Author: kent

Best Practices For Truck Transmission Repair And Increased Mileage

Can changing your transmission fluid cause damage?

Transmission fluid is important for lubricating the parts of your transmission and reducing wear and tear caused by friction and heat. While changing your transmission fluid won’t damage the condition of your transmission, if you haven’t been changing it frequently enough, you may discover that your transmission slips. Read on to find out why.

When should transmission fluid be changed?

Every vehicle is different, so it’s no surprise that every car has different requirements for how often transmission fluid should be changed. Check your owner’s manual to find out how often you should change or check your transmission fluid. In most cars, you can check the transmission fluid by finding the transmission dipstick under the hood of your car while the engine is running. It’s usually located behind the oil dipstick. There will be markings on the dipstick indicating if there is enough transmission fluid, or if you need to add more.

To determine if you need to change the fluid, wipe the dipstick on a white paper towel or cloth and observe the color of the transmission fluid. If the fluid is bright pink, your transmission fluid is new and does not need to be changed. If the fluid is a light brown with a hint of pink, your transmission fluid will need to be replaced. If your transmission fluid hasn’t been changed in a long time, it will appear a very dark brown color and may even have metal particles floating in it, indicating the transmission is damaged.

 

Transmission Flush

The benefits of a flush are self-evident. All the old, dirty fluid is removed and replaced with fresh, high-quality fluid. As a result, your transmission should run cooler and receive maximum protection against wear to clutches, gears, and bearings. You’ll also notice smoother, more consistent shifting since the new fluid will provide more effective frictional properties. Performing a flush also helps to cleanse the transmission. Sludge and other contaminants can accumulate in the fluid due to extreme heat breaking down the fluid. These contaminants then circulate throughout the transmission before lodging in the filter. Before the filter can safely capture the contaminants, however, they run the risk of lodging in the narrow passages inside the valve body, leading to poor shift quality. Performing a flush also allows you to use a flush additive to help clean the transmission and more effectively remove accumulated sludge and other contaminants. Transmission flushes are recommended every 45,000 miles or 3 years in place of a drain and fill or to replace fluid changes altogether.

Many people will argue that a transmission flush is more effective than a drain and refill because old fluid remains in the transmission after the change, contaminating new fluid, thus, diminishing performance. With a flush, all old fluid is removed with a flush machine and then new fluid is added, allowing the transmission to perform at its best. However, the cost of a flush is significantly more than a simple drain and refill. In any case, choosing a fluid flush or a drain and refill is better than not performing any kind of maintenance on your transmission. With some vehicles, a fluid flush or change is irrelevant as they may have a sealed transmission. Refer to your owner’s manual to be sure.

 

Why Maintain Your Transmission?

Transmission maintenance benefits your vehicle in three ways:

  • Prevents Overheating – Over time, particles from within the transmission and metal shavings accumulate in the transmission fluid. As it moves, the transmission as well as the fluid, begins to heat up significantly causing particles to burn and overheat internal components, resulting in system failures.
  • Improves Gear Operation – When the transmission begins to overheat, the transmission fluid turns into a thick, gooey sludge, clogging gears making shifting between speeds difficult.
  • Improves Fuel Efficiency – When the transmission is functioning optimally, less strain is placed on other mechanical components within the vehicle. By reducing the amount of friction produced by moving an

 

How to Fix Transmission Slipping

You can solve transmission slipping yourself if it’s simply low fluid, burnt or ineffective fluid, or transmission leaks. This will often require you to either check the fluid, change the fluid, or fix the transmission leak.

On the other hand, problems such replacing or adjusting clutches, replacing or adjusting bands, and replacing gears will require you to dismantle the transmission. These procedures are complicated to explain and will require experience.

How to Prevent Transmission Slipping

To prevent your transmission from slipping, you need to regularly maintain your vehicle. This means that you should check the fluid often for any signs of problems, such as leaking, low, dirty, or burnt fluid. Any of these signs can lead to transmission slipping. We recommend that you have your transmission flushed and a new filter installed at least once every 30,000 miles.

 

Can a transmission fluid flush fix shifting issues?

In most cases, no. It’s too late. Thinking that a transmission fluid flush will fix shifting issues is like expecting an engine oil change to fix a neglected worn out engine. However, there are a few instances where a transmission fluid flush along with fluid additives like Lucas transmission can fix shifting issues.

When can a transmission fluid flush fix shifting issues?

Old worn out fluid loses prevents clutch discs and steel discs from bonding when under high pressure because the fluid’s friction additives are depleted. Fresh transmission fluid contains new friction enhancing additives, along with seal conditioning additives. If you catch a shifting issue very early, a transmission fluid flush can sometimes fix shifting issues. The fresh fluid helps clutch discs and steel discs bond and hold without slipping. The seal conditioners in the new fluid help soften the clutch piston lip seals so they seal better.

Considerations To Keep In Mind For Hiring Home Builder

TIPS WHEN BUILDING A NEW HOUSE

Building a new house is a huge investment and emotionally it can be one of the most stressful things you’ll ever do. Luckily I love the process! I’ve built three times and renovated a few times so learning how to stick to a budget (but not comprise on what I want) has taught me a few new tricks

Make a Pinterest board and file all of your images in there.

This gives you a good reference point. Also as you get carried away with the building and you start to get overwhelmed with the choices, you’ll be able to come back to this and sort yourself out again. You may find it hard to describe to a builder/plumber/chippy what your vision is for a room, but if you have an image ready then it helps

Ask your builder if you’re allowed to add/change things during the process.

I’ve built twice with a local builder who have allowed me to make changes during the process – like move a door, adjust the verandah, position the vanity. But I have also built with a project building company who does not allow you to make changes after you’ve signed off on your plans. This style of building can be a little trickier. If you’re not a visual person, then your planning stage is crucial as you’ll need to get everything sorted (right down to the position of a mirror in the bathroom) before the house starts being built. Make sure you are clear on this process before you sign off on anything. Ask your building company how much leeway do you have on minor things when the building process starts?

Make a non-negotiable list.

Unless you have a bottomless pit of money, then start out with a list of things you MUST have in the house. Try and get that in to your initial costing. It’s hard to put things back in after your builder has gone to a lot of trouble to start your quote.

Don’t be in a rush to finalise your plans. Get an electrical plan.

If you find it hard to read your plans and you can’t visualize every last detail, then it’s worth paying an interior designer or colour consultant to help you through this. When I was working with a building company I saw a few doozies being built. (Not the houses I sold of course!) Make sure you also get an electrical plan before you build (that’s if your builder won’t let you decide during frame stage), because some builders need you to have this decided before they start building. It’s important you think about the powerpoints

 

TIPS FOR OWNER BUILDERS

When you’re building, extending or renovating your own house, there are obvious advantages to doing it yourself—especially if you’re a qualified tradie. You can save money on labour, you get to oversee the job yourself, and you can be flexible with the timeline. But there’s also a lot to consider as an owner builder, especially as some state-based regulations are starting to change

What is an owner builder?

Essentially you meet the definition of ‘owner builder’ if you’re one of the following:

a tradie who’s extending or renovating your house using your own skills;

a home or land-owner who’s overseeing a build or renovation on your property by managing sub-contractors to do the work;

a registered builder who’s building, extending or renovating your own home.

No-matter which category of owner builder you fall into, you’re taking on a lot of responsibility—from checking the licences of any specialist contractors to organising permits and inspections, managing work health and safety on site, and arranging insurance.

Getting a permit

The rules around owner builder permits differ by state, and these differences are mainly to do with the market value of the work being undertaken, whether or not it’s you who lives in the home (or will live there), the types of structures being built or renovated, what level of training is required, and how many permits can be granted to individuals over time.

If you’re not already a registered builder, the first thing you’ll need to work out is whether the value of the work you’re undertaking requires you to apply for an owner builder permit

 

Home Builder Marketing Ideas: Tips for Success

In case you didn’t know, single-family home sales are hitting all-time highs. The last few years have been exceptional for our homebuilder clients and most indications suggest the future will be the same. With this positive outlook moving forward, and so many new homebuyers – who start (and finish) their home search online – entering the market,

Foreword: The Importance of Having a Search Engine Optimization Blueprint

So, things have changed, right? Well, somewhat, but some things have not changed as much as in recent years. I realize you may want to jump to number 1 and start learning, but it would be best if you brushed up on your general knowledge of SEO (search engine optimization) first.

One thing’s for sure: Competition for Google Rankings is FIERCE and getting tougher by the day. Everyone sees the value of a top ranking for the ‘right’ Google searches. And, yes, mobile-first is the real deal since Google switched over to mobile-first indexing. Your site is being judged by the mobile results even though lots of people visit on desktop.

At one point or another you’ve heard the term Search Engine Optimization or SEO, but do you understand what that phrase really means?  Generally speaking, SEO is a complicated, detailed, labor-intensive, and ever-changing process with the goal to assure your website appears higher in search results for specifically selected keyword terms.

take great pride in strictly adhering to an honest, truthful and customer-centric approach to everything we do. With that being said, I feel it’s important to point out a harsh reality regarding this vital marketing strategy: successful Search Engine Optimization is best performed by dedicated specialists—period. Throwing keywords against the wall to see what sticks simply won’t produce results and can even harm your results. Even trying to implement every technique found in the most up-to-date SEO manual, by yourself, can prove to be ineffective. But, that doesn’t mean SEO isn’t important.

 

Home renovation tips from owner-builders

“The walls were almost leaning in on each other, the only toilet was outside and there were no kitchen appliances to inherit.” DIY projects come in all shapes and sizes but one of the biggest to take on is home renovation.

“Even the studs for the front two bedrooms, joists and bearers that did stay in place we had to straighten.” So if, you are thinking you’ll tackle your home renovation yourself, how do you know if you are up for it? And what do you need to know?

The novice owner-builder

Doing your own renovating basically means you are becoming an owner-builder and you will need to be across all stages of the project from start to finish. You’ll be up for hiring, managing and coordinating professionals, schedules and budgets, and even getting on the tools yourself.

The couple started work on their place a few days after settlement. “We got the keys on the 15 December, 2016 and made it our mission to lift all the old floorboards and get the house restumped before Christmas,”

The experienced owner-builder

“We enjoy the physical work and the sense of satisfaction that comes from seeing the results come from your own hands where possible, and I inherited this.”

 

Tips for Buying a New Construction Home from a Builder

Purchasing a new construction home in a planned unit development can be an overwhelming task. There are many more factors to consider compared to an ordinary residential real estate transaction. I’ve developed a comprehensive list of tips ensuring that your home buying experience goes as smoothly as possible.

Understand the types of new construction

There are three major types of new construction. The best option for you largely depends on your budget, time frame, and preference. First, you can purchase a spec home. A spec home is a new home that has already been built to the builder’s specifications. They’re built to the tastes of the average customer and are cost-effective. Unfortunately, you don’t have much of a say about the floor plan or any of the amenities present. However, you can move into these homes much quicker than semi-custom or custom homes.

Next, we have a semi-custom home, the most popular option in new construction. You’ll have the opportunity to select from different floor plan options and request alterations before the start of construction, such as adding additional rooms or upgrading finishes. These homes are typically built on lots that the developer owns but you choose which lot you want the home built on.

Lastly, you can opt for a fully custom home. An entirely custom home would be the most time-consuming and expensive option out of the three but provides the most customization. You can design a fully custom home from the ground up and have a choice in literally everything about the home, from the color of the doorknobs to the type of sink. Depending on the project, you may also need to hire an architect. This option is for those who have a very particular vision about their home and refuse to compromise.

Consider hiring an agent

It’s a great idea to hire an experienced real estate agent. An agent will be obligated by law to represent your interests in the transaction and ensure that you secure the best deal with the most favorable terms. An experienced agent is a local expert that has an intimate understanding of the real estate market. They will analyze past comparable sales to determine if you’re getting a good deal.

Stainless Steel Commercial Roofing Pros And Cons

Commercial Roofing

also provide commercial roof repairs, and if you notice any roof damage on the roof of your business, like brittle or curling shingles, dark water stains, or loss of granules you should get in touch with our professional technicians. have been providing high-quality commercial roofing services to businesses at affordable rates for a long time.

Specialize In

Commercial Roof Repair

Commercial New Roofing

Commercial Roof Inspections

Commercial Flat Roofing

Commercial Pitched Roofing

The Difference In Expertise

What makes stand apart from other professional contractors in the industry is the fact that have an experienced team of the best roof technicians and contractors. are licensed commercial roofing contractors, and work with the best tools to help repair roof damage, enhance your roof, or replace your commercial roof.

Get Comprehensive Commercial Roofing from Roofing!

Roofing is committed to providing exceptional quality commercial roofing services to businesses. Whether your business roof needs repairs, or you want to install a completely new roof, can do it all. pride ourselves in offering the best commercial roofing services to businesses at affordable costs.

Comprehensive Range Of Roofing Services

As far as expertise in commercial roofing goes, there are very few roofing contractors that come close. Roofing is regarded as the leading commercial roofing contractor, and has provided exceptional commercial roofing services to the following:

Schools

Restaurants

Office Buildings

Work Facilities

Government Facilities

Fitness Facilities

Fast Food Venues

 

TIPS IN COMMERCIAL ROOFING

If you are planning on putting a new roof on your business, you should follow these tips for commercial roofing for businesses. These tips will ensure that you hire a good company to put on your roof, and also choose a roof that will last you for a very long time.

Convenient for You

When you run a business, the last thing you want is roofers interrupting everything. It can be very helpful to hire a roofing company that can work when your business is closed. Other companies will ensure you that they will not get in your way or block the entrances to your parking lot.

Clean Up

Make sure the roofing company that you hire will clean up all of the debris from your old roof. You do not want this debris laying in the parking lot of your business. Most roofing companies will automatically do this for you when they are finished working, and many will clean as they go.

Type of Roofing

There are many different types of roofing that you can choose from for your business. Some of the factors that will help you choose the type include the cost, the slope of your roof, and the weather where your business is located. Asphalt shingles are very popular with residential and commercial buildings. Laminated shingles are also asphalt, but are available in a variety of different colors and textures for your roof.

Metal Roof

If you are interested in a metal roof, you can choose from steel, metal, copper, and much more. If the roof is installed properly, it should last you up to 50 years. This type of roofing can also be less expensive than using asphalt shingles.

 

BEST COMMERCIAL ROOFING

MAKING A DECISION BETWEEN ROOF REPAIR OR ROOF REPLACEMENT

thorough commercial roof inspection to help you to make the decision whether to make a repair or if it’s time to start evaluating the commercial roof replacement cost.

One of the easiest ways to make this determination is to obviously consider your budget but also want to speak with customers to find out how long they plan to keep the building. will help you design and plan based on based on all of these factors:

  1. How long will the owner be holding the building
  2. Length of the commercial roof warranty desired by the building owner
  3. Does the roof system need a complete tear off or will a recover suffice
  4. How costly it would be to repair vs replace the commercial roof

WHAT IS A COMMERCIAL ROOF?

A commercial roof is typically a flat roof on top of a commercial building (think Home Depot or Walmart). In comparison to a residential roof with steeper slopes, shingles, and minimal or no insulation at the roof itself, a commercial roof is typically built in layers with thick insulation directly under the roof, is flat or has a minimal slope, and the surface is a continuous membrane.

WHAT IS THE BEST COMMERCIAL ROOFING MATERIAL?

TPO (thermoplastic polyolefin) roofing is becoming the most common commercial roofing material and its use is growing more and more every year. Compared to materials used in the past such as EPDM, PVC, and modified bitumen, TPO roofing is lighter, more resistant to cracking and breakage, it’s light color provides great sun reflection, and it’s long-lasting.

HOW LONG SHOULD A COMMERCIAL ROOF LAST?

A TPO roofing system should last 20-30 years. Because TPO is a relatively new technology, materials continue to improve and contractors are gaining more experience with it and a modern, well maintained TPO roof is beginning to last 30+ years. An EPDM roof should last the average business owner 20-35 years, and an asphalt roof can last anywhere from 20-40 years.

 

How the weather can affect your commercial roof

They say that there is no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather. Rain, heat, and even wind all have their benefits. However, when all that good weather seems to be attacking your commercial roof, it can seem anything but useful. Learn how the weather can affect your commercial roof and what you can do about it.

Weather conditions that can impact your commercial roof

Fall and falling objects – when most people think of autumn, they picture stunning foliage and envision the start of the holiday season. But all those leaves, plant matter and branches can fall and inflict harm to your commercial roof, such as punctures and deterioration. Falling debris may also be cause for alarm during a windy fall. You may want to cut back any trees that are close to or overhang your roof. Additionally, keep gutters and vents clear to prevent clogs and blockages from causing standing water problems and drainage issues.

Fluctuating temperatures – in some areas, if you don’t like the weather you need only to wait 15 minutes and it will change. Unfortunately, this kind of variety can really damage your commercial roof. Often called the freeze/thaw effect, it can result in thermal shock. Rain or melting snow will quickly refreeze overnight and then melt again in the morning sun. Just one small gap in the seams or crack in the flashing can let water in. When that water then freezes, it will cause the crack to expand and lead to a major leak. Frozen water can also add up to 60 pounds of extra weight per cubic foot. If your roof is old, all the freezing and thawing will ultimately affect its ability to expand and contract as necessary, which will weaken your roof over time. It’s essential to have your roof professionally inspected at least twice a year to catch potential problems when they are small, before they become major, costly headaches. These inspections should be done in the fall to prepare for the winter and again in the spring to correct any trouble caused by severe winter weather.

Heavy snow – falling snow can look beautiful and peaceful but when it piles up and becomes heavy, it can wreak havoc on your commercial roof. It can even lead to complete roof failure. This is especially true for flat roofs due to their wide span and low slope. If you are in an area prone to lots of snowfall, your roof was probably constructed to withstand this climate. Still, there remains the possibility for danger. Heavy snow can add a considerable amount of weight to your roof and affect its load bearing capacity. The depth of the snowfall does not determine the weight. Even a minor snow event can have a major impact. Research shows that new snow can add more than 20 cubic feet of extra weight. The last thing you want to hear is creaking or loud popping sounds coming from your roof. That is an indication that you have exceeded the maximum snow load your roof can take. Other signs include sagging metal supports, warped wood and any type of distortion. It’s vital that you develop a comprehensive snow removal plan so that snow does not sit on your roof for too long. Most importantly, this work should only be performed by professionals to avoid damaging the roof and to prevent accidents.

Ice jams – have you ever glanced up to see those fascinating looking icicles hanging off buildings? They may look beautiful and intriguing, but they are actually evidence of a failing gutter system. When the water from melting snow cannot drain properly, it gets trapped and forms these ice jams. Eventually, they can become too heavy and make your gutters and downspouts collapse. You must make sure your gutters do not get clogged with ice and leaves and prevent water from flowing away from your commercial roof.

 

Commercial Roofing Contractor

How You Should Prepare for Winter

Now that we are heading straight towards the cold, frigid winter months, it is the best time to handle any critical projects before the weather takes a nasty turn. One of the most important things to discover is if your roof is in need of repairs. As it is your first line of defense against mother nature, your roof should be checked before winter to ensure no repairs are needed.

The first thing that should be done is to have a detailed roof inspection to check for damage or deterioration. During the inspection we will take a close look at the membrane of your unit, as well as all the other parts. Thing that we look for include:

Separating seams

Flashing

Drainage

Rust

Deterioration

Ponding issues

Structural issues

Skylight

Debris

Keeping Your Protected

goal is to always be by your side, helping you continue to protect your facility from the top down. At All Roofing Solutions, do not believe in a set-it-and-forget-it approach to roofing. Instead, anytime there is a problem, are here for you

Shopping For Carpet Flooring Tile

Carpet

Learn About Carpet

Carpet continues to be the most popular flooring option in residential and commercial settings. Why is carpet so popular? For one thing, it offers comfort that is unmatched. Plus, most modern-day carpets offer premium stain and wear resistant technologies meaning they can stand up to everyday challenges in your home

Carpet, especially compared to other flooring options, is one of the most stylish options of flooring available because of its wide range. There are so many different colours, shades, and patterns from which to choose, so no design is considered off limits when you choose carpet. We even use a unique system to help you narrow down your carpet selection based on lifestyle and personal style preferences.

Types of Carpet

Purchasing a new carpet for your home is more than just about what colour you want. You need to take into consideration how you use the space daily to help you determine the type of carpet you will need in your home. Do you need a waterproof carpet that can handle spills and stains? Maybe you need a commercial carpet that will stand up to heavy foot traffic? At the same time, you need to balance performance with style, as your new carpet should fit perfectly into your overall design. You definitely want to make sure to choose a carpet that will look good and last long in your preferred setting.

Types of Carpet Fibres

Carpets piles are fibres that are twisted, and these fibres can come from synthetic or natural materials. Fibres play an important role in carpet and can influence design, durability, and stain resistance. Synthetic fibres include nylon, polyester, olefin, and triexta. Nylon is a popular carpet option because it is durable, long-lasting, and can be treated to be stain-resistant. We also offer carpets made with natural fibres, including wool. Wool is also naturally hypoallergenic, resistant to staining, and can also resist show from wear

Where Can Carpet Be Installed?

Carpets are a great choice to install in bedrooms, dens, or you can even install them in living rooms as well. Our stain, wear and fade resistant carpets can be installed in places around your home that experience a lot of traffic like stairs, hallways, and even children’s playrooms and basements.

 

Carpet: Everything You Need To Know (From Types to Fibres to Price to Installation and Maintenance)

Are you planning on having carpet installed in your home or office? Carpets are a popular flooring option thanks to the feeling of warmth and coziness it gives to a room as well as how it feels to walk on.

There’s a wide range of carpet designs and styles to choose from as well as various types of carpets in terms of the fibres they are made from. If carpet ideas is what you’re looking for, this guide is for you.

In this guide, we’ll reveal everything you need to know about carpet and flooring, perfect if you’re considering new carpet. Find the best carpet, its benefits, to the different fibre types, to professional installation, and price per square metre you can expect when shopping around.

What’s So Great About Carpet?

Carpet has been a popular flooring option for thousands of years (if you factor in that rugs were the first ‘carpet’ of choice in royal and noble palaces in ancient Rome and Constantinople). Modern carpet is popular due to it’s visual appeal, affordability, as well as the warmth it gives to any room in a house or business premises.

Main Benefits of Carpet

1)  Comfort – Compared to hard surfaces such as ceramic tiles and hardwood, carpet is easier to walk on and feels more comfortable because its fibres have amazing flexibility that give better cushioning.

2)  Warmth and Insulation – The thickness and absorbent quality of carpets; regardless of its type of fibre, will keep your room better insulated and warmer.

3)  Better Acoustics – The fibres of a carpet can dampen noise inside a room because it has the ability to absorb sound.

4)  Safety – Carpets are soft and textured which means you won’t slip and fall on them like you could on hardwood or tiles.

5)  Aesthetics – You can transform the look and feel of your room simply by changing the style and design of its carpets.

6)  Low Cost – With carpets, you don’t need to treat and coat the floor as you would with hard surface materials. This lowers the cost of installation and maintenance compared to other flooring options. And hard wearing carpet can provide extra longevity meaning lower cost in the long run.

 

CARPET – BEFORE YOU BUY

Things to know before laying down money or carpet.

It just makes sense that, the more you know about something, the better able you are to make a smarter purchase decision. That goes in spades for buying carpet. Information about the construction of carpet is good, but knowledge about carpet specifics and characteristics, about its traits and subtle differences, can be invaluable.

It’s a fact. Choosing the best carpet is really about knowing the right combination of characteristics, aesthetics, performance and budget to best meet the needs of your lifestyle.

For example, looped Berbers and high twist friezes perform wonderfully in high traffic areas in your home, but an elegant Saxony in the same area may show footprints. Isn’t that good to know? We want you to know all of the important carpet facts and we’ve created this section specifically for that purpose.

UNDERSTAND THIS ABOUT SEAMS.

Carpet is available in 12’, 15’ and sometimes 13’ widths. Unless the room to be carpeted is narrower than these widths, the carpet will be seamed. With looped or low-profile patterned carpet you may have visible or peaked seams. The degree of their visibility depends on texture, color, lighting and furniture placement.

A NOTE ON BACKING AND LOOPS.

Be aware that, as carpet bends over stairs, its backing may show depending on texture, color and density. Plus, you should know that looped carpet can snag, particularly at a seam or at a carpet transition. But never fear, in the Carpet Floor Care section we provide information on how to properly care for looped carpet.

 

Why put carpets in cars, when they’re so hard to clean?

“Carpet is unforgiving. Carpet holds on to crap and dirt and filth and carpet can get stained. It’s just not something that deals well with the filthiness of the outside world.”

“For the most part, we keep our shoes on in our cars, you’re not luxuriating your toes in the thick pile of your carpet,” he said.

“Vacuuming off a rubber mat is no big deal, like all kinds of stuff just goes up,” Torchinsky said. “But carpet grabs … bits of leaves, and bark and bits of paper.”

“It’s just nobody’s really had the guts to go through and make a mainstream passenger car with something other than carpet, at least not recently,” said. “I feel like so much of what stops people from doing that are these ideas that rubber is not premium enough, like I don’t know when we all decided we were royalty worthy of being coddled in every product we have, and everything that we encounter has to be the absolute best, but it doesn’t always. Sometimes the best isn’t the most luxurious; sometimes it’s the thing that just does its job the best.”

Imagine a sewing machine with thousands of needles all in a straight line, and each of those pulling a line of yarn. The needles punch through a base layer, then a row of knives cut the thread so you end up with thousands of bit of yarn sticking up vertically.

 

SIMPLE WAYS TO KEEP YOUR CARPETS CLEAN

Simple Ways to Keep Your Carpets Clean

Carpet is one of the biggest investments in your home. At an average cost of $4.50 per square foot, carpet replacement is an expense that most people want to avoid for as long as possible. Keeping your carpet clean and free from dirt, grime, stains, and dust will keep your carpet looking new longer and also increase its lifespan

Stop Dirt and Grime at the Door. The easiest way to keep your carpet and rugs cleaner longer is by keeping dirt and grime from getting on them in the first place. Be proactive, and utilize door mats. Use outdoor and indoor mats, which work together to reduce the amount of dirt tracked into your house. Encourage family and visitors to wipe their shoes before entering your home.

Ditch the Shoes. Want to go a step beyond the doormat? We suggest you stop wearing shoes in the house. A simple Google search shows all the gross stuff shoes track into your home and on to your carpet: bacteria, chemicals, dirt… even fecal matter! Ew! Your carpet and rugs act like a magnet, collecting everything you track in and transferring it all to your floor. And let’s not overlook the wear and tear shoes cause to your carpet and floors. Shoes can literally grind in dirt, damaging carpet fibers and resulting in matting. Don’t be afraid to put a sign up for visitors to remind them “no shoes allowed.” It’s your carpet, and you have the right to protect it!

Change or Clean Your Air Filters. The more dust and particles removed by your air filter, the fewer will fall on your carpet (and tables, chairs, bed, etc). Did you know a dirty air filter causes your HVAC system to work extra hard and use more energy? That’s no good for your furnace or your wallet. It’s recommended you change your air filters every 90 days; and if you have dog or cat in the home, change them every 60 days.

Vacuum Regularly. This seems like a no-brainer, but something as simple as vacuuming is the easiest and most effective way to keep your carpet and rugs clean. Vacuuming has a significant impact on the cleanliness of your home, the air you breathe, and the life of your carpet and rugs. Aim to vacuum once a week and increase the frequency inhigh-traffic or pet areas. And don’t forget to check your vacuum bag or filter regularly. If the bag is too full, the vacuum loses suction.

Treat Stains as Quickly as Possible. The longer a stain sets in, the harder it is to remove. Always blot the stain – never rub! – using a white paper towel or cloth. Beware of using a cloth with color, otherwise you risk transferring dye and creating a bigger problem. Rug Doctor offers various spot and stain sprays that remove stains and odors at the source. Rug Doctor Pet Stain Remover is scientifically engineered to eat away biological pet stains (blood, urine, sweat, etc.), and it discourages remarking

Give your Carpets a Professional-Grade Deep Cleaning at Least Once Every Year. Although vacuuming is important, it only removes dirt from the surface of your carpet. A professional-level clean gets deep below the carpet fibers, pulling out all the gross stuff you can’t see like dust mites, pet dander, pollen and allergens

Cost Of Litigation Versus Mediation In Family Law Attorney

You don’t need a family lawyer

This may sound unexpected coming from a lawyer, but in many cases no, you don’t need a family lawyer to run your family law case.

If you are quite savvy you may well be able to ‘do it yourself’ and run your own family aw matter. There are more and more people self-representing in the family law courts. There are resources online which can help you in preparing your case and running it through the family law court system.

What role do family lawyers play, then? In short, while it is possible, self-representation is not for everyone. Not everyone is able to navigate the maze of the family law system, and prepare the reams of paperwork necessary and make the needed court appearances.

Hiring a family lawyer may end up saving you money

Not hiring a family lawyer can be a false economy. Often hiring a family lawyer will have a net result of not costing you anything – and a good one could end up paying for themselves many times over.

Family lawyers can take the stress out of it all

More importantly, however, going through a breakup is one of the most stressful things that can happen in life. Often having to navigate the court system and figure out how to draft lengthy affidavits and other court documents is the last thing that you want to be doing. Being in an adversarial position to your ex-partner can be incredibly stressful.

 

Family Law Disputes

When a couple separates or divorces, the law governs custody of children, child support and the support of a needy spouse. The law also governs the division of marital property and marital debt. There are laws that determine when you may divorce, the procedure you must follow, and what proof you need

Sometimes there has never been a family unit. Children may be born to parents who hardly know each other. Fathers may deny paternity and refuse to pay child support. Single mothers and single fathers may struggle with the burdens of parenthood. Grandparents may find themselves raising their grandchildren. The law provides relief to these children and to the people who are raising them.

Divorce

has “no fault” divorce. However, the law requires a spouse who wants a divorce to live apart from the other spouse for a period of time. If there are children, the separation must last for at least 365 days. If there are no children, the required period of separation is 180 days. There are different rules and longer waiting periods for “covenant” marriages.

Child Custody

law presumes that joint custody is in a child’s best interest. This does not mean that in all cases courts will split physical custody 50-50. It does mean that courts will encourage custody plans that maximize each parent’s opportunity to be with their child.

In joint custody, courts usually appoint one of the parents to be the “domiciliary” parent. The “domiciliary” parent has the authority to make important decisions in the child’s life such as where the child goes to school and what doctor he or she sees. If the non-domiciliary parent believes the domiciliary parent is doing the wrong thing, he or she can go to court and ask the judge to intervene.

 

Expert Family Lawyers Can Help You

FAMILY LAW ADVICE

Everyone knows someone who’s gone through a separation or divorce. It happens to 50% of couples. The legal system is designed to make things fair and equitable for everyone. When a relationship ends, you want to take steps to start moving on with life

The most important issues you need to resolve after separating are:

legally dividing the assets, money, super and debts of the relationship; and

make suitable arrangements for any children under 18.

Do I need a Lawyer?

Speaking to a lawyer does not mean you are escalating the situation or pulling out the big missiles right away. family lawyers are here to guide you through your separation. To help you do it as quickly as possible, as cheaply as possible and for you to get a good outcome.

Using a lawyer helps you stay on the right track and understand what to do next. Sometimes all we do is give advice, never communicate with your ex-partner, and make sure you’re taking all the right steps. We work behind-the-scenes.

You might have spoken to friends who’ve separated. While it’s a great idea to get emotional support from your friends, it’s not a good idea to get legal advice from someone who is not legally qualified as every situation is different – and bad advice could cost you.

 

FAMILY AND DIVORCE LAWYERS

offer a wide range of skills including thorough management of complex divorce cases as well as sensitive representation in emotionally charged custody proceedings.

offer extensive resources and a long list of services to satisfy the needs of our clients. legal experts use a team-based approach to cover every aspect of a case.

create positive overall experiences for clients even during difficult or tedious family law cases through exceptional customer service.

provide answers and peace of mind to clients during free consultations. You will not have to pay to speak to attorneys about a potential divorce or family law case

FAMILY LAW PRACTICE

The attorneys at Law are committed to helping you face your familial related legal matters head on with honest, straightforward advice and experienced legal representation. are a results oriented law firm and handle all types of family law matters

provide attentive, full service representation for all aspects of family law, including the practice areas of:

Divorce and legal separation

High net worth divorce

Executive divorce

High profile and celebrity divorce

Child custody and child visitation

Child support

Division of marital property

Spousal support and alimony

Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements

Paternity

Military divorce

 

FAMILY AND DIVORCE LAWYERS

With a careful eye toward quality of service over quantity of cases, carefully manage caseload to provide timely feedback and clear, consistent communication to clients at all times. feel that this approach grants clients peace of mind during otherwise difficult and turbulent times

family law practice is dedicated to achieving the best results. When your family is in the midst of a legal crisis or issue, it can be more than a little overwhelming, especially if you are unfamiliar with or intimidated by the legal system.

family law attorney who will guide you through all of your legal options and answer any questions you may have about how various decisions could impact your future and the future of your family. Whether you need a child custody attorney, a divorce lawyer, are trying to prove paternity and collect child support, or are unsure exactly what all might be involved with the impending dissolution of your marriage

WHAT DOES A FAMILY LAWYER DO?

Most law offices focus on divorce cases and their related issues, such as child custody, property division and prenuptial agreements. They may also offer services in estate planning, adoptions, domestic violence and other family law matters. While some focus their efforts in just one practice area, most accept cases across different subjects.

family lawyer provides depends on the law firm, as well as the needs of the particular case and client.

Answer questions and provide legal advice

Draft prenuptial and postnuptial agreements

File a divorce, separation or annulment petition

Respond to someone else’s divorce petition

Negotiate the terms of a divorce or separation

Offer alternate dispute resolution services (arbitration and mediation)

Litigate a divorce trial

Represent a client during custody proceedings

Negotiate the terms of a business contract

Attend child neglect hearings

Best Kitchen And Bathroom Remodeling Tips

How long does it take to renovate a bathroom?

Do you want to know how long does it take for a bathroom renovation?

It’s always a good idea to get a rough timeline for your bathroom renovator before you get started. While no two bathrooms are the same (because every bathroom is unique) we’re going to attempt to give you a projected timeframe of how long it takes to renovate a small bathroom and a full size bathroom. In this article, we’re going to break down each renovation stage and give you an estimated time frame for completion.

Step 1: Demolition of old bathroom

Time frame: 2-5 days

If your bathroom is made up of timber and sheet walls, demolition can take a mere two to three days at most. If your bathroom was constructed using solid bricks then it might require a bit more time to demolish. Keep in mind that during this stage, if you’re planning on changing the outlay of your bathroom, new structural beams will be added at this point.

Step 2: Plumbing and electrical wiring installation

Time frame: 1-4 days

After demolition has taken place, and the bathroom is now a skeleton, plumbers and electricians are brought in to re-route and restructure any plumbing lines and wiring to fit in with your new bathroom plan. For small bathrooms this can take a day to do. If you are changing the outlay of the old bathroom, this will require plumbing to be re-routed and wiring to be re-directed to fit in with the new design.

Step 3: Relining of new bathroom

Time frame: 1-3 days

Step 4: Waterproofing new bathroom

In this step, the new walls and new ceiling will be sheeted, set and prepared for the next stage. This can all be done within three days.  Some homes requirer rendering which takes longer due to drying time.

Time frame 2-3 days

Waterproofing is arguably the most important part of your entire bathroom renovation process. Done right it should ensure a leak-proof room for many years to come. Failure by the waterproofer to do their job properly will lead to a very big problem. Always work with reputable bathroom renovation experts. Allow up to three days for the waterproof coating to dry.

Step 5: Tiling of new bathroom

Time frame: 1-3 days

In this step, tiles will be installed, as well as doors and new walls. Once this is finished,

Step 6: Fitout and painting of new bathroom

Time frame 1-3 days

This is the homestretch, where the final finishing touches are laid up in the new bathroom. With the major basins and fixtures installed, and the tiling and sheeting all done, the bathroom can now be painted according to your specifications. Once this is done, all minor new fixtures such as tapware rails, toilet paper holders, mirrors and other trims can now be installed.

So how long does it all take?

In essence renovation of a small bathroom should take up to four weeks maximum, with a full bathroom renovation taking anywhere from six to seven weeks.

 

Factors Affecting Remodel Time

The reality is that it is a very rare bathroom remodeling project that goes exactly as planned, and a variety of factors can wreak havoc with your best efforts at scheduling:

  • Is the project a cosmetic remodel or a strip-to-the-studs rebuild? Depending on the nature of the remodel, the work can take as little as a few days or as much as many months.
  • Are you doing the work yourself or are you hiring a contractor? More than one good-intentioned homeowner has found that doing all the work yourself, squeezing in work time when you can, leads to a project that can take as much as a year to complete.
  • If you’re hiring the work out, is the contractor an owner-operator, or is he subcontracting electricians, plumbers, and carpenters? Working with a single owner-operator remodeler can be the cheapest way to go, but they’ll likely be juggling your job with several others as they try to do all the work themselves. This means that a job that requires 10 or 15 actual workdays can take two or three months to see completion.
  • Are all materials readily available or are they special-order goods that may cause you to wait for delivery? Waiting on imported ceramic tile to arrive, for example, can delay a project by several weeks.

 

Preparing for your bathroom renovation

To understand how long your project could take, you need to know what happens during a renovation from start to finish. We’ve identified five clear stages and, working on the assumption of no hiccups, given an estimated timeline of how long each phase takes.

Phase 1: Planning and development

The planning and development phase is by far the longest. It includes time spent researching the bathroom style you want, working out the cost of your bathroom renovation, hiring a renovation company, and making a blueprint for you and your tradespeople to work from.

Depending on your project scope, you may have to apply for planning permission. This is also the time to order your fixtures and fittings, so all the parts arrive ahead of the onsite start date.

Estimated time: Anywhere between one and six months.

Phase 2: Stripping your old bathroom

Ripping out all the fixtures and fittings of your existing bathroom can take a couple of days. But this may depend on whether it’s a first or second-floor bathroom, whether you’re keeping any existing fittings, and whether any structural changes need to be made to the walls.

Estimated time: One or two days.

Phase 3: Groundwork for new bathroom

A bare canvas makes it easier for the plumber and electrician to come in and do a rough-in fit. This means they put all the wiring and plumbing in place, but don’t actually connect any of it while building work is still going on. Carpenters, plasterers and tilers come in next, working on walls that need putting up and rendering, and surfaces that need to be  prepared for tiling.

Estimated time: Two to five days.

Phase 4: Fitting your new features

The fourth phase is perhaps the most exciting because you’ll finally see your new bathroom design come to life. It’s when all your new fixtures are installed, so there’s a lot to be done.

Essential tasks such as tiling and painting, grouting on the walls or floor, and waterproofing will be completed first. Some of these tasks involve drying time, which means there can be periods of inactivity during this phase. With everything in place, the plumber will complete the connections for your shower, bathtub, toilet and basins. And your electrician will reconnect the electrics for lights, underfloor heating, towel rails and extractor fans.

Glass elements like shower doors and mirrors are fitted last, so there’s minimal risk of them getting cracked or damaged while work’s going on.

Estimated time: Anywhere between five and ten days.

Phase 5: The finishing touches

Once everything has been installed and had time to dry, we’ll carry out a final inspection and clean. With that done, your bathroom is all yours to enjoy.

 

Tips To Make A Small Bathroom More Functional

Are you thinking of doing a small bathroom renovation? The bathroom can be an oasis that you can escape to and relax in. Small bathrooms, however, can easily become cluttered and claustrophobic. A few minor changes can be made to not only make a small bathroom look more spacious, but also make it more functional. The best way to get this done is by hiring a team of professionals and looking at some small bathroom renovation ideas with them so that you get a design that is best for you. For more tips, read on!

Get the right accessories:

Accessories are a great way to make your bathroom look more beautiful. The right accessories, however, can do way more than this, they can make it more functional as well. Modern towel racks, new faucets and other basic bathroom accessories can breathe new life into your small bathroom without breaking the bank. Talk to your bathroom design specialists for some more ideas on which accessories would work for your bathroom.

Update the colour palette:

Something as simple as changing the colours you have in your bathroom can make it look more spacious. Pastels, cream and white make it look more open and inviting. To make sure that the bathroom does not end up feeling like it is overwhelmed with colours, use a minimalist colour scheme or just little pops of bright colours here and there. If you have a colour scheme that you love, you are less likely to clutter up the bathroom and you can stick to a few functional accessories.

 

Get the right lighting fixtures:

Lighting fixtures work in pretty much the same manner as colours. The right lighting can make a bathroom look open and spacious. Large windows, for example, provide more depth and brighten up the bathroom. If you have a low ceiling in your bathroom, choose lighting options that do not draw more attention to the ceiling. Hanging chandeliers will not work in such a space, you can opt for nice bright wall sconces instead.

Get high a quality bathtub and accessories:

In order to get a small bathroom to look stylish, functional and practical, you need to invest in a high-quality bathtub and accessories. When choosing these, you can get colours that match your colour palette. At Belle Bathrooms we have a wide range of beautiful bathtubs and bath accessories for you to choose from. We have a long track record of helping clients get the bathrooms of their dreams.

How To Haggle For The Right Price When Buying A New Car From A Car Dealer

Buy­ing a New or Used Car

Whether you’re buying a new car or a used car, a little research up front can help ensure that you get the best value for your money. Make sure to take your time and shop around.

Buying a car is a major purchase; it is also usually a complex transaction involving a contract, financing, and a warranty. You will want to think carefully about each of these aspects of your decision. You will also want to be aware of some specific protections are available to you under the law.

Car Safety

You may consider the vehicle’s safety when considering a purchase.  Crash testing results are available. When buying any car, new or used, you can check to see if the vehicle has any unresolved safety recalls and its safety recall history.

Shopping for a Car

First you must choose between buying a new car and buying a used car. A new car may cost more but will come with a longer warranty and no history of abuse or neglect. However, new cars depreciate (lose value) almost immediately when they leave the new car lot, which means that if you can find a well-cared-for used car, it might be a good bargain.

Consider the price of the car. This sounds obvious, but car dealers, new or used, may tempt you with a low monthly payment. You should be sure to look at the total price of the car, including interest.

 

Things You Should Say To A Car Salesmen

Let’s face it, buying a car is the worst type of psychological warfare. The back-and-forth between you and the salespeople can be exhausting and excruciating. And while there are a lot of things you should watch out for when negotiating the slippery slope of a car deal, and things you should listen for that the salesman might say, there are also a few things that you, as the buyer, can say to mess with the salesman’s mind and get yourself the best deal possible.

“I need to have my trade-in appraised.”

Appraised? Say what?! Car salesmen never want you to have your current vehicle appraised. They certainly don’t want you coming into their dealership with a written appraisal from an outside third party. The salespeople at your local car dealership want to give your current car a quick glance and then low ball you on the trade-in value. Telling them that you’re getting the car professionally appraised will make the salespeople nervous and put pressure on them to get you to trade-in your current car right then and there before its true value becomes known. This is a bit of a role reversal where you put pressure on the sales staff to make a deal before the value of your used car goes up. Smart, as it will put the car salesman off balance.

“I like this car. But I don’t love it.”

Car salespeople know that you’re more likely to buy a car if you love it. Really, really love it. When you utter a phrase such as “I like this car. But I don’t love it,” you’re telling the salesman that they need to offer you more to make you commit to a vehicle that you’re fine with but not crazy about. This phrase by you will likely be followed by phrases from the salesman such as “What would make you love it?” and “How about I throw in a year-long subscription to satellite radio?” or “Let me see what I can do on the cost of an extended warranty.” By seeming less interested in the car, you put pressure on the salesman to sweeten the offer and convince you to buy the car you’re looking at. Never seem too enthusiastic about a particular vehicle. Play it cool and you will be rewarded with upgrades, additional options and a better price.

“I don’t have a credit card.”

The first thing that most car salesmen do is ask you for your credit card. And there’s a psychological reason for this tactic. It is to make you feel trapped and that you have to make a deal and buy a car to get your credit card back. Don’t fall for it. Better yet, tell the salesman that you don’t own a credit card or that you’ll give him or her your credit card once a deal is reached and you’re ready to put a deposit on your credit card. By not giving the salespeople your credit card right away, you’re forcing them to work harder to reach a deal with you and secure your credit card. Again, put the pressure on the sales staff. Don’t let them put pressure on you by holding your finances ransom. Be subtle but insistent. And if the salesmen asks for your credit card more than once, ignore them

“I know the deal is done. But can you throw this in too?”

Car salesmen love to try and throw in some extra charges after a deal has been reached on the price of a vehicle. But who says they are the only people who can employ this tactic? Nothing is preventing you from asking for some extras or upgrades before the money finally changes hands. Remember, the deposit you put down on a vehicle—typically $500 or $1,000—is refundable. Until you exchange the full agreed upon amount for a car and take possession of it, you can always back out of a car deal. Most dealers also give you 30 or 60 days to return a vehicle if you’re not happy with it. So take full advantage of this time to try and squeeze every last thing you can out of the car dealership. Ask for rubber mats to be thrown in free of charge, or for Bluetooth to be installed. Why not ask for the tow package or an aftermarket DVD player to be added? Trust us, now’s the time to negotiate these extras. Once the salesman feels he has a deal, he’ll be under pressure to placate you and ensure that the sale goes through.

 

things everyone should ask when buying a used car

Getting a car for a good price is not the only thing that you should consider when deciding to purchase a new or second-hand car, even if this is usually the deciding factor for many of us. But there is so much more that should be considered, to make sure that deal that you get is not only well priced but that you get the best possible value for your money.

Remembering to ask the right questions when buying a car is essential. A previous owner may not mention that the car hasn’t been serviced by a professional in 2 years, yet this is vital information in helping you pick the best car you can afford. Not asking all or the correct questions is an easy mistake to make, because unless you have spent years working in car sales, you would possibly not know what all to ask your prospective seller.

In the market of buying a new car? There is a whole range of used vehicles on AutoTrader for you to peruse through and to consider.

 

essential car accessories that you must have

Every car owner has to put up with some dire times every now and then. Things like flat tires, dead batteries, etc. are the kind that can leave you high and dry. While advancements in technology have more or less cured some plaguing issues for car owners, no one wants to see their car in a bad shape. We went around, talked to a few people and asked them about the things they would want in their vehicles at all times. We came up with a list which is not exhaustive but covers almost all of your needs

If you do not own a garage, chances are you would spend a lot of morning doing nothing but ensuring your car is clean as the one who is paid to do so has not showed up (that guy also is a recipient of a lot of curses). However, very few of us actually bother with keeping our cars protected from dust, dirt, Mother Nature (diarrhea-struck birds, caterpillars taking a walk, ants out on a trek, etc.). In such a case, if your car could be covered, all you would have to do every morning is take the cover off, sit in the car and drive off.

Cleaning cloth

A problem with keeping a car cover is that using it when you have parked your car at the office would make you feel like a fool (try it if you disagree with us). IN such a case, a cleaning cloth is the kind of accessory that would come to your rescue as cars get dirty standing in parking lots too. By using a cleaning cloth, you would be able to wipe off the dirt, dust, etc. from your car and would not need to put up with a car that is not as clean as it was when you drove it from your home to office. Now, you cannot use any cloth as a cleaning cloth for your car as it might damage your car’s paint too

Seats cover and floor mats

After covering the car on the outside, we move to the inside which is where you will be spending the most of your time with your car. Nowadays, many cars come with seat covers and floor mats as features covered by variants or accessories offered by dealers as essentials. However, most of the times, these accessories do not cover your needs the way you want them to. Case in point for things like seat covers and floor mats. You do not want to soil your car’s factory seat covers as they will help you fetch a good price on resale market. Similarly, you do not wish to spoil the car’s floor and hence, need good quality floor mats.

Maintaining a car is tiresome experience. Keeping it mechanically sound and clean inside-out requires a lot of effort. However, no matter how clean your car is on the inside, you would not want to sit in a place that does not smell nice. No! No! We are not judging your cleaning skills. What we are saying is not to take a chance after you have done all that effort to keep your car in top shape. Invest in a nice air freshener to ensure you feel nice when you take your car for a spin. If your smells nice, driving your car around will not feel like chore.

Puncture repair kit

An important part of your car is the set of tyres it runs on. These tyres help your car in putting down the power you ask it, help it to stop in time and help you to stay safe when you drive around in inclement weather conditions. So, ignoring your car’s tyres is not something you can afford to do. But sometimes, you do not get to know till late that your car’s tyres had been suffering until you park your car for some time. When you come back, you realise one of the tyres of your car have gone flat and now, since you cannot drive your car in that state, you are left stranded. Well, not anymore. With the mass availability of tubeless tyres on almost all cars, puncture repair kits have also become widespread and can help you in getting out of the fix called a flat tyre. You can still use a spare wheel but those trips to the local puncture repair guy is what you will be able to avoid

 

Tips on the smart way to buy a used car

Sales of new vehicles may have hit a record high, surpassing the two-million mark for the first time last year, but the majority of consumers are still projected to buy used primarily for one key reason: cost savings.

It’s been well established that new vehicles incur rapid depreciation as soon as they’re driven off the lot. Most new cars can lose up to 50 per cent of their value during the first fours years of ownership.

But looking to save money buying second-hand shouldn’t preclude buyers from wanting to ensure their car is in top condition, cautions George Iny, president of the Automobile Protection Association.

“We then looked at the cheapest seven of them and there was a story with every single ad: curb-sider, accident reconstruction, sketchy maintenance, collisions. So you’d be better off looking for used vehicles that are higher priced and bringing an ad for one of the low-priced models that’s similar to negotiate with the seller.”

But if a seller can’t show you a car’s full history, copying down its vehicle identification number (VIN) to get a CarProof report can help identify previous accident claims and any outstanding liens

How To Choose A Wedding Photographer

What are good questions to ask a photographer?

While these questions are important ones to ask any accomplished photographer you meet, they are also good questions to consider when thinking about a photographer whose work you are interested in, even if you might never meet them. The answers to these questions will teach you a great deal about what it is that makes a master photographer just such a master.

So let me explain the questions, and give you my answers:

How do you get the person, place or thing that is in front of the camera onto the film, chip or paper in just the way you want?

Every photographer develops their own shooting strategy in their own unique way, be that interning, apprenticing, assisting, graduate school, on the job training, etc. Understanding how each photographer develops their particular style is important in figuring out your own approach to photographing. I refer to the joke about getting to Carnegie Hall by “practice, practice, practice!” I have refined my skill as a photographer by taking thousands and thousands of pictures (possibly millions) over the years. I have developed my eye for making and critiquing images by listening to the frequently-critical input of the many talented photographers I have worked with over the decades. I also strive to photograph only those things I know I can photograph well, and those things I am interested in photographing.

 

Availability

Is my wedding date available?

Will you be the one shooting my wedding? If not, can I meet the photographer who will be on-site?

Pro tip: If your photographer is the owner of his or her business, and does not have a studio with other photographers in it, they will be the person shooting your wedding. If they are the owner of a larger studio and employ other photographers, make sure you meet whoever will be shooting your wedding before your wedding day—and try to have them included in the rest of this conversation.

How many other weddings will you photograph that weekend?

Will you have any assistants with you on our wedding day?

Pro tip: Some photographers always work with an assistant, while others determine if they need one based on the size of your event. If they do not always work with an assistant, adding an assistant or second photographer to your contract will most likely incur an additional fee.

Pricing and Packages

What is included in your standard package? What add-ons do the more expensive packages include?

Can I customize a package to fit my needs?

Pro tip: Many photographers offer add-ons, from engagement sessions to albums, that will allow you to get the coverage that works best for you.

Do you include engagement photos in your packages? What about pre-wedding events like rehearsal dinners?

How many hours are included in each package? How much do extra hours cost?

Pro tip: If your photographer’s base package is six hours, you may want to add some extra time so they can capture getting ready shots, or stay until after dinner to get some pictures of everyone dancing before they go home.

 

Can You Tell Me About Your Method Or Process?

This is your chance to get a look behind the curtain. Any professional – no matter who – should have distilled their work into some semblance of a system. This is especially important of photographers. They should be able to articulate how they do what they do. How do they get consistent, high-quality results for

their customers?

There’s no concrete answer to listen for and there’s no ‘right’ answer. You want to know whether or not their work stems from a carefully considered, reliable system that informs their decisions and moves the whole session along with clarity and ease. If they can’t point you to a precise system he or she has developed

over time, then at the very least they should be willing to dive in and explore the concept with you to the best of their ability.

 

You’ve worked with many people from vulnerable communities.

How do you develop a relationship with your subjects so they trust you and aren’t afraid of the camera during their weakest moments?

You have to simply build up a relationship. Make them trust you and relax. Don’t be afraid to be the photographer but be subtle at the same time, showing you’re there to tell their story to the world. If you are making someone uncomfortable, then you have to work on the relationship and show they are in a safe space.

 

What does manual mode mean and do I have to learn it?

Manual mode puts the photographer in complete control of how the photo will turn out. You have to manually set both the aperture, ISO, and the shutter speed. You can take this a few steps further and control the white balance, too. The camera will not make any automatic changes to the exposure. Your camera will still guide you to the best exposure with its built in meter.

For example, the following two images were taken at the same time. These are merely snapshots taken to demonstrate the power of manual mode. The first was taken in full auto mode and the second was taken in full manual mode. As you can see, the manual mode is better exposed and more pleasing to the eye. The image taken in auto is out of focus because the camera chose a slow shutter speed in attempt to expose it properly. Both of these images are straight out of camera.

Plan For A Successful Office Movers

How to Pack a Home Office for Moving

The top three candidates for the prize Most Difficult Room to Pack are the garage, the kitchen and… your home office. The home office? Really?

Yes.

First and foremost, your home office will contain very important documents that you just can’t afford to lose. Also, there are books to be found in almost any home office room, and books can be extremely heavy when packed into boxes.

Secondly, your home office will also have expensive electronic equipment – computers, monitors, printers, scanners, copiers, desktop phones, Wi-Fi routers, etc. So, how should you pack all those pieces of office equipment to survive the move with zero damage?

And thirdly, you should definitely not underestimate the process of packing and moving your office furniture – desks, chairs, bookcases, file cabinets, drawers, and so on. Will you be able to pack your office furniture by yourself?

 

Organize your belongings

This step mostly applies to paperwork, files and other physical documents in your office, especially if you’re the type to store loose sheets of paper stacked on a desk instead of inside a file cabinet. Start by going through everything and pulling out what you can shred or recycle. It doesn’t make sense to pack more than you need to, so try to thin your documents as best you can.

Pack your documents

With everything organized, go ahead and pack your documents in a logical way. For example, keep medical records, financial paperwork together and other common categories together.

  • If you utilize a file cabinet, you can move the cabinet as is. Just be sure the drawers are closed tight using the built-in lock so nothing is lost during the move.
  • For loosely stored documents and folders, categorize everything then stack it in a Small or Medium Box. Tape the lids shut with Box/Packaging Tape and label your boxes accordingly.

Keep your most sensitive documents with you

Designate a Small Box or bag for your most sensitive documents and take this with you in your personal vehicle car. This may include birth certificates, social security cards, bank information or anything else that you can’t afford to lose if something were to happen during the move.

 

The Most Efficient Way to Pack Up & Move Your Office Space! | Winter Moving & Storage

Ask anyone, and they will tell you that moving is a real pain that no one wants to deal with. Oftentimes, when you’re in the middle of a move, your place of work is your only respite. What do you do when you have to move your staff and your office space, though? That task may seem highly complicated, but the truth is that offices need to be as agile and nimble as your family, and maybe even more so. Whether you’re expanding production and need to make your corporate offices bigger, downsizing your company or simply moving into a different space in another locale, you need to do so as expeditiously as possible. Here are some tips for the most efficient ways to pack up and move your office space.

Piece by Piece

One way to ensure that your office move causes as little downtime as possible is to do the move in stages. If you can get all non-essential components out of your old offices and into their new homes first, that’s a smart idea. Then, why not see if some back office folks can come out and move your executives out just after closing time on a Friday? It may not be everyone’s idea of after-work activities, but if your office is small enough and your staff is eager, you can get it done pretty quickly. Buy everyone pizza as a show of gratitude once you’re in your new home.

Weekender

Another less-than-desirable idea for how to move out of a slightly larger office is to have folks come in on the weekends. If everyone can take their own supplies and other belongings out in their own vehicle, then you can get the desks, computers and bigger hardware out in pickup trucks. As long as the move isn’t too far and the offices aren’t too huge, you may be able to make a weekend of it!

Moving Professionals

If none of these ideas sound like they would be a good fit for your offices, you may need to call a moving company. Moving professionals can really do the job in as rapid a fashion as you wish. You should still make sure that everyone gets all of their personal items out on their own (that Faberge egg isn’t something that you want your office to be accountable for), but beyond that, a moving company is a great idea.

 

Tips for Packing Up Your Computer Equipment

Back up your files!

The last thing you want to do is to lose work files during a move. Backing everything up via an external hard drive or an online storage service like Google or Dropbox will ensure that your files are safe.

Remove the hard drive.

This is the irreplaceable part where those important files are stored within the computer. The hard drive is easy to take out and carry with you so opt to do so if you can.

Use the original boxes.

The original boxes are the best option since they were made specifically for your computer parts. If they’ve already been tossed, which is most likely the case, Austin moving companies and box stores will have boxes made especially for transporting computer components like towers and monitors of all sizes.

Take extra precaution with the monitor and tower.

These are the two most delicate parts that you’ll want to get extra bubble wrap for.

Check with the printer manufacturer about packing.

Some printers require you to take a few extra steps before packing like removing the ink cartridges. Check with the manufacturer to see if they have any suggestions on how to pack your printer.

Books, Legal Documents and Paperwork Packing. Don’t let a move derail your paper trail.

  • Make scans and copies of all legal documents and important paperwork.
  • Shred outdated or unnecessary paperwork to cut down on what you have to move.
  • Put loose papers in manila envelopes or folders.
  • Keep all your files together in the same box.
  • Pack books either stacked one on top of the other or with the spine against the bottom of the box.
  • Group books by size when packing.
  • Here’s one final tip. Put off packing up your office until the end so you have access to your desktop, paperwork, etc. for as long as possible.

 

Packing office furniture (Office desk, drawers or cabinets, cubicals)

Now that your office is empty and organized, the next step will be to pack office furniture and cubicles. Here are some steps on how to pack cubicle and office furniture when moving.

office desk

  • Disassemble the office desk: Before packing office desk, it’s better to disassemble the desk into as many parts as possible. Unscrew and remove all the drawers, racks and other parts of office desk.
  • Wrap each piece of the office desk in protective blankets to protect it against any kind of damage. Wrap each desk drawer carefully in protective pads and secure it with the packing tape. Make sure the packing tape doesn’t touch any part of the office furniture as it could leave marks.

Filing cabinets or drawers

If you have hired a moving company, they will more than likely do this part for you. However, if you are part of a small company, there’s a chance you may need to handle some of the larger packing aspects:

  • For vertical cabinets with only two drawers : Before packing filing cabinets, make sure all cabinets are locked. And protect all its shelves and cabinets with a few layers of strong shrink or bubble wrap.
  • For lateral cabinets containing three or more drawers : Lock all drawers and wrap cabinets in bubble or shrink wrap for added protection (all file cabinets can, however, be moved without such materials)
  • After packing cabinets, place them into moving boxes and mark each box with a brief description of its contents (for example, invoices) and the desk or department with which it belongs in your new location (if you have that information). If the contents of the box are confidential, that should also be indicated on the labeling.

Cubicles

Packing and moving cubicles can create a problem unless you have a right plan of action. So, when you are packing cubicles for a move, make sure the cubicle walls should be disassembled and wrapped in protective padding. This helps to prevent walls from falling apart and causing damage or injuries.

Toxic Black Mold Remediation Tips And Tricks From The Pros

How to Get Rid of Black Mold Naturally

Black mold can be dangerous to your health, mainly causing respiratory issues. But in severe cases and for people with pre-existing health conditions, black mold can lead to pneumonia. When you suspect a mold invasion, you might want to invest in a mold testing kit to see what type of mold spores you’re working with, and call in an expert to help with removal. But in the short-term, here are some natural home remedies (made with things you likely already have on-hand) that will help eradicate mold.

The Tea Tree Oil Solution

Tea tree oil is often used to keep spiders away, but it’s also one of the safer options for getting rid of black mold. It’s a natural fungicide that can work as a cleaning product, and it has the strength to prevent mold spores from coming back.

Grapefruit Seed Extract

Grapefruit seed extract is great to have on hand for various healthcare remedies and also cleaning solutions and potions. What makes it good at battling black mold? Its main compounds are polyphenols, known as limonoids, and naringenin, which help when killing bacteria in laundry, cleaning carpet spills (that could lead to mold growth!), and for disinfecting and sterilizing spaces. When the extract is used to fight black mold, the acids continue penetrating growth and prevent mold spores from returning.

Lemon Juice

Although this might not be the strongest weapon against black mold, it’s probably something you have in the kitchen. It’s also totally natural, and who doesn’t like the smell of freshly squeezed lemons? It will definitely smell better than the mildew/mold growing in your shower—but then again, what doesn’t?

Baking Soda

Baking soda is one of the greats. It’s a safe substance to have around your kids and pets, and it’s also effective at preventing mold and absorbing mildew odors.

Vinegar

White distilled vinegar is an affordable, natural solution to removing black mold. Its antibacterial acidic characteristics are exactly what you need to get the job done. Pour the undiluted vinegar into a spray bottle to apply to the area, or just go for it and pour that vinegar right onto the mold stains. Use a disposable towel and wipe away the mold from the area. If that doesn’t work, grab an old toothbrush and go to town on the problem zone. Allow time for this to dry, and then use a damp towel to wipe the area clean one more time.

 

Easy Ways to Control Your Mold Allergy

The difficulty in finding and identifying mold makes minimizing your exposure to mold spores tricky. But it is important: by minimizing your exposure, you can significantly diminish your symptoms. In fact, many people find that they can reduce or even eliminate their reliance on medication by taking the following steps to remove the mold from their home. The steps are listed below in approximate order of importance. The first two are the easiest and cheapest and are worth trying first.

Use a mold remover to kill visible mold. While mold can occasionally be hard to find, it is often visible to the naked eye. If you can see it, you can get rid of it. A mold removing spray cleaner will easily eliminate the mold.

Follow up with a mold preventer to assure mold does not grow back. Anywhere that mold grew once is probably a place that is conducive to mold growth. After using a mold remover, immediately follow up with a mold preventer to make sure the area stays mold free. Check it periodically, and reapply the mold preventer every once in a while.

Run a HEPA air purifier to capture mold spores that have become airborne. Sometimes it is just not possible to find and eliminate all of the mold in a house with a mold remover. If you have removed all visible mold and your allergies remain bothersome, a HEPA air purifier can be an effective solution. Place the air purifier in the room or rooms where you believe the mold is growing. It will capture 99.9% of all the airborne mold which passes through its filters, both improving the air quality in that room and preventing the mold spores from circulating throughout the rest of the home.

Use a dehumidifier to keep the relative indoor humidity below 50%. Dehumidifiers make an environment inhospitable for mold growth. Mold thrives in moist, humid areas. Eliminating excess moisture can solve a mold problem. If you think you know which room is the source of the mold problem, place the dehumidifier in that room. If you are not sure where the mold is coming from, you can use a whole house humidifier which will link to your central air system.

Install a quality disposable filter in your central air system. A good disposable filter is an effective back-up to an air purifier. It is also the best line of defense against mold spores which enter the home from the outside. Airborne mold spores will eventually circulate through the central air system and can be captured using a highly efficient disposable filter. Because all central air systems require a disposable filter, it makes sense to choose one that is effective at capturing mold spores and other allergens.

Use a filter on your window screens and window air conditioner. Mold can enter the home through open windows. If you cannot identify any likely source of indoor mold, you may be having a reaction to outdoor mold which has entered your home through open windows. To combat the entry of outdoor mold, you can use a filter that captures mold spores so they will not enter through an open window. Also, people who use a window air conditioner can use a filter specially designed to prevent the air conditioner from sucking the mold spores into the home.

 

Molds require two factors to grow indoors:

  • Moisture! This comes from condensation, leaks in pipes or foundations, or any ongoing source of water.
  • A Food Source: Somewhere to grow that provides required nutrients.

Molds particularly like to grow on wallboard, damp wood, fabrics, leather, and paper products. They can also grow on concrete or the dirt on windows or window frames. Food products, particularly vegetables, fruits, and breads provide a good place, also. It spreads by producing spores that can become airborne when disturbed directly or by air currents. These spores end up on surfaces where they grow.

 

HOW TO STOP MOLD GROWTH ON WALLS

  • Prepare the affected walls with the usual white, black or bluish patches of mold on the walls. If it has spread to adjacent areas, such as the carpet or other items, remove these from the walls and salvage whatever you can.
  • Scrub as hard as you can. Use a mixture of one part bleach and three parts water and combine it with some hard scrubbing using a heavy-duty sponge or scrub brush. Let the solution soak in for a few minutes. In even worse cases, you may need to use this bleach mixture with a formulated mold remover. Make sure to wear rubber gloves and a respirator mask for protection and turn on the ventilation fan.
  • Dry the walls completely.

 

Effects of Mold in the Home

Everyone is exposed to mold spores, but they affect each person differently. Those with allergies can suffer effects year-round. These spores can trigger reactions like allergic rhinitis or asthma. They can produce volatile organic compounds, or VOC’s. Besides the unappealing look and smell, mold can trigger allergic reactions such as respiratory irritation, watery eyes, coughing, and headaches. Coughing, wheezing, runny nose or irritated eyes and throat are all signs of a mold allergy. These can also trigger an asthma attack, with symptoms like wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath. Some strains may also be toxic! This is why we need to address an issue promptly. If you’re wondering how to get rid of mold, you’ve come to the right place!