Create A Magical Place With Outdoor Electrical Lighting

Types of Solar Lights

Solar path lights. These are small solar lights on stakes, which can be pushed into the ground alongside a walkway to softly illuminate the path at night. They are not as bright as electric path lights, so plan to use more (up to twice as many) to light your path with roughly the same glow as electric.

Where to use solar path lights. Solar path lights are ideal for illuminating walkways far from exterior outlets, and can provide an enchanting glow along winding garden paths.

Ambient and decorative solar lights. Decorative solar lights, including colorful blown glass, decorative lanterns and string lights, are not as bright as solar path lights. However, used in multiples or alongside path lights and spotlights, they can provide a warm ambient glow.

Where to use ambient solar lights. Place a few handblown glass solar lights on stakes in your garden beds for soft landscape lighting. Or hang solar string lights, like the charming mason jar lights shown here, over an outdoor dining table for a welcoming touch at your next gathering.

Solar-powered spotlights. The brightest solar lights available are called task lights or spotlights, and the best ones can provide light that’s roughly equivalent to a 40-watt incandescent bulb. That is still not as bright as a typical outdoor spotlight, so you may want to double or triple up in areas where you want bright, direct light.

Where to use solar spotlights. Motion-sensing solar spotlights can be used near doors and in the driveway. Spotlights can also be placed in the garden, with the beam of light directed at a tree or another landscape feature.

 

Can Solar Lights Charge Without the Sun?

The question often arises weather solar lights can charge without the sun.

The fact is that while cloudy and rainy days certainly block the sun, your solar lights are still receiving a charge. The clouds are diffusing the strength of the sunlight but the panels will still charge on cloudy days.

However, the impact of the lack of sunlight means that you are only getting 1/3 to 1/2 of the charging ability. Therefore your lights will only operate on that fraction of time as well.

Even if you have a few cloudy days in a row, you will see your lights working during that time because of the storage capability of power in your batteries. However, if your solar lights do not receive a full charge for many many days in a row, that can affect the life and efficiency of your battery.

If you live in an area that has prolonged days of poor weather, save your lights by either switching them off or removing them, depending on the situation.

Thankfully situations like rain and cloudy days are a temporary issue. When the sun does come back out for a prolonged period of time, your batteries will charge back up and your solar lights will be working at full capacity within a few days. Just make sure that you remember to turn your lights back on if you had temporarily shut them off.

 

Shedding Light On Solar Powered Lighting: How Long Will They Shine?

Summer is in full swing and people are firing up the grill and cleaning out their pools, commencing another season of BBQs and backyard parties. With all the get-togethers going on and the weather being so nice at night the party shouldn’t have to end with the sunset!

Charging Solar Lights for the First Time

Solar powered lighting has long been an option for home and garden lighting needs.To get the most out of your new solar lightsmust generally be fully charged before they are able to perform at their optimal capabilities. The number of hours of sunlight it takes to charge your solar lighting device will depend on how much direct sunlight they receive. We recommend charging your solar lights for one to two days before their first use. Some may be charged for shorter than that, but it will decrease the length of time they are able to perform. Of course, a few consecutive partly cloudy days or one completely dark day will usually reduce your solar lights to a dim glow after only a few hours.

Full Charge of Solar Powered Lighting

We found that the time range a solar light can operate on a full charge varies by specific product but that the overall range for all kinds of solar lighting was 4 – 12 hours with an overall average of 8.5 hours of illumination on a full charge. This range is rather large, but you can get a better idea of how long your solar garden lights will last if you know what kind of solar lighting application you plan on using.

How Much Time for Specific Kinds of Solar Lighting

Solar path and accent lighting seems to fare better than hanging and lamp post-mounted devices with an average of 9.8 hours of illumination and a range of 7 – 12 hours. Hanging and lamp post solar lights average 7.3 hours of illumination and have a range of 4 – 12 hours. The difference in average is most likely due to placement of the solar panel and not the type of solar light. Solar ground lights may have better placement on average because some mounted devices’ solar panels are shaded by eaves or other objects for part of the day.

 

So how long do solar lights actually last?

Solar lights, like most rechargeable products, eventually run out of power and must be recharged. But how long do solar lights last? Unlike most rechargeable products, solar lights can be exposed to sunlight during the day in order to provide lighting at night.

Sunlight that reaches the solar panels generates electricity that is stored into the solar light batteries, and is used once it is dark outside. The batteries in solar lights typically last for 2 years before they have to be replaced, as they are no longer able to hold enough energy to provide lighting.

 

Rejuvenating solar garden lights — with nail polish!

Solar LED garden lights are everywhere these days, and by ‘everywhere’ I mean ‘in our yard.’  We’ve had some for a few years now, and simply through exposure to the elements, the plastic that covers the solar cells becomes so opaque that only a small amount of light gets to them any more.  With the solar cells deprived of even that meager light that we get in Massachusetts in the winter, the solar cells don’t recharge the battery, the battery doesn’t power the LED, the LED doesn’t light up, and our yard has a serious bling deficiency.  Eleanor and I took our solar garden lights inside to see if we could make them bright again somehow.

My first thought when confronting the frosted-over plastic was to try to ‘polish’ it with a fine-grit sandpaper.  I had 400-grit handy and tried it on one cell, the bottom one in this picture.  The top shows how weathered the cells were to start.

The sanding helped a little.  Then I rinsed the sanded plastic dust off with water in the sink, and while it was wet it looked great, but as it dried it became frosted and opaque again.  Thinking that perhaps we could use a mild plastic solvent to ‘polish’ the rough surface, I dabbed the solar cells with acetone, but again, as soon as it dried, the surface went from clear to cloudy again.  “We need some way to keep it ‘looking wet’ even when it’s dry,” I mused.  Eleanor got a wide-eyed LIGHTBULB! look in her eyes, and grabbed a bottle of clear nail polish!  She applied a few test swatches.

The nail polish made the weathered old solar cells crystal clear again!  I held the lights while Eleanor applied an even coat of nail polish to all the solar cells.  It really didn’t matter whether the cells had been sanded or not, so we didn’t bother.

A few minutes later, the polish was dry, and we planted the lights outside again.  You can see how completely clear the solar cells are.  Our only concern was that the nail polish might block the UV light that provides a good portion of the solar energy to the cells.

We waited for twilight to fall, and when we checked the lights: success!

Choosing a Professional Moving Service

Moving all of your personal belongings and household items can be a very stressful experience if you don’t plan properly and select a team of professional movers who can guide you every step of the way. In order to arrive in your new home organized and ready to unpack you’ll have to follow some tips for making your change a stress-free and successful one.

One of the first things that you should do when you know that you are going to move is to review moving companies and get references from them about the services that they have provided for others. Finding a team of professional movers near me is one example of how to make your move safe, secure, and stress-free; the key to any successful move is the company with which you partner to help you with the transition.

Before moving day, you need to sort out your household items into three categories so you do not have that much to move. You need to decide what you are going to move, what you are going to sell, and what you are going to give away. Where you are going will also figure into what type of moving service you need such as a local mover if you are moving locally or an interstate mover if you are moving to another state. Knowing what you have to move will help the moving companies know how large of a truck they will need to use when quoting you a price.

If you are not sure which professional moving service you should hire talk to your friends, neighbors, or anyone you know that has moved recently. They can tell you if you should contact the moving service they used or if you should stay away from them. Getting recommendations from others you know is better than just picking one from the phone book or the internet.

Make the Smart Economic Decision and Hire a Moving Company

In most cases, if you are trying to move all on your own, you will wind up having to take time off work. This will likely mean that you lose income and have to work late into the night to simply finish the moving process. Additionally, too many homeowners take the process of moving less seriously than it should be, which leads to injuries, costing more time and money. Hiring a professional team of movers, from a moving company can alleviate all of these issues.

Avoid the Hassle of Packing with Professional Movers

There is no need to make things more difficult for yourself than they have to be. When you hire the services of a professional moving company, with trained and experienced movers, then you will be able to relax a little and leave the stress of packing all of your knick knacks to the pros. The movers that pack your items will have the training needed to handle any fragile items, while packing faster and more efficiently than you would likely to able to.

Moving can be tiring and stressful. It is better to make sure the house is thoroughly clean and safe prior to moving in; this will help limit any unexpected problems. Trying to change the locks, checking for pest problems, and cleaning the house during your move may be overwhelming. Once you’re settled in your new home, you will have other to-do lists, such as: shopping for equipment to keep the house in livable condition. These items include: lawn mowers, snow blowers, and lawn equipment; which are all tools that you will need to have shortly after you move into your new house. Moving doesn’t have to be a race, take your time, be proactive, and enjoy your new house.

Start Your Residential Home Remodeling Now

Things to Consider Before a Home Remodel

Construction / Remodels

A home remodel can be one of the most rewarding and stressful events a home owner will go through. There are numerous considerations to go over before making a decision to remodel–event down to considering whether the project is worth taking on at all

Do you love the area? Even if you only plan to stay in a house for a short time, it’s important to like where you live, and it’s even better if you adore your neighborhood. Don’t worry what your parents or friends think — does the area work for you and your family? Neighborhood vibe, friendliness, local attractions and restaurants, noise level, schools, weather, history – what matters to you is what matters most.

Will the area love your ideas? Are you planning to fit an edgy, slick design into a folksy ranch neighborhood? You could be risking your new neighbors hating you before you even move in! Blending an extensive remodel into a well-established neighborhood while incorporating fresh ideas is not for the do-it-yourselfer. Hiring experts, like our team at A.C.T. Builders ensures we get it right the first time.

Don’t overbuild, but don’t underbuild either. Updating an older home is a rewarding process, but if your ideas go beyond what a future buyer will appreciate, you’ll pay for it when you go to sell. On the other hand, choosing shortcuts and inferior building supplies is readily evident as well.

Does the house have “good bones”? Tearing out walls is not the time to discover an original structure was so poorly built that major changes, and expensive renovations, need to be made. Our experienced team of builders are honest and upfront, so we are not afraid to tell you a certain design won’t work in the hopes of netting a larger fee when the “worst” is discovered. We are also great at making the good bones of a house into a stunning place to live — the home your house was always meant to be

 

What you can do now to plan and manage a home renovation once conditions are right

Contractors are more likely to take outdoor rather than indoor projects during the coronavirus pandemic. But you should plan your remodeling job and sign your contract now so that you’ll be at the top of the list when conditions improve

Like everyone else, you’ve been spending lots of time at home during the past several weeks. And you’ve probably become more acquainted with all the flaws in your home: the outdated kitchen cabinets, the frayed carpeting in the family room that needs to be replaced by hardwood, the spare bedroom that needs to be converted into a dedicated office

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, home construction — including remodeling — had been deemed an essential business under the original stay-at-home orders in the District, Maryland and Virginia. But whether a specific project is considered appropriate is a matter largely determined by homeowners and contractors.

Merrick, who also serves as chairman of the government affairs committee for the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), said contractors are more likely to take on outside rather than inside projects. In the case of a customer seeking to renovate the basement of her D.C. rowhouse, the decision was made to wait until the late spring or early summer when everyone would feel more comfortable.

The slump in activity may work to your advantage, experts say. Because work has dried up, some contractors may be more willing to give you a better deal on the pricing than they would have several months ago when demand for their services was high.

 

Home Improvement

Spend an hour with a pro.

Invite a realtor or interior designer over to check out your home. Many realtors will do this as a courtesy, but you will probably have to pay a consultation fee to a designer. Check with several designers in your area; a standard hourly fee is normally less than $100, and in an hour they can give you lots of ideas for needed improvements. Even small suggested improvements, such as paint colors or furniture placement, can go a long way toward improving the look and feel of your home

Inspect it.

Not every home improvement is cosmetic. Deteriorating roofs, termite infestation or outdated electrical systems — you can’t fix it if you don’t know it’s broken. Hire an inspector to check out the areas of your home that you don’t normally see. They may discover hidden problems that could negatively impact your home’s value. Small problems (such as a hidden water leak) can become big, expensive problems quickly; the longer you put off repairs, the more expensive those repairs will be.

Paint, paint, paint.

One of the simplest, most cost-effective improvements of all is paint! Freshly painted rooms look clean and updated — and that spells value. When selecting paint colors, keep in mind that neutrals appeal to the greatest number of people, therefore making your home more desirable. On average, a gallon of paint costs around $25, leaving you plenty of money to buy rollers, painter’s tape, drop cloths and brushes. So buy a few gallons and get busy!

Find inspiration.

An alternative to hiring a designer is to search for remodeling and decorating inspiration in design-oriented magazines, books, TV shows and websites. Simply tear out or print off the ideas you want to try and start your to-do list. Keep it simple — when remodeling on a tight budget, do-it-yourself projects are best.

Cut energy costs.

The amount of money you spend each month on energy costs may seem like a fixed amount, but many local utility companies provide free energy audits of their customers’ homes. They can show you how to maximize the energy efficiency of your home. An energy-efficient home will save you money now, which can be applied to other updates, and is a more valuable and marketable asset in the long run.

 

Things to Consider While Planning a Budget for Your Kitchen Remodel Costs

The kitchen is a popular place for families and friends to congregate. Family members grab a quick breakfast before rushing out the door, kids work on  homework and chat about their day while a parent prepares dinner and friends  gather around sipping drinks and tasting appetizers during a dinner party. The  kitchen really is the heart and soul of what a home is.

Two big reasons to remodel your kitchen

A kitchen remodel is one of the most popular ways to spruce up a home in order  to make it more comfortable. A remodel can also make the house more appealing prior to getting an appraisal. It is second only to remodeling a bathroom as the most common home remodeling project.

Home buyers want nice kitchens, so kitchen updates are likely to cause an increase in value during the appraisal process, and buyers may favor your home over others that have outdated kitchens. Having an updated kitchen will likely result in improving your equity and overall home value.

With predicted home value increases, you will eventually recover part of the money you spend on a home improvement – here are some facts:

Remodeling Magazine research indicates that homeowners typically recover 83% of their costs for minor kitchen remodel projects (average of $20,000) and 65% of their costs for major remodels (average of $60,000).

An upscale major kitchen remodel, with an average cost of $120,000, provides an estimated 62% return on a home’s selling price.

With a kitchen remodel, you get the immediate benefit of living in a nicer space with the added benefit of a higher sale price and a faster sale when you go to sell your home in the future.

Setting up your kitchen remodel and expense budget

Kitchen remodels that may add value typically include new appliances, cabinetry, countertops, flooring, and fixtures

 

Home Improvement Ideas For Those On A Budget

Need to do some updates around the house but think you lack the funds for any worthwhile home improvement projects? It is true that home repair and renovation can be expensive, but there are also some cool things you can do on the cheap

Check out these step by step tutorials for some inexpensive ways to update and improve your home, but on a budget. From DIY kitchen decor ideas to ways to update your bathroom on a budget, cheap living room decor to bedroom furniture, you are sure to find one or more projects to try out this weekend. Recently, I updated my bathroom vanity using the concrete countertop suggestion, and it looks so amazing

Trying to decide which easy home improvement project to tackle next, and super excited knowing I have some affordable options. Cheap home renovation projects and home improvement ideas that are sure to fit your budget, there is now no excuse for not having the home of your dreams.

Paint Your Cabinets

Are you thinking about updating your kitchen, namely your kitchen cabinets? Repainting them is easy, but only if you know what you are doing. Proper surface prep is crucial if you want this home improvement project to turn out right. Learn how with this step by step tutorial with this DIY idea for kitchen cabinets.

Faux Shiplap Backsplash With Peel ‘N Stick Flooring

Another easy home improvement project idea that you can make without spending a ton of money or time, this faux shiplap backsplash tutorial uses adhesive flooring to create an easy backsplash. No serious woodworking or carpentry skills required and of course, no tile cutter needed. If you love the look of a pretty tile backsplash, but can’t exactly lay tile yourself or afford it, try this cool tutorial. For DIY countertops you’ll love, look no further than this cool home improvement hack.

How Professional Control Scorpion

Scorpion

Scorpions strike terror in many people and have been both hated and admired since ancient times. This is probably due to their fearsome look, with pincers called pedipalps at one end and a stinger filled with venom at the other. Scorpions are not insects but arachnids, like spiders, and have eight legs and two main body regions, the prosoma, or cephalothorax, and the opisthosoma, or abdomen. The prosoma has two eyes on top and two to five lateral eyes along each side (as many as five pairs).

Even with all those eyes, scorpions can’t see very well! Yet the sensitivity of their eyes is among the highest in all arthropods and dependent on the kinds of habitats in which they live. In general terms, however, their eyes mostly tell movement and light from dark.

The scorpion’s four pairs of legs are attached to the prosoma as well. Scorpions find their way through sensory structures in their legs, by feeling along with brush-like structures called pectines attached to the underside of the abdomen, and through fine sensory hairs to detect vibrations. Male scorpions also use the pectines to find an available female, and newborn scorpions use them to recognize their mother. Though scorpions have no true “tail,” the appearance of one on the abdomen is called the metasoma, and it ends with a sharp stinger and venom glands.

Scorpions have been on Earth a long time and are among the first animals to have adapted to land living—around 420 million years ago. There are fossil records from that time period of a marine scorpion that grew up to 3.3 feet (1 meter) long! Today, scorpions use book lungs to breathe, a type of breathing organ also used by some spider species and very similar to gills.

Scorpions are numerous in many regions but are rarely seen, due to their nocturnal and secretive nature. Even so, many cultures have myths involving scorpions and their powers. Some people believe that scorpions commit suicide by stinging themselves when threatened by fire. This is not true, as they are immune to their own venom.

 

Frequently Asked Questions about Scorpions.

The purpose of this page is to present answers to some of the questions I often get about scorpions. This page will gradually be extended as more questions occur. This page is devoted to questions about scorpion biology only, and will not adress questions about captive care of scorpions and scorpions as pets.

What is a scorpion?

Scorpions are members of the class arachnida, which also includes spiders (Aranea), mites (Acari), harvestmen (Opiliones), camelspiders (Solifugae), whip scorpions (Uropygi), whip spiders (Amblypygi), Peudoscorpions (Pseudoscorpiones) and a few more smaller orders. Scorpions are easy recognizable by their characteristic pincers and the tail with a stinger. Another uniqe characteristics for scorpions is the comb-like structure on the underside known as pectines.

Where can I find scorpions?

Scorpions are distributed in tropical and some temperate areas on all continents except Antarctica and New Zealand. In Europe, northern distributied is south of the Alps (but an introduced population of Euscorpius flavicaudis exists in southern England). In North America, scorpions can be found as north as southwestern Canada. Scorpions are occationally found outside their natural areas, but these are introductions resulting from scorpions traveling as stowaways in luggage, transports of merchandises etc.

How do I find scorpions?

Most scorpions are nocturnal and will hide during the day. Some species will hide under stones and other suitable objects on the ground. Others will hide in cracks and crevices in rock, trees, houses etc. Some species prefer hiding under bark of old and dead trees. Finally, many species make own burrows in the substrate.

How large/how small can scorpions get?

Scorpions come in many sizes. The longest scorpion is probably Hadogenes troglodytes from southern Africa, which can reach more than 21 cm in length. Long scorpions are also found in the genera Heteromtrus, Pandinus and Heteroscorpion. The rumour about an Asian Heterometrus measuring up to 30 cm is probably only a myth, as it has never been verified by reliable sources. The heaviest scorpion is probably Pandinus imperatur, which can weight more than 50 gram (adult females). The smallest scorpions are found in the genus Microtityus, which only reach 12 mm in adult lenght. There are also other small genera, some of them recently described because of they cryptic way of life. Most scorpions are 4-12 cm long. A couple of fossil scorpions, e.g., Brontoscorpio, may have been as much as 1 meter in length.

 

Scorpions

Scorpions are arachnids, not insects as you would think. They are close relatives to spiders, mites and ticks. There are approximately 1,300 species of scorpions worldwide. They have elongated bodies and a segmented tail that has a stinger on its tip. Scorpions are very common in the Southern and Southwestern United States.

Prevention and Exclusion

Scorpions may invade structures and crawl under any object that provides protection. Since gaps around doors are a major entryway for these occasional invaders, seal up gaps indoors with weather stripping. Bark Scorpions have been known to climb into the tiniest of cracks. Plug up gaps around wires and pipes. Remove any clutter inside and clean up to eliminate any possible hiding places for scorpions. Since scorpions become active in the early spring, use exclusion methods during the fall and winter months. Scorpions can not climb on clean glass. Place wide- mouth jars under tables and crib legs, if this poses a problem of potential broken glass, apply petroleum jelly on the legs.

Avoiding Stings

Be careful in picking up objects during the summer months. Inspect the underside and scrutinize the object. Shake out shoes and clothing vigorously before wearing them. Do not walk barefooted at night. Use a UV light ( causes them to glow ) when moving about at night in scorpion infested areas. Do not swat at scorpions found on your body; brush them off instead.

Recommended Insecticides

During the spring and summer months, use residual insecticides in both a liquid form and dust form. We recommend either an encapsulated insecticide such as Ultracap 9.7 or a wettable powder formulation that mixes with water like Cyper WSP or Demon WP. Dust in void areas with an insecticide dust. We recommend D-Fense Dust. It is also helpful to use insect glue boards inside along the baseboards.

Use a residual insecticide like Lambdastar Ultracap 9.7 or a wettable powder (WP) like Cyper WSP. They should be applied as a 3 to 10-foot band around the perimeter of the structure, into harborage sites, and around potential entry points, such as: around all windows and doors, along baseboards, plumbing, inside closets, and garage and basement areas.

 

SCORPION FACTS YOU NEED TO KNOW

Scorpions are very distinct creatures belonging to the family of Arachnids. They can be anywhere from 1/2 inch to over 8 inches in length. Generally, scorpions are tan in color but there are some species that are yellow, black or red. While the size and color varies from scorpion to scorpion, the body structure is the pretty much the same for all species. All scorpions have eight legs with two pinchers, or pedipalps, and a segmented body that leads to a tail which curves up over the body. The tail has a stinger on the end which is used to kill or paralyze its prey. The size of the pinchers often tells how poisonous the scorpion is. Large rounded pinchers often indicate a non-poisonous scorpion while small slender pinchers such as those found on the striped bark scorpion indicate a fairly poisonous and possible deadly scorpion.

Scorpions are quite common in much of the southern and southwestern United States. While there are only 13 families of scorpions, there are more than 1,400 species of scorpions worldwide. Out of the 1,400+ species, only 25 have the ability cause death in humans. In America, the Bark Scorpion, also known as the Centruroides gertshi or Centruroides sculpturatus, is the most well-known for causing human fatalities

Another popular scorpion found in the United States is the Centruroides vittatus, or the striped scorpion. This species doesn’t have life threatening venom and is prominent throughout the southern states.Most species which enter houses are not very poisonous, their stings being comparable to those of bees or wasps. However, certain species in the desert Southwest can be dangerous, especially to sensitive or allergic people. Most scorpions are active at night. During the day they hide under bark, boards, rocks, or in rubbish. In houses, they are most often found in undisturbed areas such as closets, seldom-used shoes, or folded clothing.

WHERE TO FIND AND LOCATE SCORPIONS

You may be surprised to learn that scorpions can be found on every continent except Antarctica, but dry climates are their favorite. Due to the fact that scorpions are nocturnal, they hide during the day. Popular indoor hiding places for scorpions include closets, piles of laundry, attics, bathroom or kitchen cabinets and crawl spaces. Scorpions also don’t like temperatures over 100°F, so it’s not uncommon to find them burrowed in the sand, under rocks or in shady spaces when outdoors.

HOW TO GET KILL & GET RID OF SCORPIONS

It can be difficult and time consuming to control scorpions in and around a home, but it can be done. The first thing that should be done is thoroughly cleaning of the inside of the house. Carefully pick up all laundry and debris cluttering the floors. Clean the bathroom and kitchen cabinets out, as well as, the closets and other rarely used spaces. It’s wise to treat these areas while the are empty with residual sprays such as Onslaught Fastcap or Demon WP. Onslaught Fastcap is specially designed for scorpion and spider control. It kills on contact and also leaves behind a residual barrier that continues to kill scorpions for up to 3-4 weeks

 

How to get rid of scorpions

For many people, there is little more startling than suddenly finding yourself face-to-face with a scorpion. Although a scorpion does not go hunting for people, if they feel threatened they will sting. For some people, such as those in Arizona, this can be a problem since the Arizona bark scorpion can be a potential health risk.

How did the scorpion get inside your house, you may wonder? There are a number of reasons and ways for scorpions to get inside your home. The bigger concern may be, how to get rid of scorpions once they’re there. The last thing you need is a scorpion infestation around your property or inside your home.

How do scorpions get inside your house?

A scorpion is generally not very big. When you look them right in the eye, they may seem huge, but they really aren’t. They are thin and can crawl up walls and ceilings.  A window set high off the ground with a broken screen is enough of an opening that a scorpion can reach and get inside.

scorpion specialists

One of the pest control specialists offer is an inspection of your property. When you call us to tell us that you have been seeing a lot of scorpions in and around your property, we will inspect your home to find out where they are coming from, why they are there, and offer advice on how to keep them out. Our scorpion specialists can also get rid of scorpions already in the house.

What brings a scorpion inside the house?

Scorpions are like any other animal. They want easy access to food. They want shelter from inclement weather and from potential predators. They want to stay warm and hidden, too. Even a scorpion may find cold desert nights too much to bear and will crawl inside a nice warm house to say toasty and safe for the night.

Pediatric Dentistry From Infancy To Young Adult

How to Choose the Right Pediatric Dentist for Your Child

Being the parent of a little one (or a couple or a few) means making a lot of decisions each day—what to dress them in, what to feed them, what books to read, toys to purchase, schools in your district. There are also a lot of questions you’ll ask, such as: “How do I care for my child’s oral health? How do I help them through teething? When is fluoride toothpaste safe for them to use?”

It can feel a little overwhelming to think about. We’re pleased to provide supportive care and education that teaches children the importance of oral health and good habits that will keep their smile happy and healthy for life.

1 Tooth, 2 Teeth, Red Tongue, Blue Toothpaste

Did you know Dr. Seuss was a dentist? We joke (but first a little bit of trivia: the beloved writer and illustrator wasn’t actually a doctor at all, but wrote under the pen name Dr. Seuss because his father wanted him to practice medicine), but this is to emphasize how we like to make the dental world a fun, creative, exploratory, and yes, sometimes silly place for children to visit. That’s one difference you might find between a pediatric dentist and a general dentist

Olly Olly Oxen Free

Finding the right pediatric dentist for your child doesn’t have to be a tricky game of hide-and-seek. The AAPD (American Academy of Pediatric Dentists) has a search tool that can help you narrow your selection based on your location.

 

How to Choose a Pediatric Dentist

A Lifetime of Oral Health Starts Early

Pediatric dentists are specialists in treating the unique needs of children. A pediatric dentist has completed two to three years of specialty training beyond dental school. He or she limits the practice to treating the oral health needs of infants and children through adolescence, including those with special health needs.

Consider education and experience.

Once you have a list of a few pediatric dentists, do a little research. Find out about their educational background, where they went to school, and what kinds of continuing education or specialty training they’ve had. Before you set up an appointment, make sure the candidate is a licensed member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. This ensures that he or she remains up to date on the newest and most effective clinical procedures.

Make sure your child is comfortable.

It’s very important for your child to feel comfortable with the pediatric dentist. Does the doctor have a pleasant chairside manner? Do you feel like he or she really pays attention to your concerns? Is the staff friendly and helpful? Does the office have a fun atmosphere that your child enjoys? Take all this into consideration when choosing a pediatric dental office.

Ask questions.

During your initial consultation, don’t be afraid to ask questions. After all, that’s why you’re there! It’s important for you to understand every aspect of your child’s dental health and the available treatment options. The more informed you are about your child’s dental health, the better decisions you will be able to make.

A few things to consider:

Is the office located near your home or work to make appointments as convenient as possible?

Do they offer extended office hours before or after work and school?

What types of insurance does the office work with and what kind of financing do they offer?

Do the dentist and staff seem interested in making your child’s experience personalized, or do you feel like “just a number?”

 

How to Choose a Dentist for Your Child in Frisco

From the moment they’re born, you can’t enough of your child’s smile. Knowing how to choose a dentist for your child is one of the most important jobs you have as a parent

Even though your child will lose their baby teeth, early dental care is still important. You’re helping them to form healthy habits early and help them keep a sparkling smile for life.

Check That They Have Pediatric Dental Experience

Children’s dental needs are different from adult dental needs, and your child will benefit from going to a dentist designated for their unique care.

Request a Consultation

When choosing a dentist for your child, it’s good practice to request a consultation with the dentist and their team. This gives you a chance to ask questions about their treatment options and approach to dental care, as well as discuss costs and insurance.

Tour the Facilities

Call the dentist’s office to see if you and your child can come in for a tour. This should tell you immediately whether the practice is kid-friendly or not.Some offices that call themselves kid-friendly aren’t geared specifically toward kids. Instead, their office looks like any other dentist office and treat patients of all ages.

 

Pediatric Walker Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best

Although most people may think of walkers as a tool for the elderly, they can provide excellent mobility assistance for people of all ages. Specifically, children and teens living with disabilities or recovering from illnesses utilize walkers to safely and easily move through the world.

Pediatric walkers are designed somewhat differently than those made for adults. In addition to coming in smaller sizes and bright colors, pediatric walkers often include advanced adjustability to better accommodate growth and changing needs over time.

Who Uses Pediatric Walkers and Gait Trainers?

Because the human body functions best when it’s upright and able to bear weight when walking or standing, these are activities you want to encourage your children to perform on a regular, daily basis. When children need help with standing or walking due to any number of disorders, conditions, and disabilities, it’s important to provide them with supportive devices like walkers and gait trainers so they can enjoy the multiple health benefits upright mobility offers.

Children who aren’t walking unassisted by the age of 2 or 3 may benefit from the use of a walker, as long as they can walk with handheld support. Any ambulatory kids who need to strengthen leg muscles, or need help with alignment, stride, cadence, and step length can also find great developmental assistance with a walker or gait trainer

Walkers vs Gait Trainers: What’s the difference?

Walkers, also known as rolling walkers, walking frames, rollators, and standard walkers, are also sometimes referred to as gait trainers. While they may offer similar features, walkers and gait trainers are used for different stages of walking ability, especially when they’re used by children and teens.

 

How to Choose a Pediatric Dentist

A Lifetime of Oral Health Starts Early

Pediatric dentists are specialists in treating the unique needs of children. A pediatric dentist has completed two to three years of specialty training beyond dental school. He or she limits the practice to treating the oral health needs of infants and children through adolescence, including those with special health needs.

Choosing a pediatric practice to trust with the health and beauty of your child’s smile is an important decision. Making a positive first impression at the dentist can influence children’s view of dentistry for the rest of their lives, so it’s important to make sure your child is comfortable with the doctor and staff.

Consider education and experience.

Once you have a list of a few pediatric dentists, do a little research. Find out about their educational background, where they went to school, and what kinds of continuing education or specialty training they’ve had. Dr. Tam and Dr. Cottrell are both board-certified pediatric dentists with more than 30 years of combined experience. They have completed an additional two years of post-doctoral training in the recognition and treatment of children’s dental services. This specialty education includes child psychology, behavior guidance, preventive techniques, restorative dentistry, and the treatment of children with special needs. Dr. Speaker is our resident orthodontist that monitors patients during early treatment, and creates straight, beautiful smiles through their teen years into adulthood. Before you set up an appointment, make sure the candidate is a licensed member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. This ensures that he or she remains up to date on the newest and most effective clinical procedures.

Make sure your child is comfortable.

It’s very important for your child to feel comfortable with the pediatric dentist. Does the doctor have a pleasant chairside manner? Do you feel like he or she really pays attention to your concerns? Is the staff friendly and helpful? Does the office have a fun atmosphere that your child enjoys? Take all this into consideration when choosing a pediatric dental office.

Ask questions.

During your initial consultation, don’t be afraid to ask questions. After all, that’s why you’re there! It’s important for you to understand every aspect of your child’s dental health and the available treatment options. The more informed you are about your child’s dental health, the better decisions you will be able to make.

A Good Criminal Defense Attorney Is Your Ally

Hiring a Criminal Defense Attorney

If you have been charged with a crime, you need to hire a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. Since the attorney you choose will handle your criminal case, which will have a significant impact on the rest of your life, you should take the time to find the right one for you. In order to find an attorney that can assist you in achieving the most favorable outcome for your specific case and circumstances, look for an attorney with exceptional knowledge and who can give you the attention you deserve

Why It’s Vital to Hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer

If you have been charged with a crime, you have the right to hire a criminal defense lawyer to represent you. Although you may be reluctant to spend money on a legal advocate, understand that a criminal defense attorney may help you avoid a permanent criminal record as well hefty fines, jail time, a damaged reputation, and a difficult future

An experienced criminal defense lawyer has a thorough understanding of your rights outlined in the United States Constitution and can help ensure you are not being taken advantage of during a criminal investigation and trial. With a criminal defense lawyer by your side, you’ll be able to understand the possible punishments for your crime as well as possible defenses that may reduce those penalties.

uestions to Ask When Hiring a Defense Attorney

Fortunately, most criminal defense attorneys offer a free initial consultation to prospective clients. By taking advantage a free consultation, you can take the time to find out how an attorney’s knowledge and experience will be most beneficial to your case. The questions listed below will help you select an attorney that is the most fitting for your particular situation

How long have you practiced criminal law? Since criminal law is constantly evolving, you need an attorney who has a great deal of experience handling criminal cases and stays up-to-date on the law and criminal defense strategies

 

Why I Chose To Be A Criminal Defense Lawyer

As a criminal defense attorney you hear this question a lot and it’s a hard one to answer. Most people expect a very legal-sounding response. One that goes something like this

I defend people because without good, competent defense the constitution has no value. If people are charged with crimes and we don’t have a system in place to ensure fair treatment, then the system can become out of balance.

But that’s not the whole truth. While being a “cause” attorney or “constitutional warrior” has benefits, for me, preserving our constitutional rights is merely a fringe benefit of the job I love. The real truth is that for me and many other criminal defense lawyers that I know, the main benefit is making a huge difference in the lives of some really great people. Those “people” can be your father; your mother; a brother or sister; or your child. The real truth is that they are human beings and many of those human beings, I learn to really care about during my time defending them.

Have they done wrong? Sometimes they’ve done a whole lot of wrong, some really bad things. But if I’ve learned nothing else as a criminal defense attorney, I’ve learned this: every human being has some good inside of them if you look for it.

My job is to look for and find the good in each client I defend. My mission as a criminal defense lawyer is to uncover all those great qualities my client has demonstrated over the course of his or her life. Once I get to the truth and understand the admirable and good parts of the person, I get the privilege of being a storyteller on their behalf.

 

RESPONSIBILITIES OF CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEYS

Criminal defense attorneys carry the important responsibility of ensuring that persons who have been accused of crimes receive just treatment under the law. Under the 6th Amendment of the Bill of Rights, persons who have been accused of criminal acts are entitled to a “speedy and public trial,” and an “impartial jury.” In a criminal trial the prosecuting attorney must show the jury “beyond a reasonable doubt,” that the defendant committed the crime.

By representing a client, a criminal defense attorney essentially acts as his or her voice before the jury. It is therefore very important that the criminal defense attorney understand and argue the facts of the client’s case well. If the accused was involved in the crime, but to a lesser extent than the prosecution claims, the defense attorney must provide the jury with the information necessary to assess the defendant’s degree of guilt

WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN HIRING A CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY

Take the necessary time to visit different criminal defense attorneys before choosing who will represent you. A well-experienced attorney will help you to understand the legal battle before you and will guide you through the legal process. When you are interviewing potential attorneys, be sure to take note of their experience handling cases similar to yours, their attention to the details of your case, and their ability to explain what you should expect during a trial

WHAT TO BRING AND WHAT TO ASK

Before meeting with a criminal defense attorney, prepare a summary of information regarding your case. This information will help the attorney understand the details of your case and will help you to explain. In your summary

CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY FEES

It is well worth the cost to hire the best representation you can afford, but make sure you know what services you will be charged for and how much they will cost before signing

 

Choosing a Criminal Defense Attorney

Question:

How do I pick the best attorney for my criminal case?

Answer:

When you’re facing a criminal charge, it’s imperative that you contact someone who you believe is going to serve your interest best as far as criminal defense goes. You need to contact a criminal defense attorney who’s experienced in the local jurisdiction that you’re in, who knows the judges, knows the prosecutors, and can communicate effectively with them. You want someone who will be thorough and diligent in assessing the evidence and the facts of your case. The right attorney will be someone who will listen to you because there’s always two sides to every story

In doing so, you need to also pick someone who’s going to be trustworthy and who you will be comfortable going through this process with because your liberty may be at stake depending on the charge that you are facing. You need to be trusting of the representation that you have retained. Contact an experienced, local criminal defense attorney to assess your situation.

Were you or a loved one arrested or accused of a crime and have questions about choosing a criminal defense attorney?

I talked to a young man recently who was accused of a crime in Connecticut. We practice, but we found this criminal defense attorney in Connecticut that did a great job with their online educational resources. If you or someone you know has concerns or questions about a criminal case in Connecticut, take a look at this criminal defense attorney.

 

Criminal Defense Lawyer: Job Description and Requirements

To become a criminal defense lawyer the first step is to complete a bachelor’s degree. After that, three years of law school to obtain a Juris Doctor degree are necessary. Criminal defense attorneys must also pass the state bar exam.

Essential Information

Criminal defense lawyers represent clients or organizations who have been accused of criminal misconduct. Criminal defense lawyers employed by the government are known as public defenders. A criminal defense lawyer researches, prepares and argues a case on the behalf of a client in order to defend them from the criminal charges. Like all attorneys, they must earn a bachelor’s degree, then complete three years of law school, specializing in criminal defense, before taking their state’s bar exam. The job of a criminal defense lawyer can pay well and may be prestigious, but the work is often stressful and the hours can be long and irregular

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Seven years of education are required to be a criminal defense lawyer. Four years are spent at the undergraduate level. The specific major of the bachelor’s degree an aspiring criminal defense lawyer earns isn’t typically important, but maintaining good grades and acquiring research, investigative, analysis and communication skills are recommended.

Job Description

Criminal defense lawyers typically work at least 40 hours a week, but longer hours are common. Additionally, work hours may be irregular because evenings and weekends may be required by clients or law firms. New criminal defense lawyers usually join up with an existing firm; however many go on to open up their own firms. Criminal defense lawyers regularly travel to courtrooms, law libraries, prisons, hospitals, offices and the homes of clients

Job Requirements

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), all criminal defense lawyers need to be licensed with the state. To be admitted to the bar association, a written examination is completed in addition to an ethics examination. There is no nationwide bar examination, but the majority of states use the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE)

Four End Of Year Tax Planning Strategies

What is Tax Planning?

Everybody deals with finances—it’s often just done in different ways. One way to work with your finances is through tax planning. Tax planning is a process that helps you reduce the amount of taxes you’ll owe at the end of each year. There are a number of ways you can go about tax planning, but it primarily involves three basic methods: reducing your overall income, increasing your number of tax deductions throughout the year, and taking advantage of certain tax credits.

Why is Tax Planning Important?

The reason why tax planning is important is simple: it saves money and helps you avoid overpaying your taxes. Aside from that, however, tax planning will help you better understand what you’re spending money on and how you can get rewarded for planning for retirement or advancing your education.

 

Strategic Tax Planning is something you most likely aren’t receiving from your CPA. There are a few reasons why this is true.

  • Accountants only understand a small portion of the tax code. Instead of being future focused, they are more interested in historical record keeping. While some may provide reactive tax advice, they are unaware of how to proactively and strategically make the tax code work in your favor.
  • Accountants are likely to have Type-A personalities. While that’s great for plugging numbers into boxes, it means they probably aren’t flexible or open to change. A strategic tax planner must take into account the small business owner’s lifestyle, short and long-term financial goals, and spending habits.
  • Accountants err on the side of caution. Though there are over 70,000 pages of green lights in the tax code, accountants tend to focus on the five pages of red lights to avoid being flagged by the IRS. It’s important to understand, however, that a green light is not the same as a “loophole.” It’s not a “red flag” to go through the intersection and it does not increase your risk of getting a ticket because you “used” this particular law to get through the intersection. Remember, the tax code was meant to be used, not feared.

 

A lower tax bill is within reach

So you want to pay less tax in 2019. Who doesn’t? The good news is, there are ways to reduce the amount of money that you send to the IRS — legally, without allegations of tax evasion. In fact, there are plenty of steps you can take to cut your federal and state tax bills. And, the sooner you start, the more things you can do to reduce the taxes you’ll owe.

Contribute as much as you can to retirement accounts

Want to set yourself up for the future while slashing your tax bill at the same time? Contribute to tax-advantaged retirement accounts such as a 401(k) and IRA. Unless you opt for a Roth account, you can take deductions for your contributions in the year you make them. This enables you to deduct a lot of money. You can contribute up to $19,000 to a 401(k) and up to $6,000 to an IRA in 2019. You can also make additional catch-up contributions of $6,000 to a 401(k) and $1,000 to an IRA if you’re over 50.

Take advantage of tax loss harvesting

If you have losing investments, selling them allows you to harvest your losses to offset taxes on investment gains or to reduce your taxable income by up to $3,000.

This strategy can be especially beneficial if your income is going to be higher than normal and you want to avoid being pushed into a higher tax bracket, or if you’re going to be selling investments that you’ll need to pay short-term capital gains on.

Keep track of your medical costs

If you incur substantial medical expenses, you may be able to take a deduction for the funds you spent.  In 2019, you can deduct unreimbursed allowable medical expenses only if they exceed 10% of your income — up from 7.5% in 2017 and 2018. You’ll need to itemize to claim this deduction — which doesn’t make sense for many tax payers due to the large standard deduction. Still, you should keep the bills you incur throughout the year. If your costs are high enough to hit the threshold for deductibility, you want to be able to take advantage of the tax savings to offset some of your big care expenses.

Put some cash into flexible spending plans

If your employer offers flexible spending accounts, you should likely take advantage of them.

You can make contributions to an FSA with pre-tax funds to pay qualifying out-of-pocket medical expenses. You could potentially also enroll in a dependent care FSA to pay for services such as child care or care for a disabled relative. It’s important to know the rules for FSA contributions. You’ll usually have to enroll in an FSA during open enrollment with your employer, and many plans are structured so if you don’t spend your contributions, you lose them. Still, if you know you’re going to have out-of-pocket medical costs or dependent care costs to pay, you should strongly consider putting some money into the FSA to reduce your taxable income and make these expenditures effectively cost less.

 

 

Smart Qualified Plans

On a more pedestrian note, business owners can often use tax deductible retirement plans much more to their advantage than is typically the case, if the objective (as it nearly always is) is to pile up tax deductions while putting way more dollars in owners’ accounts than for employees. I say pedestrian because this is really business tax planning 101, straight down the fairway, but I am continuously amazed at how often it is missed by even high-dollar tax advisors. I recall a case where a Manhattan CPA advised a fellow to use a SEP, with deductions in the $20K range. Mind you this client lives near NY and pays NY State and municipal income taxes on top of the Federal burden, meaning he really got whacked. We showed him how, in his fact pattern, using a 401(k) would more than double his CPA-suggested deduction, but that what he really needed (and eventually did) was a defined benefit plan, boosting deductions to about $150K a year. The guy saved pushing $100K a year in taxes, like waving a wand.

 

Invest in Registered AccountsTax-Free Savings Account (TFSA)

In addition to investing in a TFSA of your own, consider making a gift to your adult family members or spouse to enable them to contribute to a TFSA. All the investment income in the TFSA grows tax-free and future withdrawals are not taxable. Further, there will generally be no income attribution, regardless of who funds the account. If gifting to your spouse, attribution will not apply so long as the funds remain invested in the TFSA.

Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP)By investing in an RRSP

you can deduct the amount of your RRSP contribution from your taxable income, up to your annual RRSP deduction limit, thereby reducing the taxes you will have to pay. In addition, funds in an RRSP grow on a tax-deferred basis. The investment income and capital gains generated in the plan are not subject to tax until you make a withdrawal in the future.You may also want to consider contributing to a spousal RRSP for your low income spouse to equalize future retirement income. In doing this, the high income spouse utilizes their RRSP contribution room when making a contribution and is able to claim the deduction on their return. The RRSP/RRIF withdrawals will be

Opting For A Corner Kitchen Sink

A VERY QUICK HISTORY OF THE KITCHEN SINK

Everything has its own story – including the humble kitchen sink. This household item, which is given little practical thought, is present in every single home – and in today’s society, we would be lost without it.

What is a sink? It is a plumbing fixture in the shape of a bowl, with a tap or faucet to fill it with water, and a drain to dispose of said water. The drain can usually be plugged, and the sink is used for hand washing, dishwashing, or laundering.

Prior to modern plumbing, water had to be manually collected and carried from a nearby stream, pond, or well. Water for drinking, cooking, and washing was fetched numerous times every day. The first “sinks” were simply buckets or dishpans of water which then had to be carried outside for tipping the water away. Dirty dishes and pans were scrubbed with ashes or sand, and then washed with water and lye soap in a basin which was placed on a bench or kitchen table. The waste dishwater was then tipped onto the vegetable garden or fed to farm animals.

The first thing we would recognize as a sink was a shallow wood, metal or stone trough which was on legs and set into a window sill or atop a cabinet. This “dry sink” evolved between 1820 and 1900, and was eventually lined with lead or zinc. More prosperous people could upgrade to a “wet sink” which had a wood or iron pump which accessed water. This water was still manually emptied. Some households had cisterns which collected rainwater for indoor use, and this was transported to the sink by a pump.

In 1902, steel, graniteware, and enamel sinks were advertised to replace old wood or stone, zinc or lead-lined sinks. These were plumbed in, had drainpipes, and had to be installed by professionals. By the 1930s, an alloy of copper and nickel was used as it was rust-proof, easier to clean, and resulted in less damage to crockery. It was also resistant to corrosion, unlike its enamel predecessor. Porcelain was also used.  Sinks were designed to be smaller and more stylish.

Sink materials range today from ceramic to copper; stainless steel and glass to granite. Stainless steel kitchen sinks are most common today as they represent a great compromise between durability, serviceability, and cost effectiveness.

Incidentally, have you ever wondered where the saying, “everything but the kitchen sink” came from? We don’t exactly know – its first documented use was in 1918. However, according to popular urban myth, the phrase was coined for widespread use in the 1940’s. During the Second World War, the war effort called on people to donate everything possible for its use. In the United States, for example, all of the metal was used for the US arsenal. The only objects not required were porcelain kitchen sinks.

 

Type of Installation

There are basically 3 ways kitchen sinks can be installed:

– Self-rimming (drop-in)

– Undermount

– Flush mount

stainless steel kitchen sink

Self-rimming or drop-in sinks as they’re sometimes called are the easiest to install. They simply fit into a cutout in the countertop on top of a base cabinet, supported by the flanges of the sink that overlap the cutout.

The main disadvantage is the barrier between the countertop surface and the bowl that’s formed by the lip. You can’t sweep food and liquids into the sink or if you try, you end up catching debris at the edge where the sink and countertop meet.

undermount kitchen sink

Undermount sinks are attached under the countertop. They either hang from the underside of the countertop or are supported from underneath by the base cabinet structure. Undermount sinks allow you to brush items from the countertop directly into the sink without any “catch points” that can capture food particles and moisture. They require clips and other mechanical fastening devices to attach them to the countertop. Heavier kitchen sinks like ones made from cast iron or stone require a well-designed mounting system in an undermount installation.

solid surface kitchen sink

A solid surface sink combined with a solid surface countertop is another form of undermount sink although it may not appear as such. In this situation the sink is glued to the underside of the solid surface countertop. The fabricator then smooths the joint between the two surfaces making the seam between them invisible, similar to what’s shown in the picture on the right. An undermount sink’s “reveal” refers to the degree that the countertop extends over the edge of the sink. A positive reveal means the lip of the sink juts out slightly from the edge of the countertop. A negative reveal means the countertop surface overlaps the edge of the sink.

Flush mount sinks

Are also called “tile edge” sinks. They’re similar to a drop-in sink except they’re used with a tiled countertop. The tile is installed so that it’s flush with the mounting flange of the sink providing a flush surface with the countertop. There’s usually a grout line between the edge of the sink and the tile.

 

What Are Kitchen Sinks Made Of?

When the time comes to replace or install a new kitchen sink, many things must be considered: style, size, color, durability, and of course, price. The goal for most people is to manage that fine line between looks and cost.

The stuff the sink is made of is extremely important. If you don’t understand the different materials, you might finger through a hundred sites, only to end up unknowingly choosing the wrong sink for your needs and taste.

Even though high-end sinks are beautiful and stunning to look at, they come with beautifully stunning price tags as well! So let’s take a look at what we can find to fit your needs, style and most importantly your kitchen project budget.

You will find an overview for each type of material used to manufacture sinks. Each will tell you what problems the sink material may bring as well as the good reasons for choosing each sink type. And a very in-depth look at everyone’s favorite sink material, stainless steel!

 

What’s the difference between “basin” and “sink”?

Basin and sink both are used for washing but in the sink, we use to wash the pots and in the basin, we use to wash our hands and do other activities like brushing shaving, etc. The sink is mostly we install in kitchen and wash pots but we use Wash Basin mostly in the bathroom. Washbasin and bath fitting accessories in the bathroom make our bathroom beautiful. Some people install basins outside of their room or bathroom where they use to wash their hands after having breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

 

WHAT IS A FARMHOUSE SINK?

A farmhouse style sink, also known as an apron sink, extends over the edge of your counter. This type of sink is most commonly used in a traditional or rustic farmhouse style kitchen and can be designed with a single bowl or double bowl. These sinks are gaining popularity with the resurgence of rustic and farmhouse interior design. They typically come as fireclay or cast iron and are incredibly durable and easy to clean because of their nonporous material.

Roof Inspection Safety Tips

Tips for Choosing the Right Roofer for Roof Repair and Inspection

Your roof is simply one of the most significant components of your home because it offers shelter and security from the outside disturbances and constructs a barrier for sun rays. If you do require a roof repair or inspection, one of the most exhausting parts of the process is choosing the best contractor who can perform the right and quick job. Here is a list of some helpful tips for the homeowners for hiring the right roofer

Client Testimonials and Referrals

Explore client testimonials and reviews on websites like Google and Yelp! If an owner attempts to publish a review, then you can be sure that the roofing contractor you are considering will deliver superior roofing system! Check out their website and know if they have a client testimonial section!

Knowledge About Specific Roof Types

Search for roofers that are skilled in the type of work you need. You need to select a roofer with hands-on experience in setting up the specific roofing system that you need to install in your home. Discuss with the prospective roofer to confirm if they are familiar with installing your desired roofing system

Knowledge in Roofing Construction

Unfortunately, not all roofers are knowledgeable in roofing construction.

Work Portfolio on Website

Ask if they have a website and try to browse through their certifications. A professional website will provide you with full information on the various services and credentials that the company holds besides a portfolio that will divulge multiple samples of their work! A roofer lacking a website in today’s market scenario is not the greatest roofing professional in your area!

 

Tips for Choosing the Best Roofers for Roof Repair and Inspection

Choosing the Best Roofers — A roof is the essential component of any home. It protects the home from outside weather and other factors. Roofs require frequent repair, upkeep, and maintenance work. A roof may start leaking at any time if no proper care is taken for this essential component.

You may choose a professional contractor for regular roof inspection and repair work. Whether you need roof maintenance work in the home or office, you may always summon professional roofers to do the task for you. Professional roofing contractors are just one call away if you are serious about summoning them. The roofer must be trustworthy and friendly and should hold relevant licenses. Choose the one who has a good amount of experience under his belt.

Tips for Choosing the Best Roofers for Roof Repair and Inspection

If you want to install new roofs at your home or office unit, you will need a professional roofer. The roofing contractor may help you to choose the right color and style of roof. No matter where you are located, there will be roofers to help you out. You can carry out internet search to find the list of roofers who operate nearby. Make sure they offer you excellent services at a rate which is reasonable. Look for only experienced, skilled and highly trained roofers. He must offer you best-in-the-class service

Why Choose a Professional Roofer?

Whether it is your home or office, the roof is the first line of defense that saves your place from outside factors. Roofs if maintained properly can boost value and appeal of the property. It is such an expensive item but it needs to be replaced after a point of time. If you want to repair or replace the roof, you will have to find a genuine roofer for the task

Choose Roofer Who Has Experience Working on the Kind of Roof

You may be using a particular kind of roof in your home or office. Make sure you choose the roofing contractor who has experience in working on that kind of roof. Discuss out the roofing system you are using in the home or office. Look for experience in installing and repairing the same kind of roof you are using at your unit

 

Tips On Choosing A New Roof

Remember the simple house drawings of kindergarten, made up of just a square with a triangle on top? It was obvious even then that the roof of a home is important. So when the time comes to purchase a new roof, how do you figure out which roof is best suited to protect your family and provide the best value for your hard-earned dollar?

Consider your household lifestyle.

Before you even start roof shopping, think about the lifestyle and longevity of your home. Will you be living there for a long time, or do you plan to move, perhaps when the family grows? And what kind of climate or weather does your roof need to withstand? These are important questions to ask before you start researching the various roofing materials.

Don’t get hung up on the color.

If you type phrases such as “picking out a roof for your home” in a typical search engine, a lot of articles will come up about the color and look of your roof. While this can be “the fun part” of giving your home a new roof, it is not the most important. The main point of a roof, after all, is protection, and you’ll want to carefully consider the materials and durability over everything else.

Research and understand the different types of materials.

Research is probably the most important part of the roof shopping process. After all, if you leap blindly into shopping without knowing what, exactly, will suit your needs, it’s very likely that you will spend more money than you wanted to and end up with a product that lets you down. The main materials for roofs include asphalt, slate, wood and metal. Each one has its own advantages and disadvantages, such as cost, durability and length of life, so be sure to read up on each. At Trinity Home Renovations we use GAF Timberline HD roofing shingles, North America’s #1 selling shingle gives you value and performance in a genuine wood-shake look

Get to know warranties.

Roof warranties are important, but many homeowners don’t take the time to ask about them. The warranty on the materials differs from the service warranty, so you’ll want to know about each one before making a decision. Keep in mind that most roof warranties are written by manufacturers and last 20-50 years, but the service warranty depends on the policy of your roofing contractor.

 

Tips for Choosing the Right Roofing Contractor

Ask for References

Before you decide to hire a roofing contractor, ask if they have any previous customers you can call. Ask these previous customers what their experience was like and if they would use them again.

Go local

Local businesses are less of a flight risk than non-local storm chasers. They also tend to be more informed about local code regulations and rules

Read online reviews

Often times, the best way to gauge the reliability of a contractor is by the frequency and recency of their reviews. Roofing businesses that leave negative reviews unanswered may leave cause for concern

Verify licenses and insurance coverage

Most reputable companies can provide a copy of licenses and insurance upon request.  Knowing that part of the cost of the roof and the service being provided to you is under the protection of security coverage, should give you peace of mind.  Additionally, this keeps all bids on a level playing field.

Compare warranties

Only a portion of contractors can offer manufacturer warranties that include workmanship coverage. In the event of an improper roof install, it may take months or years for the damage to show up (your insurance will not pay for it).  The length of a warranty is not necessarily an essential factor. Ideally, you should choose a roofing contractor that stands behind his warranty

 

How to Choose a Contractor

This article series provides a simple, step-by-step guide designed to help you find the roofing contractor who’s right for you. When you need to repair your roof or replace roof coverings on a building, this article gives advice to assist in choosing a roofing contractor – by Jessie Srader, with edits and additions by DJF. We also discuss how to negotiate the roofing contract, when to leave the roofer alone to do the job, and how to resolve roofing job disputes

Workmanship:The best assurance that your new roof will not leak and that it will have a long life is to select a quality shingle product and to be certain that the shingles are installed absolutely correctly – good workmanship is what makes a roof shed water.

Shingle quality: we would not hesitate to buy a quality shingle product from any of the current roofing shingle manufacturers, including GAF, but

Shingle installation standards we would want to be sure that my installer applied them according to the best practices in the industry since otherwise any warranty will be voided anyway. The principal sources of asphalt shingle roofing installation standards are the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA’s Roofing and Waterproofing Manual), and the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturer’s Association (ARMA). There are also ASTM standards for roofing products.

Roofing contractor reputation and experience: Before hiring ANY roofing contractor we would check with the local better business bureau and would ask for references from local customers of the contractor.

Mosquitoes And Life Threatening Diseases

Kill Mosquitoes Without Harmful Chemicals

Clean Up Standing Water

Eliminate standing, stagnate water. You’ve heard this bit of advice before, but there could be areas you’ve missed. Look for standing water in your gutters, gardens, bird baths, and planters. Empty if possible. Discard things like planter trays because they collect water. Be sure to check your gutters because if they aren’t clean, you can also find mosquito breeding grounds there too.

For standing water that you cannot eliminate, use Bti product such as Bactimos Briquettes or Mosquito Dunks. You can find these products at your natural gardening store.

What is Bti?

Bti is a bacteria that specifically targets mosquitoes and black flies in their larval stage, but causes no collateral damage. The mosquito larva eat the Bti and die within minutes after ingestion.

What you’ll love about Bti is that it kills the larvae AND repels the adults from laying eggs. The EPA has categorized the risk to non-target organisms as minimal to non-existent.

What to do if Bti is not available? Try sprinkling instant coffee crystals in the standing water.

Scatter Dry Granulated Garlic

Scatter dry granulated garlic in problem areas. Some of the worst areas are around trash cans and in the tall grass borders that are always moist. Broadcast at 2 lbs per 1000 sq. ft. in beds, turf, pots and plants.

Dry granulated garlic can repel mosquitoes for up to four weeks. Buy the dry granulated garlic from your grocery store (in the extra-large size) and start shaking.

Spray With Garlic Spray

Spray adult mosquitoes with garlic spray or garlic-pepper tea. Using garlic sprays can repel mosquitoes up to 14 days. See recipe below for how to make garlic-pepper tea. You can buy garlic spray at your gardening store. After spraying, your place will have a strong garlic odor, but it quickly fades and is well worth it.

Use Natural Herbs as Repellents

Use mosquito repellents that contain natural herbs such as aloe vera, citronella, vanilla, eucalyptus, tea tree oil and citrus oil. These really do work well and are available at your natural grocery store.

You can also mix your own. Try Vanilla dabbed on the skin or clothing. Or, Vanilla Mix which is 8 oz. water, 2 tsp. vanilla extract and 1 tsp. orange oil. Spray on skin and clothing liberally.

Garlic Pepper Tea Recipe:

To make garlic/pepper tea, liquefy 2 bulbs of garlic and 2 hot peppers in a blender 1/2 to 2/3 full of water. Strain the solids and add enough water to the garlic/pepper juice to make 1 gallon of concentrate. Use 1/4 cup of concentrate per gallon of spray.To make garlic tea, simply omit the pepper and add another bulb of garlic. Add two tablespoons of molasses for more control.

Be very careful with the pepper solids and concentrate because it might irritate your eyes and skin.

 

Bug research leads to mosquito traps

Entomologists and mosquito control experts need specimens to examine, and that means they have to trap them.

For many years, they did it with the New Jersey Light Trap. Like its name implies, it is a simple device that uses a plain 25-watt bulb to draw mosquitoes toward a cylinder with a hidden fan that sucks the mosquitoes into a catch area.

But as scientists learned more about attractants, they began to incorporate them into the standard light traps. For example, knowing that carbon dioxide lures mosquitoes, they started adding dry ice, which releases the gas, increasing the numbers of mosquitoes lured in for the catch.

Studies showed that mosquito traps that used CO2 could catch 10-15 times more mosquitoes in a night than a New Jersey Light Trap.

In the late ’90s, private companies got into the research, experimenting with human skin odors and ultraviolet light waves, and soon, there were newer, more efficient commercial mosquito traps on the market for home use.

All mosquito traps use some variation of the same four basic attractants to draw the insects: CO2, octenol, light, and heat. The differences lie in the designs of the attractants and the ways they are employed.

 

MOSQUITO TRAPS

If you want to reduce the number of mosquitoes on your property, you need something besides repellants. If you don’t want to use insecticides, there is another solution: mosquito traps. Mosquito Magnet® mosquito traps work by attracting and then killing mosquitos. When it’s time for a female mosquito to feed (only female mosquitoes bite), mosquitoes find a host in three ways:

  • By sight.Mosquitoes are sometimes drawn to movement.
  • By heat.Animals and humans emit body heat (also known as infra-red radiation) and mosquitoes can detect this.
  • By chemistry.Mosquitoes are attracted to carbon dioxide and other chemicals we emit (including lactic acid). In other words, mosquitoes don’t fly up to you because you’re human. It’s nothing personal: It’s because you’re sending out the right signals, indicating you’re a creature with blood. Mosquito traps capitalize on this idea

 

How to Use Baking Soda to Trap Mosquitoes

Duck, cover and run: These evasive maneuvers are usually performed by someone trying to escape a bee or mosquito. Not only are the latter irritating, but in some areas, they pose a real health threat because they carry diseases. Mosquito repellents usually work to mask your scent. This is because mosquitoes smell their food — they can smell carbon dioxide from more than 150 feet away, according to WebMD. Instead of masking your scent, lure mosquitoes away by making your own carbon dioxide trap with vinegar and baking soda.

  1. Wash out an empty 2-liter soda bottle. Let it dry.
  2. Cut the bottle in half. Set aside the top of the bottle.
  3. Put 1/4 cup of baking soda into the bottom of the bottle.
  4. Invert the top of the bottle so that it looks like a funnel. Place this over the bottom of the bottle. Secure it with tape.
  5. Pour 1 cup of vinegar into the bottle. When it hits the baking soda, it will bubble and release carbon dioxide. This will attract mosquitoes, which will enter the funnel and get trapped in the bottom section of the bottle.

 

CITRUS:

Citrus plants, as well as their crushed leaves and extracts made from them, naturally repel mosquitoes. Oranges, lemons, lavender, basil and catnip naturally produce oils that repel mosquitoes and are generally pleasant to the nose – unless you’re of the feline persuasion. The odor that mosquitoes most hate though is one you might not have heard of: Lantana. Their bitter citrusy smell is one that mosquitoes tend to avoid unless they’re really hungry. And they only cost a few dollars per home.

BEER: Unfortunately, we aren’t about to tell you that drinking alcoholic spirits will repel mosquitoes. In fact, it’s the opposite. There’s something about the chemical reaction when the body processes alcohol, especially beer, that exudes a sweet smell in your sweat that attracts the hungry insects.