kairo

Is An Auto Transmission Repair Franchise In Your Future

Automotive

How can I make my transmission last longer?

A transmission can be easy to maintain, but terribly pricey to replace. It makes sense to take care of your automotive transmission now, rather than be caught off-guard by a huge repair bill later. The following strategies will help to keep your transmission working well and shifting seamlessly behind the wheel.

Tips to maintain your car or truck transmission include:

Check your fluids.

It may sound simple but keeping an eye on your transmission fluid is one of the most effective ways to take care of your auto’s transmission that there is. This will also allow service techs and mechanics the opportunity to identify any potential issues, based on the level or absence of fluid. Often times leaks can cause problems so identifying a leak before it becomes and expensive repair is very important for your transmissions health.

 

Keep it in gear.

Be aware of what gear you are driving in. Repeatedly driving 45mph in first-gear will cause trouble for your transmission over time. Likewise, when driving an automatic, be sure that you are in the recommended “drive” mode before heading out. Most drivers who own a car with manual transmission know what their doing. But they often lend out their car to others who don’t exactly know how to drive a stick. A lot of damage can be done to the gears if driven improperly. Make sure before you let someone else drive, they know what their doing.

Shift only after you stop.

When switching from first to reverse or vice versa make sure you come to a complete stop before shifting in and out of gear. Shifting between these gears while moving could weaken or strip the gears of the transmission if done consistently.

Take time to tune-up.

Don’t miss your regular tune-up appointments. A faulty engine can wreak havoc on the transmission, and can make it work harder than it should have to when shifting. Everything is connected in a car. Check your alignment, get your tune ups, and take care of the overall health of the rest of your vehicle and your transmission will benefit.

Let it get warm.

Take time to warm your vehicle up before dropping it in gear and driving. This applies to both cold-weather and warm-weather driving. Give the vehicle five minutes to idle before taking off. This is especially true during the cold snaps that we get in Portland, Oregon during winter. Let your vehicle warm up before changing gears and be safe when you’re out driving in bad weather this winter.

 

Use caution when helping out others.

Think twice before offering to tow or haul vehicles or other heavy loads with your vehicle. The added weight can cause wear and potential issues for your transmission, unless you have a heavy-duty vehicle that is designed for such utility. Instead, be helpful by offering to call a tow-truck!

Address repairs and concerns quickly.

Don’t delay in having your vehicle looked at when you notice signs of a transmission issue. This might include a strange smell, grinding when shifting gears, or an unusual sound. Failure to promptly address these concerns could result in a far more serious and costly problem.

Keep things cool.

If you put your vehicle through its paces, the rough terrain, added weight, and heavy utility can generate heat, which wreaks havoc with a transmission. Cool down your transmission by installing an auxiliary cooling system or fan. Talk with automotive experts regarding the most practical options for your specific vehicle.

 

Servicing the vehicle right way

It’s always important to stick to your regular service routine. This should also be done according to the guidelines in your manual. The transmission fluid, as well as the fluid filter, should also be changed periodically. For older cars, you’ll want to do this every one and a half years or anywhere between 20,000 to 30,000 miles. New cars will be fine with two-year periodical changes or every 40,000 to 50,000 miles. Most manufacturers would expect you to change the fluid every 30,000 to 60,000 miles cover, for manual transmissions. Under heavy-duty use, you may consider changing the fluid after 15,000 miles. Automatic transmissions can be serviced anywhere from 30,000 miles or longer.

Don’t ignore warning signs

Funny sounds, grinding gears, strange smells, or droplets of red or green fluid on the garage floor all point to transmission problems. If you want your transmission to remain fully functional for a long time, things like these should not be delayed or ignored. This can prove very expensive, going forward.

Check your driving style

You may have to check your driving style for bad habits that may put your transmission at risk. These can include quick starts and stops as well as constant acceleration and deceleration. You’re better off with an even speed or perhaps using cruise control when you’re on the highway.

Invest in a transmission cooler

Transmission coolers can help you get more life out of your transmission. This will help keep heat under control while also keeping the fluid very cool. This is necessary since heat can cause substantial damage to your transmission. It can damage the seals, the electronic components, and the metal surface. This can easily prolong your transmission’s lifespan by as much as twice or thrice than you can get without a cooler.

 

Getting the most out of your transmission

Granted, no transmission lasts forever (though some try), but regular maintenance can keep your car on the road for many years and miles without ever experiencing any transmission problems. Ignore the maintenance, however, and an automatic transmission can fail in as few as 75,000 miles, leaving you with costly repairs, and in some cases, a voided warranty. A typical transmission service includes:

  • Replacing the automatic transmission fluid (ATF) roughly every 40,000 miles, depending on the OEM’s recommended schedule. Learn how to perform this relatively simple, inexpensive procedure yourself.
  • Upgrading to a synthetic transmission fluid (if appropriate for the vehicle)
  • Adjusting transmission bands every 60,000 miles (such as on an older car or heavy-duty pickup)
  • Checking the fluid level often and refilling it to the proper level when it’s low.
  • Using the ATF specified by the vehicle manufacturer and never mixing different types of transmission fluids.
  • Replacing the transmission filter or screen based on the vehicle manufacturer’s mileage and/or time intervals.
  • Cleaning the transmission pan’s magnet(s) to remove metal fragments it has trapped.
  • Using a transmission conditioning product to help restore performance and fix small leaks.

The Business Of Home Builder

Home Improvement

Construction Process

When construction begins, the build phase utilizes your selections and designs within the contract documents and specifications. During this phase, Builders focuses on providing expert oversight to achieve the desired end result — your high quality dream home on budget and schedule. With our established industry relationships, we ensure the homeowner is receiving the best materials and workmanship.

A Step-by-Step Guide to the Home Building Process

Here’s what to expect during the major phases of construction. Building your new home is exciting, especially when you understand how the process works. The following overview outlines the typical steps your builder will take in the construction of a home and will help keep you abreast of what happens at key stages.

Keep in mind that the homebuilding process may vary from region to region and builder to builder, especially if you’re building an elaborate custom home. Be sure to ask your builder about his or her specific policies and procedures.

Prepare site and pour foundation: Often, site preparation and foundation work are performed by the same crew, but this may not be the case with a wooded lot. Using a backhoe and a bulldozer, the crew clears the site of rocks, debris and trees for the house and, if applicable, the septic system. The crew levels the site, puts up wooden forms to serve as a template for the foundation, and digs the holes and trenches. Footings (structures where the house interfaces with the earth that supports it) are installed. If your home is going to have a well, it will be dug at this point.

If the home has a full basement, the hole is dug, the footings are formed and poured, and the foundation walls are formed and poured. If it’s slab-on-grade, the footings are dug, formed and poured; the area between them is leveled and fitted with utility runs (e.g. plumbing drains and electrical chases); and the slab is poured.

 

Steps for Custom Home Construction

There are tons of decisions to make, from the architectural style you want for your home to the smallest details like ideal locations for electrical outlets. To get through it, keep reminding yourself of the reason you are doing this and how well the end-result will fit your needs.

Also, if you play your cards right upfront, you will have a solid team supporting you throughout the entire process. You don’t have to go through it alone or feel that you must be an expert in every phase of home design and building.

A Brief Overview of Custom Construction

Custom construction is performed in phases, with aspects of each phase directly dependent upon the successful completion of previous steps.

Architectural Design Phase – this is where you and your team develop your preliminary home design and estimate, final plans, specifications, and engineering, as well as a detailed budget and schedule.

Pre-Construction Phase – in this phase, you get all your approvals for financing, from the homeowners association, and permits. Also, this is the time we sign on key subcontractors for the major systems in your new home.

Construction Phase – here is where the dirt starts to fly. The site work, foundation, and shell begin to go up, then everything else is built into place from the insulation to the flooring.

Final Inspection Phase – you get to walk through your brand-new home for a last look before moving in.

Warranty Phase – we do our best to ensure your home is perfect when you move in, but our work doesn’t stop until everything is completed to your satisfaction.

Custom Homes vs. Semi-Custom Homes vs. Production or Tract Homes

A custom home is quite different from what’s known as a production home or a tract home. A production home is constructed by a company that offers its customers a selection of floor plans, exteriors, layouts, and interior design elements. The customer selects one of the designs to go on a lot, often in a “master-planned community” filled with other homes using that slate of designs.

 

BUILDING VS BUYING

Old houses have their charms. But if you want a spacious house with an open floor plan, state-of-the-art technologies and low-maintenance comfort, put new construction on your shopping list for these reasons:

ENERGY EFFICIENCY: Older homes are seldom as energy efficient as new homes. Homes built only 10 years ago may use twice the energy of today’s homes. Your new home will have improved heating and cooling systems, energy-saving windows and super insulation. Also, many mortgage companies nationwide take energy use into account when qualifying buyers and will make a large loan on an energy-efficient home because average monthly utility bills will be lower, which frees up more of the budget for mortgage payments.

UPDATED APPLIANCES: Appliances are new, energy-efficient and easy to use. New dishwashers are quieter and use less water, ranges are easy to clean, and refrigerators are larger and come with more convenient options. Even a home inspection is no guarantee that older home appliances will last long after closing. Especially for cash-strapped first-time buyers, the sudden need for a new furnace or dishwasher can lead to other expensive repairs, such as replacement of wiring or plumbing.

SAFETY CODES: New homes are safer and less expensive to operate and maintain. They stand the latest fire, health and safety codes. These codes need life saving detectors to signal smoke presence or carbon monoxide. Newer homes are free of lead paint and asbestos filled pipes.

BUILDING TECHNIQUES: Builders today benefit from advances in building techniques. This means dry basements, expansive rooms and a quieter, more comfortable atmosphere.

UPDATED WIRING: Often, new homes of all price ranges include whole-house wiring for cable, telephone and music systems. Home offices and home theaters are becoming a part of standard packages. When it comes to wiring and electricity, more is better. New homes have 200-amp electrical service; some older homes have inadequate 60-amp services.

A ROOM WITH A VIEW: New homes are light and bright. Not only do they have more energy efficient windows, but they also have more of them. New homes are often “see-through” homes. From the front door, the viewer looks through the home to a panorama of windows that frame views of the back garden.

A HOUSE FOR TODAY: New homes mirror today’s lifestyles. Families live differently than they did 10 to 15 years ago. Cooking is a group experience, and no one wants to be too far from the television. New homes blend the kitchen, eating area and family room into one informal space. New homes also have more and larger bathrooms and closets

Choosing the right builder is as important as choosing the right style of home or neighborhood. All these decisions affect you—positively or negatively—long after the builder finishes your home. How do you know what builder is right for you? There is no single answer to this question, unfortunately. You have to rely on your own instincts to make the right decision.

The first question you need to answer is what kind of builder you want: Custom or production?

Custom builders may cost you more, but the houses can match the customer’s needs and wants.  If you want extra square footage in the living room or kitchen, you are able to add on. A custom homebuilder will also take the time to make sure all your finishing’s, cabinets, countertops, faucets, lighting, appliances, doors, etc., match your personality.

Here are some other guidelines that will help you choose the right builder:

The builder’s reputation is generally an excellent guide. That goes for most any kind of purchases you make. If the company’s reputation is poor, you’re not going to want to buy from them. Homeowners in the area are a good resource when finding information about different builders. The Better Business Bureau is also a good place to check. You can find out if there have been any major complaints about the builders you’re considering. Very good and very bad builder reputations usually surface quickly. The builders who are in the middle of very good and very bad are usually harder to investigate.

Check to see how long the builder’s have been in business. There’s nothing wrong with “new” builders, but nothing beats quality sustained through many years of service. You can’t fool the consumer for long, and builders who provide poor quality, do not survive over time.

Look at the overall service records of the builder’s you’re considering. Ask for names of previous customers. Find out how responsive your builder has been. Has the builder responded quickly to complaints? Has the builder provided help to the customer with securing manufacturer warranty claims?

Check the builder’s affiliations with professional organizations. These organizations are a good source of up-to-date information for the builder. The National Association of Home Builders provides a continuous flow of information. The highest quality builders have personnel who work with the NAHB technical departments to keep abreast of innovations in design and energy conservation.

Ask the builders what kind of materials they use. Find out which brand names are used in the appliances and in the materials, such as windows and insulation. A quality builder uses quality brand name products whenever possible.

Check to see how accommodating the builders are. Will they accept variations to standard plans? Will they do it willingly and at a reasonable cost?

Financial stability of the builder is also an important thing to check. Don’t be afraid to ask for bank references. Good builders will supply them.

 

The Definitive Guide to Branding for Home Builders

Branding for home builders is EVERYTHING. Your business sinks or floats on the perception of your ideal buyers. Without a proper brand strategy in place, you can expect decreased consumer awareness, fewer referrals, and a smaller slice of market share.

Every home builder wants a powerful brand, but few have mastered the art of carving out a strong identity in an overcrowded market. Your main business goal is to out-build and out-market your local competitors: you don’t want to become the “Apple” of your industry, but rather the apple of your prospects’ eyes. Creating a powerful brand isn’t black-and-white, so it’s important you focus on tactics and strategies tailored for home builders.

This definitive guide to branding for home builders was designed with your company in mind, because we understand the journey today’s modern home buyers take and the decisions they make along the way.

“Brands live in people’s heads. They are the sum total of perceptions about them.” By this definition, your brand isn’t something you control; however, you can certainly influence it. This is made possible by having a clear understanding of your company’s purpose, mastering the delicate art of persuasion, and making the whole process as systematic as possible.

What is your brand saying when you’re not around?

A powerful brand transcends words and moves peoples’ emotions – touching their hearts through visuals, storytelling, and shared experiences. Remember, every single touchpoint a prospect has with you is an opportunity for your brand to shine.

 

FIRST TIME HOME BUILDERS

Thinking of building because you have out grown your current home, looking to upgrade to your dream home or are you looking to enter into home ownership? Homes know that building a new home is exciting, we also know that there is a lot to take in if you haven’t built before

DESIGN

Selecting your new home design allows you to get exactly what you are dreaming of. You get a layout that suits your lifestyle, with matching interior finishes and fixtures. By building you can avoid the potential issues that can arise with renovating an established property due to hidden factors and unexpected issues.

LOCATION

Selecting the right location for your dream home is one of the biggest decisions. Homes offer free site inspections, this allows the team to advise you on suitable blocks for your project. Once you have selected a block, our Sales Team can complete a siting of your proposed home on the block so that you can visualise your final design, along with recommendations on orientation and positioning to maximise best energy efficiency.

SELECTIONS

You can view display homes so you understand the quality what will go into building your new home. Homes has a large Selection Centre, the MyChoice Design Studio, where you will find many products and ideas on display to assist you with your selections and the customisation of your home to meet your needs.

CONSTRUCTION

Once all Council requirements are met, you will be able to watch as your new home becomes a reality. Your Site Supervisor will make sure that your home is built with the utmost of care and complies with our quality assurance guidelines.

Hydro Jetting Service Process

Plumbing

How effective is hydro jetting?

What is Hydro Jetting & Why is it Needed?

Hydro jetting is a service that uses a highly pressurized stream of water to remove a clog or blockage from a drain or pipe. Often, small obstructions can be removed with an auger or even a plunger. If the blockage is more severe, however, then hydro jetting is the most effective way of cleaning the pipe.

Hydro-jetting may be needed if:

  • Regular methods of drain cleaning, like snaking, won’t clear more severe blockages.
  • You experience slow drainage, recurring clogs, multiple drains clogging at one time, or a sewage back-up.
  • You are having any kind of work done on your pipes (fixing a leak, repairing a crack, addressing a corrosion issue, etc.). Hydro jetting can make the job easier by removing any buildup in your pipes that may affect the outcome of the job.

 

Choosing Hydro-Jetting for Clean Drains

Typically, Hydro-Jetting is not the first choice when it comes to drain cleaning. Most plumbing technicians will opt for a drain snake, which is a tried-and-tested method, but one designed for relatively minor clogs in the grand scheme of things.

However, that’s not to say Hydro-Jetting is an afterthought. It’s a technique designed for tough clogs. The benefits of this method include:

  • Fast Relief – The high-pressure water used to clean the drain is incredibly fast, ensuring quick relief from any size drainage clog.
  • Removes Extreme Blockages – The power of Hydro-Jetting is strong enough to clear away tree roots and serious drainage blockages when needed.
  • Versatility – Hydro-Jetting was built to work with all manner of plumbing pipes in or around your home.
  • Eliminates Problems – This method helps eliminate all of your drainage problems, not just provide temporary relief. Hydro-Jetting will clean the pipe wall of any soap scum, grease, or gross buildups, including minerals from hard water.

As you can see, Hydro-Jetting is an effective method for homeowners seeking the ultimate cleaning experience. With high-pressure water blasting through your drains, there won’t be any lingering grease, food debris, or minerals in the system. Just a clear path for water and waste.

 

Hydro-Jetting In Residential, Municipal And Commercial Applications

For residential purposes, professional hydro-jetting can be very effective at clearing silt, build up over time and dirt from within pipe lines. In some cases, hydro-jetting serves as a viable alternative to manual pipe repair; non-invasive and a fraction of the price, hydro-jetting provides a residential pipe cleaning alternative few homeowners can pass up.

If you’ve been stuck in a loop of detecting clogs and snaking them out of your drain pipes, jetting may be just what you need to remove debris from your pipes for good.

When it comes to dirt, corrosion and build up within city sewer lines, non-invasive hydro-jetting is often the most affordable cleaning option available. With PSI levels in the tens of thousands, hydro-jetting clears municipal sewer line debris far more effectively than snaking, and at a lower price tag than other methods.

One of hydro-jetting’s biggest advantages, however, is that it’s entirely chemical-free, and causes zero damage to inner pipe walls. It’s not only effective for cleaning pipes, but also 100% safe for all types of pipe line, including:

  • Cement sewer lines
  • Steel pipe
  • Cast iron pipe
  • Orangeburg pipe lines
  • Existing PVC or resin-based pipe lines
  • Clay pipe

In commercial cleaning applications, hydro-jetting has become somewhat of a norm in regular plumbing upkeep, particularly for food and beverage industries. As byproduct clogging and build up is much more prevalent in these industries than in others, hydro-jetting is often conducted as part of regular plumbing maintenance.

Pipe and drain snaking helps remove large clogs within pipe lines, but does little to clear residual materials from pipe walls; jetting, on the other hand, removes this excess material with ease, in a single application.

 

Not sure if you should stick to snaking or hydro-jetting?

Snaking:

  • It is a commonly tried method: It works most of the time and gets the job done. We know that because plumbers have been using it forever.
  • Easy on pipes: If you have fragile or sensitive pipes, this is a good way to go.
  • Gets rid of minor clogs: If it is a small or minor clog in the pipes, snaking can tackle that easily for you.

The real downside to snaking is that this is not a permanent job. It is a temporary fix, meaning you will have to get it fixed again. How irritating, right? Now that you have gotten yourself a new water heater, it is important to know how to maintain it. You want to keep the water heater for the long run so small checks here and there will be useful.

Hydro-Jetting:

  • Clears out the pipe walls: It will get rid of any grease, minerals, and more. Cleans out the grease and pipe-wall build-up, as well.
  • Fast clearing: The clogs will be cleaned out quickly due to the high-water pressure.
  • No more dangerous blocks: Any serious blockage including tree roots can all be cleared out with the pressurized water. So you do not have to worry!
  • It is economical: This method will reduce your sewer services expenses in the long run.

Compared to a typical snaking the blockage will be cleared out for around 4 times longer! However, if you have really old and fragile pipes, hydro-jetting can damage your pipes. So just double-check with a professional if you are not too sure about the pipes you have. Are you convinced to give hydro-jetting a go yet? No? Alright, let us tell you more about hydro-jetting. It works on many pipelines and not only that but it is also safe! You guessed it! It works on: steel pipe, cast iron pipe, clay pipe, cement sewer lines, and more. Also, it is chemical-free and will not damage the inside of your pipes! How effective is it? To simply answer this, VERY. With all of the advantages it has, it is quite effective:

  • Can fit into thin pipes as 1 ½” diameter to as wide as 4’ diameter
  • Due to the water pressure, it can easily get rid of all tough cloggings and dangerous blockages inside.
  • Hydro-jetting gets to the roots of the problem so you do not have any other grease and build-up to worry about.
  • Can resolve minor plumbing issues in pipes before they go out of control, creating a bigger issue.

Hydro-jetting is effective and better for you in the long-run. It is going to clean out the pipes for a long period and will make you financially happy since you do not need to constantly clean or fix the pipes. If you’re unsure about pipes being too old, you can always call a plumbing company like No Worries Rooter, to come to check it out for you!

 

Why You Should Consider It

The great thing about a hydro jetting service is that it takes care of a lot of problems at once. Not only does it remove any clogs, it cleans out the whole system to prevent future clogs. It’s also the best way for a technician to perform a “check up” on your pipes and sewer lines. If there’s any damage in your plumbing system, we’ll see it with the hydro jetting tool’s camera.

Hydro jetting is also easier on pipes, generally, than snaking or using a different kind of a de-clogging tool. Rotating blades or mechanical snakes can cause damage to the inside of pipes. With hydro jetting, your technician can identify problematic locations in your system before the cleaning process begins. If the technician is afraid treating that area would damage the pipe’s integrity, they can work around it instead.

Most importantly, hydro jetting is simply extremely effective. The camera can actually see the problem. You get to watch your pipes get cleaned out until they look brand new. You get a complete look at your plumbing system and can accurately identify any problems. Think of a clog as a blockage in an artery. The hydro jetting pipe rejuvenation treatment is the plumbing equivalent of high-tech surgery. In some ways, it’s even better; unlike surgery, we don’t have to open anything up!

Choosing Between Laminate And Hardwood Flooring

Flooring

Things to Know About Cleaning Hardwood Floors

With the dramatic gain in popularity of wood floors in recent years, more and more consumers are turning to cleaning professionals for maintenance advice and services. Following are of the most frequently asked questions and answers about hardwood floor cleaning.

Do different types of wood grains affect the cleaning of hardwood floors?

Absolutely. A lot of the wood floors you see today are different than what you would typically find in your mother’s or grandmother’s home. They no longer are all one color, with a smooth, elegant finish, but often contain visible character marks such as knots, checks or splits. Some are even hand-scraped to give them the old rustic look. This is called open, rustic or character grain.

Do wood floors have different finishes? If so, will that affect how they are cleaned?

This is perhaps one of the most important factors when it comes to cleaning hardwood floors. Depending on the manufacturer, each floor has different finish characteristics and will need a different cleaning product or system to properly maintain that finish

How would I know what cleaning product to use on which type of hardwood floor?

You should always defer to the manufacturer guidelines and never assume what type of floor finish is on the hardwood floor, as it is often impossible to tell. This is especially true when it comes to hard wax oil finishes. Because each manufacturer develops its own finish system and its own proprietary cleaning/maintenance formulas, you will need to use a product-specific system to ensure lasting beauty of the wood floor. If the wrong cleaning system is used, you may end up permanently damaging the floor.

When cleaning hardwood floors, what are the most effective cleaning products?

An effective and product-specific cleaning solution, a spray bottle and a cloth is typically all you need. A good rule of thumb for the quantity of floor cleaner is one quart of cleaning product for every 500 square feet of flooring. Although, if your floor is one with a rustic or character grain, you will want to use even less as the cleaning product tends to accumulate into the checks and cracks in the grain.

 

How To Restore and Care For Your Solid Wood Floor

If you are wondering how to restore and care for your solid wood floor, you’ve come to the right place. Solid wood flooring is a sound investment for your home, with its striking good looks holding fast for many years to come. If maintained properly it can last for tens of years, meaning there’s no need to think about replacing your floors for a long time once you’ve installed your solid wood floors. However, accidents happen, and if your solid wood floors are beginning to look a little tired then you may be considering whether to repair or renew them. To help you decide we’ve put together a comprehensive guide for the maintenance and care of your solid floor.

What kind of care does your hardwood floor need?

The first question you need to answer is what kind of care your floor needs. This can range from resurfacing and refinishing to applying new stains and varnishes. Read on and find out exactly what your solid wood needs to look like new.

Should I repair or renew scuffs?

Scuffs are bound to occur over time, no matter the material of your floor. If this is the issue when you’re deciding to repair or renew your solid wood floor then, depending on the extent of the damage, we would recommend repairing the damage.

Should I repair or renew scratches?

Scratches are an unfortunately common mark to occur to solid wood floors and can be caused by wearing heeled shoes, pets claws or fine dust and dirt. If the scratches on your floor are fine then simply sanding and refinishing should be sufficient. If, however, the scratches are more like gouges, then it may be advisable to replace the boards altogether, as sanding a scratch that’s particularly deep could lead to you sand too much of the board away.

Should I repair or renew dents?

Dents can occur from heeled shoes, heavy furniture or dropping heavy items on your wooden floor. As a dent is simply a compression of the wood fibre it is possible to repair it by applying some water to the site of the mark, covering with a cloth and ironing over it gently. The water will expand the wood as the iron will force the water to rise upwards, expanding the wood as it does.

Should I repair or renew water damage?

Water damage is one of the worst forms of damage for a solid wooden floor. To repair or renew this damage, your only option, in this case, is renewing your floors. If you wish to minimise the cost of a complete renewal of your solid wooden floor then you can try replacing the boards that are affected, though the colour may be slightly different from your original boards.

 

Hardwood floors

Most property owners think that to get that new-again sheen they have to sand down their floors, restain them, and reseal them. However, if the wear is fairly surface-level (normal wear, scratches in the finish and only a few deeper scratches that gouge that wood itself), it’s easy to refresh your hardwood floors in one day and save yourself from the mess, labor, and expense of sanding off your existing finish.

Approaches to Refinishing Hardwood Floors Without Sanding

Use a store-bought chemical abrasion kit

Buff and recoat floors with polyurethane

Use a revitalizer

Pro tip: When you make the decision to touch up your floors yourself, it’s best to do it between tenants—that way, you’re not moving furniture in and out, nor are you forcing your residents to relocate for 48 hours. Read along to find out if this is the best way to renew or restore your floors.

Figure Out What Kind of Hardwood Floors You’re Working With

Before you dive into any DIY home project, it’s important to know the materials you’re working with. This is especially important if you’re not the original owner. Different floor materials or treatments will have an impact on how you are able to refinish your floors, and you want to make sure you take the best and most effective approach.

Refinishing Prefinished and Laminated Hardwood Floors

Whether you have traditional hardwoods, prefinished wood, or laminated wood, restoring without sanding is a practical solution. Though you can sand your traditional hardwoods, it’s difficult or even impossible to sand prefinished or laminated wood floors. Why? Laminated floors (either glue-down or floating) only have a thin layer of attractive wood veneer over plywood, so you can’t sand these floors more than twice without damaging them and exposing the plywood.

 

Staining Hardwood Flooring: What To Consider Before You Stain

advise plenty of homeowners about staining hardwood flooring. Whether you’ve recently purchased unfinished wood, or you want to transform your space, your flooring is one of the grandest statements that you can make. With stain, you don’t have to replace floors to get a new look. However, staining is a larger process than some expect, so it’s important to be prepared. Here are the top things to consider when debating whether you stain your floors or not

What Color Should I Stain My Hardwood Floors?

Choosing what stain would work best for your wood flooring is a big decision. One way to make sure the color fits is by considering the theme of the room. While dark has a dramatic flair, a light stain might make the room feel more open. In general, stained wood makes a room feel warmer. You can look at home magazines or take a trip down to the hardwood store to browse colors. Consider the color scheme of the room and the feeling you want it to have to help you determine the color that best fits your flooring.

What is the Condition of the Floor?

Before you decide on a stain color, really inspect your hardwood flooring. If you have blemishes or scratches in the wood, you might consider a darker stain, so to cover up those visual imperfections. However, lighter stain is easier to maintain because scratches and dents are much less visible if they happen.

Process of Staining Hardwood Flooring?

Staining is a popular DIY project for Colorado home owners. If you’re up for the task, here’s a general breakdown of how to stain your floors:

Remove everything from the room. If you have carpet on the wood, you’ll have to pry it all up

Sand the Flooring: rent a sander, or hire a professional

Sweep and Mop: make sure all of the debris is picked up completely

Apply Stain

Apply Top Coat

Do I Need to Re-Finish my Hardwood Floors As Well?

Refinishing hardwood flooring involves sanding down the top layer of the floor, and then applying a new top coat and stain. Hardwood floors should be refinished if there are multiple blemishes, if there are planks bending upwards, or if the flooring is starting to age. Staining is a great option when you have unfinished wood or would like to change the look of newer wood. Staining still needs a sander to get rid of that top coat, however. Ask a professional flooring contractor if your floors need refinishing.

 

Should you install hardwood floors?

Hardwood flooring is considered a hallmark for floor covering. It has been used for ages and gives a warm and inviting look to any home. The reason I can say “to any home” is because these floor coverings range from elegant to rustic in the choices. You can install this flooring in a contemporary home as well as a traditional one. Wood always emits a feeling of hominess so covering the floor in wood will naturally create a welcome emotion.

There are those who are afraid of using wood as their main flooring throughout the house. Perhaps some cons you’ve heard come from these facts. Solid wood flooring is 100 percent hardwood that is milled from lumber. Since it is a natural material, hardwood reacts to changes in its surroundings such as moisture and extreme temperatures. These can cause solid wood to shrink or expand. All solid hardwood can be sanded and refinished if needed over the years so they do last forever but there is that maintenance that needs to be addressed. Solid hardwood is not recommended for installation in bathrooms and in kitchens because of moisture in those rooms.

Using wood on stairs is beautiful but noisy. With bedrooms upstairs and possibly sleeping children, the wood stairs will send noisy footstep sounds all over the place. Also, safety is an issue. A wood stair is slippery, unlike one covered with carpet. A wood stairs with a runner up the middle will solve those problems. Realize though, that you are paying for the wood (not cheap) then covering with rug. Nevertheless, it is absolutely beautiful.

Here are some pros. Consider engineered wood flooring. It is built up of layers of wood consisting of three to ten layers that are glued together. This multi-ply structure gives engineered wood superior stability, which reduces concerns associated with shrinking and expanding when temperature and humidity change. Engineered wood can be installed in kitchens and in bathrooms so no worries there.

Consider a laminate flooring. It has four layers consisting of a wear layer, a design layer, an inner core layer and a backing layer. This layered construction makes laminate floors remarkably durable. And it looks very much like a regular hardwood floor.

Public Defender Or Paid Criminal Defense Attorney

Legal

Experience. Effort. Always.

If you need a criminal defense attorney, very few people can help you protect yourself, but a good criminal defense attorney is one of them. If you or someone you love finds themselves accused of a crime, it is imperative that the lawyer representing the accused has the expertise to navigate the potential pitfalls.

Put years of criminal defense expertise to work protecting you. Criminal defense routinely requires complicated legal analysis, and even very small details can make all the difference in a criminal case. office is committed to helping you navigate the murky waters of the criminal justice system.

People charged with a crime should hire a lawyer. Criminal law has so many different aspects to it. Even if the State has a strong case to convict you, that doesn’t mean that you don’t have weaknesses that can be used to your advantage to get the best outcome for you.

If you are not trained with how to spot issues and problems, you have little to no chance of convincing a judge that you are right. An experienced attorney can identify weaknesses, pursue a defense, and obtain and submit evidence. It’s really important to have a skilled lawyer by your side as a guide who can walk you through the system. An experienced lawyer can help you understand what is important and what isn’t important so you can figure out what your options are and the best course forward for you is.

Experienced Attorneys

A great criminal defense attorney is not made overnight, or even in three years of law school. It takes years and years of practical experience, going into Court day after day and fighting the fight. The attorneys have already put the work in, and can put those years of experience to work for you. When your liberty is at stake, the quality of your attorney may be the difference between prison and freedom. No attorney can guarantee your result, but you can count on the attorneys to see all the issues, and stand and fight to preserve your rights, whenever necessary.

 

Criminal Defense Lawyer

The question of what experiential background best serves your selection of a criminal defense lawyer is important and should not be ignored. There is a controversy as to whether the experience of a former prosecutor really makes a difference.

While A Skilled And Accomplished Criminal Defense Lawyer Can Come From ANY Background It Is Clear That Former Prosecutors Have An Edge

The most seasoned criminal defense lawyers have the kind of lifetime experience that maximize positive outcomes and minimize or eliminate negative results. These lawyers use well honed courtroom skills which, when combined with a solid and sustained knowledge of criminal law, make the difference in the results they obtain.

The unique and contentious environment of the courtroom is no place for a young lawyer to learn his or her craft at the expense of bewildered clients. The place to learn the kind of life experience that makes for the best criminal defense lawyer, in my opinion, is the District Attorney’s Office where the damage done is NOT at the expense of the client.

Former District Attorneys, if they are totally committed to their profession as District Attorneys working the prosecution side of the courtroom receive more experience and training in less time than young lawyer starting out after law school doing criminal defense work.

Offices typically assign large caseloads and responsibilities to very young lawyers. Young prosecutors are thoroughly trained inside and outside of the courtroom working hundreds of hours of “ hands on” litigation on complex and difficult criminal cases.

 

Criminal Lawyers

If you’re accused of committing a crime, you stand to lose your freedom, your financial future, and perhaps even your personal assets. The stakes are virtually endless. It’s critical you hire the best possible criminal defense attorney to represent you. Whether you’re facing a federal charge, or state charge, you need an criminal lawyer who has the skills and experience to help you avoid a guilty verdict —- and possible prison sentence. One of the biggest mistakes you can possibly make is get no legal representation – instead, hire a private criminal defense attorney who can help you negotiate a plea bargain, or – get all charges dismissed.

Whether you’re facing a violent crime, or white collar crime, criminal attorneys are capable of helping you avoid a guilty sentence, and potential prison time. By working with criminal defense lawyers, you can rest assured that we’ll offer professionalism to you and your family members. We’re well versed in all major penal laws, and prepared to mount the most aggressive defense possible.

Any allegation of wrong doing can hurt your reputation, future employment prospects, and more. Bottom line, you should never take a potential criminal investigation lightly. protect your rights, and protect you financially. The Law Group is a top pick, for state, and federal crimes. With over 50 years of combined experience, seen virtually every single type of allegation and potential case. It doesn’t matter what you’re accused of committing, team of trial lawyers is here to help you.

understand the challenges you face – once you’re accused of a crime, and now face societal, and financial ramifications. Regardless of what you’re accused of committing, there’s a defense strategy that can be crafted which helps you. The quality of your criminal defense attorney is more important than the crime you’re accused of doing. You can rest assured that the Law Group will handle your case with professionalism, and desire for positive outcomes for you and your family.

Law Group handles virtually every type of criminal defense case. If you’re facing criminal charges, criminal lawyers can help you – right away! If you are facing criminal accusations, you stand to lose a lot more than just the case – you stand to lose your freedom, liberty, and assets. The stakes are simply TOO HIGH for you to leave your criminal defense representation to simply a public defender, or any criminal defense attorney

 

Criminal Lawyer

The experience of being arrested can be frightening, confusing, and overwhelming. For many, it is their first time dealing with the legal system. Let guide you away from the confusion and uncertainty of facing a criminal charge in the County. The Law Office is ready to provide honest answers, clear explanations, and top-notch defense on your behalf.

Regardless of how your accuser, the police, or the prosecution wants to make you feel, just because you have been accused of a crime does not mean you’re a criminal. At Law Office, firmly believe you are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law – beyond a reasonable doubt. team will treat you with respect, listen attentively, and provide real answers to your questions the best can, given the facts of your case.

Cases are rarely ‘open-and-shut’. There are often multiple layers to each case; a single overlooked detail may affect the entire outcome. will dig an inch wide and a mile deep, working diligently to uncover every facet of your case which may be beneficial to your defense. will investigate any and all opportunities seeking an outright dismissal or at least a big-league reduction of the charges. his team are dedicated to quality, personal, and ethical legal representation. will not rest until every possible defense strategy has been explored and evaluated.

If you’ve been charged with a crime anywhere, you will fare much better in court with the aid of an experienced criminal defense attorney by your side. Knowing that, how can you be sure you are making the right choice when searching for quality criminal defense attorneys?

A UNIQUE LEGAL APPROACH

How you approach your courtroom defense will help you to receive the best possible outcome achievable for your case. The law is written in black and white, but many cases fall into gray areas. believe that every person accused of a crime deserves a specialized legal approach tailored to their specific situation. While many lawyers employ the same defense strategies to focus on client quantity, team will craft a courtroom strategy suitable for your specific case, focusing on the quality of representation.

 

Choosing A Criminal Defense Lawyer

Have you been charged with a crime?

If you are convicted of a crime, you could face jail or prison time. Your criminal record may haunt you literally for the rest of your life. Fifteen or 20 years after the conviction, you may still be denied career opportunities and credit because of your “prior criminal record.” Protecting your record can mean literally hundreds of thousands of dollars to you over your lifetime. The best way to protect yourself and your future is to hire an experienced criminal law attorney if you have been charged with a crime.

Your smartest course of action is to contact an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon the police start asking questions. Your attorney can help you in several important ways. If you hire an attorney before your arrest, he or she may be able to stop charges from being filed at all. Never talk to the police without first talking to a criminal defense attorney.

If you contact a criminal defense attorney after your arrest, he or she can reach out to the prosecuting attorney and attempt to have the charges dismissed. If this isn’t possible, he or she can negotiate on your behalf to have the charges reduced to a lesser charge or take your case to trial. Finally your attorney can help protect your future by working to have the case sealed or expunged in the future.

Choosing a Criminal Defense Attorney

When you contact an attorney you should have as much information available as possible. After an arrest, this includes the charges, court date, court location, and bail amount (if applicable).

In choosing the right criminal law firm and criminal defense lawyer, there are several things to keep in mind. You need to be sure you hire a lawyer who is willing and able to devote as much time as is needed to handle your case correctly.

Bookkeeping Services

Accounting

What are the functions of bookkeeping?

Bookkeeping is the activities concerned with the systematic recording and classification of financial data of an organization in an orderly manner. It is essentially a record-keeping function done to assist in the process of accounting. It is a key component in forming the financial statements of the organization at the end of the financial year.

Bookkeeping also concerns itself with the classification of financial transactions and events. Such classification of transactions is essential to maintain proper financial accounts. It also involves preparing source documents for the financial transactions and other business operations being carried out.

There are many methods of book-keeping. The most common ones are the double-entry system and the single-entry system. But even methods other than these, which involves the process of recording financial transactions in any manner are acceptable book-keeping systems or processes.

 

The function of bookkeeping

Bookkeeping is the process of recording daily transactions in a consistent way, and is a key component to building a financially successful business.

Bookkeeping is comprised of:

  • Recording financial transactions
  • Posting debits and credits
  • Producing invoices
  • Maintaining and balancing subsidiaries, general ledgers, and historical accounts
  • Completing payroll

Maintaining a general ledger is one of the main components of bookkeeping. The general ledger is a basic document where a bookkeeper records the amounts from sale and expense receipts. This is referred to as posting and the more sales that are completed, the more often the ledger is posted. A ledger can be created with specialized software, a computer spreadsheet, or simply a lined sheet of paper.

The complexity of a bookkeeping system often depends on the the size of the business and the number of transactions that are completed daily, weekly, and monthly. All sales and purchases made by your business need to be recorded in the ledger, and certain items need supporting documents. The IRS lays out which business transactions require supporting documents on their website.

 

Other Tasks

Bookkeepers often develop a skill set and specialized knowledge particular to the company for which they are employed. They may utilize specialized coding procedures to maintain records of debits and credits, create unique functions in computer programs to meet the accounting needs of the business and develop or adjust procedures for keeping track of finances. Bookkeepers have to stay informed inside the business to ensure that all money is accounted for. They must create or use systems for communicating with employees to track expenses or payments are crucial. In many businesses, bookkeepers are also responsible for making sure that taxes are paid to local, federal and state governments. They must submit tax documents to the appropriate offices, ensure that employees have proper documentation and identification on file, and calculate estimated taxes when necessary.

 

Produce Financial Reports

Ask any bookkeeper there most valuable trait, and they’ll tell you their ability to produce financial reports. The financial reports give a detailed account of how the business is performing; there are three main reports that every business needs.

Balance Sheet

The balance sheet is a collection of all the assets and liabilities of a business, it’s used to determine how much a business is worth. If a business owner ever wants to sell his business the first thing a potential buyers will ask for is the balance sheet. The balance sheet also tells us how much owner’s equity there is, If there are multiple partners it can be used to determine each person’s individual stake. Also remember that the accounting equation Liabilities + Owners Equity = Assets.  Must be true for every balance sheet.

Cash Flow Statement

Cash is king. You’ve probably heard this quote a thousand times in your life and for good reason because if a business wants to stay in business they need cash. In Fact not being able to generate a positive cash flow every month is one of the biggest reasons why businesses fail. Now that you are aware of how important cash is to a business, you can see why there is such a high need to monitor cash flow.The cash flow statement makes it easy to do this and combines all the data to give you your net cash flow for the month. The cash flow statement also shows you where all the money is coming from, so you can focus more on high cash producing projects, while also showing you areas in your business where your losing money so you can better manage them.

The Profit and Loss

The profit and loss statement accumulates all of the expenses and income for a business. Like the name suggest this statement lets business owners know if there profitable or not. Producing an accurate profit and loss statement can only be done, if the other 3 functions of bookkeeping where done properly, because every mistake in not recording an expense, or mistakes made in accounts receivable/payable will show up in your profit and loss statement. The goal of every business is to make money and be profitable, so if you produce an inaccurate profit and loss statement it can give the owner the wrong information about his business, which can lead to making wrong decisions.

 

The bookkeeper’s role

Is to keep his accounts according not only to basic bookkeeping principles but also with regard to the company’s rules and specifications and most importantly following legal requirements. If in doubt the bookkeeper should refer to HMRC or his local tax consultant. A bookkeeper will need to bring to light any practices which could lead to errors in the business books and then work with the business managers to rectify the system and update any official bodies and so on. Mistakes need to be put right as soon as possible to avoid penalties which could further impact company finances.

The bookkeeper will need to have great data entry skills and thoroughness. She will need to have a head for figures and double check her work at all times. She will know what is happening in the monetary core of the company and be discrete and keep the information safe and away from third parties. Confidentiality will be maintained in everything she does. Her filing systems will be orderly and also updated as and when for instance when data needs be destroyed once it has served its purpose. She will also make sure that the relevant information is never deleted or corrupted.

The function of the bookkeeper could also involve recording the value of property and other financial fixed assets. He or she may also take on further responsibilities such as chasing up late payments, purchasing (buying) and generally constantly working to become increasingly efficient so helping to improve the profit of the business and contribute to the net income or the ‘bottom line’ (the actual money made after all the sales and expenses have been calculated).

Chiropractor On Natural Relief Of Pain And Inflammation

Health

Things You Can Do To Make Your Chiropractic Adjustments Last Longer

One of the biggest complaints people have in going to a chiropractor is that they think they it may require frequent adjustments to reduce pain and feel their best. The truth is, chiropractors recommend the number of chiropractic adjustments your body needs to reach your health goal. Every person is different. Your treatment plan is completely personalized to help your body recover. However, there are a few things you can do to help your chiropractic adjustment last longer, stay strong between appointments, and reach your chiropractic treatment goals faster.

Choose a doctor you trust.

A chiropractor understands the importance of how all of the systems in your body affect one another. His or her goal is to help you address you get out of pain and develop a plan to help your body operate at its peak

Plan your visit.

To get the most out of your chiropractic visits, plan your schedule to fit with your chiropractor’s recommendations and block your time accordingly. A good chiropractor will

Ask how you’re feeling since your last visit and about your progress

Find misalignments (subluxations) or other issues

Educate you about what is going on with your body

Provide a recommendation for your care

Treat you while making any necessary adjustments to the plan

Drink plenty of water.

Drink water. Drink more water. Then, have another glass of water. Water is extremely important to allow your body to get rid of any toxins that were released during a chiropractic adjustment and helping your body heal. Drinking water can also help your body avoid toxic release symptoms after an adjustment like fatigue, headache, or tight muscles.

Stick with your treatment plan.

A medical doctor prescribes an antibiotic with a recommended dosage and frequency to help you recover from a bacterial infection. Similarly, chiropractors provide a recommended number of visits and frequency to help your body recover from an injury OR to help you reach a health goal.

 

Tips for Selling Products in Your Practice

I recently had a conversation that went like this:

“I’ve never really had good in-office retail sales of products I offer and recommend.” “Really?” I said, “How do you display products in your clinic that your patients can purchase from you?”

It seems pretty self-explanatory, but I think a lot of providers fall into this same trap… after all, your practice is a practice, not a retail shop, and you’re a healthcare provider, not a retail pro. But at the same time, there is no better way to offer the products you have available for patients than with a nice display. This is called visual merchandising and there is some science and strategy behind making things look appealing to your patients/clients

Keep some stock on hand

If you offer products to sell to your patients, but you’re always tapped out of everything, that doesn’t look or seem very convincing. Keep the products you’re trying to sell in stock. You don’t necessarily need 100 rolls of every color of RockTape, but if it’s baseball season and your patients love the Royals, for example, it would be smart to have some on-hand for those patients who need it. Having to place orders all the time to re-up your stock gets costly in and of itself, so track what you sell the most and keep some in stock at all times.

Have a dedicated display area

You don’t have to go overboard with your display, but it’s a good idea to keep all your retail products together. You don’t want logo items for the office on one wall, supplements on another wall, tape hidden in the back where no one can see it, analgesics behind the front desk, etc. Dedicate a wall to retail items using some nice display shelving

Organize and group products

Within your display area, keep similar products grouped together. Pillows, tape, topicals, supplements, etc. should all be grouped together by their type rather than having things just piled on the display without any rhyme or reason.

Lines on lines

Your display area should be nice and linear. Straight rows across and then keep the same product in columns front to back. In other words, don’t just throw all your products into a cubby and call it good. Line up all the rows of colors and patterns you have across the front so patients can see what you have. Put duplicates behind the ones that face forward, or keep your extra stock in storage where you can get to it quickly. Also, while it sounds fussy, grouping things by color adds visual appeal, too. Keep your blacks, greens, blues, reds, etc. all grouped together and it looks awesome.

 

Times a Chiropractor Can Make You Feel Better—and Things He Should Never Even Attempt

Chiropractors have the rep as the doctors who crack your back—but is that all they do? Spinal manipulation, also called chiropractic adjustment, is indeed one of the primary treatments chiropractic doctors use,

Condition Chiropractors Can Help: Back Pain

The research is there to back up adjustments as a treatment for back pain. A 2016 research review in the journal PLoS One, for instance, concluded that chiropractic care works as well as physical therapy—a staple treatment medical doctors would prescribe for low back pain, with few negative side

Condition Chiropractors Can Help: Migraine

Spinal manipulations address some problems that occur from the neck up, too. In an study, two months of spinal manipulation nearly cut in the half the number of migraines participants had monthly, from nearly eight to about four. Some experienced even more dramatic improvements: 22 percent of patients had a 90 percent reduction in their migraines, while another 50 percent experienced significant relief.

The same doesn’t hold for regular old tension headaches, though—that dull ache in your head brought on by stress and similar conditions.

Condition Chiropractors Can Help: Sports Injuries

Sports injuries also fall within a chiropractor’s purview, says Hayden, who treats runners, golfers, and dancers, among others.

 

Signs You Should See a Chiropractor

Seeing a chiropractor can yield many benefits that dramatically improve one’s physical and emotional well-being. Yet many people think to see a chiropractor only when something has gone wrong, or when they can no longer tolerate their pain symptoms. A chiropractor can help prevent something from going wrong in the first place.

Headaches

Headaches can be caused by a number of factors, including dehydration, malnutrition, oxygen deprivation, or a misalignment in the neck or spine. A chiropractor can help to relieve headaches and improve blood flow, which will increase the amount of oxygen that is supplied to the brain.

Joint or Muscle Pain

If you are experiencing pain in your muscles and joints, your first reaction should not be to get the aspirin out of your medicine cabinet. Your pain could be due to problems with musculoskeletal alignment.

Your Job Requires You to Sit for Long Periods of Time

If your job requires you to sit for long periods of time, especially hunched over a keyboard, it is not uncommon to wind up with very poor posture. Poor posture puts unwanted pressure on the upper back, neck, and shoulders. The pressure can cause the discs and bones to shift enough to cause problems such as a slipped or herniated disc.

Chronic Back Pain

One of the most obvious signs that a chiropractic visit is needed is if you are experiencing chronic back pain. There are multiple factors that can contribute to back pain, such as posture, how long you’re on your feet each day, and the type of work that you do

 

Things To Consider When Choosing A Chiropractic School

If you’re interested in becoming a chiropractor and making your mark in this amazing field, you’re probably wondering how to choose a school that will teach you the best methods for chiropractic care. Here, we’re going to help you out by giving you five tips so you can select the perfect chiropractic school for you!

Builds Professional Skills

The first thing you’ll want to look for in a college program is that it will help you build professional skills. As someone in a professional field, you’re going to need to develop specific skills to be successful

Helps You Know About Clients

When selecting a chiropractic school, you’re going to want to go somewhere that will teach you how to interact with potential clients at your practice. A chiropractic office is a business, and like any business, you’re going to want to have learned how to interact with clients.

Develops People Skills

To be successful in the medical field, you’re going to need to have people skills. After all, no one wants to go to the doctor’s office and feel uncomfortable talking to the medical professional that they’ve hired to help them.

Teaches Relevant Information

Sure, you already probably know the human skeletal system pretty well if you want to become a chiropractor, but you likely only know the basics. That’s totally okay, that’s why you need to go to school!

Service Advice To Hire Best Party Planner For Party Planning Services

Movers

How to Start an Event Planning Business

Are you daydreaming right now from your cube or home office about the notion of starting an event planning business? Perhaps you’ve been working in the events and meetings industry for several years and think that now is a good time to figure out how to work for yourself. Or maybe you’ve helped organize a few events in the past and feel that this could be your life’s passion. These are all good reasons to pursue this profession. But anyone who contemplates the fantasy of starting their own event planning business must follow some important steps before you even beginning to talk to clients.

Gain Event Planning Skills and Experience

Businesswomen discussing place settings in luncheon room

UpperCut Images/UpperCut Images/Getty Images

The long-term success of an event planning business will be based on the experience that the planner brings to his or her clients. That means, if you’re thinking about starting an event planning business, you should have a solid grasp as to what an event planner is, and make sure you have some solid skills:​

  • Verbal and written communications
  • Organization and time management
  • Negotiation and budget management
  • Creativity, marketing, public relations and more

Determine Your Event Planning Market/Forte

Okay, let’s say you’ve been working in corporate meetings for five years and are ready to create a business. The first thing to realize is that your strengths are in the corporate arena. A common error many planners make is to say that they are willing to coordinate all kinds of events, including corporate meetings, weddings, fundraising galas and more.

Stop. While the urge may be there to offer a variety of services, the reason you’re ready is based on your collective previous experiences. In time you may handle a full range of events, but initially recognize that there are distinctive differences between corporate, association, nonprofit and social events. Determine your market accordingly.

Develop a Business Plan

Because you decided on your market, you may be thinking this is a good time to share the news about what you can offer to the world. Not so fast. Starting your own business isn’t as glamorous as such fantasies. Like everything else, starting an event planning business requires a business plan.

The good news is that several resources are available to help. Expert to Home Business Randy Duermyer provides some insights ​into business plan basics and walks you through the process. The U.S Small Business Administration is a good resource that publishes materials about writing business plans as well.

Designate Which Business Entity Fits Best for Your Firm

Now that you realize that creating an event planning business should be viewed as a “work in progress,” it’s very important to determine your business structure in the beginning. The most fundamental step is to make sure you decide what type of business entity works best for your plan. For this, it’s important to secure professional advice.

There are several options available to you, and it’s important to select the type of business organization that best represents your interests. The Expert to Tax Planning William Perez outlines the six forms of business organizations recognized within the U.S. by the IRS: Sole proprietor, C-Corporation, S-Corporation, Partnership, Trust and Non-profit organization.

Obtain Business Insurance

Business insurance is mandatory. Event planning businesses should secure general liability and other forms of insurance to protect the business owner’s interests. Several forms of insurance exist, so it’s best to speak with an insurance advisor to learn all of the requirements.

Whether you plan on starting a home-based business or if you will have a small office elsewhere, ask questions about these forms of insurance (but not limited to) as follows:

  • General liability
  • Product liability
  • Home-based insurance
  • Worker’s compensation
  • Criminal insurance
  • Health and other benefits

 

Pros of a Wedding Planner Home Business

There are several great benefits to becoming a wedding planner, including

  • Weddings continue to be a pivotal event in a couple’s life, and as a result, people are willing to spend a good deal of money to have it done right.
  • No education, training or certification is required to be a wedding planner.
  • Celebrating romance can be a fun way to make a living.
  • You can get started for little investment.
  • You can run the business from home.
  • If you pull off a good wedding, attendees will remember you for their weddings.

 

Work, Hours, and Pay

Wedding planners serve as the point person who must bring together all of the required professionals to execute a wedding event. That includes having ongoing and working relationships with people like the venue managers, catering managers, musicians and/or DJs, ceremony officiants, florists, photographers, furniture and linen rental companies, and more. And, of course, they must successfully market themselves to brides and grooms and their respective families.

Hours can be long, and because of the nature of the business, working weekends is a necessary reality. It can be a good job for someone who likes to be on the go, as much of the work involves meeting with vendors and potential clients at various locations. Potential clients often are only available to meet during the evening, so keep that in mind too.

 

Differentiate Your Services

You won’t survive if you are going to be just a “wedding planner.” To succeed in any industry, you need to have what is called a Unique Selling Proposition (USP). You could easily spend an entire day researching USP’s, and you probably should, but for the purpose of this article, you simply need to know that being specifically unique is a great thing.

There are wedding planners that focus on niche wedding themes, and others who cater only to a specific demographic. A profitable—and exhilirating—niche is planning adventure style weddings, allowing you to get paid while you travel to exotic locales. Really focusing on your target demographic will not only get you more clients, but will create the image that you are somewhat of an expert in your field.

Work Backwards on Your Leads

An easy way to understand what a prospect might need is to put yourself in the shoes of your potential customers and search through the options yourself. Do you automatically turn to the internet for ideas? If so, what were the first websites that caught your attention? What about family and friends who have hired planners in the past? A simple Facebook post might help you get valuable insights as to why some people chose their planner. You can even go direct, asking friends and family who were recently married exactly why they chose their planner.

Paying attention to those details will help you secure clients more effectively.

Develop Vendor Partnerships

Nothing is more valuable than reaching prospects at the time they are shopping for wedding-related services. Having a trusted vendor hand out your card to their customers is the best advertising you can get. Your target list here should include flower shops, wedding venues, stationery stores and of course, bridal wear outlets.

Some of these places will display your material at no charge but if you truly want results, then you should offer some incentives. You can partner with the stores to use their services exclusively, or even add coupon codes to your cards to track response rates and offer referral fees. Like most things money talks, and offering commissions can usually sway someone to your side.

 

Skills

Here are some beneficial skills an event planner will need to succeed in their career:

  • Attention to detail: An event planner should be able to identify and correct minute details, which could include proper spellings of names and a guest’s dietary preferences.
  • Organization: Event planners must be highly organized. They should be able to keep track of numerous tasks, vendors and to-do lists while keeping their clients happy.
  • Networking: Because the events industry is heavily people-driven and relationship-based, event planners need a large network of diverse event professionals, such as photographers, caterers and bands. Planners will regularly call upon this network to make their events more memorable to their clients.
  • Communication: Event planners need strong listening and speaking skills. They need to be able to understand what their clients are asking and share their own ideas and recommendations.
  • Creativity: Creativity is essential when planning an event since the job includes duties such as designing a unique theme for a wedding and creating an affordable decorating solution that meets a small budget.
  • Interpersonal: Event planners should be comfortable establishing and maintaining relationships with vendors, which will help make operations run more smoothly when they plan future events.
  • Problem-solving: Events often run on a strict schedule, yet unexpected situations are unavoidable. Event planners must be resourceful and flexible so they can make quick decisions.

Residential Roofing Make The Right Choices

Roofing

Roof Problems and What to Do About Them

Your roof covers the largest asset you own, so it pays to know the signs of trouble. Fortunately, many of the danger signals are easy to see-you can sometimes even spot them from the ground. (Tip: Binoculars help!) A small leak can go undetected for years, causing huge damage before you notice anything. It’s a good idea to inspect your roof regularly. Many contractors offer free inspections. But even if you have to pay, it’s better than finding leaks after the damage is done. Here are a few of the most common and easy to recognize signs of roof problems.

How to Find Roof Leaks

When you’re trying to track down a leak, start by looking at the roof uphill from the stains. (Plus: here’s how to clean roof stains.) The first thing to look for is any roof penetrations. Items that penetrate the roof are by far the most common source of leaks. In fact, it’s rare for leaks to develop in open areas of uninterrupted shingles, even on older roofs. Penetrations can include plumbing and roof vents, chimneys, dormers or anything else that projects through the roof. They can be several feet above the leak or to the right or left of it.

If you have attic access, the easiest way to track down a leak is to go up there with a flashlight and look for the evidence. There will be water stains, black marks or mold. But if access is a problem or you have a vaulted ceiling, you’ll have to go up onto the roof and examine the suspect(s).

Solution for a Small Leak

Some roof leaks are tough to locate. Sometimes the water shows up at a ceiling spot distant from the leak. If your ceiling has a plastic vapor barrier between the drywall and the attic insulation, push the insulation aside and look for flow stains on the plastic. Often water runs to openings in the vapor barrier, such as at ceiling light fixtures.

If you can’t see any telltale flow marks, and since the stain is fairly small, look at the underside of the roof for ‘shiners.’ A shiner is a nail that missed the framing member, in this case when the carpenter nailed the roof sheathing to the rafters. Moisture that escapes into the cold attic from the rooms below often condenses on cold nails. Sometimes you can spot this if you climb up into your attic on a cold night. The nails will look white because they’re frosted. When the attic heats up a bit during the day, the frost melts and drips, then the nails frost up at night again and so on. The solution is to simply clip the nail with a side-cutting pliers.

How to Fix Roof Vents

Check for cracked housings on plastic roof vents and broken seams on metal ones. You might be tempted to throw caulk at the problem, but that solution won’t last long. There’s really no fix other than replacing the damaged vents. Also look for pulled or missing nails at the base’s bottom edge. Replace them with rubber-washered screws. In most cases, you can remove nails under the shingles on both sides of the vent to pull it free. There will be nails across the top of the vent too. Usually you can also work those loose without removing shingles. Screw the bottom in place with rubber-washered screws. Squeeze out a bead of caulk beneath the shingles on both sides of the vent to hold the shingles down and to add a water barrier. That’s much easier than renailing the shingles.

Roof Cement

Metal flashing prevents leaks where shingles meet other surfaces, like walls and chimneys. Proper flashing work takes time and know-how, so sloppy roofers sometimes slather on roof cement instead. It seals out water long enough for them to cash your check, but it soon hardens, cracks and leaks. In the end, all it does is make a proper repair more difficult. So if you see heavy ‘tar’ patchwork on your roof, fix it right—before it leaks and leads to interior damage.

 

Your Flashing Has Cracked

What Does It Look Like: Flashing are thin pieces of metal that are installed under shingles and on the joints of your roof in order to create a water-resistant barrier, which can be concealed or exposed. If exposed, they will look like long runs of sheet metal and, if concealed, they will have a rubberized coating overtop. Broken flashing will feature large cracks

Why It Happens: Roofers often use tar to seal the flashing together and that can corrode over time. In the event that your flashing is left exposed, elements like wind and rain could be the reason behind its crack.

How To Fix It: (Via The Family Handyman): Once you locate the source of the leak, pry up the nails used to secure the old flashing. Lift any shingles out of the way and remove the cracked segment. Gently put a new run of flashing in its place, fasten the new flashing in the same pattern as your old piece using roofing nails. Then, apply a coat of roofing sealant to the nail heads.

You Have Broken Shingles

What Does It Look Like: Look up! This one is easy to spot. Since shingles are the exterior layer of a roof, you should be able to identify missing shingles by seeing different-colored patches on your roof. Alternatively, you may find the shingles themselves littering your yard after a heavy storm.

Why It Happens: Again, weather. High winds and heavy rains.

How To Fix It: Slide a pry bar underneath the row of nails that connects the damage shingle to the one below it. Lift up until the nail pops and then press down on the shingle while you remove the nail. Repeat for the remaining nails. Pull out the damaged shingle, replace it with a new one, and secure it with four new nails.

 

Types of Weather Related Roof Damage for Commercial Buildings

As the seasonal weather begins to heat up and cause more storms and severe weather, commercial roofs will start to show signs of damage and wear. More times than not, we find commercial building owners are surprised to find out they have had many underlying issues caused by weather and storm damage that could have been prevented. Here are a few of the types of commercial roof damage that can be caused by weather, and ways you can keep an eye out.

Look for Moldy Smells or Musty Odors that won’t go away.

This can be a huge indicator that you have a leak and water has settled in a hidden area of your building. It may even be impossible for you to inspect the area between walls. Any moldy or musty smells that show up after a storm and don’t go away easily are a cause for concern. We suggest giving us a call right away so we can fix the damage before it spreads and gets worse.

Moldy smells are just one symptom of a hidden leak, and if untreated, the problem can cause huge issues, including structural damage. The sooner this type of roof damage is fixed, the less impact it will have on your wallet.

Standing water on your flat roof should that is visible after 2 days is a red flag.

If the rain water is left standing after 2 days, it will begin to cause damage to your commercial flat roof and eventually lead to leaks and more internal damage. Even if you do not notice any leaking or unusual smells, if the water stands on your roof, it will deteriorate your roof at a much faster rate and lower your roof’s life expectancy.

Commercial roof flashing located around the edge of your roof seals out all runoff and temporary standing water.

If your flashing or edge of your roof is damaged, peeled back, or loose, then rain water will find it’s way under your roof and into your building. If you have debris or tree branches fall along side your building, it is a good idea to check the flashing and edges of your roof after a storm to ensure there are no damaged areas.

Once water has gotten under your roof and into your building, it can still be difficult to detect.

We suggest looking for moist walls, water stains along the ceiling, and unusual wet floor areas that cannot be attibuted to plumbing. It is difficult to trace exactly where the stains have come from without a professional consultation. If left unattended though, internal water damage will cause massive issues for your commercial building down the road.

 

Roof and Carpentry Repairs

Roof and Carpentry Repairs in Orange County with Tom Byer Roofing ServiceIf you want to make your roof last as long as possible, it is vital that you never put off a roof repair. Small issues with roofing become big issues in a hurry. No matter how major or minor the repair you need is, we are here to help. Some common problems we help repair include the following:

  • Clogged Gutters: You might not think of these as a roofing problem, but clogged gutters can cause damage to your roofing due to stagnant water and even the strain from the weight of the clogged gutters.
  • Deteriorating Shingles: Your home’s shingles are essentially its first line of defense against the forces of nature. Any problem with the shingles can lead to problems with the rest of the roof, including the carpentry.
  • Wood Rot: Any rot within the wooden structures of your roof is major cause for concern. Rot can compromise the integrity of wooden structures, risking the collapse of your roof. Additionally, rot in the roof can spread into the rest of your home if left untreated.
  • Mold and Mildew: These two spread fast, and unless you catch them early, they can require the replacement of the entire roof frame. As soon as you notice mold or mildew,

 

Warning Signs of a Hole in the Roof

Check your attic for one or more of the following warning signs of a hole in the roof:

  • While water dripping from the attic ceiling is an obvious indication of a hole in the roof, it’s often not so easy to pinpoint the hole’s location. It could be several feet away from the drip.
  • Damp areas on your ceiling or walls. In your attic or upstairs, surfaces may actually be moist to the touch, or simply appear discolored. Unusual wall or ceiling bulges and peeling paint are also clues that you might have leakage from a hole in your roof.
  • Visible daylight. Inspect your attic on a sunny day. If you can spy one or more patches of daylight through the ceiling, unless your home is equipped with skylights, you’ve got a hole in your roof.
  • Missing or cracked shingles. If you can safely perform a roof inspection, check your shingles. Missing or cracked roofing shingles may mean a hole in the roof.

Repair a Hole in Your Roof

You may be able to make a minor DIY roof repair IF (and only if):

  • the hole in your roof is small and accessible
  • your roof is basically sound and within its expected lifetime (20 years for an asphalt shingle roof)
  • you have solid knowledge of home improvement and roof safety – plus a proper roofing ladder, good non-skid shoes, and a buddy to assist you.

Carpet Cleaning Tricks And Tips

Cleaning

Here are things you should know about carpet cleaning

There is a long-standing debate about which connected with carpet cleaning is better: steam or dry cleaning? While most people think dry cleaning is only for clothes, others that as a topic to clean their rugs. Dry cleaning does, however, require use of chemicals and excess water, which could be wastes towards the environment. Cleaning uses half the water of a traditional cleaning machine and does not require exact same way harmful chemicals in order to remove particles and grease against the carpet’s embedded fibers.

Ask whenever they use a vacuum cleaner with HEPA filtration which minimizes the dander that vacuum cleaners usually show into atmosphere. Between carpet cleaning sessions, you can by vacuuming your home often and removing carpets from your bedroom because you’re not exposed to the dander night time.

 

Toxic

Most of the products on the market for carpet cleaning are safe and will have a minimal impact on the environment. However some of the carpet cleaning products do contain toxic chemicals which can be hazardous to the person using them as well as other people in the house or pets. So be sure to read the labels carefully before using. Always try to choose a product with the least amount of chemicals and in the mildest you can find that will work.

Clean Often

It’s always best to clean your carpets on a regular basis. If you do not clean your carpets on a regular basis you will need to use a stronger chemical product because the dirt will have ground itself deeper into the carpet and it becomes more difficult to lift. Cleaning your carpets on a regular basis is easier on the environment, your health, and it will help extend the life of the carpet.

Use Caution

Read labels very carefully. Not only on the product but on any documentation provided with the carpet. Should you use the wrong product or a product with stronger chemical than your carpet can handle you could damage the carpet.

 

Employ The Experts

There are many professionals who will clean your carpets for a very reasonable charge and give you a guarantee on the job they perform.

Setup

If you’re laying new carpets chances are the reason you are doing this is that you want them to appear appealing and emphasize the room while at precisely the same time supplying functionality. If you put in the carpet poorly or install the wrong kind of carpet for the area you will get a higher maintenance cost and the carpeting will need to be cleaned frequently. So make sure you opt for the correct carpeting. Routine vacuuming and spot removal will also lower your cleaning maintenance expenses.

 

Vacuum

Okay; you know this.  In fact, you probably haven’t met a three year old who doesn’t know this.  All the same, it’s usually at the bottom of the list of housekeeping tasks.  And that means, you’re likely to put it off as much as you can.  Don’t.  Every rug and carpet in the house needs to be vacuumed at least once a week – even if you never walk into the room.  Vacuuming picks up dust and circulates the air between carpeting fibres to keep them smelling fresh.

Daily Vacuuming – Yes, this again.  Some areas of your house should be vacuumed weekly, and others truly need it every day.  It’s not about being cruel; it’s about keeping your carpets and your lifestyle in sync.  High traffic areas need to be vacuumed daily, as do any rooms where you’ve got pets.  Alright, if you’re only home for a few hours every evening and you have no pets, you can go a bit longer, but it should still be done at least twice a week.  Otherwise, you’ll notice where you walk extraordinarily quickly.

Use Entry Mats – That lovely entry mat that you ordered off the internet last season isn’t just there for its superior looks.  And, if it is only there for the style it adds, you might want to reconsider that purchase.  In any case, entry mats are a marvellous thing – when they’re properly used – and that means all the time.  Encourage everyone in the house to wipe their feet.  And, once a week, beat that mat against an exterior wall to shake off all the excess dirt it’s collected.  It may seem like an extra chore, but that 30 seconds is going to save you plenty of money in the long run.

 

Clean stains right—right away

How to Spot Clean Carpet: Act quickly

If you get to a stain immediately, there’s a 99 percent chance you can remove it. The longer a stain reacts chemically with the carpeting, the harder it is to remove.

How to Spot Clean Carpet: Try water first

Eighty percent of stains can be removed using plain tap water. To remove a stain, press a clean, dry, white cloth over the stain to absorb the spill. Repeat until the spill is absorbed. Then gently work water into the stain with a damp white towel and blot until the stain is gone. Change cloths when necessary. For a particularly stubborn spot, go to the online “spot solver” resource at The Carpet and Rug Institute (the carpet manufacturers’ trade organization) to find your stain and a suggested solution. Use a fan to dry the area if it’s very wet.

How to Spot Clean Carpet: Blot—don’t rub or scrub

Scrubbing a stain will damage the fibers and create a fuzzy area. Always blot from the outer edge toward the center of the stain to avoid spreading the spot and creating a larger problem.

How to Spot Clean Carpet: Be patient

Work water gently into the spill and then blot with a dry cloth. Repeat until the stain is gone and all the water has been absorbed. If you’re patient, you’ll almost always be able to remove the stain.

How to Spot Clean Carpet: On tough spots, try vinegar or club soda

If water alone doesn’t remove a stain, try a white vinegar and water solution (equal amounts) or club soda before trying stronger commercial cleaning products.

How to Spot Clean Carpet: Test commercial products first

Some products can cause carpet to get dirty faster or damage the carpet’s color and texture. For a list of carpet manufacturer- approved spot and stain cleaners, go online to The Carpet and Rug Institute. Test carpet-cleaning products on an inconspicuous area before using.