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Ceiling Fan Parts

How to Reverse a Ceiling Fan

Some ceiling fans receive the Energy Star rating for overall operational and performance efficiency, saving households money every year. This savings depends on your proper use and adjustment of the ceiling fan. If you live in a cool environment, your home could benefit by reversing the direction of the ceiling fan’s rotation. Warmer air in your home naturally stays near the ceiling. Forcing this warm air closer to the ground where people need it the most can help to ease reliance on running other home heating appliances.

  • Look at the current rotational direction of the blades. Fan blades should turn clockwise in the winter, pushing warmer air at the ceiling outward and downward into the room. In summer, blades should turn counter-clockwise, steadily pushing air downward, creating a cool-breeze effect. Determine if you really need to change the blades’ direction based on your indoor and outdoor climate.
  • Turn off the ceiling fan. Many homes have an On/Off ceiling fan switch on the wall that is combined with the light switch. Many ceiling fans have cords or chains that hang from the center of the casing or housing assembly, and each pull of the cord changes speed or turns the fan on or off. Some modern ceiling fans have On/Off buttons on a wireless remote control.
  • Wait for the ceiling fan blades to completely stop rotating, with no intervention from you. Although the blades aren’t turning with any kind of force, you could risk damage to your fingers or the blades.
  • Find the switch that reverses the direction of the blades’ rotation. Conventional ceiling fans have a switch on the housing assembly near the pull string or cord. Some modern ceiling fans have remote controls that include a button for reversing blade rotation.
  • Push or flip the switch to the opposite position, reversing the direction. Turn the ceiling fan back on and proceed with using it in your home to circulate air. However, note that the agencies that offer Energy Star ratings recommend that you keep the fan speed on low when reversing the blades for winter weather.

How Changing the Direction of a Ceiling Fan Saves Energy

You may have heard that reversing a ceiling fan can help keep you warmer during the winter (and also cooler during the summer) while saving energy and reducing your utility costs. It’s a simple fix that sounds almost too good to be true, so is there any truth to these claims? Let’s find out.

Why does the direction of my ceiling fan matter?

 According to Apartment Therapy, running your ceiling fans during the cold winter months can help you save as much as 10% on your heating costs. How is this possible?

The blades of a ceiling fan are angled slightly. During the summer, when your fan is spinning counterclockwise, those angled blades help move air down. You know it’s working because you can feel a cool breeze when standing directly underneath the fan. This is called the wind chill effect and it makes you feel cooler.

Things change a bit during winter once your heating system kicks on.

Warm air always rises (which is why attics and upper levels of homes are so much warmer than lower levels), so the warm air generated by your furnace naturally rises up to the ceiling while cooler air sinks toward the floor. When you switch the direction that your ceiling fan’s blades turn (so that they’re spinning clockwise), that cold air is drawn upward. This updraft forces the warmer air back down toward you and your family.

Why does changing the direction of a ceiling fan save money and energy?

Your thermostat is located closer to the ground so that you can easily monitor it and adjust the setting. Since the thermostat detects the temperature of the air near it, keeping warm air closer to your thermostat allows you to set it at a lower temperature while still staying nice and toasty.

Setting Your Ceiling Fan to the Proper Rotation

Many newer ceiling fans come with a remote control. You can use this to change the fan’s rotation at the push of a button. If you don’t have a remote, you’ll have to get a ladder so you’re at eye level with the fan. Look for the toggle switch on the “stem” of the ceiling fan. It’s usually located below the blade. Toggle the switch to the desired rotation.

If you’re not sure if you’re using the right setting, note the direction the fan is turning. If the fan is moving in the same direction as the hands of the clock, it’s in the winter setting. If the blades are turning in the opposite direction, it’s on the summer setting.

Your ceiling fan doesn’t have to remain dormant while the heat or air conditioner is on. Use your fan to work with the hot and cold air, and watch your energy bill go down.

How Do I Know What Direction To Set My Ceiling Fan?

Ceiling Fan Direction & Reversing

In Summer: Counter-Clockwise

Running a ceiling fan in the proper direction all year round can help save energy and keep you more comfortable.  In the summertime, run your ceiling fan counter-clockwise to push cool air down. To make sure it is set correctly, stand directly under the fan blades and watch the blades rotate. The blades should move from the top left, then down to the right, and then back to the top.

In Winter: Clockwise

During the winter, a clockwise rotation will move the cooler air off the floor and push the warm air down the walls without the strong draft. The blades should move like a clock’s hand – from the top to the right, then down to the left, and back to the top – at a low speed to pull cool air up.

Reversing Direction on a Pull Chain Fan

Check your ceiling fan’s housing and light fixture for the reversing switch. You will likely have a reversing switch if you have a Hunter ceiling fan with pull chains. With a reversing switch, slide it to the opposite direction, and then you can restart the fan.

Reversing Direction on a Ceiling Fan with a Remote

Many of our ceiling fans with remotes come with a push button reverse option. If you don’t see a reverse switch on your fan’s body, you’ll be able to reverse the ceiling fan direction with the handheld remote or wall control. Simply press and hold the fan button on the remote or wall control; you’ll know it was successful when the light on the control blinks.

Ceiling Fans And Air Movement

As stated above, ceiling fans don’t cool the air around them. Rather, they move air around. Essentially, they create a cool breeze—even cooler when you have the air conditioner running as well (plus, ceiling fans help with AC efficiency, which we’ll get to below).

But running your ceiling fan all day–specifically, when nobody is home–could be more wasteful than it is helpful. Since it doesn’t actually cool the air, you’re running an electric device for essentially no reason. While ceiling fans don’t eat up a significant amount of energy (which is why so many people take advantage them for their homes), they do still contribute to the cost of your electricity.

Additionally, running the motor of your ceiling fan can actually add heat to the room. So, imagine you aren’t home all day, and you have no AC system running, but your ceiling fan is on the whole time. Sure, you may feel a cool breeze when you walk into the room, but overall you may have contributed to an increase in the room’s temperature.

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Does My Event Videographer Really Need Lighting

Essential Qualities of a Good Videographer

In today’s marketplace video is a major product that many people want. There are so many different types of video available (such as short films, weddings, live events, commercials, etc.) that videographers are in high demand. But what constitutes a good videographer? There are many qualities that go into being a good videographer, but these three are some of the most important.

Having Great Communication Skills

A good videographer will have great communication skills and be a leader both on and off the set. When filming a project having a good line of communication is a must. A breakdown in this communication leads to issues behind the camera. A videographer who has great communication skills will be able to not only communicate with anyone helping them, but they will also be able to communicate clearly with their client to ensure that both parties are on the same page. If a videographer is not sure about what their client wants they should always inquire before moving forward with the project

Having Knowledge of All Types of Video Equipment

There are a large variety of video cameras, editing software, lighting rigs, etc. A good videographer will have basic knowledge of how all these pieces of equipment work, especially if they are going solo on a project. Having access to mid to upper range equipment is also a must. They will also have knowledge of basic lighting setups, white-balance levels, and camera movement. All these elements (and many others) put together will help create a great final cut

Being Able to Adapt to Any Situation

Being a videographer also means that you have to adapt to what is happening around you, especially if you are filming a live event where you only get one chance to get it right. Everything doesn’t always go according to plan, and you have to able to adjust for that. Quick thinking and fast acting are the difference between a perfect shot and a missed opportunity.

Reasons Why A Videographer Is Important For Your Event

Now that we have small sophisticated computers with us all the time, it’s easy to wonder about whether or not bringing a videographer to your event can be helpful. There’s no question that shooting video and storing devices has become easier. So what can a videographer offer?

Post-processing. As sophisticated as devices have become, the computing power needed to edit and process video is still greater than a phone or regular point and shoot cameras (and even some standard computers) can handle. Outside of the shooting times, there is stitching, tracking, editing and processing for video that needs to be done. In fact, many videographers spend more time editing than they do in filming – time you can spend enjoying the event and the days to come.

To make the most of an event, there is no better way than to be there in the moment. Filming it yourself means that you now have two tasks: make your own memories and make sure they’re captured correctly on camera. It is difficult to do both, and impossible to do both well at the same time. It is easy to forget that there are some memories you can redo, and enjoying them in person is priceless. You guests will be at ease as well, even if they start filming. Living the memories through a screen isn’t the same.

Big days and beautiful moments have no do-overs. Did you frame that shot correctly? Was everyone in focus? When you were checking, what else did you miss? This is something we often don’t realize until it’s too late. Those times are priceless and giving everyone the chance to be there instead of filming is a great gift.

Since there are no do-overs, what can we do? Prepare! A videographer knows best where to be, what is happening next, and is most prepared to safeguard against missed or mis-directed shots. Sturdy equipment handled well at your event can be tremendously important to making sure the footage is also protected in case of rain, hard drive failures, or accidents. Anything can still happen, but hiring a professional can keep you another step away from disaster.

The skills of the professional. Years of training, love of the process, and the talent behind the camera will all help you to look your best on your big day. Videography is art, and hiring someone with year of practice is a perfect way to keep your big day in focus.

Based Wedding and Events Videography

What Do We Offer?

Here, can shoot a wide array of styles, weddings, and events. In other words, whatever you are looking for can be accomplished and most importantly, at a reasonable and affordable price.

videography business offering wedding, family moments, business promotion, band promotion, etc. video services and pride ourselves on the quality of our work.

I have Questions

want you to be “in the know”. Most importantly, want you to feel completely at ease in your search for videography services with your special moment or project, whether it be weddings, promotional videos, or family gatherings

How to Use Video to Increase Your Event’s Value

It’s probably a pretty big understatement to say that online video consumption has grown by leaps and bounds over the past decade and it’s definitely no surprise that there’s no sign of it slowing down. In fact, according to the 2016 Ericsson Mobility Report, video will account for 70% of all mobile traffic by 2021. And savvy event professionals have taken to the medium like fish to water, but as technologies change, you might start to wonder if it’s really worth it to try and keep up. After all, producing quality video requires some investment. Today we’re taking a look at how producing and using video can help add value to your event.

Marketing is often the first thing that comes to mind when it comes to considering video for events. And why not? Video now plays a huge role in marketing now, for just about any product. In fact, according to statistics from Insivia (via Hubspot), research has shown that videos can have an amazing impact on conversion rates. For example, video in an email leads to 200-300% increase in click-through rate. And including video on a landing page can increase conversion by 80%.

Marketing using video can not only have a tremendous impact on your rate of registration it can also improve your attendee’s experience and kickstart their engagement before they’ve even set foot on site. Video formats like 360˚ video and live streaming give event organizers the opportunity to engage attendees before and during events through virtual tours or live Q&A sessions about the event itself.

The great thing about marketing with video is that you don’t have to worry about putting together expensive productions or long videos. In fact, 5% of viewers will stop watching a video after 1 minute and 60% stop watching after 2 minutes – so it behooves you to keep it brief. Consider the popularity of the, now defunct, social video site Vine. Where users were limited to creating videos that were only 6 seconds long. Or think of the videos created by “Now This” which are informative, entertaining, and most notably – short, usually under 1 minute. These types of videos can have a high impact and require less effort than your typical video advertisement.

Education is another common use of video produced at events. Event organizers have found that the life of event content can be extended drastically when sessions and panels are recorded and made available to attendees or organizations as additional opportunities to earn CEUs. Especially in the case of association meetings and conferences, this can help to not only give those unable to attend in-person the chance to learn, it can also add tremendous value for your association members by providing on-demand access to conference content for review.

Conference Videographers

Videography has never been this important for global enterprises. A professional videographer enables you to share the buzz of the day, the speakers, topics and networking opportunities through a highlights video. By hiring an experienced team, you can maximise your SEO by opting for a video with the right industry format and length that’s needed to drive traffic and engagement. Moreover, a talented videography team will use their expertise and skills to work under pressure and to maximise every situation in order to produce high-quality content.

Gala Dinner Videographers

Whether the gala dinner is a stand-alone event or part of a larger event such as a conference or exhibition, hiring a team of professional videographers is always a good idea. An experienced team will take care of everything, ranging from the correct lighting to directing your guests, in order to produce high-quality videos that will make your company stand out from the crowd.

Staff Party Videographers

Whether it’s a royal wedding or a company party, professional videographers know what they’re doing. As an organiser, you’ll be responsible for making sure that the event goes off without a hitch. Therefore, hiring an experienced videographer is a sensible move that will ensure that you and your boss are happy with the videos the videographer produces. Communicate your vision well from beforehand, and discuss the format and length of each video in order to make sure that you and your videographer of choice are on the same page.

BBQ Events and Summer Party Videographers

In this day and age, content is king. That is perfectly the reason why more and more companies are opting for a professional team of visual artists to document each and every event. If your company is based, BBQ events and summer parties make an excellent addition to your company calendar. By hiring a videographer to document your business’ social events, you can visually communicate that your enterprise is a fun-loving one that values staff members by allowing them to socialise and explore different aspects of their personality

Christmas Party Videographers

Visual content is crucial when it comes to recruiting new individuals. Documenting social events such as your company’s  Christmas party means that you promote a holistic company culture that values its staff members.

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What To Look For In New Home Builder Today

THE FINAL INSPECTION WALK THROUGH WITH YOUR BUILDER

Before you go to settlement on a new home, you and your builder will “walk through” the house to conduct a final inspection. The walk-through provides an opportunity for you to learn how your new home works and to spot items that need to be corrected or adjusted.

Often, a builder will use the walk-through to inform buyers about:

The operation of the house’s components.

The buyer’s responsibilities for maintenance and upkeep.

Warranty coverage and procedures.

The larger community in which the home is located.

The Walk Through Process

When you buy a new appliance or piece of equipment, such as a washing machine, you usually have to read the instructions before you can understand how to use all of the features. With a new house, you will be receiving a stack of instruction booklets all at once. It helps if someone can take the time to show you how to operate all of the kitchen appliances, the heating and cooling systems, the water heater, and other features in the home. Such an orientation is particularly useful considering that when moving into a new home, people often are so busy that they have trouble finding time to read instruction booklets.

Learning about maintenance and upkeep responsibilities is very important. Most new homes come with a one-year warranty on workmanship and materials. However, such warranties do not cover problems that develop because of failure to perform required maintenance. Many builders provide a booklet explaining common upkeep responsibilities and how to perform them.

Should a warranted problem arise after you move in, the builder is likely to have a set of warranty service procedures to follow. Except in emergencies, requests for service should be in writing. This is not because the builder is trying to be bureaucratic. Rather, it is to ensure that everyone clearly understands the service to be performed. The person receiving a service request is not likely to be the person performing the work, and you don’t want to rely on word of mouth for transmission of your service order.

Things You’re Afraid to Tell Your Builder

We live in a time when information has all but replaced money as a person’s most valuable asset. It’s no surprise that when someone asks us for our name, our phone number or – the granddaddy of all – our email address, we protect our personal info with gusto. We want to know why they want it and what they plan to do with it if we give it to them. So it stands to reason that when a builder starts to ask you personal questions, especially related to your finances and budget, your instinct is to be guarded; play it close to the vest; take care not to over-share. But, there’s a danger in this approach that’s just as real as broadcasting your Social Security Number on social media. Not being honest with the folks who will craft your dream log home can only result in dissatisfaction. As a builder and a Log & Timber Home University professor, I’ve heard it all (or not heard it, as the case may be), and I want to help you understand why honesty and full disclosure are the best policies when dealing with your log home team. Here’s my topfive list of what people are afraid to tell their builder, and why they shouldn’t be.

How much money you have to invest in the project.

There’s an important distinction between how much money you have and how much you are willing to invest on the design, fabrication and construction of your log home. Being sincere with your builder about this is vital, because every decision from that point on will be based on that number. If you think you’re being clever by telling him you have less money to spend on your home than you actually intend, then you’re doing yourself a disservice. He’s already looking to limit your selections or even cut items from your project that could improve the quality of your home, just so you can stay within a fictitious budget. Some of these choices might include settling for fiberglass-batt insulation in the roof instead of energy-efficient (but more expensive) spray foam insulation or structural insulated panels; upgrading to an on-demand hot water system, which costs more now but saves money over time; or choosing higher-quality windows, which will boost your home’s thermal envelope, resulting in lower energy bills. A better approach is to be honest with the total amount you have to invest, broken down by how much you’d like to spend upfront and how much of that number is set aside as a contingency. For example, say your all-in number is $500,000, but you’re setting aside $75k as a sideline for unforeseen issues or other uses, like smart upgrades. Tell your builder this information. This way he can work to keep the bulk of your build to $425,000 but know that if he has a problem or cost overrun, he doesn’t have to cut from other areas to make the numbers work. This kind of transparency will go a long way to establishing a good relationship between you and your builder.

Your knowledge (or lack thereof) about construction.

A lot of people don’t want to let a builder know that they don’t have construction experience out of fear that if they’re viewed as unknowledgeable, they will be, somehow, “taken.” You shouldn’t be worried about that, but you should be concerned with being appropriately informed. If you do have construction experience, by all means share that detail with your builder. You and he will be able to speak intelligently as milestones approach and about ways to create value in the project. If you don’t know much about construction, don’t fake it. Your builder may assume you understand key components of the process and skim over them rather than bring you into the conversation, leaving you in the dark and causing you to be frustrated. Be honest and rely on his talent and expertise. That’s why you hired him in the first place.

Tasks you can tackle to save money.

Some people are afraid to tell their builder they are willing to purchase their own flooring or cabinetry for fear they’ll offend him. The truth is, with all the balls a builder has to keep in the air to complete your home on time and on budget, they welcome a client who is willing to participate in the process. The key is to keep your involvement to tasks that won’t disrupt the schedule. For instance, you may think you can save a lot of money if you sand your floors or stain your logs yourself, and maybe you can; but these types of “sweat equity” tasks rely on two key factors to keep your build running smoothly. First, you have to be available in the builder’s window for when certain tasks need to take place; and second, you have to have the time and expertise to complete the project within that window. If you can’t comply with these parameters, not only will you not save money, you actually could add to the overall cost if you throw the schedule off track and hold up the job.

When you really need to move in.

Giving a builder a false move-in date is common, and it’s counterproductive. If you have a year before you absolutely have to move into your log home, don’t tell your builder you only have five months. This will put your builder in a position where, in trying to fast-track things to meet your deadline, he may have to pull in trade contractors he hasn’t worked with before or squeeze you in between other jobs he has going on — not ideal, since you want your builder to be focused on your home. A better approach is to tell him that you’d like to be in by a certain time (August, for example) but also be honest about your drop-dead date (December). This allows your builder to properly schedule his experienced subs to work on your home.

Things to consider while selecting a home builder for your dream home

Customised homes are the trend of the town. Of course, what’s better than having your home built exactly the way you always envisioned

With more and more Australians choosing to have their abodes constructed as per their tastes, choosing the right builder can be the bridge between a dream home and a disaster (read bad quality, no after-completion support, non-availability of the builder during the construction process etc.)

Go beyond the price

Price is an important part of the equation when you decide to build a home; we all know luxury doesn’t come cheap. However, don’t let price be your only guiding factor. Rate various builders on different parameters important to you including quality, experience, efficiency, building layout, promptness and transparency in paperwork.

Ask the right questions

Before you zero in on a builder, ask the right questions to make the right choice. Here’s what you need to ask the builder for sure:

Contacts of at least 3 previous clients, for there’s nothing like word of mouth to know a builder’s repute.

Is the builder licensed and does he carry indemnity insurance? Remember, a builder must be licensed to carry out works costing over a certain amount. Do not work with unlicensed builders.

What is included in the contract? Is the cost of the concrete slab, the foundation of your home, included? If not, it can adds thousands of bucks to the final cost. What about prices for materials yet to be decided (prime cost material)?

Experience and reputation

While you may be impressed by a builder’s designs, do not ever over look the importance of experience and repute. A builder who has been in the market for few years with a good number of projects under his belt is bound to have happy customers that enabled him to continue in the market. This is exactly the kind of builder you want – one who knows the market, who has experience and is bothered about maintaining his reputation, and thus, never compromises on quality.

Self Build: The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide

Choosing to self build is a great way to create a home that is exactly tailored to your needs and can often enable you to get more bang for your buck

If you are looking to create an individual home that is tailored to your lifestyle and requirements, then you should absolutely consider the self build options available to you.

Self building can allow you to create a low-maintenance home that will change with you as your needs change. It can also give you scope to design in energy efficient features from the outset.

But it doesn’t mean that you will be the one on site digging foundation trenches or laying bricks yourself. There are numerous self build routes available — depending on your available time, budget and skillset — from building your house on a DIY basis or acting as your own project manager to a completely hands-off approach through a package supplier.

What is a Self Build?

A self build is an individual house that has been commissioned by an individual homeowner to perfectly fit their exact requirements and tastes

Things to Consider When Choosing a Custom Builder

Planning the services of a custom builder to build your dream home? When it comes to building a new home, everyone wants to construct it according to choice and needs. Home is the place where you will ideally spend a happy and peaceful life with your family. If you are looking for a custom builder to build your new home. It is crucial, that you do your research and select a builder who you can trust to guide you, design and build a beautiful home.

Consult Builders and Consider Your Needs

When looking for the services of a builder, you first have to consider your needs, but you must also plan your home according to your available budget.

Only Choose Licenced Builders

When choosing a home builder, it is imperative that you can verify the builder’s licence. You should be very strict and choose to build with only a licenced builder. All builder’s must provide insurances including builders warranty insurance as part of their permit application.

Experience is Essential

When choosing a home builder, you should always choose an experienced company. Working with a highly experienced home builder often means they will offer better architectural design options and offer a higher quality service. Experienced builders have a greater understanding of know what a new home owner needs and can build according to those needs.

Check Reviews

When selecting a home builder, you want to be able to find out the quality of that builder. It is important to check reviews and even contact past clients if possible. All you need to do is ask them if they were satisfied with the service. If they were, this is generally a pretty good indication that the builder is of a decent quality.

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Try To Remove A Raccoon On Your Own

HOW TO GET RID OF RACCOONS

Here are eight ways to get rid of raccoons:

1. If the raccoons are inside a house or attic, the most important thing is to find and seal shut their entry hole(s). Be aware that a raccoon in an attic is almost always a female with young.

2. If the raccoons are outside, the first step is to eliminate whatever is attracting them to the property. Strap down garbage can lids, bring in pet food, put steel mesh over the goldfish pond, etc.

3. In either case, trapping and removal might be necessary. Use a large 12x12x32 steel cage trap, and bait with marshmallows. Relocate trapped raccoons at least 10 miles away. Trapping alone rarely solves the problem, and local laws probably apply.

4. Only after the baby raccoons and mother are removed from an attic should you seal the entry holes shut.

5. If raccoons are stuck down a wall in a house, you might need to cut a hole in the drywall.

6. Raccoons in a chimney might respond to certain types of repellents, like male raccoon eviction fluid. Be sure to install a steel cap on the flu afterward.

7. If raccoons are pooping in the swimming pool, install boards with upward-facing nails on the steps.

8. Remember, repellent products and devices like noise or light machines do not affect raccoons in any way.

How To Get Rid Of Raccoons Under Your Deck

If you have a raccoon under your deck, you will hear scratching and other noises coming from under deck during the night. Because they are busy during the night, raccoons will come in and out of their hiding places. If they have babies to feed, there will be lots of noise and lots of traffic. You want them out of there. How do you go about it? There are no really effective ways to get rid of raccoons. Old wives tales of mothballs and such are really just that: Old wives tales. Mothballs will not get rid of your raccoons. If the raccoon mom has babies, she may be aggressive if she feels her young are threatened. One thing you can do is to make living under your deck unattractive for them. Making lots of noise on your deck with pots and pans or bells may chase the raccoons away for a while. It may chase your neighbors away as well. You can wait until the babies are old enough to be on their own and then close off any openings with chicken wire, but that will take a few months. In many cases live trapping and removal is the best way to take care of the animal.

How To Get Rid Of Raccoons In Your Garbage

Raccoons are always on the search for food. If they can get into your garbage cans, they will think it’s a smorgasbord. You will not easily persuade them to leave. The only way not to have raccoons in your trashcan is to secure your trashcan lids so that raccoons can’t get into the cans. Once they are already in there, they may get stuck and you’ll have to find something to help them crawl out. If they are getting into the rubbish the best answer is to make that impossible. Since raccoons are nocturnal animals, you won’t see them much during the day. If you have one trapped in your trash can by chance, be sure to tighten the lid so it can’t come out and harm you. Take the entire trashcan, lid fastened securely, far out into the country. Let the raccoon escape from the trashcan there. Pick up any debris that fell out, take your garbage can and drive back home. When you take your garbage can back to its proper place, close the lid tightly. Employ the use of bungee-cords if you must, to ensure that the raccoons cannot open the lid. Also make sure there are no spills when you place your trash into the can. That would be an attractant. The biggest idea is to be tidy so they don’t come around anymore.

How To Get Rid Of Raccoons In Your Garage

People are in the habit of leaving their garage doors open during the day, especially when they are outside working in the yard. When people finally get around to closing the garage doors, a raccoon may already be in there, hunting for anything edible. The homeowner may not notice the raccoon for some time. He will know of the raccoon’s presence when he wakes up in the middle of the night because of noise. Something is knocking over things in the garage. He may see the raccoon frantically trying to get out. The simplest thing is to open the garage doors with the push of a button and let the raccoon escape. The animal may be so scared, however, that it hides behind or under some vehicles. You can’t see it and you’re afraid to have it attack you. It may wedge itself into some spot where it is stuck. You don’t want to start your car in the morning, and find out there is a raccoon under your hood. In any event, if you can leave the garage open overnight it will usually leave. If it seems to have made itself home in your garage then you’ll need to rent a live trap. Be very careful when removing them as they get quit aggressive.

How To Get Rid Of Raccoons In Your Attic

Raccoons are cute animals. They are comical to watch as they hunt for their food at night. They are not cute when you learn that they have made their home in your attic. Not only will they make a racket at night when you are trying to sleep. They will stink up your home with their urine and feces and make a mess in your attic, in general. There are health concerns to consider as well, such as raccoons can transmit rabies. Be wary of a raccoon behaving either very aggressively or very sluggishly! Home owners have tried to get rid of the raccoons themselves. Most repellents don’t prove useful when it comes to eradicating raccoons from your house. They are stubborn creatures and do not want to leave once they have found a nice home. The only effective way to get a raccoon out of your attic is to set up a trap and remove them this way. When removing the animal make sure to carefully select an area that is safe to set them free. You’ll need to make sure there aren’t any regulations in your area. By trying to trap the raccoons yourself, you run the risk of getting bitten or coming up empty handed, so do be cautious.

Some Tips and Tricks to Hunt Raccoons Effectively

The raccoon is one of the animals that can be found in North America that people are familiar with. A lot of people think that this animal is cute but it also cannot be denied that this animal can be very troublesome

Some people think that they are cute until they have a run-in with the raccoon. Suddenly, they do not think that the raccoon is a cute animal anymore. What you need to remember about the raccoon is this: they are known to be survivors so hunting them down may not be as easy as you have initially thought.

Day and Night Hunting – A Few Tips to Know

There are some people who prefer hunting the raccoon during daytime because they have enough light to see the raccoon. Yet, people also know that they can be seen at night too. You just have to decide when you will be more comfortable hunting them down. Some people hunt for raccoons as a game. This explains why they would love to hunt at night because they feel that this is going to be more challenging. At the same time, they can make use of their hunting tools

Get to know where raccoons can be found. Can you imagine if you would try ro earch for a raccoon but it is not available in the area where you are searching? It will only be a big waste of time. Most raccoons will look for a place wherein they know that they can constantly get food. The more food that is available for them, the more that they will keep coming back. You can leave food for them and eventually trap them if you please.

Do not underestimate a raccoon. This is one of the mistakes that people make. They assume that they will always be one step smarter than the raccoon. This may be true but raccoons are also very smart. They will have the ability to kill different birds when they are hungry. They also know how to enter homes without you realizing it

Problems With Raccoons

Raccoons can be fighters. They come equipped with sharp teeth and claws and they are strong enough to inflict significant harm to a human if they have reason to do so. There are numerous accounts of children and adults who have been disfigured by raccoon attacks. And they are known to inflict wounds on dogs and cats as well. Like all wild animals, raccoons will be more likely to attack if they are cornered, threatened, or protecting young.

Raccoons can transmit rabies. Next to bats, raccoons are most frequently linked to reported cases of rabies in the U.S. If a raccoon is rabid, it will be much more likely to come up close, rather than keep a safe distance.

Raccoons can transmit other diseases. The CDC lists the following diseases that can be spread by wildlife: roundworm, brucellosis, giardiasis, hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, herpesvirus simiae, histoplasmosis, tuberculosis, rabies, and tularemia.

Some Issues You May Know About But Ignore

Raccoons love to get into the garbage. These animals are famous for being able to open things with their human-like hands. At every chance, they will open garbage cans and strew trash around, and other animals are more than happy to help make that mess worse. Going through trash cans and dumpsters makes it likely that a raccoon will pick up harmful bacteria. This is just one more reason to not touch a raccoon, no matter how friendly it is.

Is It A Good Idea To Try To Remove A Raccoon On Your Own?

While these creatures may act and look docile, as described above, they can be very dangerous. It is best to leave wildlife removal to the professionals. Here at Big Blue Bug Solutions, we have the knowledge, tools, and years of experience to safely and humanely remove wildlife.

Effective Raccoon Removal

Raccoon Removal: Getting to Know Raccoons

Raccoons are known to be very intelligent and fearless animals. However due to their stubborn behavior and nocturnal nature they are considered as pests by humans. Raccoons can damage your gardens and they can even make a big mess in search of food. Removing raccoons can be a dangerous business. A company that offers effective raccoon removal services can also provide crawlspace cleanup services for any damages that occurred to your home.

Raccoon Behavior

Raccoons are mischievous by nature and they will go to any length in search of food.  The favorite places of raccoons are hollow trees and logs of trees near the lakes and rivers. As these animals are fearless they do not hesitate to enter the area of humans in search of food and shelter. These animals can also use the existing structure of your house to make a den for themselves.

Raccoon Eating Habits

Raccoons are omnivores, which means that they both plants and animals. They eat seeds, nuts, grains and fruits.  They also eat animals such as fish, frogs, snails, mice, snakes.  Raccoons also like to eat stuff out of the garbage cans and if you happen to leave pet food out, they will eat it.

Removing Raccoons from your Place

If you want to remove raccoons you need to apply effective raccoon control methods without losing any time.  You should not be careless in dealing with these animals as once they enter your home they can be a big nuisance for you. Here we will discuss some of the most effective raccoon removal methods.

Remove Water and Food

Raccoons can enter your home in search of food and for that you need to be very careful.  You should not leave any type of food which might attract these animals. Ideally you should remove trash and protect the garbage bins. You should always try to clean the fruits, nuts and bird seeds that have fallen in your yard. If you see that there is any leftover food and drink you should clean it as well.

Tips On How To Avoid Conflicts With Raccoons

Raccoons Procyon lotor are found throughout the United States, but are not native to Utah. They live in forests, marshes, near lakes and rivers and even in urban areas. Raccoons are gray in color, with bushy, black, ringed tails and black masks across their faces. Tracks are about 4 ½ inches long. The hind print is longer that the front print and five toes can be clearly visible in the tracks of both feet. Adults may weigh 10-30 pounds. Vocalizations include high-pitched squeals and chatter. Their scientific name means “washer” because they sometimes dunk their food in water before eating it.

SHARE THE WILD

Human/raccoon conflicts can occur in urban areas throughout the state. Raccoons will prey on poultry, small pets and get into trash and gardens. They have also been known to nest in attics, chimneys, basements and garages. They can enter through holes already present in a structure, or they can dig and rip an opening. Raccoons in a home can sometimes be heard scurrying about, whining or growling. Raccoons can pose a risk to humans and pets with some of the diseases they carry, such as distemper, mange, rabies, and canine and feline parovirus and roundworm.

Avoid Conflicts

Raccoons have been known to inhabit chimneys, attics, basements and garages. They can enter through holes already present or create their own entry hole.

Determining that raccoons are responsible for the damage is the first step; removing attractants and exclusion are the next steps in avoiding conflicts. Involving neighbors in these efforts is the

Exclusion And Deterants

Install chimney caps to prevent raccoons from nesting. Fall is the best time to install the caps, since the raccoons are not raising young. If you discover raccoons have moved into your uncovered chimney, it is best to wait for them to move out on their own. After eight to ten weeks the mother and young will leave and not return

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Why Wholesale Carpet Flooring Is A Superior Choice

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CARPETING & WOODEN FLOORING?

Carpet comes in a great variety of colors, styles, textures and thickness. It is a good insulator and even muffles sound, which is why many homeowners and renters still prefer it in their bedrooms.

Hardwood is usually ¾ inches thick and there are many species available for different budgets and aesthetic tastes. It is also a good insulator and is very low-maintenance.

Types of Carpet

Not only is it available in a variety of colors; carpet comes with options for fiber or pile so you can zero in on the most appropriate type for your home.

Best Flooring Options for Every Room

Bathroom or Kitchen Flooring

The best flooring for bathrooms or kitchens is tile or vinyl. These materials also go well in the mudroom.

Living Room Flooring: Hardwood or Carpet

Hardwood or carpet are the best flooring choices for the living room. They offer comfort and style without compromising durability.

Dens or Family Room Flooring Ideas

When you choose flooring for the den or family room, consider vinyl or carpet. These provide an ideal balance of comfort and durability.

Durable Entryway or Foyer Flooring

Tile or vinyl are the most durable flooring options for entryways and foyers. They are waterproof and scratch-resistant.

Kinds of Flooring for Laundry Rooms

The best flooring for laundry rooms are vinyl or tile. These types can handle higher humidity and spills without warping or bleaching.

Best Floor for Stairs or Hallways

Carpet or hardwood are the most appropriate choices for stairs and hallways because they are easier to cut to unusual sizes.

Good Flooring for Bedrooms: Carpet or Cork

Good flooring for bedrooms is a soft and warm material like carpet or cork.

Offices

L

aminate and low-pile carpet make great options for home offices. They are durable, stain-resistant and ideal for high-traffic.

Basement Floors

The best basement flooring types are tile, laminate or engineered hardwood. These materials handle higher moisture better than hardwood and can be installed on a concrete subfloor.

Garage Floors

The best option for this room is concrete. Installing garage floor coatings or garage tiles helps provide a non-slip surface that is easy to clean.

Commercial flooring

The most common types of flooring used in commercial buildings are:

Vinyl

Easy to maintain, and unlike tile floors, there is no grouting involved. This means that it is good in terms of maintaining hygiene levels, making it a popular choice for hospitals, care homes, and so on. Due to vinyl’s hard wearing quality, it can withstand large amounts of foot traffic, making it suitable for a wide range of commercial environments.

Safety flooring

This is a form of flexible, heavy duty, high grade vinyl or rubber flooring with slip resistant grains included. Essential for many industries to create a safe working environment. This flooring is easy to maintain and keep clean. As the most common cause of workplace injuries are slips, trips and falls, this flooring’s slip resistant quality makes it suitable for many workplace environments.

Commercial carpets and carpet tiling

These are popular for many businesses due to the aesthetic quality that can be achieved. Carpet tiles are common in offices because instead of laying down a large role of carpet, the individual tiles can be laid down and removed as required, giving flexibility, access to raised floors and saving on wastage.

Types of Flooring

Flooring material choices are forever growing and a wide range is available to suit your needs. You can choose flooring that is hard or soft and pick from a wide a variety of styles and colors.

Flooring material can also be environmentally friendly, and choosing a material depends on where the flooring will be installed. You may prefer a softer material underfoot in the bedroom and flooring that is easier to maintain in the kitchen.

Below is list of of choices:

  1. Bamboo: Bamboo flooring is made from the fast growing bamboo grass and can be harvested in four or five years. Bamboo can regenerate without seeding and is often grown without pesticides. As a flooring material, bamboo is durable and dense, and wears as well as maple and oak. The natural density reduces the need to refinish as often as hardwood. Milled like hardwood, with a tongue and groove on all four sides, bamboo is easy to install.
  2. Carpet and Carpet Tiles: Carpeting offers warmth and softness underfoot and is often cheaper than other flooring options. Carpeting is also a good, sound absorber. Covering whole floors may be best left to the professional, but carpet tiles are also available and easy to lay. Carpet tiles can be installed in minutes, and one damaged tile can be easily replaced.
  3. Cork: Cork is a renewable, sustainable resource and is known for its shock-absorbing comfort underfoot, as well as its vibration and sound-dampening qualities. Cork also has insect-resistant and anti-allergenic properties. Often available in tiles, cork can be installed as a floating floor or glued down.
  4. Hardwood: Hardwood flooring is durable and made of solid wood all the way through. Wood choices include maple, oak, cherry, hickory, white ash, Mongolian teak, acacia, and alder.
  5. Engineered Wood: Similar in appearance to hardwood, engineered wood flooring is built differently. Unlike solid hardwood, engineered wood has three to seven layers laminated or glued together. More resistant to moisture, engineered flooring can be used in every room.
  6. Laminate flooring: Laminate flooring is created by fusing several layers of material together. The core is made of either high-density or medium-density fiberboard. Laminate flooring is hypoallergenic; stain-, scratch-, and fade-resistant. Laminate copies the look of hardwood and more recently has been made to resemble stone and ceramic tile.
  7. Hard Flooring: Concrete is a hard, durable flooring material with a life expectancy exceeding other flooring. Thanks to new technology, the concrete surface can be made decorative by treating it with stains and colorants, or stamping and scoring it with a pattern. Easy to clean, and if properly maintained, concrete will never have to be replaced.
    Also, stone flooring is available as travertine tile, marble, granite, slate, limestone, and sandstone. Ceramic and porcelain tile is also available.
  8. Linoleum: True linoleum is a durable flooring choice that has been around for over 100 years. Sold in sheet form or tiles, linoleum is available in a wide range of colors and patterns. The main ingredient in linoleum is linseed oil. Other materials include wood flour, pine rosin, and jute. Linoleum is also antibacterial.
  9. Vinyl: Vinyl is a flooring material made primarily of polyvinyl chloride. It is available in sheets or tiles, and comes in a wide range of styles and colors.
  10. Rubber: Rubber flooring is also available in a variety of colors, as well as textures, designs, and configurations like pavers, tiles, and snap-together panels.

How to Choose

When choosing flooring, first consider the function of each room or area.  Then ask: How much traffic is this area expected to have?  What is the likelihood that the floor here will be exposed to moisture?  Will this room need flooring that can help dampen noise levels?  Might any of the occupants of this room have allergies, chemical sensitivities, or asthma?  What are likely ways this area will become dirty and how much time and money will be devoted to cleaning and maintaining this floor?  Consideration of these various factors helps narrow down flooring options and ensures that the flooring in each area is well-suited to its purpose.  Of course, various owners will prioritize these factors differently, but this list is a good place to start.  The best floor will reduce a building’s environmental impact and toxicity level, and function well for building occupants.

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Top Reasons To Hire A Professional For Sewer Inspections

$125 Dollar Sewer Inspections

Safe Investment Home Inspections is experienced in inspecting industrial, commercial, and residential sewer lines for owners and real estate agents around the state. You can be confident that in hiring us to inspect your sewer line that you will get an unbiased, professional, detailed, and spot on sewer inspection. Our technicians are fully trained and take pride in a job well done!

Inspection Includes:

DVD, Locates, Digital Report w/ images, Recommendations, Toilet Access (floor mounted), rooftop access, crawl space access, proper clean up of the area, and no trip charge within

A video camera inspection involves guiding a video camera through the sewer system in your home. As the camera travels through the system, video footage is displayed and recorded. We are able identify broken pipes, leaks, bellies, tree root damage, and other harmful obstructions. The cameras also allow us to verify that pipes are clean and obstruction free following service. Replacing a sewer pipe can cost between $4000 and $25,000. Better safe than sorry! We are an honest home inspection company, and pride ourselves in helping you understand the condition of your sewer line good or bad.

Video Sewer Inspection Determines The Condition of The Pipe

There is no need to think about the sewer system when things are good. However, when things are not, it is noticed right away. There are signs that cannot be ignored. The annoying odor suggests that something has gone wrong in the sewer drainage system

Video Camera Inspection Allows Us To See The Problem First Hand

The sewage drainage system is where raw waste from the toilet, sinks and bathtub is drawn away from the home or business. With a San Diego video sewer inspection, the problem or clog can be seen utilizing a closed circuit television system (CCTV).   Customer Testimonial Sarah V. San Diego “I had been faced with a sewage dilemma and needed a credible company that could locate the problem. Therefore, I looked for experienced plumber technicians with good reputations. I discovered that a San Diego video drain inspection could make it possible to view the inside of backed-up drains or other problems with the drain system. A video sewer inspection is just what was needed to expose my leaking sewer. When the inspection was completed, the best recommendation by the technician was given to me. I was able to make a decision about my sewer system repair. My experience was that this problem was handled knowledgeably and professionally.”

Video Sewer & Drain Inspection Services

A clogged drain can cause a backup into the sink and toilet. video drain inspection equipment crawls through the pipe, revealing cracks, erosion, debris and other problems. The video viewer technology can spot problems in the drain almost immediately.

We offer Video Camera Inspections of Your Sewer for No Cost

When it comes to fast, reliable, and no-cost sewer inspections, you can always count on the professional plumbers here at Trenchless Rehab. Each of our plumbing professionals has the training, experience, and local licensing necessary to handle any inspection job they come across at no cost to you. So, if you’ve been putting off getting a sewer inspection, then you’ve come to the right place! Contact us to schedule a San Diego video camera inspection today!

How Much Does A Sewer Camera Inspection Cost?

A sewer video inspection costs between $231 and $942, or an average of $583. Certain circumstances could make the total between $100 and $1,200. Professionals usually charge a flat rate for this service. If you need additional work as a result, the rate to hire a plumber runs $45 to $150 per hour.

You have hundreds of feet of plumbing under your house that you cannot see. If something goes wrong, you must look inside the pipes. A sewer scope is an inspection. It involves a camera that goes through your drain line to give you a view of its condition. Homeowners often choose this service to find the cause of leaks or clogs, or as part of a real estate transaction. The project is complicated and paying $200 to rent equipment may not be cheaper than having a professional do it for you. In most cases, it is best to hire a pro.

For an average cost of $231 and $942, the professional will do the following:

Open the drain to run the camera through the line.

Use the device to complete a visual check of the plumbing for possible problem.

Put the drain back into position after the inspection.

Create a report with the results.

Provide a DVD or digital file of the recording, in many cases

What’s Not Included in the Cost of a Drain Camera Inspection

The camera inspection provides you with information, but not repairs. If a plumber offers to do the job for free, ask for a list of standard service prices. Plumbers who charge little or nothing for the scope may expect to charge more for related services,

such as:

the cost to clean a drain: just over $200

the price of clearing a sewer line: $300

the expense of main sewer line repair: $2,500

sewer line replacement: $7,500

object removal (e.g. jewelry, mobile phone).

SEWER CAMERA INSPECTION

If clear water was the only thing you put down your drains, they’d work problem-free all the time. However, drains in residential and commercial properties must handle the complications caused by soap, grease, hair, dirt and all sorts of other debris that can lead to clogs.

WHEN DO YOU NEED A SEWER CAMERA INSPECTION?

If you’re experiencing the warning signs of a clog, such as a slow or backed-up drain, noticeable sewer odors around your property, mold growth or a flooded basement, you are rightfully concerned about fixing the problem as quickly as possible.

we take all clogs seriously. That’s why our technicians offer innovative video camera inspections for sewer lines. If you currently have a clog on your property – or, if you want to be proactive about ensuring you won’t have any problems down the road

WHAT IS A VIDEO SEWER INSPECTION?

Video sewer cameras are the most accurate way to identify common sewer line issues such as clogs and leaks. The video footage can also reveal larger problems such as broken, cracked or collapsed pipes.

Using your drain cleanout or other access point, a video camera sewer inspector will insert a specially designed video camera into your sewer pipeline. The high-definition cameras we use to conduct video sewer inspections are tiny, but mighty – not only waterproof, but highly maneuverable, even when we need to access hard-to-reach locations in your pipes.

SEWER CAMERA INSPECTIONS

Advanced Plumbing Systems is the premier company to call for scheduling a sewer line inspection and surrounding areas. Special sewer cameras enable our professional plumbers to get a look at underground pipes and other aspects of your plumbing system that could otherwise only be seen by digging up the backyard and gaining access to the sewer and sewer lines.

Now we can gain visual access without the need for physical access. That means we don’t have to dig up your yard first – saving you a lot of heartache and money. Having been in the business since 2004, our team has seen changes and advancements that have made the entire process easier. We look forward to using our state-of-the-art system to solve your residential or light commercial sewer problems.

Here are a few things you should know about sewer inspections:

A flexible rod is used to move the camera around; one that even can go around corners. This allows a trained pro to get a good look inside your pipes and sewer.

The equipment is waterproof. That means this set-up can withstand the conditions and provide accurate readings.

This set-up can be used to identify any number of problems. From a punctured line to root intrusion, this camera will be able to provide visual access to whatever issue there is.

There have been instances of less-than-reputable plumbers showing video of another sewer, in order to make a client think they have big, expensive repairs costs that need to be addressed. When in doubt, make it a point to get a second opinion.