Find The Right Painter For A Successful Residential Painting Experience

Why Should You Hire A Professional Residential Painter?

So, you’ve taken a look around the old homestead and decided that now is the time for a makeover. Whether that makeover involves a single bedroom, the entire downstairs, or a complete redo of the exterior, it is certainly worth considering hiring a Melbourne painting service, and many are available in the area!.

While you may be under the impression that such a project simply involves a couple of brushes, a paint roller, and a chosen color, a professional Melbourne painting service knows that this is far from the case. Have you considered the cleaning and preparation of the surfaces involved to ensure a beautiful finished product? Do you know how to repair small holes, cracks, and other damage? And are you even aware of all the possibilities out there when it comes to redecorating your house? As you can certainly see, there are a number of things to take into account.

A Professional Residential Painter Will Know the Kind of Paints to Use

Even though your home and the color of paints will depend on your preferences, a professional painter can look over your decisions and be able to know whether the colors you have chosen are truly suitable for your interior design.

Exterior professional painters will be quick to identify the colors that will become dirty easily and the ones that will fade away quickly. Exterior painters at Absolute Painting in Lawrence and Lenexa KS have extensive knowledge and experience of handling projects. As such, you can rely on their services if you have a project that you would like completed. You, therefore, will profit greatly by signing up for their assistance.

A Professional Painter Knows How to deal with all Types of Surfaces Properly

Professional painters have acquired an extensive experience after painting different surfaces over a long time, something that has allowed them to master every design. As a result, they can advise you authoritatively on which painting is appropriate for a certain surface and which one is not. With the knowledge and experience of painting each surface with expertise, you can be sure to enjoy the best quality painting results.

Mostly, a do-it-yourselfer might opt to leave other surfaces unpainted due to lack of expertise on how to go about painting them. This is because they don’t know how to finish such surfaces or feel there is no need to really have them painted. This will definitely place you in a risky situation because you will need to hire someone else to have the surfaces left painted.

Residential Painters are Proficient and Capable of Painting in Details

With all the training that professional painters undergo and the experience they acquire when working on different painting projects, such painters are able to produce painting projects that are perfect. This is because professional painters pay more attention to details that you are not likely to care about. They always ensure that their painting is according to the client’s demands and make sure to pay attention to every detail whether small or big.

In fact, paying attention to such details is among the issues that draw the line between an amateur and a professional painter. The small details that a professional painter pays attention to are what a DIY’er will mainly compromise.

A Professional Residential Painter will Approximate the Expenses Correctly and Abide by Their Price

A do it yourself painting project often ends up eating more into the budget than anticipated. If you manage not to overspend, you are likely under-budget on the paints required to complete the project, which means that you will need to incur extra costs, thus straining your wallet.

A professional painter is well versed with the painting economics and is sure to estimate the total cost of the needed paints to have the project done accurately. This gives you a clear budget that has no hidden expenses. Moreover, a professional painter will not waste the paints because he comes with the right tools to have the painting not only done professionally but also in a timely manner.

Professional Painters Always Do the Cleaning After Painting is Completed

After the painting project is complete, a lot of cleaning is required in order to have the home back to how it was arranged before painting kicked off. If you hire our professional painters, they will rearrange your home back to normal and then clean everything before leaving the site. This will leave your home looking great in the new painting. This ensures that you will not have to deal with the stress of cleaning up the house yourself. When you contract a professional residential painter, you get to sit back and relax as you wait to enjoy your spectacularly painted home.

Top Painter Questions

Be sure to ask these questions before you make your hiring decision.

Do you have proof of insurance?

Every painter should carry General Liability insurance with not less than $1 million in coverage. This insurance protects the homeowner from damage done by the painter, e.g. 5 gallons of white latex is spilled on your new roof or a ladder crashes onto your convertible. Repair work? That falls under carpentry and requires a separate rider. Proper insurance is Business 101. Of course, if these accidents really didn’t happen nobody would need insurance.

Are your painters employees or independent contractors?

Employees will be covered by their employers’ general liability insurance, independent contractors should each be individually insured. It’s fairly common for painters to hire independent contractors; it is much less common for each individual contractor to be properly insured. A company’s general liability policy does not cover independent contractors. Murphy’s Law dictates that the only independent contractor that you haven’t verified insurance on will be the one that…

May I have a copy of your insurance certificate for my files?

“Trust, but verify” is still good policy. You don’t want uninsured workers standing on ladders looking through your windows – or unplugging your office server. If the certificate doesn’t answer the above questions a call to the insurance agent should clear things up.

 New homes or old?

Painters that don’t equip their workers with proper breathing protection are doing wrong by the worker, the homeowner and the environment.The construction slowdown has seen new home painters scrambling for work in older areas.

Homes more than 30 years old have many layers of (lead) paint, aluminum storm windows to remove and replace, window putty, deeper soffits and very often more architectural detail. These homes require a slower, more methodical pace and different work processes. A paint crew that is used to the new construction “blow & go” pace will likely not be familiar with the attention and careful prep work that an older home requires.

Which brand of paint do you recommend?

Painters establish a relationship with a particular store for a variety of reasons – knowledgeable help, quality products or attractive pricing. If a painter is reluctant to use another product, it’s fair to ask why. Strong belief in a product based on experience is fine, but when a financial incentive trumps all else, the advice you get may not be in your best interest.

All of this assumes quality materials – if you’re being steered toward a low cost product, find another painter. When it comes to paint, you never get more than you pay for. Also, most professionals do not use paint from the Big Box chain stores for several reasons: product quality is one, but also lower quality, limited selection, poor service and availability.

Do you require any payment up front?

There’s no right answer here – just some things to be aware of. If your painter is a poor business owner, he may use your up-front payment to take care of last month’s bills and will then be in a big hurry to finish the job so he can pay his workers. You’ve just lost a good bit of leverage to ensure the agreed-upon quality work. A large up-front payment is often an indicator of an under-capitalized business. A reasonable approach is to make a partial payment after a couple of days. The painter has committed labor and equipment to the project and the homeowner sees that work is progressing so both parties have an interest in satisfactory completion.

You Get What You Pay For When Hiring A Roof Inspection

ROOF INSPECTION – MAKE SURE IT’S IN GOOD SHAPE

As advised by this article, getting to know your house inside and out is the simple yet best way to make sure everything is in order.  The roof, for example, becomes a massive threat to your home, financially and physically speaking, regular roof inspection is advised.

WHEN TO CHECK YOUR ROOF

It is true that the best time to have a roof inspection is during the summer or spring before the falling of leaves happen in autumn before severe rainfalls occur or heavy snow.

Basic things to check are the following:

Roof Surface – simple things to watch out for are missing or cracked tiles, moss or mold, and debris that has to be removed.

Flashing – If your flashing/s is faulty, it could let in rain and snow which can cause more significant problems.

Roof overhangs – Should you observe peeling paint on the underside of roof overhangs – this could already indicate moisture.

Gutters – ensure that your gutters are free from fallen dried leaves as this may cause leaks and dislodged roofs

The underside of the roof – a ray of sunshine peeping through your attic may look pretty at times, but this also means that there are visible gaps in the roof, which is not a pretty sight at all

HOW TO CHECK SAFELY

There are several ways to check your roof safely, one of which is to get on “higher grounds” for more visibility.  Using a ladder or quality binoculars can be of great help when doing this.  Working with a buddy is also essential as someone is aware that you are climbing up the roof and can readily help should something happen.  The best possible way to be safe is to hire a licensed roofing contractor to do all the work for you.

The Importance of Roof Inspection: Evaluating the Roof Envelope in Existing Buildings

besides typical Structural Engineering, we also find ourselves investigating problems in existing buildings. Often we’re called into inspect a rotten wood beam or corroded steel. This work has led us into the field of building envelope consulting.

One building component most prone to failure is the roof. This often leads to structural problems as water does no good once inside the building envelope.

Below are a few video examples highlighting our work on different types of roofs. Roof inspections are very important to gain an understanding of a roof assembly and to troubleshoot problems below. As demonstrated here, problems are often brewing without the knowledge of the building owner or its occupants.

This first roof is a 40-mil EPDM roof. The owner wanted an evaluation of the entire facility to gain an understanding of their upcoming capital expenses. They were unaware of any roof problems they may have had. There were no apparent leaks on the inside of the building.

The roof was very soft and it was fairly evident that the material below the membrane was in rough shape. The membrane itself didn’t appear in too bad of condition. It was approaching the end of its lifespan, but a few repairs could have extended its life a little longer.

Roof Inspection Cost

How Much Does It Cost to Inspect a Roof?

Roofing is one of the most important parts of a home’s integrity and structure. The roof helps to protect a home from the elements, and is often the first line of defense against problems like wind and precipitation. Unfortunately, this can often mean that a roof may begin to deteriorate or develop problems that require repair.

A roof inspection helps to identify potential problems, offers solutions on what areas to fix, determines the longevity and condition of the roof, and can help you keep it in good repair. Conducted every few years or after a major storm, roof inspections can help you head off problems before they become large or expensive.

The average cost for a roof inspection is $100 to $600, with most homeowners paying around $350 for an internal and external inspection of a 1,500 sq.ft. sloped roof. This cost can vary, however, depending on size, roof material, pitch, and roof condition.

Roof Inspection Cost by Roof Material

Not all inspectors are well versed in every type of roofing material. Shingle or flat roofs have different specifications than metal, tile, and slate. Check with the inspector to ensure they can inspect your roofing material. Slate or tile roofs are long-lasting but should still be inspected annually for cracked materials before leaks appear. Slate and tile roof inspections can be more expensive, but with drone technology, it should not be too much more than the average.

Roof Inspection Cost by Type

The roofing material plays a significant role in hiring a roofing inspector. Tile, slate, metal, flat, and shingle roofs each have different requirements and stress points. Ensure your roofing inspector is certified for your roofing material. Inspectors have many tools at their disposal, including drone technology to provide a thorough view of problem spots.

THE IMPORTANCE OF ROOF INSPECTIONS

It’s become the new ‘norm’, as potential homeowners try to get their feet in the door any way they can. We understand this, but passing on home or roof inspections in order to get the house is seriously risky business.

With bidding-wars upping sales values by hundreds of thousands of dollars, many buyers are desperate to jump into home ownership. Many are also willing to forego the home and roof inspections process, buying ‘as is’ without any conditions whatsoever.

Or, they’re agreeing to a pre-inspection done by the sellers or their real estate agent. This is a major red flag for me, as there’s a big conflict of interest with the inspector who gets a lot of business from the selling agent.

Having bought a home without any conditions, or with a shady inspector, you will now be on the hook for any potential problems as well as the maintenance of this home. If you’ve rented in the past, a simple call to maintenance or the landlord took care of all your problems.

Use Our Home Maintenance List For Your Roof.

To help you take care of your new home, I’ve put together a list of things you should be doing and watching out for in your new home, especially as it pertains to your roof.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU GET ROOF INSPECTIONS?

Knowing how often to get a roof professionally inspected depends on various factors, including what building materials compose the roof and what kind of conditions it has been exposed to in the course of the year. Signs of damage may also require more immediate action

THERE IS MORE TO THE ROOF THAN SHINGLES

While shingles and tiles are what most people think of when they picture a roof, there are actually many more components that could need repair and require regular inspection. The roof has a structure made up of trusses or rafters that give it support. On top of this is a sheathing material, often made of sheet metal or boards, which cover the rafters and complete the roof’s structure. On top of that is an underlayment, or the base layer, on which the shingles or tiles are laid. This layer may be the most difficult for a homeowner to inspect on their own, and it is the part that will degrade the most quickly, often needing repair much more often than the roof coverings themselves. The flashing and gutters can also wear over time and need to be in good shape to keep the roof in its best condition.

WHEN YOUR ROOF IS DAMAGED

Recently we wrote about checking your roof for damage after a storm and a regular home roof inspection can prevent most damage to the home, but sometimes storms can severely harm the roof as well. This damage is often visible through leaks in the ceiling, usually noticed in the form of water stains. Other signs include tiles and shingles missing or damaged, or even granules of the shingles in the gutters and drainage system. Any kind of daylight showing in the attic or crawl space is another indication of damage and should be immediately addressed. Dry rot, as well as mold and mildew thanks to water seepage, can also pose a major threat to the integrity of the home. Keep an eye out for dark spots or streaks, or for sagging in the roof itself. If you notice any of these things, the roof needs to be professionally inspected immediately to prevent further damage to the home.

ROOFING MATERIALS MATTER

The main determining factor in the frequency of scheduled roof repair is the roof covering itself. Different types of materials will weather and decay at different rates, which can affect the roof inspection cost. While composite or asphalt shingles are common, and are the most often used roof covering in the United States, shake or wooden shingles are also found and tile roofs are growing in popularity. General guidelines are that an asphalt or composite shingle roof needs professional inspection about every three years, as does a wooden shingle roof, while a tile roof can go up to five years between inspections. Even though these materials have a longer life span, the underlayment and other structural components are protected by the coverings but may still degrade at a faster rate.

A REGULAR HOME ROOF INSPECTION BENEFITS THE HOMEOWNER

If properly maintained, your roof can have a very long lifespan. A well-kept shingle roof can last twenty years without needing to be replaced, while the lifespan of a tile roof can be up to one hundred years. If inspected regularly by a qualified roofing professional, a roof is a good investment for the life of your home, both externally through the curb appear it boosts, and internally by protecting the interior of the house from damage

What You Need To Know About Dog Bite Lawyer

DOG BITE LAWYER

Dog Bite Injury Attorney

Dog owner is not liable for any damages caused by the dog unless the dog’s owner knew the animal was dangerous and had a propensity to be vicious. However, in certain cases, a dog owner may be held liable for a dog victims injuries even if the dog has not previously attacked another person or if the dog owner or handler was negligent in taking care of the animal.

Law Concerning Dog Bites

law does contain a specific statute about dog bites and who is liable for a dog-bite incident. has a rule called the “one bite rule” that is meant to apply to personal injury cases involving dog bites.

The one bite rule requires the plaintiff in a dog bite claim to prove two things:

The dog’s owner knew that the dog had aggressive tendencies or had bitten at least one other person in the past, and the dog’s owner did not use proper care in keeping the dog from biting someone.

That the owner’s negligence caused the injury.

Dog Bite Statistics

In 2016, there were 31 fatalities relating to dog bites in the United States. Pit bulls were responsible for 71% of the 31 deaths and make up approximately 6% of the total U.S. dog population. A combination of attacks by pit bulls and attacks by Rottweilers made up 76% of all fatal attacks between 2005 and 2016.

Data from 2016 showed that 42% of the deaths related to dog bites were children 9 years-old or younger, and 58% of them were adults over the age of 30. Of all child fatalities, 31% were deaths of infants who were three to six days old. There was almost an equal number of female and male fatalities with 16 female deaths and 15 male deaths

DOG BITE LAW

Being bitten by a dog can be an unfortunate and very unpleasant experience—whether it happens to a child or to an adult. Understanding the rights that you have under law if you’ve been bitten by a dog can be important for protecting your rights now and into the future. Individuals who have sustained a dog bite injury may not realize that these bites can be severe and can lead to numerous medical complications.

According to research, 800,000 dog bites every single year in the United States are severe enough to prompt medical treatment. Seventeen of these lead to fatalities every year. Fifty percent of all American children have a negative interaction by being bitten by a dog prior to the age of 13. It’s important to note that every dog has the potential to bite. While most don’t, others may choose to bite a child or an adult due to dominance, fear, aggression, or being annoyed and pestered to the point of reacting.

Regardless of the cause, you may be entitled to recover compensation after speaking with a personal injury lawyer. A dog bite can complicate a victim’s life with medical bills, reconstructive surgery—depending on the nature of the injury, stress from the experience, and bite marks that never go away. Far too many people underestimate the many ways that a dog bite accident can forever change your life. An incident like this leaves physical and mental scars. Children may be especially susceptible to suffering psychological ramifications after a dog bite injury, requiring medical treatment.

What Should I Do After I’ve Been Attacked By a Dog?

After a dog bite happens, write down notes about your interpretation of what happened. Take pictures of the injury and keep any evidence—including torn clothing, as this could become important in a personal injury lawsuit down the road.

If you are thinking about moving forward with a dog bite injury lawsuit in Oklahoma, you need to understand several important aspects of cases. First of all, you need to speak with a lawyer immediately. You must file a lawsuit in a timely manner in order to recover damages.

Dog Bite Attorney

If you or a loved one were injured or incurred medical expenses from a dog bite, consider speaking with an experienced

Law provide our clients with:

Exceptional representation

Personalized attention

Compassionate legal care

We have a success record of more than 98% in obtaining compensation for our clients.  Schedule a free case review and consultation today. Allow Rosenthal Law to show you that integrity makes a difference in legal representation.

When most people hear about dog bite injuries, the first thing to come to mind is a little nip on the hand. In reality, many dog bites are much more severe than that. It is not unusual for victims to suffer severe injuries that result in significant lacerations, muscle and nerve damage, and permanent scarring. In many cases, the emotional injuries connected to the trauma of the attack are the most serious.

Do I Need an Attorney for a Dog Bite?

If you suffered an injury from a dog bite or animal attack in, a lawyer can help you in several ways:

He or she can handle the communication between the insurer and the other parties involved

Collect the necessary evidence to establish grounds for a civil claim

Collect and organize all medical records and bills to evaluate material damages

Obtain all medical evidence necessary to establish harm

Present all evidence to an insurance company to demand a fair settlement for material and intangible losses

Negotiate a fair amount that reflects the amount of pain and suffering on the account of the plaintiff

Dog Bite Attorney

Have you or your child been bitten by a dog in Philadelphia, PA? You may have the right to seek compensation from the dog’s owner or another negligent third party

Dog bites happen more frequently than you might think. Even a friendly dog can get scared and attack. Dogs are incredibly powerful animals and can cause some pretty serious injuries. Those injuries can affect you and your loved ones for years to come.

For decades, our personal injury lawyers have been fighting on behalf of dog bite victims. We’re tenacious and work tirelessly on our clients’ behalves. That hard work pays off – we’ve recovered millions of dollars in financial settlements and jury awards.

know that you’ll need a solid case in order to maximize your financial recovery for physical and emotional damages. That’s why we will:

Identify and analyze all evidence related to your case

Determine if the dog has a history of aggressive or vicious behavior

Determine if the owner violated Philadelphia’s leash laws

Establish liability and seek compensation from all responsible parties

Protect you if the owner attempts to blame you by saying you provoked the dog, and

Consult with injury experts to ensure that we know what your dog bite case is worth.

Dog Laws You Need to Know

If you’ve been injured because of a dog bite in, there are a few laws that might affect your case. Here’s what you need to know.

Dog Bite Attorneys

First Steps After Being Attacked by a Dog

In the split of an eye, man’s best friend can become man’s worst enemy. If you or your child were seriously injured by a dog attack, contact the experienced Tampa Dog Bite Attorneys to hold the owners responsible for their negligence. We will fight for you and your family to earn the maximum

In a matter of seconds, a dog can cause severe damage during an attack and no longer be man’s best friend. If you or your child were seriously injured in a dog attack, contact the experienced Tampa dog bite attorneys to hold the owners responsible for their negligence.

After a dog bite, one of the first things to do is seek prompt medical attention. Often times dog’s mouths have harmful bacteria and those bites need to be treated differently than let’s say a laceration you might receive from a car accident or slip and fall. Also there should be a concern as to whether or not the dog has had all its vaccination and shots. That is something that needs to be looked into very quickly.

Compensation from the Liable Party

There are a few things that are important in terms of dog bite injuries that we advise our clients who want compensation. First of all, the severity of the injury. Secondly, the care that is provided in treatment of those injuries. Thirdly, whether the injuries will leave any sort of permanent scarring. Often times an individual bit by a dog is either bit on the hand or the leg and those scars are going to be visible for a lifetime. Many times there is permanent scar damages from those injuries.

Questions for the Dog Owner

After a dog bite, the owner of the dog may not be very cooperative and perhaps be quite defensive and outright refuse to talk to you. There is important information you need to try to get from the owner that if they don’t give, they will eventually be forced to give. First of all, you need to know if the dog has its shots. Secondly, you may want to report the information to animal protective services

Review Of One Of The Best Ants Farm Producers

Can Chalk Get Rid of Ants?

Have you ever picked up a chalk to try and draw a line on surfaces you’ve spotted with ants crawling about, chances are you already believing that a simple line of chalk can remove ants away from your premises.

Does drawing a line of chalk near the ant hole or along the ant trail useful in:

Keeping the ants away

Killing the ants

Temporarily derailing an ant trial

All of the above

Is chalk an effective remedy against ants?

An old wives tales, many of you would have chosen some answers which ‘keep the ants away’ and ‘killing ant’. This is false and chalk itself would not work to eliminate ants completely. While the drawn line of thick chalk can temporarily derail an ant trial, making the colony confused with the scents. However these ants soon establish their scents and the trail can come back at work again.  

While derailing an ant trail may seem like the ants are being kept away, these ants are definitely not killed. They are only temporarily shifted away from the original site as they avoid the chalk line.

Get rid of ants at home

Do you have ants at home? Getting rid of ants is more than just chalk and water. Should you have an ant infestation at home; it can be difficult to get rid of ants with DIY methods. Proper and correct identification of the ant species is required before the right treatment method is recommended, this best done by a pest control specialist.

Tips for Keeping Ants Out Of Your Kitchen This Summer

summertime is really all about the food – whether it’s barbecues in the backyard, fresh fruits and veggies for weeknight dinners, or snacks around the firepit with a sunset in the background. Unfortunately, the warm weather is also prime time for ants, and an infestation of these invaders can ruin just about any picnic before the basket is even packed.

Whether you’re a dedicated summer diner or a casual warm-weather snack lover, the spring and summer are prime time for ants to make their way into your kitchen and set about stealing, eating, or otherwise infecting all of your favorite foods.

Keep food crumbs to a minimum

It may seem obvious, but one of the primary temptations for ants looking to settle into your kitchen is the availability of food left for the taking. Remember, ants will seek out just about anything they can bring back to the colony: crumbs of bread, bits of fruit, and even grains of salt. Plus, they’ll let other colony members know where they found it, and how to get back there to get more.

Don’t allow standing water to pool or sit undisturbed

While food may be a major motivator for ant explorers looking to extend their supply lines, access to water is also a critical part of any colony’s survival. Even a small puddle or pool of water can quench an ant’s thirst for quite a while – and the more reliable the water source, the closer the colony will want to keep to your kitchen

Keep all pantry items securely sealed and out of reach from the ground

Few feelings make a homeowner more uncomfortable than reaching into a bag of flour or a sack of snacks and finding ants busy chomping away. Not only will this mean a lot of wasted food, but also that ants have found a stable central point to explore from in your pantry.

Get Rid of Fire Ants with These Helpful Pest Control Tips

With its beautiful weather throughout the year and plenty of water, Florida is a haven for lots of pests. Unfortunately, fire ants are one of them. While many homeowners are content to simply deal with some pest issues, spotting fire ants in the yard can easily create a five-alarm situation. What’s a homeowner to do? Get rid of fire ants, of course, and these tips can help.

Learn to Find The Mounds

Fire ants will build mounds in almost any kind of soil. You’re more likely to see them, though, in open, sunny areas like your lawn. If the soil conditions are ideal, a fire ant mound can reach up to 24 inches in height. Even if they’re not right out in the open, these mounds are easy to spot. Take a look around any rotting wood on your property, stumps, trees, or at the edge of your foundation. If you see something that looks like a mound, look for the ants themselves which are 1/8 to 1/4 inch in length.

Understand the Dangers

Fire ant bites are certainly painful, but they’re a lot like the stings and bites of other insects. They’ll hurt or itch for a while, and you’ll want to clean them and work to prevent infection, but the pain should subside in a day or two. You’ll notice a small blister where a fire ant sting has occurred, and as tempting as it is to scratch it, it’s important to remember that it could get infected easily. Keep in mind that there is a small percentage of people who are allergic to these stings, and in that case, they can be lethal.

Practice Prevention for Better Fire Ant Control

Good fire ant control requires an understanding of what fire ants are looking for. They want a source of food, a source of water, and a place to live. You can control all of those things on your property. Start by eliminating potential nesting sites. Trim your trees and shrubs to ensure that the foliage doesn’t touch your home. If you have mulch or a similar bedding material, turn it every few weeks to keep the amount of moisture it retains lower. Mow your lawn on a regular basis, and remove your grass clippings.

When Fire Ants Removal Becomes a Necessity

Even if you do what you can to prevent fire ants, you may still end up infested. Fire ant mounds reach well underground, and that means if your neighbor has them, you may still end up dealing with them on your property. Fortunately, there are plenty of good treatment methods, but don’t be tempted to grab an off-the-shelf solution at the hardware store. They’re only designed to treat the creatures you see, not the queen and thousands of other workers teeming under the soil. Off-the-shelf products mean introducing chemicals to your yard that may end up doing more harm than good

Tips For Keeping Carpenter Ants Out Of Your Home

Do you know what type of ant is inside your home? It can be hard to tell if you’re dealing with carpenter ants or a different kind and is why it’s important to take any ants you see seriously. Most ants are nuisance pests and contaminate food, but carpenter ants will also damage the stability of your home. The destruction that carpenter ants cause is similar to that of termites. They tunnel through wooden structures, hollowing them out and making them insecure.

Ant infestations can occur year-round here in, which is why preventative measures are necessary. At this time of year, it is particularly important to actively defend your home. The warmer the weather, the more mobile ants become. Given that it’s June, we’re going to see an increase in carpenter ants over the next few months. If you haven’t done so already, now is the time to put preventative steps in place for the summer.

Fix leaks

Carpenter ants will look for soft, damp wood first because it’s easier to tunnel through.

Repairs

Stopping leaks isn’t always enough. It is a good idea to replace wood that is already damaged

Remove food sources

Carpenter ants do not eat wood the way termites do. They tunnel into wooden structures to build nests but obtain their food elsewhere, like your kitchen or trash. Make sure food and trash bins are well-sealed.

ANT BAITING TIPS

Baiting for ants can be very much like fishing. Sometimes the ants attack with vengeance and keep attacking. Other times, no matter how you wiggle the line or change its depth and location, nothing strikes. Like a patient fisherman, a pest manager baiting for ants has to have patience, re-assessing after each failure and try new approaches to achieve success.

According to a recent survey, ants continue to cause large numbers of callbacks, with 39 per cent of pest management professionals (PMPs) having a five per cent or higher callback rate (PMP Magazine, April 2014). Here are some possible scenarios as to why your ant control may not be working, along with tips to beef up your ant baiting skills.

Wrong placement in space and time. Placing bait at ground level is not the best option if the ants are trailing from trees onto the roofline and then into the structure. Similarly, if the ant species you are trying to control feeds at night, but the bait was placed during the day, either the bait gets ignored or taken by a different ant species during the daylight hours. Make sure you have correctly identified the source and timing of an ant infestation before placing the bait.

Ant nest and foraging patterns disturbed during treatment. Perhaps your ant inspection techniques resulted in moving critical items around, which disturbed the ant colony. Sometimes this can cause the ants to move nest, maybe into the structure! Be thoughtful of your inspection practices and think critically about how certain actions could affect pest patterns in the future.

Wrong bait matrix for ant food preference. Using a bait with the wrong food matrix for the species or for that time of year; maybe you used an ant bait that had a carbohydrate base, but the ants needed protein instead.

An Event Planner And Coordinator Makes Event Management Successful

How to Interview Event Planners

Planning for Your Interview

As you plan ahead for an event planner job interview, review the events you’ve already planned, thinking of examples of times you’ve had to think on your feet to solve an unexpected problem, deal with difficult clients, or work with a restrictive budget. As well, think about times when an event you’ve organized has gone flawlessly.

These examples will all be helpful when answering interview questions and will give your interviewers stories to remember you by. Prepare for your interview by reviewing this list of frequently asked questions for event planners, and practice how you’d answer each question.

Here’s the thing about event coordinator interview questions…

Events administrator interview questions revolve around three main categories: your personality, your job related experience, and your overall event planning strategies or philosophies.

And don’t worry if you’re just starting out – most interviewers will take that into consideration. So if you come across a question about any situation you have yet to personally experience, just be honest and explain what you would do, if given the opportunity.

Most Common Event Planner Questions and Answers

Events administrator interview questions are a piece of cake once you’ve rehearsed your responses. Here are some standard questions along with suggested answers and advice to keep in your back pocket when preparing for the interview:

1. What personality traits, skills, and education do you think all event planners must have?

Answer: The most successful event planners tend to be highly flexible, organized, and easy to get along with. They also have great time, money, and people management skills. And although formal education isn’t necessarily required it’s always good to have a college degree and/or a certification or two under your belt when starting out.

2. Why do you want to plan events for our company?

Answer: Be thoughtful in your answer to this question. Besides a love of events, you’ll probably want to go over the company’s mission or value statement and find the points you resonate with the most.

3. What event software and tools do you like using? And why do you use them?

Answer: If you don’t already have some programs you actively work with, make sure you review a free planning event software or tools ahead of time and mention that you’d like to use them for upcoming projects.

4. How do you keep up with industry trends and news?

Answer: Event planning blogs (like this one) are a great resource for keeping up to date with it all. If you don’t already have some ready to go for this question, start by bookmarking the Social Tables blog for future reference. 

5. How do you manage event promotion, including social media outreach and email campaigns?

Answer: Just in case it’s been awhile, here’s a great guide to promoting events on social media you can use to brush up.

Work Hours

Because many social events occur outside of normal business hours, event planners are often expected to work during off-hours. You will likely be expected to work weekends and evenings. Additionally, events may be located in a variety of different locations, requiring you to travel substantial distances. As such, potential employers will want to ask you if you are anticipating these requirements. Below are a couple sample event planner question and answer that can help you address this issue.

  • Are you available to work long hours?

“Because most events are on weekends and evenings, I anticipate that I will need to be available to work during odd hours. I also understand that some events can require extensive time to set up, run and clean up. While this can be demanding, I am passionate about the job and willing to be available.”

  • Are you able to travel long distances?

“ I understand that many events may require travel, and I am willing to spend the time getting to a location because I want to make sure that clients are getting the event they want where they want it.”

Event planning can be substantially more difficult than you may think, and it is important that you portray your ability to meet the job’s demands. Ultimately, it is important to clearly show your strong organizational skills and overall flexibility.

What to Wear for a Special Events Coordinator Job Interview

Special events coordinators can wear conservative interview attire and still be considered qualified candidates for the job, but consider the industry you’re in before you settle on just a typical suit and tie or a skirt with a matching shell and cardigan. Regardless of whether your industry permits out-of-the-box ideas and appearances, don’t go overboard. Importantly, ensure your interview attire fits properly and that you feel comfortable and confident in whatever you choose to wear.

Traditional Interview Attire

Many career coaches strongly recommend that job candidates “dress for success,” which usually translates into “wear a suit,” for any interview. Advice such as “dress for the job you want, not the job you have,” suggests that traditional interview attire is a suit in a dark, neutral or muted tone. That said, traditional for men means a two-piece suit, white shirt, tie and wingtip shoes. For women, they can choose between a pantsuit or skirt suit, a blouse that’s not too frilly or low-cut, neutral hosiery and mid-heel pumps.

What Is a Special Events Coordinator?

Jobs for special events coordinators exist in practically any industry. They can work in the health care industry, professional services and consulting, retail and the fashion and beauty industry. The title is self-explanatory — they coordinate special events. A special events coordinator for a hospital might plan fundraisers or groundbreaking events for building a new wing. Those who work for certain retailers and companies in the fashion and beauty industry might plan fashion shows or welcome parties for designers, spokespersons or celebrities. What you wear to your interview to become a special events coordinator can depend on the industry.

Accessories

No matter what industry you’re in, keep your accessories to a minimum. That means leave the dangling, bling-bling earrings in your jewelry box, remove piercings and cover tattoos that might express controversial or inappropriate messages. You want the interviewer to focus on you and your skills, not wonder whether those earrings are so heavy that your ears hurt. Also, bring extra copies of your resume in a slim portfolio, as well as a notepad and pen. Don’t fumble around with a purse or coat — they can stay in the car. This way, you’ll look like you’re ready for business, instead of clumsily finding a place to lay your coat or handbag.

Event Coordinator Job Description :

We are searching for a talented and motivated Event Coordinator to organize outstanding and unforgettable events. You will be responsible for every part of event preparations, such as choosing venues, approving menus, developing seating plans, and evaluating success afterward.

As the Event Coordinator, you should be well-organized and possess a sound knowledge of vendor management. Excellent communication and attention to detail skills are vital in this role, as our success depends on meeting our client’s tailored requirements.

Responsibilities:

  • Identify the client’s requirements and expectations for each event.
  • Liaise with vendors, exhibitors, and stakeholders during the event planning process to ensure everything is in order.
  • Manage all event set-up, tear down and follow-up processes.
  • Maintain event budgets.
  • Book venues, entertainers, photographers, and schedule speakers.
  • Conduct final inspections on the day of the event to ensure everything adheres to the client’s standards.
  • Assess an event’s overall success and submit findings.

Pros And Cons Of Back To Wall Toilet Installation

Best Toilet Wax Rings For A Leak-Free Seal

Toilet seals are a crucial component of any toilet installation. They provide the meeting point between the bottom of the toilet itself and the pipes below. Without them, there’s a high chance of leakage from the toilet onto and around your floor.

Some toilet seals are made from rubber, but wax is arguably the most popular material. Wax has been used for toilet seals for a long time, and for a good reason. Wax is malleable and adjusts well to the weight of the toilet, creating a super tight seal. However, wax-free seals are also famous for various reasons such as cleanliness and durability.

What Are Toilet Wax Rings?

In simple terms, toilet wax rings are a thick, ring-shaped piece of wax (some with a plastic ring around the inner edge called a sleeve). The wax ring fits between the toilet outlet (the opening on the underside of the toilet) and the drain, creating a tight seal to bridge any gaps and prevent leakage and odors. They are found at all homeware stores and are super affordable and last a long time…until they need changing. They are a crucial part of toilet installations.

How Do Toilet Wax Rings Work?

Wax toilet rings work as a seal between the toilet and the floor and pipes below. Because they are soft, they fit snugly into the toilet outlet and the pipes to seal off any leakage. To install, you remove the old wax ring, slot the new one into the hole in the floor, then lower the toilet over the ring, (onto the bolts).

Material

Consider the material of the toilet seal ring you are purchasing, as there are a few different options. The options are the classic wax option and wax-free options which are made of rubber. Some people find wax-free seals preferable as they are a little less messy than wax.

What you need to know before buying a toilet

One of the calls we often receive from our clients has something to do with us helping them fit a new toilet into their bathroom. When we receive these calls, the first question we often ask is: “Do you know if this new toilet is going to suit your current plumbing configuration?”

Waste configuration

Here’s a question we need an answer to before considering which toilet to install: Is your current toilet a p-trap or an s-trap?

Water supply tap location

When choosing a new toilet suite, it’s best to take measurements of where your existing water supply tap is located.

High-level cisterns

Older toilets with high-level cisterns usually have water supply taps located up high, which more often than not lands right where the new cistern needs to go.

Low-level cisterns

Low-level cistern toilets often have the water supply tap tucked in behind the toilet. This can sometimes end up in the way of the toilet bowl if you’re looking to install a back-to-wall suite.

CAN I INSTALL A COMMERCIAL TOILET IN MY HOME?

Many businesses and stores use commercial toilets that don’t come with a tank on the back. A tankless toilet means less space is needed for the fixture, changes maintenance expectations and makes cleaning much easier. Is it possible for homeowners to install a commercial toilet or a similar model in their own houses? Let’s take a closer look.

OPERATIONAL DIFFERENCES

There’s a big reason why you don’t see commercial toilets in homes: The toilet you see in a typical business operates differently than a traditional model. A retail store or other commercial building’s plumbing system is usually built specifically to provide for the capabilities of a commercial grade toilet, while residential water supply lines and drains do not. Traditional residential grade toilets use a siphon to suck water and waste from the bowl and into the drain. However, water must come in fast enough to fill the siphon tube in order to create a successful flush. Residential water supply lines simply don’t have the necessary water volume to allow a commercial toilet to flush with power. A residential toilet utilizes a water storage tank at the back to provide enough water to create a strong flush that will rid the bowl of waste. Water from the tank flows down into the bowl with enough force to activate the siphon and pull waste into the and down to the sewer.

A commercial toilet, on the other hand, doesn’t rely on a tank of water. Instead, it receives water from a larger diameter commercial grade water supply line that delivers water at a high enough pressure to carry waste right through the drainage system. While these models often use the same amount of water as a residential toilet, commercial grade toilets must use water very suddenly and violently. And as we noted earlier, residential water supply lines aren’t equipped to deliver that much volume all at once.

IS TANKLESS COMPLETELY OFF THE TABLE?

Although you may not be able to install a toilet exactly like ones seen in your favorite business, homeowners can take advantage of tankless toilets. Some models have been built specifically for home use, but you’ll likely need a pump or other technologies to help power the flush. One thing to consider is that tankless toilets are also much noisier than traditional residential models, so a nighttime flush is likely to wake up everyone in the house! Homeowners must also check that their plumbing system uses 1 inch diameter water supply pipe in order to ensure that the toilet has enough volume and pressure to refill quickly. Most residential water supply lines are typically ½ inch or ¾ inch in diameter. Anything less than 1 inch diameter supply lines will have you waiting for the bowl to refill.

Commercial, or tankless, toilets are certainly beneficial, but there are a number of considerations that must be made in order to ensure that your residential plumbing system can adequately support them.

Something doesn’t smell right with toilet install

My husband installed a new gasket on the toilet in our master bathroom as part of adding a new ceramic tile floor. He’s pretty handy, but soon after I noticed a sewer gas odor in this room. He can’t smell it, and I’m reluctant to have him do the job over. The toilet doesn’t move, the caulking is perfect so I can’t imagine where the odor is coming from. For years there was never an odor. What needs to be done to correct this?

The toilet bowl gasket was not installed correctly. The smoking gun is the fact no odors were ever present before your well-intentioned husband started the bathroom remodeling job. I’m afraid that he needs to start over, but we need to discover what he did wrong so this second attempt gets it right.

As for the source of the odor, it is probably the holes where the toilet bolts pass through the ceramic toilet bowl base, which are usually never sealed. The sewer gas that’s wafting past the toilet wax gasket can easily seep past the bolts and the decorative caps. The caulking between the base of the toilet bowl and the floor will do nothing to stop the odor if these bolt slots are unsealed.

The seal between the toilet flange and the toilet bowl is critical. The toilet flange is the transition fitting that allows you to connect the toilet to the drain piping. Not only is there the issue of sewer odors, but vermin and water can also get through this joint if the toilet gasket is not making positive contact.

When you replace a toilet gasket, you need to pay close attention to many details. One thing homeowners, and some rookie plumbers, fail to look at is the recessed area under a toilet bowl.

HOW TO MEASURE FOR A TOILET

Replacing or installing a toilet can sound like a daunting task. With many types and styles of toilets to choose from, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed with decisions. Fortunately, with a few basic measurements, you can choose and install a toilet that’s a perfect fit for your bathroom, whether it’s a bathroom in your home, office or other business. Read on for directions on how to measure for your toilet and toilet seat.

STANDARD TOILET DIMENSIONS

When you are considering your bathroom layout so you can add toilet partitions to a bathroom in a park, school, office or other space, you need to measure carefully. You want users of your restroom to have adequate space in each stall without wasting any usable area. In addition, you want each restroom cubicle to be uniform in size and set up correctly.

This toilet-buying guide will walk you through the standard toilet measurements you need to consider when buying partitions:

Seat height: Measure the space between the floor and the toilet seat top. Standard toilets will measure between 15 and 17 inches, while chair style toilets can be up to 17 inches.

Toilet bowl shapes: Round toilet bowls take up less room than elongated bowls, which are usually up to three inches longer. Remember you will want to have 24 or more inches of space in front of the toilet as well as adequate space around the bowl.

Toilet width: Measure either the widest part of the bowl or the widest part of the tank, whichever is broader, to determine the required width of each stall. Keep in mind you need some space on the sides as well.

Toilet Rough In Dimensions: A toilet’s rough-in measurement is the space between the wall behind the toilet and the center of the waste pipe. Standard toilet rough in dimensions are 12 inches but can be anywhere from 10 to 14 inches in some cases.

Overall, a standard toilet will be between 27 and 30 inches deep, with a back height of 21 to 31 inches and a width of about 20 inches. An ADA-compliant version needs to have a seat height of 17 to 19 inches. This is one reason why partitions around ADA-compliant bathrooms are different.

HOW TO MEASURE

If you’re measuring for an all-new bathroom space, or completely remodeling a bathroom, you’ll want to have an idea of the overall layout and design of the bathroom. If you’re designing for a business or public restroom where there will be multiple toilets, be sure to leave space available for partitions and partition doors. When considering how to measure for toilet space, here are a few things to keep in mind.