After water falls to the ground as rain, it dissolves the minerals present in the rocks and soil it passes over or through. As it dissolves these minerals, they remain in the water at varying levels of concentration. This is a very natural process and it helps make water taste “right” by slightly raising the pH of the water. The most common minerals found in water are Calcium, Magnesium, and Sodium.

Some areas of the country have higher levels of these dissolved minerals in their water making it “hard” and other areas have lower levels. Anything under 200 mg/L (or ppm) is good and 100 mg/L is considered excellent. As the TDS level goes below this level (as the minerals are removed) the water has a lower pH and becomes more acidic or corrosive. This causes a noticeable difference in the taste of the water. TDS levels over 400 mg/L are considered non-potable (don’t drink that stuff).

WHAT DOES TDS NOT MEASURE?

A TDS meter does not measure contaminants. It will not tell you if your water is healthy. Some healthy minerals like potassium, magnesium, and calcium can actually cause your TDS meter to spike.  So, any water filter with a remineralizer will cause the opposite effect on a TDS meter than you expect. Your water could also have heavy metals like lead, or other contaminants like pesticides, pharmaceuticals, or hexavalent chromium. The TDS meter will not pick these contaminants up.

DO YOU NEED A TDS METER OR A WATER TESTING KIT?

When considering water filtration, the short answer is: no – you do not need a TDS meter. Having your water tested using a test kit will provide a report that explains exactly what’s in the water – including those dissolved solids. You’ll find out what contaminants are in your water that causes you concern, and then you can find a filtration solution to meet all of your water goals.

DISCOVERING ALKALINITY IN OUR SCHOOL WATER

are testing for alkalinity in our school water because it is important that we understand what is in our school water. Alkalinity is important to have in our school water because if water is alkalinity free it is more likely to be prone to be acidic. Alkalinity helps the water stay stable in pH. It is essential for us drink clean water for health reason, plus us teens need water for our daily diet : ). Read to learn more about alkalinity and if it’s found in our school water.

What is Alkalinity?

Alkalinity is a measure of the capacity of water to neutralize acids or hydrogen ions. Alkalinity can sometimes be refereed as “Carbonate hardness”. Alkalinity acts as a buffer if any changes are made to the water’s pH value. The Alkalinity in the water will help keep the water’s pH stabilized. The drinking water and all water should be a pH of 7 meaning that it’s neutral.

High alkalinity is good to have in our drinking water because it keeps the water safe for us to drink. The amount of Alkalinity that should be in our water is 20-200 mg/L for typical drinking water. Alkalinity is basically dissolved minerals in the water that help neutralize the water we drink.

Where does it come from?

Most alkalinity in surface water comes from calcium carbonate (CaCO3) that come from rocks and soil. Limestone contains high level of calcium carbonate. The process is enhanced if the rocks and soil have already been broken up before entering the water. The dissolved minerals get into the water through construction and other processes

Procedure of Alkalinity Test;

First you have to fill the titration tube up to the 5ml line with water.

Then put one Bromcresol Green-Methyl Red tablet in the water. Cap and shake until the tablet disappears. The water might turn blue-green. If the water turns pink, the water doesn’t have alkalinity.

Then you fill the direct-reading titration with the Alkalinity Tiration Reagent B. Then fill the titration when the plunger is up to the zero graduation mark. After the plunger is up to the zero graduation mark, put the titration in the center hole of the titration tube cap.

Depress the plunger slowly till the titrate sample which is blue-green color changes to pink. The amount of Reagent B that is depressed into the titration until it turns pink is the amount of alkalinity in the water. It is measured my parts per million (ppm) out of 200 ppm.

Water Analysis

water analysis solutions help customers worldwide analyze even the most diverse matrices and time-sensitive drinking, surface, ground water and waste samples to ensure regulatory compliance aiding in our world-wide goal for contamination-free water. We have extremely reliable, proven ICP-MS, ICP-OES, GC, GC/MS, LC, LC/MS, LC/MS/MS and UV/Vis/NIR technologies for water testing.

Superior ICP-MS technology for lead, copper and other trace metals testing to ensure compliance with EPA, ISO and APAC regulations

Accurate and fast GC/MS technology for volatile and semi-volatile organic testing using enhanced sample prep and sample introduction applications ensuring the highest degree of instrument uptime

High quality optical features and excellent performance specifications from UV/Vis technology are perfect for reliable and accurate quantification of heavy metals and other inorganic and organic elements in water

Simple and effective tools to demonstrate regulatory compliance and identify the causes of non-compliance

Durable, unparalleled stability and reliability for standard testing, emerging microplastics applications and detection of nanoparticles

Nanomaterials and microplastics are not new to us. Nanomaterials, chemical structures with at least one dimension of 1 to 100 nanometers, are produced through natural processes such as volcanic eruptions as well as manufacturing. Microplastics are nearly all manmade material, plastic fragments or particles less than five millimeters in length. Although the benefits of plastics and nanotechnology are undeniable, there are mounting concerns over the potential negative impact they may pose to human and environmental health. Usage guidance and regulatory standards are evolving as these materials continue to be present in every day products.

Ammonia-nitrogen (NH3-N) occurs naturally in groundwaters at concentrations below 0.2 mg/L and up to 12 mg/L in surface waters, as a result of decomposition of organic matter. High concentrations of ammonia in surface waters are toxic to aquatic life and are indicative of contamination from industrial effluent, raw sewage and agricultural runoff. Ultimately the pH value of the water determines whether ammonia-nitrogen is found as NH4+, NH4OH or NH3. 1 In this application, the quantitative analysis of ammonia-nitrogen was performed using the LAMBDA 265™ UV/Vis spectrophotometer and CHEMetrics ammonia nitrogen cell test.

Water Quality & Protection

Ministry of Environment requires the City to provide notice to consumers about the quality of water produced and supplied. The City is also required to provide information on the performance of its drinking water system and submit water samples.

A cross-connection occurs when the water supply comes into direct contact with a contaminant. For example, when you attach your water hose to a pesticide sprayer, a dangerous cross-connection is created. If a drop in water pressure occurs, the hose could act as a link and subsequently siphon the pesticide in the sprayer back into the drinking water supply.

To ensure that potentially harmful cross-connections are avoided, the installation of backflow prevention devices in new homes and buildings is required.

You can help prevent dangerous cross-connections by:

Leaving a sufficient gap of at least 2.5 cm between the water supply and a potentially contaminated water source.

Never placing the end of a hose in contaminated water, such as a dishpan, a wading pool, fish tank or pail.

Attaching a hose connection vacuum breaker to outdoor taps when using a pesticide sprayer with your garden hose.

Installing a backflow prevention device.

Licensed Backflow Test Companies

To perform backflow prevention tests, plumbing companies must be certified by the American Water Works Association (AWWA) and licensed

Questions to Ask Before You Buy A Water Treatment System

The first step in choosing a water treatment device is to have your water tested. Tests should be done at an independent, state certified lab.

If the water test indicates that you have a problem, installation of a treatment system may be necessary to remedy it. Be aware that water treatment equipment has trade-offs. There is routine maintenance. Some systems may need to be periodically back-flushed, which will increase the wastewater load to your septic system. The treatment may remove one contaminant, yet add something else to your water. For example, an ion exchange system installed to remove iron and manganese, may add sodium to your drinking water, causing a potential problem for people with high blood pressure or on sodium-restricted diets.

Be a good consumer and do your research when shopping for water treatment equipment. The following are questions you can ask a water treatment professional or the water well contractor who installed the well to determine the type of system needed. Background information follows many of the questions. The extent to which the manufacturer or distributor is willing to provide answers can assist you in making an informed choice.

Were the water tests adequate?

Some water treatment companies include free in-home water testing in their services. Not all contaminants can be evaluated this way. For example, many man-made chemicals, which have been associated with serious health problems, must be analyzed in a laboratory with sophisticated equipment. The consumer must be wary of companies that claim that their home analyses determine more than basic water quality constituents such as hardness, pH, iron, and sulfur. Ideally, you should verify in-home tests with a water test conducted by a state certified laboratory.

Once you’ve accurately determined what contaminants and characteristics your drinking water has, the level detected will dictate the type of treatment system. Factors to consider include whether the water presents a health hazard and how the levels detected compare to EPA Federal and/or State Drinking Water Quality Standards.

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Move Out Cleaning Your House For Your Garage Sale

MOVE IN/MOVE OUT CLEANING

The only problem? Before you can start settling into your new property, you need to clean your old home, so you can claim your security deposit and invest it in your next house. Moving home is enough of a challenge, without having to worry about move-out cleaning.

With countless tasks to consider, like painting your home, packing and unpacking, and making sure the whole family feels settled, the last thing you want to do is return to your old home for an intensive tidying session.

BOOK YOUR LOCAL MOVE-OUT CLEANERS

There’s a reason why psychologists say that moving to a new home is one of the most stressful events a person can face. Whether you’re just moving to a nearby neighborhood, or you’re traveling across the state, there are so many boxes to tick and issues to address that it’s easy to be left with no time left over to clean your old home.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM OUR RELOCATION CLEANING SERVICES

Not only do we make the cleaning process simpler with a team you can depend on, but we also offer an easy booking strategy too! All you need to do to is check out our calendar, book a time that works for you, and wait for your move out maids to arrive at your doorstep.

typical move in/out cleaning packages includes:

Bathrooms: Tile walls, bathtubs, showers, vanity areas, sinks, mirrors, faucets, toilets, lighting fixtures, windows, window sills, blinds, and drawers.

Kitchen and eating areas: Fridges, ovens, countertops, stove, sinks, microwave, window sills, blinds, drawers, doors, and door handles, baseboards, and appliances.

Sleeping and living areas: Ceiling fans, doors and door frames, carpets and stairs, baseboards, general dusting, closets, mopping, stairs, and carpets.

Move In Move Out Cleaning Services

Moving is one of the most stressful things any of us do. You won’t need to worry about getting the old and new home cleaned

Not matter if you are landlord with new renters or the tenant themselves. The  move-in / move-out cleaning is important. A new tenant will expect that the space they are moving into is clean. As a renter you will want to keep your landlord happy with a great clean when you move to maximize the return of your deposit back.

Move in / Move Out cleaning includes:

Dusting ceiling fans

Dusting of all ledges and window sills

Cleaning the inside windows

Cleaning baseboards

Cleaning blinds

Vacuuming

Mopping the Floors

Extras: Inside Fridge/Inside Oven/Inside Cabinets (can be added)

Q: Do I need to be home for the cleaning?

A: No, Just give the cleaning team access the home without you being present. We’ll even lock up for you when we’re done.

Q: How long is the cleaning?

A: Move-in/ move-outs require detailed work more so than a typically cleaning. For this reason,  we can safely assume a move-in/move-out will add an hour or two to the time of a standard cleaning. A 1 bedroom / 1 bathroom would take around 2.5-3 hours where a 4 bedroom could take up to 6-7 hours.

Q: How much does the move-in / move-out cleaning cost?

A: The Move-in / Move-out cleaning costs an additional $79 on top of our standard flat rate pricing.

Move Out Cleaning Services

Moving can be exciting. But it also comes with an immense list of things to take care of and plan for. Cleaning the apartment you are leaving is one of the essential elements to consider in the moving process. But move out cleaning often falls to the wayside due to the time and energy it requires. By using a move out cleaning service near you, you can spend your time and energy on other important tasks to ensure your move is a success.

What does a move out cleaning include?

Hiring a professional move out cleaning service in will guarantee every nook and cranny of your old apartment will be clean. Future tenants will enjoy a fresh start in their new space. You will be more likely to collect your moving deposit and leave in the good graces of your former landlord.

How much does move out cleaning cost?

Move out cleaning cost can vary depending on the size of your apartment or home. Your landlord will hire a more expensive cleaning team and take the price of the move out cleaning from of your rental deposit. By enlisting the help of your move out cleaning professionals, you can save money

Detailed Move Out Cleaning Checklist You Should Know

Moving out of your old apartment can be stressful but also exciting. This will be the big change you may just need! A fresh start comes with its own plethora of opportunities that you can take advantage of. But before you get lost in the anticipation of a whole new beginning, there are certain things that you need to take of beforehand. One of those things is cleaning out your old apartment or house. Here is a detailed Move Out Cleaning Checklist you should know.

If you live in an apartment, this may be an obligation by the landlord, depending on your terms. This is because landlords usually want to rent your unit immediately after you leave. Sometimes, landlords may have to hire a service just to clean your mess and may use a chunk out of your deposit to do so. Also, you do not want to lose your credibility in case you need their reference for future units.

An Already Established List

Most people get a list in their contract. This is so that there are no future disputes over what you cleaned and what should have been cleaned in order to get your security deposit back. Every lease will have a slightly different list. When an item on the list says professionally clean carpets, it means you cannot get away with vacuuming.

Clean Kitchen Countertops, Sinks, Cabinets and Appliances

Think about it, no one likes to look at food residue. This means you are going to have to start by cleaning the coffee maker, the stove top, oven, shake out the toaster, and clean the microwave. Then move on to the cabinets, countertops and finally end with the sink. You may want to hold off this cleaning for the last few days of your stay in the unit

Clean the Bathroom

Keep this task for the last day. Clean out your shower, the sink and the toilets. Do not forget about scrubbing the fixtures along with the tiles.

Move-In & Move-Out Cleaning Service

What’s included in move-in & move-out cleaning service?

Kitchen Cleaning

Dust all available surfaces.

Wipe down exterior of appliances and cabinets.

Clean floor surfaces.

Bathroom Cleaning

Wash & sanitize the toilet, shower, tub, and sink.

Wipe down mirrors and glass surfaces.

Clean floor surfaces.

Bedroom Cleaning

Dust all accessible surfaces.

Make the bed.

Clean floor surfaces.

Living Room Cleaning

Dust all accessible surfaces.

Clean the exterior of cabinets.

Clean floor surfaces.

Request At No Extra Cost

You can request the following services at no additional fees. Please keep in mind that even though there are no extra charges for these services, they will increase the cleaning duration, and so your total bill will be higher. Some of the below services require specialized equipment, and so we ask you to request them in advance, in the booking form.

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Veterinarian Offices

What Are The Requirements To Get Into Vet School?

As little kids, many of us dream of being veterinarians and saving the lives of animals. But for some of us, the dream never goes away, and as we start to think seriously about what we want to be when we grow up, vet school becomes a more and more real possibility.

So what are the requirements to get into vet school? What can you start doing now to help your chances of getting into vet school? The short answer is that the requirements for vet school vary by school, but there are some standard steps you can take to improve your chances of admission and help yourself on the path to becoming a vet!

Do I Need to go to Vet School to be a Vet?

In short, yes. There are many careers working with animals that do not require you to attend vet school, such as being a wildlife biologist or a veterinary technician. But to be a vet in the United States, you have to attend vet school.

Vet school is very competitive! Last year, there were more than twice as many applicants as admissions places available. So you want to start early doing everything you can to set yourself apart and improve your chances of getting into vet school. That doesn’t mean you can’t do it, it just means that it takes perseverance!

What Can I Do Before College?

First of all, if you’ve already started college and now decided that you want to pursue a career as a vet, it’s not too late! You can talk to your school’s pre-vet advisor about how to best make a plan. If your school does not have a pre-vet advisor, don’t worry! You can seek advice from your pre-vet club (or the pre-vet club of a local school if your school doesn’t have one) or directly from the APVMA.

What Animal Lovers Should Know About A Career in Veterinary

You have a way with animals. You seem to know just what a dog needs to feel calm, and your friends come to you with their animal-related questions. But how does that passion for animals translate into a career in the veterinary field? Should you go to veterinary school or earn a degree as a vet tech? How is your love of animals best used in the working world? If you’ve ever wondered, “Should I be a vet?” keep reading to explore the best career path for your passions.

Vet Tech Versus Veterinarian: What’s the Difference?

Vet techs and veterinarians spend their days working with animals of all shapes, sizes, and breeds. Both are rewarding careers for people who are passionate about animals, but there are some distinct differences.

A vet tech is basically the nurse of the animal world. Just as a nurse performs a variety of tasks to support human health, both supervised and unsupervised, a vet tech performs various tasks in support of a veterinarian to help care for animals.

Being a vet tech is an ideal career for animal lovers who want to get into the field as soon as possible. Vet tech positions typically only require an Associate Degree, which takes roughly two years to achieve. You spend less money on your schooling and get into a rewarding job in the veterinary field much faster. Vet techs get to perform a variety of tasks, so you won’t just watch from the sidelines while the veterinarian does all of the interesting jobs.

Veterinarians must complete years of schooling to earn the degree, while a vet tech degree takes much less time. The schooling to become a veterinarian involves lots of math and science, which can be challenging for many people. Even if you do love math and science, only a limited number of universities offer certified veterinary programs, and earning a spot in one of those programs is often competitive and difficult.

Veterinarian

Veterinarians play a major role in the health of our society by caring for animals and by using their expertise and education to protect and improve human health as well. It’s likely that you are most familiar with veterinarians who care for our companion animals, but there is more than that one career to choose from if you decide to become a veterinarian.

There are many opportunities for veterinarians, and it’s worth exploring them to discover which is the best fit for you. There is a growing need for veterinarians with post-graduate education in particular specialties, such as molecular biology, laboratory animal medicine, toxicology, immunology, diagnostic pathology or environmental medicine. The veterinary profession is also involved in aquaculture, comparative medical research, food production and international disease control

You may work to protect animal and human health by working at a government agency like the United States Department of Agriculture. Or you may want to put your expertise as a veterinarian to work with an agency like the National Institutes of Health (NIH) or the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to aid biosecurity, public health or disease prevention.

You may decide to join the U.S. Army Corps or Air Force to work on food safety or care for military working dogs. The military also provides advanced training in specialty areas for those who commit to service.

You can also go to work for a corporation that provides animal care or animal-related products or choose a research career within academic or industry.

Working Conditions

Veterinarians work in different kinds of environments. Those who care for companion animals may be in a workplace filled with activity and noise while veterinarians who care for farm animals may spend a lot of time outside. If you are a veterinarian working in research, you may spend your workdays in a lab. Veterinarians who work on policy or for a corporation may spend their workdays in an office

Academic Requirements

Prospective veterinarians must graduate from a four-year program at an accredited college of veterinary medicine with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M. or V.M.D.) degree and obtain a license to practice. The prerequisites for admission vary by veterinary medical college. Many of these colleges do not require a bachelor’s degree for entrance, but all require a significant number of credit hours—ranging from 45 to 90 semester hours—at the undergraduate level. However, most of the students admitted have completed an undergraduate program

Essential skills and abilities

The Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree (or DVM) signifies that the holder is a veterinarian prepared for entry into the practice of veterinary medicine with or without further postgraduate study. All Cornell veterinary students must acquire broad scientific knowledge and technical skills necessary for them to function independently in a wide array of clinical, research, and other situations. Candidates for the DVM degree must demonstrate the requisite skills and abilities to satisfy both the overall and course-specific requirements of the curriculum. Moreover, students must be able to function safely and effectively in multiple environments such as classrooms, laboratories, examinations, large and small animal clinics, and a variety of animal environments.

Veterinarians are governed by a code of ethics and professional behavior that forms a social contract between the profession and society. The DVM degree is conferred only after the student has achieved satisfactory mastery of the necessary scientific and clinical knowledge as well as technical skills, while also demonstrating the professionalism, attitudes, and behaviors that are consistent with the professional degree of veterinarian. Throughout the curriculum, students must demonstrate a high level of compassion for all animals and people, excellent interpersonal and communication skills, the highest moral and ethical standards, and a motivation to serve, and they are expected to interact effectively with people of all ethnic, social, cultural, and religious backgrounds

The College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University has an ethical responsibility for the safety of patients and clients with whom students and veterinarians interact and interrelate. Patient and client safety and well-being are therefore essential factors in establishing requirements involving the physical, cognitive, and emotional abilities of candidates for admission, promotion, and graduation. Candidates for the DVM degree must be able to elicit and receive a variety of inputs from their environment, including tactile, visual, and auditory stimuli, then process these inputs based on their knowledge and experience, and finally make appropriate responses that include both verbal communications and a variety of physical actions.  A candidate for the DVM degree must demonstrate abilities and skills in five areas: observation, communication, motor, intellectual (conceptual, integrative and quantitative), behavioral, and social.

Observation: The candidate must be able to observe and make assessments from required demonstrations and experiments, including but not limited to anatomic dissection, microscopic analyses, animal/patient demonstrations, and radiographic and other graphic and diagnostic images.  A candidate must be able to observe a patient accurately at a distance and close at hand, and assess findings.  S/he must perceive and interpret signs of fear, aggression, and other potentially dangerous behaviors exhibited by various animal species.  Observation requires the functional use of vision, hearing, and somatosensation, often in complex situations in veterinary health care environments

Communication: A candidate must be able to elicit information, establish rapport, offer explanations, and to describe changes in behavior, activity, and posture. Communication includes not only speech, but also interpretation of nonverbal cues, and reading and writing in English. The candidate must be able to communicate effectively, efficiently, and in a timely manner with all members of the health care team.

HOW TO BECOME A VETERINARY TECHNICIAN

A veterinary technician—a trained nurse for animals—carefully opens a sleeping dog’s mouth. She reveals two rows of sharp teeth and starts taking x-rays to show weaknesses where the enamel has worn down over time. She documents her observations from the diagnostic image and prepares the patient file. This veterinary technician specialist (VTS) has been specially trained in canine dentistry and may assist the veterinarian if her patient needs a tooth extracted. This is one of many important roles that a vet tech may assume within a clinic or animal hospital.

For animal-lovers seeking an accelerated degree program—one which is more affordable and less time-consuming than attending veterinary medical school—becoming a veterinary technician (vet tech) can be an excellent option. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), vet techs play a crucial role in veterinary settings by monitoring the health conditions of animal patients; taking diagnostic images with sophisticated equipment; providing veterinarians with surgical, dental, anesthetic, and other types of assistance; restraining animals during routine examinations; processing laboratory samples; liaising with pet-owners; preparing vaccines and serums; maintaining clinic inventory; and ensuring the smooth functioning of the veterinary office.

I solemnly dedicate myself to aiding animals and society by providing excellent care and services for animals,by alleviating animal suffering, and by promoting public health.I accept my obligations to practice my profession conscientiously and with sensitivity, adhering to the profession’s Code of Ethics, and furthering my knowledge and competence through a commitment to lifelong learning.

I actually had not originally planned on becoming a veterinary technician, but it was once I started to work with our patients that I realized how much of a difference I can make on a one-on-one basis for each of the animals in our care. Now I enjoy helping create the best environment and providing the tools for others to serve in this role by being an active lecturer and author.

One of the greatest challenges in the profession lies in the fact that we cannot save all of our patients. There are various factors that come into play that lead to an outcome for a patient. We can do our best to prepare ourselves in the ability, knowledge, preparation, teamwork, and diligence to give the patients their best chance and quality of life possible given any situation.

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How To Handle A Hydro Jetting Service In Your Home

Live & Unclogged: The Top Benefits of Hydro Jetting

specialize in hydro jetting for Maplewood and the surrounding areas and would love to tell you more about it and the many benefits that can make it such a wonderful plumbing solution.At some point most homeowners will experience slow or clogged drains from dirt, hair or debris. When it comes to slowed down or clogged lines, there are several methods that can be used to solve the problem, but nothing compares to the method of hydro jetting

Money Savings

Upfront, hydro jetting may seem like the pricier solution but in the long run it can actually save you some dough. How? Hydro jetting cleans the whole pipe, preventing future issues and their service calls. Hydro jetting is highly efficient and takes much less time compared to more traditional methods. So, if a plumber charges by the hour, this could lead to substantial savings.

Effectiveness

The major benefits to water-jetting verses cable or snake cleaning is that water-jetting is much more effective on grease clogs and things like sludge, dirt, sand.  Where a cable just tends to pass through these items and spread them out the water-jetter is capable of actually cleaning these materials from the pipe and getting it out of the pipe rather than basically spreading it through the pipe.  It is also actually possible to cut roots faster and better with the water-jetter.

Environmental Benefits

Compared to the chemicals and procedures involved in traditional plumbing methods, hydro jetting is far more environmentally friendly. And, did you know it is even safe for homes and buildings positioned near water sources like rivers and lakes?

Versatility

Many people might think hydro jetting is only for commercial use. However, it is more than appropriate for residential home plumbing troubles. Hydro jetting is a versatile system and works well for both large and small jobs.

Clean Out Your Sewer Line More Effectively with Professional

There’s something sinister happening in your sewer line. All of the grime, dirt, and other debris has been slowly building up in your sewer line over the years, and all of this buildup perhaps has already caused serious clogging and serious expense for you. It’s important to ensure your pipes are clean and you can make certain this happens with professional

Hydro-jetting your sewer line is a great idea if you want to clear up any clogs and ensure your sewer line is clean and functional. What makes hydro-jetting such a great option if you want to make sure your sewer line is cleaned out effectively? Hydro-jetting works by shooting high pressure streams of water into the piping in order to more effectively clean out any of the debris which has accumulated over time. With these high pressure streams, even the most stubborn debris will be removed from your sewer line, allowing you to enjoy a clear sewer system and a much reduced chance for future clogs or other pipe issues.

hydro-jetting technology has advanced so much that we at DFW Pipe & Plumbing can provide this effective service in a way that is not so intrusive for you and in a way that fits your budget. After we’re finished, you’ll be able to enjoy much greater peace of mind about your sewer line as you won’t need to worry about clogs or other related issues which may require costly sewer line repair.

hydro-jetting service is a great idea if you want to spend less money and less time on clogging or other problems related to the buildup of debris in your sewer line.

A horribly clogged drain line is something you wouldn’t want to wish on your worst enemy. Well, perhaps you would want to wish a horribly clogged drain line on your worst enemy, but you certainly don’t want to wish it on the average person. Drain clogs are incredibly frustrating and can be costly if left ignored. Bad drain clogs need a serious response, and the best response is hydrojetting

Hydro Jetting

The hydro jetter is a machine that uses very high water pressure to clean excess drain buildup inside of the drain or sewer pipe. It is environmentally safe, economical and quick. The process is done through a cleanout, an opening or drain leading into a plumbing system.

What is Hydro Jetting?

Hydro jetting is a high-pressure water system that flushes and cleans your pipes increasing the efficiency and flow of your lines.

It connects to a high-pressure hose fitted with a specialty nozzle made for jetting sewer lines. There are different types of jetter nozzles for use depending on the type of drain size, level of drain clog, materials blocking the drain, or density of root intrusion (when roots are the cause)

Benefits of Hydro Jetting

Through high-pressure streams of water, drain jetting can eliminate the cause of some of the heaviest drain blockages. In main sewer lines, hydro jetting can remove heavy scale buildup, excess grease, hardened sludge, sand, silt and debris, and other buildup that frequently occurs.

Hydro Jetting is also a cost-effective solution to remove excessive root intrusion. With specialty nozzles, a high power jetting service can remove roots from the line and restore the pipe to its full diameter and full flow. Some signs the sewer or drain lines may need hydro jetting are signs of roots. Often, homeowners discover they have roots in the line from the toilet.

Peace of Mind Hydro Jetting Service

If you have ever experienced a clog that won’t go away or a clog that is so aggressive, regular drain cleaning won’t get the job done, you should try hydro jetting. This service is easy, effective, and affordable. When Lakewood

How Does Hydro Jetting Work?

Unlike traditional drain cleaning services, hydro jetting utilizes a high-pressure jet of reverse-action water to blast through years of built-up debris and clogs. This service is effective at removing hardened debris from the pipes and drains, getting rid of the most stubborn clogs. Additionally, the reverse-action water jet is so powerful, it also helps smooth the inner texture of the pipe, which prevents future clogs from forming.

Why is it Better than DIY Methods?

DIY drain cleaning with a store-bought chemical drain cleaner is never recommended. Although chemical cleaners are effective at corroding clogs, they don’t stop there. The harsh chemicals continue to corrode the inside of your pipes, weakening and destroying your plumbing. Chemical cleaners create a porous texture inside the pipe, which is the perfect breeding ground for debris to collect. Additionally, repeated use of chemical cleaners will also start to wear out the pipes, eventually, resulting in a rupture

HYDRO JETTING SERVICES

Get Rid of Stubborn Clogs Effectively

hydro-jetting equipment, we will blast away those impossible clogs, and make sure your pipes and drains will run smoothly once again. We typically reserve hydro-jetting for the worst kinds of clogs, so if you are feeling hopeless

What Is Hydro-Jetting?

Hydro-jetting is a drain cleaning technique that we reserve for tough clogs that simply won’t budge with any other removal methods. We use powerful streams of water with up to 4,000 psi to blast away anything that stands in its way. This type of treatment is ideal for things like caked-on sludge and debris and even tree roots that have infiltrated the pipe.

Here are some of the benefits of using hydro-jetting instead of other traditional clog removal methods:

It’s effective: Hydro-jetting is extremely effective because it fully clears clogged lines and removes all traces of buildup and debris.

It saves money: Although hydro-jetting costs more than traditional clog removal techniques such as snaking, it will often save you money in the long run. By clearing the entire pipe, hydro-jetting eliminates future problems.

It saves time: This pipe cleaning method is also very efficient, typically taking less time than traditional methods.

It’s sanitary: Unlike other methods of clearing clogs, hydro-jetting is a fast process which results in less time and contact with contaminants. Traditional methods bear the risk of sewage and debris coming into contact with your home and the surrounding environment.

It’s environmentally friendly: Compared to the procedures and chemicals used in DIY methods, hydro-jetting is a greener option. It is even safe for buildings and homes located near water sources such as ponds, lakes, and rivers.

It’s versatile: Hydro-jetting works well for both big and small jobs as well as residential and commercial applications.

It’s good for preventive maintenance: Hydro-jetting keeps your pipes healthy and helps to prevent future plumbing problems.

Don’t Try to DIY

The do-it-yourself method of hydro-jetting will only end in disappointment and possible injury, so we do not recommend this. Most homeowners won’t have access to the same tools as a professional drain-jetting plumber, but even if you do, it can cause damage to pipes and injury if the practitioner isn’t fully trained.