Make House Monsoon Ready With These Waterproofing Measures

Water damage is a prime culprit that weakens the foundation of any house. Damage from water hits at the core of your home that results in severe structural damage. Plus, water causes mould and mildew in the house. Thus, employing waterproofing services is essential to a stable and secure home.

Know that taking preventive measures for inevitable water damages from before is cheap than paying for waterproofing solutions and repairs later.

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Prevent your house from water damage using these easy techniques and get ready for the coming storm season. Below are three easy waterproofing solutions and tips:

Check And Fix Water Leaks

Continual leaks cause mould and mildew in the walls, rot the surfaces, and give birth to termites and carpenter ants. But, if you fix the leak as soon as it starts, there may be no damage at all.


How to check for them:

Look for dark spots under sink cabinet pipes. Examine if there are any stains on ceilings, if the toilets are rocky, or see if there is any dripping happening.

Inspect roof at least once a year. Repair loose and damaged shingles. Repair cracked caulking, if any and look for leaks around flashing.

Cost of maintenance: Close to no charge for a simple fix like a new washer. But a visit from a plumber or a roof repair person may cost you a certain thousand rupees.

Worst case if you underestimate leaks: In case you haven’t employed proper waterproofing products in securing your home, water drippings under the kitchen sink can ruin the cabinet and water can further run down into the floor sheathe and joists. Hence for correction, first of all, you’ll need structural repair, new cabinets and also new kitchen flooring. To stop drippings from roof rots, you’ll need a new roof.

Ensure Good Drainage

Why is good drainage required?

Poor drainage system under your house weakens its foundation, which results in cracks, and pathways for water to enter in the house.

How to ensure proper drainage?

Get your gutters cleaned regularly as a clogged gutter sends pours of water down your house that damages the foundation. Ensure the downspouts of your home, if any, direct pool 10 feet away by employing correct waterproofing services.

Make sure that your yard is sloped away from your foundation to keep water from getting near to foundation. This way water won’t be able to lean your walls, crack masonry, or create leaks.

On the other hand, do not let the soil around your home get too dry. Prolonged dry spells dry out and shrink the land, and a heavy rain expands the ground to the extent that the soil can pressurise your foundation walls.

Cost of maintenance: Low. Cleaning gutters cost nothing. You can also hire someone depending on the size of your home. Also, to give the slope to your soil, you might have to buy some topsoil.

Worst case scenario if you let drainage be: Your foundation could be pressurised and it can crack your basement walls. The cost to restabilise and repair your deteriorated foundation walls is in lakhs.

Test Your Sump Pump

Sump pumps are used to remove water accumulated in the sump basin of the basement. They are required the most during rains. Now, you do not want to realise during rain and storms that your pump is not working. Keep a check on it at least once a year, particularly before heavy storm seasons.

Cost of maintenance: Testing of a sump pump is free. A backup sump pump with installations may cause around 10,000 rupees. For battery-operated sumps, the new battery starts at about 7,000 rupees.

Worst case scenario if you do not test sump pump: Your foundation may flood, which could ruin everything from wall to carpeting. Correcting foundation can be expensive.

So now you know how water from rain can cause and lead to severe damages to your place of residence. As explained above, prevention is better and much cheaper than cure. Employ preventive measures and save your home from significant disasters. You can make use of Dr Fixit Waterproofing Expert solutions for waterproofing of your homes.

Check Out These Commercial Air Conditioning Maintenance Tips

Your commercial air conditioning system is important and you want to keep it running for as long as possible. In order to do that, you have to properly maintain it. The below commercial air conditioning maintenance tips should help you out. 

Clean The Filter 

Your AC has a filter and it needs to be cleaned, especially if you use your system regularly. When your air filter is too dirty or it becomes obstructed, then the amount of air that the system intakes is decreased. At the same time, more electricity is used because the AC is working harder to cool down the room. 

As a general rule of thumb, clean the filter every two weeks. If your commercial AC is turned on virtually all the time, then you should clean the filter once per week. Use a vacuum cleaner to clean the filter or use lukewarm water mixed with detergent if the filter has a bit of soil built up. Some commercial AC systems do have automatic filter cleaning features, so use it if yours does. 

Clean The Cooling Fan 

Not only do you want to clean the filter, but you should clean the cooling fan. This is typically located in the back. Cleaning the fan regularly offers a number of benefits, such as keeping electric bills low. 

Before the hot weather arrives, check the fan and see if it needs to be cleaned. If there is a lot of dirt built up, then contact a professional. They will thoroughly clean it, but if it's only a little dirty, then you should be able to wipe it down with a cloth. 

Check The Refrigerant 

Have a look at the refrigerant levels. If needs be, refill them up to proper levels or have it flushed and replaced. However, if it continues to become low, the chances are there is a leak present and you should have it fixed as soon as possible. 

Inspect The Wiring 

Inspect the wiring of your commercial AC system. Depending on what kind of business you run, there might be a chance rodents have ate through your wires or your wiring is at risk. Besides that, it's just good practice to check the wires on a regular basis and to replace them when they are visibly and noticeably damaged. If you are not an expert, then make sure you hire a professional to replace the wiring. 

Inspect The Condenser 

Inspect the condenser because sometimes the coils can become clogged due to debris that has fallen into it. Snow and other types of bad weather can cause damage to the coils too. If there is any debris located in the condenser, then remove it and if there are things that are bent, then straighten them out. Don't forget to clean the coils with soap and water. 

The above commercial air conditioning maintenance tips will keep your AC system running at optimal performance. Cleaning the filter, the cooling fan and keeping an eye on the refrigerant levels can go a long way. So can inspecting the wiring and the condenser.

Handle Everyday Household Troubles

Hire A Local Handyman

Who doesn't face some minor to extreme troubles within their household? Starting from a wrong-placed wall hanging or a torn window screen to a badly closing door lock, or from punctured fixtures in the bathroom to clogged wash basin in the kitchen, there are a lot of such problems we can't or don't get time to carry out ourselves. This is where a local handyman becomes most handy, and saves us from further troubles.

An expert local handyman can take over all sorts of odd jobs and come out as the jack of all trades as well as the master of everything that needs a fix, around your household.

 

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Common Jobs A Handyman Does

A local handyman near you can handle a number of everyday household concerns that arise during homeownership. Most of these workers found in online portals are trained professionals who specialise in a number of various service areas, like -

1.     Fixing or Repairing -

ü     Toilets

ü     Showers

ü     Wash Basins

ü     Drains

ü     Garage Door

ü     Door

ü     Door Lock

ü     Windows

ü     Screens

ü     Roof

ü     Lighting

2.     Landscaping -

ü     Gutters

ü     Leaves

ü     Pulling Shrubs

ü     Cutting Trees

ü     Fencing

ü     Driveway Sealing

ü     Staining Decks

3.     Interior-

ü     Door Knobs

ü     Cabinets, Drawers

ü     Change Lightbulbs

ü     Fixing Vanities

ü     Refinish Floors

ü     Carpet Repair

ü     Curtain Pole Installation

ü     Hanging Pictures

4.     Many More Common Problems

5.     Other Odd Jobs

Hiring Your Handyman

Hiring a local handyman near you is not an easy task as you think. There are several things you need to consider while choosing one.

Before hiring one, check his ratings and customer reviews to learn about the persons work ethic, credibility and reputation.

Before appointing someone in the work, discuss the pricing over the phone. If the service requires on-site inspection, ask for possible charges.

Make sure you are hiring who has enough expertise and experience of handling the job you need to get done.

If you follow these steps before hiring a handyman near you, the job is easy. And once you get the right person to carry out the services you require for household maintenance, you're likely to hire the person for your future requirements as a homeowner in the location.

There are a few things to follow after hiring a local handyman.

Request the individual worker or the company to give a signed contract stating the job details, charges and payment plan. Also, make a clear call on expected time to complete the job.

Ask for service guarantee and decide if you wish to hire a service provider without offering a guarantee. If the handyman offers the same, get it mentioned in the agreement.

Check out the finished works before committing the final payment of handyman. Make sure all the jobs are done satisfactorily and following the written contract.

If you are not confident of hiring a local handyman or don't know where to find the authentic service providers near you, check out a portal dealing with local businesses near you. These online portals may help you find local professionals offering custom pricing.

How to tell a Professional Pest Control Company

Pest control business has become rather a big venture in many parts of the world due to the rise in pest infestations over time. This business is favored by high reproduction and mobility levels of pests. When invaded, it is essential that fumigation is done as soon as possible for the most effective results. Fumigation can be done in houses, buildings, vehicles, on produce and wherever advised. But how does one tell a genuine pest control company to work on the case? Here is a good take through of how one can tell a professional company before and after work is completed.

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Recommendations

One usually picks up on new products and services from other people’s views and recommendations before taking them on and the same applies to this field. Take time and look through various companies near you and choose one with the best reviews and recommendations from people that have used their services before. This information is usually well laid out on the company website. Google the company to find out more about their services and contacts. Look through theirs FAQs.  This gives a go ahead or reject the company.

Verification of the Infestation

On call or visitation to the company premises, the customer care personnel should inquire about the kind of pests on site, how long they have been on site, and any precautions before taken. These kind of questions show expertise of a company in pest control. Under this segment too, an onsite visit is scheduled to analyze the infestation in detail.

Process Breakdown

On choice as the client’s preferred pest control company, the different stages of fumigation are explained to the client. Additionally, the types of pesticides to be used, how the fumigation will be done, how long it will take, how many technicians will be present, advice on how to handle delicate areas like the kitchen, cases of relocation of family members during work process, when the house should be inhabited again are discussed. Answers to such questions prepare a client for the best time to carry out the fumigation. Under process breakdown, a cost implication is also made to the client.

Proper Identification of onsite Technicians

On site technicians should have identification from the company as well as prior communication to the client about the expected technicians. This improves trust between the client and company. For just in case of any discrepancy, the client has reference for complaint.

Technical advice on pest control

Top professionals dealing with Doylestown Pest Control give clients tips on how to avoid pests. A catalog is provided with the various pests and their potential causes and preventions.  Technically, the company should advise on what caused this particular pest(s) and on how to avoid such future infestations.

Feedback review

Feedback follow up is very essential in this kind of business. Professionally, companies seek weekly feedback from clients in the first month after fumigation and there after a designed schedule for feedback. This feedback is needed to check if the pesticides used worked effectively and efficiently.

With these tips, the client will surely land the best pest control company in the area.

Remodeling Your Bathroom the Easy Way

The idea of remodeling your bathroom is exciting and leads to all kinds of fantasies about your dream powder room. However, when the reality of the overhaul hits you, those dreams may seem unattainable and overwhelming. At times like this, it is nice to know there are easy ways to make a difference without changing every fixture. Instead of planning for new flooring and tile, look at bathroom vanities in milwaukee instead and see how one decision can create a whole new room.

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Try a New Material

Whatever your existing vanity is made of, go with something different for a completely new look. Look to natural stone materials for long-lasting elegance or wood for a rich, warm tone. With a variety of colors and textures available, the ability to revamp your space is limited only by your imagination.

Plan Ahead

 

As you consider replacing your old vanity, make a note of the improvements you hope to see and experience. Having a basic plan written down ahead of time will serve you well when you begin shopping for your new addition and initiate conversations with any contractors you hire.

Leave the Plumbing Alone

 

Moving plumbing to different areas of the bathroom is expensive, tedious and messy. The beauty of updating your space with just one change is that the pipes can stay right where they are. Encased in beautiful cabinetry and topped by a sleek countertop, your remodel can be an instant success.

Remember Simple Additions

 

Aside from the showstopper vanity, there are other simple additions that can quickly spruce up your bathroom space. Consider new lighting that is warm and inviting to spotlight the new look. Furthermore, if the toilet now looks a bit out of date, install a new seat. You will be amazed at what a few basic modifications will do.

Giving our living space a fresh appearance does not have to be difficult, and the rewards last far longer than one could ever dream of.

Choosing Saltwater for Your Personal Pool

Having a personal pool can be a blast. You can host your own parties and stay cool during those hot summer months. But owning a pool comes with lots of responsibility. When it comes to maintaining your personal pool, there are several options of chemicals to choose from. Chlorine has been a typical choice for many pool owners, but saltwater has become more popular in recent years. Here are some things to think about when considering using saltwater for your personal pool. 

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How It Works

 

Saltwater pool systems are not completely chlorine free, but they do use significantly less and the process is different. The salt water passes through an electrical current, turning the dissolved salt into the agents that sanitize your pool of bacteria and dirt. This method uses a chlorine generator with a saltwater chlorinator, and it continues to generate chlorine until the salt is used up. This allows you to better manage your pool's chemical levels rather than just dumping chlorine directly into your pool. It also tends to be gentler on the skin. 

How to Maintain

 

Make sure you explore your options before making a decision. You can find a supply store that carries saltwater generators pittsburgh with experts who can give you more information. With any pool system, it is important to maintain the right chemical balance and make sure the equipment is working properly. You have to clean the system and check the chemical levels regularly. Saltwater pools typically require less energy and are easier to treat than chlorine pools. Although they are easier to maintain, if problems arise saltwater system maintenance could require the assistance of a professional. 

It is important to consider all of your options when choosing how to maintain and care for your personal pool. Saltwater generators are an excellent option to deal with pool maintenance with fewer chemicals.