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Kitchen Remodeling Trends For Attractive Kitchens

Premier Flooring and Design Center Having a Big Impact on Kitchens

The kitchen is the heart of the home, the place where meals, memories and magic are made. A beautiful, functional and comfortable kitchen is where everyone wants to hang out at the party, where friends and family mingle and where the day begins and ends.

The kitchen is also the one place where investing in upgrading and remodeling really pays off. According to HGTV, “In the hottest housing markets, springing for a kitchen remodel is a sure-fire investment, often returning more than 100 percent of the cost.” And, even if you aren’t planning to sell soon, you can’t measure the value you get out of your use and enjoyment of the home improvements you make. “Even if you get less than 100 percent of your money back, you’re really ahead of the game over time because you get the use of all that space,” according to Remodeling magazine.

In a kitchen remodel, cabinets are the biggest investment and also return the most bang for the buck, transforming a space in terms of both beauty and function. The new Fabuwood Cabinets, featured at Premier Flooring & Design Center, are a top choice for creating an affordable luxury kitchen, with features and options that literally transform outdated, uncomfortable kitchens into sleek, comfortable, thoroughly enjoyable rooms.

All Fabuwood cabinetry is made with solid wood frames, concealed six-way hinges, full extension drawer runners, solid birch dovetailed drawer boxes and natural wood veneer finished interiors to provide lasting reliability and solid value. The “Q12” construction process focuses on 12 separate elements that together make up a solid, beautifully built cabinet which functions like a well-engineered tool and looks like a fine piece of furniture.

Fabuwood cabinetry deliver drawers that slide like glass, doors that close quietly and securely, infinite configurations and accessories that are engineered to take advantage of every inch of space. Choose knife and cutlery inserts for drawers. appliance garages, many different pull-outs and tilt-outs, stemware racks and lazy susans bult just for corner spaces.

Simple ways to make your kitchen look more modern

Simple Ways To Make Your Kitchen Look More Modern

Has your kitchen looked the same since you moved into your house? Even though we use our kitchens daily, the look and feel of the kitchen can often be neglected and overlooked. For a room that is so useful, we forget that it needs a little care too. Using our kitchen how we always have used it becomes an unbreakable habit.

Keeping the room clean is a must as it will attract pests otherwise. Sometimes it will take more than just a thorough cleaning to make your kitchen look its best. Your kitchen must catch up to the 21st century!

Add a Little Color

Constant use and the smoke and the grease can start to make your kitchen look dull and tired.. If the room looks sad and outdated, give it a new look. Paint the walls and make it look fresh and brand new again.

Remodel Your Kitchen

What better way to modernize the place than remodelling your kitchen? If money is not an issue, this is the best option for you. If you are tired of the way your kitchen looks, remodel the room into a more modern style. Most kitchen areas are designed in a similar manner. Changing the way your counters, kitchen cabinetry, and shelves are kept can make a huge difference.

Get New Appliances

If your refrigerator is older than your first born who you just sent off to college,, it is definitely time to get a new one. We tend to stick with our appliances. We get comfortable with our appliances, and hesitate to change often. Well changing appliances can be a great way to refresh your kitchen and also use energy more efficiently..

Best Kitchen Remodel Ideas That Will Spruce Up Any Space

Whether you’re looking for small or grand kitchen remodel ideas to renovate one of the most popular spaces in your home, there are several directions for you to go in. Perhaps you’ve seen some popular kitchen trends of 2020 and want to add subtle touches to feel like your kitchen has entered the modern age. Simple changes such as painting your cabinets a fresh coat, switching out your hanging lighting fixtures, or revamping your backsplash can create a big change. Or, if you’re more on the traditional side and would rather stick to some country kitchen ideas instead, there are many renovation tactics that will update your kitchen while making sure it feels homey.

Before: Old Cabinets

The counters and cabinets in this kitchen needed a chic update, but the vintage stove had too much charm and potential to get rid of.

After: Bright White

The homeowner kept the kitchen’s old Chambers stove and cabinets—now improved with new fronts and a coat of Patriotic White—but jettisoned the Formica counters and dark backsplash in favor of marble and white subway tiles.

Before: Basic Fixtures and Finishes

Basic fixtures and finishes and a poorly planned layout offered little in the way of style or function

After: Charming Farmhouse Kitchen

Switching out the stainless steel sink that came with the house for an apron-front porcelain one boosts the room’s charm. Brass bin pulls, butcher block countertops, and a copper backsplash behind the range add warmth to the new gray cabinets.

Kitchen Remodel

Kitchen Remodeling Advice

Before-and-After L-Shaped Kitchen Remodels

Kitchen Remodel for Stunning View

Kitchen Layouts: Before and After

Warm, Earthy Kitchen

A Family Kitchen Furnished for Cooks

A Sustainably-Minded Portland Kitchen Remodel

Fun, Family-Focused Baking Kitchen

Old World Kitchen Transformation

Charming White Kitchen

Galley Kitchen Remodel Ideas

Family-Centered Kitchens

Before-and-After Galley Kitchen Remodels

Cozy Country Kitchen Designs

From charming wood floors to wrought-iron fixtures, get tips for using details that embody a warm country design style.

Natural Delights

Rustic materials pair with bright white finishes to create this family friendly, farmhouse kitchen. Richly stained cabinets join forces with aged hardwood floors and weathered barstools to bring warmth to the mostly white space. A taupe subway tile backsplash adds dimension to the design and enhances the range hood, while a modern chicken painting brings interest to the walls.

Basic Steps of Kitchen Remodeling

Few home remodeling projects come with more benefits—and more headaches—than a major kitchen remodeling job. If you hire a general contractor to manage a major job that expands the kitchen footprint, costs can easily go into the six-figure range. If you have the courage to tackle the work yourself, the job may take many months to complete, and you may need to live without a kitchen for a good portion of that time.

But a gleaming new kitchen will make your home more livable, and it will increase the equity value of your real estate like few other remodeling projects can do. A great new kitchen will be the focus of family life and can be the center of social gatherings. A fully remodeled kitchen is most certainly a project worth the time, money, and effort, and you can avoid being overwhelmed if you fully understand the steps that go into the process before you begin.

A great many kitchen remodeling projects end up disappointing a homeowner—or shocking them with the cost—simply because they did not spend the necessary time to determine what they wanted and what they could afford

Needs vs. Desires in a Kitchen Remodel

Start by asking yourself what persistent problems you experience with your current kitchen. Is it a matter of too little space to cook effectively? Too little space to store food and dishware? Do you lack dining areas? Are the appliances ineffective or too old? Or does the kitchen just make you wince because it is so dated and so ugly?

Remodel Reality Check

Early on in your planning, confront the two-part reality of a kitchen remodeling project: the logistics of the work itself, and the expense involved.

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The Benefits You Can Expect From Laminate Flooring

Laminate Buying Guide: Which Laminate Flooring is Right for You?

Laminate flooring is a fantastic option for those who want a real wood look and feel for a lower price, or for those who require added durability. If you aren’t sure whether laminate flooring is the right move for you, laminate buying guide blog will cover everything you need to know.

This blog will include both the advantages and disadvantages of laminate flooring, where you can lay laminate, different AC ratings, the best laminate flooring suited to your needs and many more factors that are important to consider.

The Benefits of Laminate Flooring

There are many benefits to laminate flooring. Below is a list of key advantages that you should consider when making the all-important decision on whether to buy

Advantages

Laminate is highly durable, and can withstand a large amount of foot traffic

It is a great option if you’re looking for flooring to put in your bathroom or kitchen, as it does not absorb moisture as much as real wooden floors

Laminate is affordable, and can look almost identical to real wood flooring

With our click-lock fitting mechanism, laminate flooring is quick and easy to install

Laminate is scratch and water-resistant, which makes it perfect for busy family homes, as well as bathrooms and kitchens

Compared to real wood, Laminate is more hygienic and easier to clean, and only requires a regular sweep and the occasional damp mop

The manufacturing process of laminate results in a highly durable and reliable flooring, with highly consistent results throughout each plank

Disadvantages

Laminate flooring isn’t the real thing; if you’re looking for a 100% genuine wood flooring look and feel, you can only find that with real wood flooring

Wood flooring tends to have a longer lifespan than laminate, as it can be sanded and refinished

INSTALLING LAMINATE FLOORING IN YOUR BATHROOM? THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND

Bathrooms are humid. In fact, it’s the most humid room in our homes. So when you install flooring, you want to choose flooring that is waterproof or at least water-resistant. With a wide variety of flooring types for homeowners to choose from, which are best for bathrooms? And furthermore, is installing laminate flooring in your bathroom possible?

Laminate flooring has numerous benefits, some of which include:

Resembles real wood—Laminate flooring styles have come a long way and are now offered in realistic visuals and textures. It can also mimic the look of hardwood with texture that follows the grain in the print film, but with the added benefit of being water resistant and generally more affordable.  

Easy installation—Laminate flooring is easy to install, resulting in a fast and simple DIY project that homeowners can accomplish over a weekend.

Offers protective layer—Laminate flooring provides a top layer that resists everyday wear and tear, making maintenance fairly easy. Simply sweep the floor or spot clean with a damp mop–no need to apply coats and finishes. Not to mention, it protects from the accidental drop of a flat iron.

However, while laminate flooring may be the best choice for certain rooms in your home, it does have some drawbacks in bathrooms. First, you must evaluate whether laminate floors are the right choice for the specific bathroom for which you plan to install. And second, homeowners need to be aware that laminate requires certain upkeep to make it last within a damp bathroom. 

Install in Smaller Bathrooms

Laminate flooring is best suited for small bathrooms, such as a downstairs half bath or more intimate master suite bathroom.

Use Waterproof Silicone Caulk (REQUIRED)

One of the easiest and most important steps you must take to protect your laminate flooring is to use a waterproof silicone caulk upon its initial installation. Unlike your standard grout made of cement and sand, which can absorb water, silicone is flexible and impenetrable.

DIY LAMINATE FLOOR CLEANER

One of the biggest complaints I hear about laminate floor cleaners is that commercial cleaners leave behind a sticky residue that attracts dirt and dust. My all time favorite laminate floor cleaner is a simple DIY cleaner using every day ingredients. Try out this recipe for an effective, economical solution to cleaning your laminate floors.

The vinegar cleans and the rubbing alcohol aids in the drying and adds a sanitizing component. The combination is great for getting those floors perfectly clean. Laminate and water are not a good combination so you’ll want to use this as a spray format in a bottle or in a refillable mop in lieu of a mop and bucket. Always make sure that you aren’t leaving any standing water on your floors as you’re washing them.

To make about 16 ounces or enough to fit in a spray bottle (I sell glass sell spray bottles and essential oils in my CLEAN MAMA HOME SHOP) – use this recipe:

DIY LAMINATE FLOOR CLEANER

5 ounces WHITE VINEGAR

5 ounces RUBBING ALCOHOL

5 ounces water (use distilled or boiled and cooled water if you are wanting to store this longer than one week)

optional: 3-5 drops ESSENTIAL OILS (lemon or orange and peppermint is a great combination for this recipe)

Combine the ingredients and pour into a spray bottle or spray mop and use weekly or more if necessary.

Have hardwood floors? Don’t use this recipe – the high ratios of rubbing alcohol and vinegar aren’t compatible with your floors.

Basic Maintenance

RevWood

Use a dust mop, soft bristle broom or a vacuum cleaner with suction only (no beater bar or with the beater bar disengaged) to remove dust, dirt and loose particulate on a regular basis. Avoid wet-mop cleaning with water or liquid cleaners.

Use protective window coverings to block fade-causing UV rays and excessive heat from direct sunlight, and rearrange rugs and furniture periodically to help your floor age evenly. During inclement weather, avoid exposing your flooring to water as much as possible.

SolidWood and TecWood

Vacuum or sweep your floor regularly with a soft-bristled attachment or broom, especially in high-traffic areas. This prevents gritty dirt and particle buildup that can scratch the wood’s surface. Don’t use vacuums with a beater bar or power rotary brush head

Tips for Preventing Damage

RevWood

Carefully remove stubborn stains (like paint, oil, tar, or markers) with acetone-based fingernail polish remover.

If one of your planks is beyond repair, use the Quick-Step UniFix tool to remove and replace the damaged plank in minutes

SolidWood, TecWood

Keep pets’ nails trimmed and their paws clean. Pets can track in substances that cause scratching and stains.

Use a humidifier during heating seasons to help reduce wood shrinkage and humidity between 35% and 55%.

How To Clean Laminate, Vinyl or Linoleum Floors

Laminate, Vinyl and Linoleum floors are very easy to keep clean and there are many excellent commercially available products that clean and shine your floors. It is very important to follow the manufacturers instructions for the use and application of these products. To simply clean these floors with products readily available just follow the steps below!

THINGS YOU’LL NEED

White Vinegar, All-Purpose-Cleaner or Dish Soap

Rotating Microfiber mop handle with Microfiber Towels or Wet Mop

Vacuum with rotating brush deactivated or Dust Mop

Bucket

Water

Commercial floor wax if desired

HOW TO CLEAN:

Vacuum or sweep the floor to remove any dirt particles.

Fill a bucket with a gallon of warm water and mix in a ¼ cup of white vinegar, a small amount of All-Purpose-Cleaner, Dish Soap or the manufacturers recommended cleaning solution. For laminate products water alone is the best cleaning option if you can’t use the recommended cleaner. Change the solution when it gets cloudy or dirty.

Dip the microfiber towel into the water mixture, ring thoroughly, attach to the mop handle and begin cleaning or use the Wet Mop.

Wash the floors by starting at the outermost corner of the room and working methodically towards the room exit.

Allow the floors to air dry

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House Exterior Painting

How to Paint a Porch

Your porch is often the first thing people see when they approach your home; it may also be an outside space you and your family enjoy using. Protect and maintain it—maybe even add a decorative paint specially formulated for these well-travelled areas.

Assess the Condition

Before you paint, prepare your surface for optimal results. Perhaps your porch shows signs of peeling or chipping, or maybe it needs a good cleaning. Important: If you will be removing paint that was applied prior to 1960, it probably contains lead.

There are several steps you can take to reduce your exposure to lead.

Have the painted item replaced.

Have professionals trained in removing lead-based paint do the work.

Each of the following paint-removal methods can produce lead fumes or dust that can be inhaled or ingested. The wet method generates the least amount of airborne fumes and dust.

Wire brushing or wet hand scraping with the aid of a nonflammable solvent or abrasive compound. Read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions and warning labels before purchasing and using. It is important to use personal protective equipment (such as gloves, safety glasses and disposable coveralls) when using some paint strippers.

Wet hand sanding and/or power sanding with HEPA filters. Only wet hand sanding and/or an electric sander equipped with a HEPA-filtered vacuum attachment should be used. Dry hand sanding should never be done.

Heat stripping, using a low-temperature heat gun followed by hand scraping. Heat guns pose a fire hazard and can create dust and vapours, so they should be used only by experienced workers wearing respirators.

The following methods of paint removal are hazardous (and in some communities illegal) and should NOT be used:

Open flame burning or torching

Machine sanding or grinding without a HEPA attachment

Abrasive blasting or sandblasting

Power washing without a method to trap water and paint chips

THE BEST WHITE PAINT COLORS FOR EXTERIORS

You’ve seen them, right? The gorgeous, white, modern farmhouse style houses that are popping up all over the place? Maybe, you’ve even been thinking about painting your house white. White can be a beautiful, but tricky paint color for exteriors…too bright, and you risk blinding drivers passing by…too dark, and it just looks “muddy.” If you’re considering painting your house white, keep reading this post! I’ve rounded up the best white paint colors for exteriors, so you can be sure to have that gorgeous white house you’ve been dreaming of.

First things first…let’s talk about LRV (Light Reflectance Value).  I know you were ready to dive into paint colors, and I’m being a total buzzkill, but LRV is important for white exteriors. LRV is a measure of how light or dark a paint color is on a scale of 0 (darkest)  to 100 (lightest). I really don’t want to go into too much detail, because the specifics are a bit boring, but a good rule of thumb is that an exterior LRV should be no higher than 85. If you get higher than 85, you’re gonna need sunglasses to look at your house. A good white exterior paint should have an LRV between 73-ish to 85. You can find the LRV of a paint color on the manufacturers website. There you go…LRV lesson is over.

White Dove

White Dove is the brightest white on this list with an LRV of 85, and is a popular choice for a beautiful, pure white exterior.  If you compared it to true white, however, you’d see that White Dove is actually a soft, warm white with a hint of gray, which makes it one of the most beloved whites amongst designers for both interiors and exteriors. Go with White Dove if you have a house that gets lots of shade, and/or you want that crisp and clean white look.

is a little lower on the LRV scale at 78. It has gray undertones, which tends to make it a slightly cooler shade of white. It has enough color to stand out against a bright white trim, and pairs beautifully with blue or green accents

is a fabulous white for exteriors. It can sometimes look a bit dingy when used for interiors, but when you paint it outside, it blossoms into a beautiful, clean white. It has a warm, neutral look, without looking too creamy or being too bright. If you have dark brown or bronze exterior accents, this is a great choice.

The Best White Modern Farmhouse Exterior Paint Colors

If you only know one thing about white paint, it should be that they are not all the same. With the rising popular of white homes, the number of choices has become overwhelming, and it’s impossible to tell what something really looks like from a swatch. So we’ve put together the best list to get your started: eight popular paint colors for that perfect white Modern Farmhouse exterior. Plus, read to the end to find out which of these whites we always recommend on our homes!

China White

China White is a pretty good true white, yet has a denser, richer appearance. In darker interior spaces it will lean a dimmer greige, but on exteriors it provides a soft, bright white

Chantilly Lace

Chantilly Lace is perhaps the brightest, true white option. It’s fresh and clean, and just barely leans towards cool toned. Perfect if you want a crisp, stark look!

White Dove

Soft and creamy, White Dove has barely a hint of gray, but remains bright and warm. It also very closely matches

Pure White

Pure White is aptly named, as it has just the tiniest bit of tint to take off some of the icy edge. Will definitely give you a crisp, clean look, and looks dreamy in soft light.

PAINTING OUR BRICK HOUSE WHITE!

The weather hasn’t been perfect for photos and our landscaping isn’t looking it’s finest at the moment, but I couldn’t give two flying squirrels because I’M SO FREAKING EXCITED ABOUT OUR PAINTED BRICK HOUSE THAT I LITERALLY CANNOT EVEN. I am unable to even. And I’m a 36 year old suburban mom, so that’s saying something.

Today we’re gonna break it all down – what type of paint we used, why we chose it, how the process went, how much it cost, all that good stuff. And I’ll try to go easy on the exclamation points. No promises, though

The short answer is that we wanted to. This is our third brick house and I’ve daydreamed about painting ALL of them at some point, so this is basically a 12+ year fantasy that has finally been realized

has been interested in the idea, but he is so dang practical. So his concerns about maintenance or it showing green mildew and stuff like that have always convinced him that it was a bad idea. But after discussing it on our podcast this summer, a lot of our listeners soothed our fears (we heard from dozens of people who have lived in a painted brick house for 10+ years with zero brick maintenance) and then we found a product that gave us the confidence to go full steam ahead. More on that in a minute.

This house, of all of our brick houses, felt like it was the perfect candidate for a painted exterior. We’ve always loved how stately it feels from the curb, and the way it’s situated at the end of the street and framed by large trees just felt like it was poised for greatness. It was also built in the early 80’s, so it wasn’t lovely historic brick that we’d be painting over

PAINTING EXTERIOR MURALS

SURFACE CONSIDERATIONS

If the mural is not an existing structure, but will be constructed specifically for your artwork, carefully consider the choice of building materials to be painted. For example, there are many plywood grades available. MDO plywood (Medium Density Overlay), often referred to as “sign painters board”, is a high-quality plywood that is made to be used outdoors. It could also be attached to a wooden, metal or brick wall before painting a mural. This would offer the artist a surface that is clean, smooth and can be painted indoors in the studio, rather than on a scaffold at the mural site.

Painting an Existing Surface

If factors dictate painting directly onto a pre-existing surface, preparation is a major factor in the longevity of the mural.

Surface Cleaning Considerations

The artist must be concerned with the nature of the surface to be painted. If the surface is already painted, then consider what kind of paint it is and its physical condition (the artist should realize that any surface that still has the previous coating on it will not be as permanent as one that has been completely stripped and freshly coated). If the paint is a water-based polymer

paints will adhere sufficiently. If it is a high gloss oil paint (or of unknown materials), then it must be abraded (or removed) for good adhesion. If the existing paint film is deteriorating, then it is best to have it removed (sandblasted, power-washed, scraped, etc. ). It is critical to wash any painted surface, even a newly painted surface, with soap and water prior to application of acrylic products. A major coatings manufacturer states that as much as 80% of all coatings failure can be directly related to insufficient surface preparation.

Mold and Mildew

Mold and mildew must be removed by hand scrubbing with a mixture of 1 part household bleach to 3 parts water. CAUTION: Never add ammonia or ammonia-based cleaners to bleach! Wear goggles and protective equipment while cleaning. After scrubbing with a brush, allow the solution to sit on the surface for 10 minutes before thoroughly rinsing off with clean water.

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Start Treating Your Sports Injury With Chiropractic Care

Things Chiropractors Can Help With

Most people assume that chiropractors are good only for neck and back pain. And while they do treat a lot of that, there’s plenty else they can do. Chiropractic medicine focuses on disorders of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems and how they affect the rest of the body. “Many people don’t know that most chiropractors have postgraduate training and board certification in areas such as pediatrics, clinical nutrition, neurology, orthopedics, physical rehabilitation, sports/athletic injury, and acupuncture,”

That said, while chiropractors can help with a variety of symptoms and problems, there are many things best left to the MDs. “Medical doctors are better at treating acute emergencies, infections, chronic diseases, fractures, injuries that require surgeries, tumors, and broken bones,” says

This is, of course, the cornerstone of what many chiropractors do. “Chiropractors are able to do a manipulation to the sacroiliac joint—which links the pelvis to the lowest part of the spine—to relieve backpain,” says. Some chiropractors are certified in the Active Release Technique, which removes scar tissue from muscles and relievespain. “A combination of ART and spinal manipulation is a great option for relieving lower-back pain,” says

Pregnancy pain

Aches and pains go hand-in-hand with pregnancy, and often, improper pelvic alignment is to blame for lower-back pain and sciatica—the top reasons pregnant women see a chiropractor (see more treatments for sciatic nerve pain here). “The options expecting mothers have to alleviatepain are extremely limited. Many treatments, such as pain medications or surgery, have the potential to affect the fetus, so pregnant women often turn to chiropractic care,” says

Digestive issues

The nerves in the thoracic (chest and abdominal) region of the spine are linked with digestion. One study published in the journal International Surgery looked at a group of 27 people who had chronic abdominal painand found that 66% of them showed evidence of a thoracic disc herniation—a problem in the area between the spinal bones. And two-thirds of those patients who did have a herniated disc had been previously diagnosed with IBS.

Reasons to Fire your Chiropractor!

I am entering my ninth year as a licensed chiropractic physician. I don’t know everything, which is why they call it practice but I have heard and seen quite a bit. If there is one thing I have learned, it is to stay in my lane as a chiropractor. (Which by the way does not only apply to chiropractors.)  For my practice this means conservatively treating neck pain, low back pain and headaches. That is not all we do but it is what we do best. With that said, there is a lot of information out there about chiropractors, mostly good but some bad. As a consumer, I am sure it is difficult to discern between fact and fiction.

It is not uncommon to have skeptics walk into our office. I’ve had many new patients come to me and say, “I’ve been to a chiropractor before but it didn’t really work.” Or, “I went but they wanted me to sign up for a year-long treatment plan.” Or my favorite, “I went to a chiropractor but they never adjusted me.” These types of circumstances can give chiropractic a bad reputation. I like to tell patients that finding the right chiropractor is kind of like shopping for a car

Long Term Treatment Plans. If your chiropractor tries to sign you up for a care plan costing thousands of dollars, that lasts several months and tells you as long as you are properly “aligned” the body will take care of itself, please find a new one. Even worse, if he/she does this all before your first treatment and seeing how you respond to care, please fire them and find a new one. Your treatment, in most instances, should be dictated by how you respond to care.

Think Twice Before Coming Back for a Second Visit. If your chiropractor doesn’t treat you on your first visit because they need time to read over your x-ray and develop a “specific” treatment plan for you, please fire them…… they are lying. They are lying. Sorry, I want to make sure you don’t misunderstand me, they are lying. Chiropractors are well trained coming out of school to examine, diagnose, treat, and read x-rays. Except for instances where all of the information isn’t available, such as needing a recent MRI report or a previous physician’s records, your chiropractor should be able to provide you with some relief on your initial visit. What they are doing is called a “second day report of findings.” It’s a marketing strategy used to try to build up the importance of treatment and extort more money out of the patient.

Tunnel Vision. If your chiropractor is only fixated on adjusting your spine and not combining the adjustment part with crucial muscle treatment and management guidance, fire them and find a new one. The audible “pop” is only one piece of the pie. A valuable chiropractor in most cases will combine manipulating the spine with addressing the involved muscles and provide you with self-management strategies. These strategies could include strengthening exercises, stretches or lifestyle modifications to improve the long term outlook of your present condition. The adjustment is pretty awesome, but it does not cure everything.

Beware of Pill Pushers. If you go in for pain but all your chiropractor does is try to sell you a bunch of supplements and never actually assesses your posture or recommends exercises to help you self-manage your condition, fire them and find a new doctor. One shouldn’t discount the importance of diet and in some cases supplementation, but buyer beware if your new chiropractor is more concerned about up-selling you on pills than physically treating your condition.

Free X-Rays are a Scam. Do not go to or accept care from a chiropractor who is offering free x-rays. It will cost you much more low back pain time and money in the end. This tactic is often used to point out insignificant subtle details about a patient’s spine to scare them into needing thousands of dollars of unnecessary treatment. X-rays are necessary, when they are medically necessary. This conclusion is reached following a thorough history and discussion with the patient along with a proper physical examination.

What Patients Say

“I came in for low-back pain that was affecting every aspect of my life. I was in a lot of pain! Since being under chiropractic care, the pain has almost totally been eliminated! When I started having the pain, chiropractic was the first thing I tried because I saw how helpful it was for my wife and kids. I am able to do all of the things I used to do again without any pain.

Dr. B developed a program just for me, and I’m happy to say that, three months later, I am pain free. If you’ve been thinking about seeing a chiropractor but aren’t quite sure if that’s the best route for you, I highly recommend visiting with Dr. B and her team. I had never visited a chiropractor before, either, but knowing what I know now, Dr. B will be my first stop for any needs I have going forward.”

“I started chiropractic care due to pain in my upper back and neck that limited me in every aspect of life. I was in pain at work and when I was driving, and working out was extremely limited. I was also only sleeping 4 to 6 hours a night due to the pain. I tried everything to get rid of the pain: medicine, dry needling, biweekly massage and even physical therapy. The results were temporary, the pain was never alleviated more than a few hours, and the knots in my muscles never went away.

My results from chiropractic care have been life changing! By improving my alignment with adjustments and doing other recommend therapies, I no longer have ‘softball’-sized knots in my muscles. Also, my movements are no longer limited, and I am no longer in constant pain. I never knew my back and neck could feel this way. It truly has improved my life!

It is rare to meet a doctor and support team that are as knowledgeable and skilled as they are kind and supportive, and that is what you’ll find at Complete Chiropractic. I feel blessed to be a patient here and would recommend anyone and everyone to come see Dr. B and the Complete team.”

How to Get the Most Out of Your Chiropractic Adjustment

People seek chiropractic care for many reasons. Whether you have sustained an injury from a car accident or participating in sports, deal with chronic pain or just feel like your body has gotten out of alignment, chiropractic care may be ideal for you.

Chiropractic adjustments can provide natural pain relief for a variety of conditions such as:

Back Pain

Neck Pain

Shoulder Pain

Knee Pain

Sciatica

Subluxation

Headaches and Migraines

and many more

Once you have opted for chiropractic care to remedy your pain and you find that the relief your adjustments give you are so good, you may find yourself asking: how do I make this last? While every day activities may be working against you to undo the effects of your adjustments, there are things that you can do to get the most out of them.

Stick to the plan: Your doctor will help you develop a treatment plan and its important to stick to it. You didn’t develop joint and spine issues over night and your treatment wont fix it over night either. So keeping up with the plan and regular adjustments are crucial to healing.

Drink water: Water helps remove toxins in the body and keeps joints lubricated.

Sleep right: Sleeping on your side or back with a pillow between your knees will keep the spine in its proper alignment.

What Your Chiropractor Wants You to Know

When it comes to getting help for pain or injury, there is A LOT of information and mis-information floating around, and sometimes it’s hard to know what is true and what isn’t. What we DO know is that chiropractic care is becoming more and more sought after for those looking for natural pain relief without the use of prescription drugs or invasive surgeries.

Preparing for Your First Visit with a Chiropractor

Deciding to see a chiropractor is a great first step towards wellness. Now that you’re on your way to a healthy lifestyle, here are the next steps to prepare for your first chiropractic appointment.

Schedule your appointment as soon as possible, but be sure to choose a time when you’re not rushed and will be able to spend some extra minutes filling out first visit paperwork. Also, keep in mind that your first visit will probably run longer than later visits because of the need to bring your chiropractor up to date on your symptoms and medical history.

The most important thing you can do to prepare is to record any symptoms you’ve been experiencing. Detail the symptom type – pain, numbness, stiffness, etc. Also, make notes on severity and if the symptom is associated with any certain activity or position, like sitting or lying down. Furthermore, note the times of day when your symptoms seem to be the most severe and at their mildest. Be certain to bring all your notes along to your appointment.

It’s also vital to jot down any questions you may have for your chiropractor. This is crucial since it’s easy to forget things in a new situation. Examples of good things to ask are questions about your chiropractor’s training and experience, if your chiropractor has encountered your symptoms before among other patients, payment arrangements, and details of your treatment plan. Also, don’t ever hesitate to ask questions if you’re not clear about a problem or instruction. Your continued health is the result of a partnership between you and your chiropractor. Open communication and clarity are vital for this collaboration to work well.

Furthermore, honesty is critical. Don’t ever downplay your symptoms or any bad habits you might have. Accurate information is necessary for your chiropractor to devise an appropriate treatment plan. Being less than forthcoming will only hinder your chiropractor’s ability to help you. Chiropractors are concerned with promoting good health, not judging or ridiculing you

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Managed Accountant Pros And Cons

Small Business Taxes: What Information Does My Accountant Need?

Preparing small business taxes by yourself can be daunting, so hiring an accountant or tax expert is a great way to save time and create peace of mind this tax season. However, you don’t want to show up to your tax appointment empty-handed. Accountants expect you to bring certain documents and be prepared with the information that is needed to complete your tax return.

Personal Information

First things first. You will need to furnish your accountant with basic personal information including your legal name, current address, and social security number. The easiest way to provide this information is to bring your social security card to your tax appointment.

Previous Year’s Tax Return

Make sure to come with your previous year’s tax return. This 1) helps them get a better understanding of your business, and 2) gives quick information about the deductions your company has (or hasn’t) been taking.

Financial Business Reports

Your accountant will need copies of your basic financial reports. These include:

Profit and Loss Report (or the Income Statement)

Balance Sheet

Statement of Cash Flows

The profit and loss report shows your business’s overall profit (or loss) for the year, while the balance sheet displays your company’s assets and liabilities. The statement of cash flows shows all transactions affecting your business’s cash account.

You should be able to print these basic financial reports from nearly any accounting software program, though report availability varies from software to software. Contact your accountant or tax preparer to see if there are any additional reports they might require or find helpful.

What to look for in an accountant: helpful tips

Owning and running a business is not easy. It can be stressful, it requires hard work, knowledge, and dedication, and above all else, it requires a great deal of time, which for many business owners, is an asset they simply do not have. Because of this, a large percentage of businesses are cutting corners and attempting to save themselves as much cash as possible, which results in them attempting to handle their books themselves, which more often than not, only leads to disaster a little further down the line. Here at Phoenix, we recognise the importance of proper accounting and book-keeping, which is why we offer our cloud based accounting services to clients up and down the UK. Hiring an accountant/accounting firm is easy, hiring an efficient and effective accountant/accounting form however, is a whole other kettle of fish entirely. If you’re on the lookout for an accountant for your business, here are 4 things you should look for.

Effective communication

One of the first things you should look for when considering hiring a prospective accountant is just how well, or how poorly, they’re able to communicate with you. By this, we don’t mean you should look for accountants that are well-spoken and prolific when it comes to writing emails and reports, we mean you should look for accountants that can help you to understand the technical jargon. They need to know what they’re doing of course, but they should be able to communicate with you, in such a way that you’re able to easily understand what they’re talking about, without being confused by big words and technical terms that mean virtually nothing to you. Rather than simply being there to provide a service, they should become a resource, an extension of your business, helping you to expand and enhance your knowledge of how to run and manage your business more efficiently

Useful to your business

Another thing you should look for in potential accountants is whether or not they can actually be truly useful for your business. For example, if you do encounter problems regarding your books, taxes, or finances etc, are they able to come up solutions and perhaps make recommendations of how to manage the financial side of your business more efficiently?

An understanding of your business

Of course, you’re hiring the accountants to take care of your books, taxes, and finances etc, which is obviously what they specialize in, but despite that, they should ideally have a basic understanding of your business and what it is that you actually do. are they willing to learn a little more about your company, can they answer questions about your business if put on the spot, and above all else, if they can’t are they willing to learn? Obviously they don’t need to know every single minor detail of your business, but a basic understanding can, and will, prove very useful at some point down the road.

Cloud based services

Let’s face it, as modern technology now plays such a vital role in day to day life, the importance of ‘being on the cloud’ as it were, is absolutely essential if you wish to get anywhere in the business world. Cloud based accounting services are incredibly beneficial for so many reasons. To begin with, cloud based software can be accessed anywhere with a connection to the internet, making it ideal for people on the move and out of the office a lot. It is cost effective as monthly payments can be made as opposed to large lump sums in one go, and it is incredibly user-friendly. Your accountant can easily share info with you, and vice versa, so if you do encounter any monetary issues, they can easily help you out. As an example, you may wish for your accountant to take a look at your VAT returns before they’re filed. No problem, you can share them in a matter of seconds, and then patiently await your feedback.

Best accounting software: free and paid versions to manage accounts

Accounting software is a necessity when trying to run your own business, and the sooner you implement a good accounting software solution the better. While there are standalone platforms for invoicing software and tax software, generally your accounting platforms will be more comprehensive.

However, while there are some very good paid-for accounting programs around, there are also a strong number of free accounting software solutions currently available, as well as bookkeeping software. While some of these are simply free tiers for paid software, others are freeware programs you can download and use without charge to help with budgeting. There are also time management apps that can integrate for consultants or freelancers who need to charge by hour

This can be very helpful for start-ups who want to keep their accounts organized without committing to a solution, while also reducing initial costs. Other businesses might simply prefer them because they often allow for a greater control of your data, by running on your own machines rather than on third-party clouds.

The package has plenty of features – invoicing, expense tracking, time tracking, a host of business reports, even an option to take credit card payments (for a 2.9% plus 30 cents transaction fee) – but a straightforward interface aimed at non-accountants ensures you’ll be up-and-running right away.

Despite the simplicity, there’s real depth here. You can bill in any currency, save time by setting up recurring invoices, allow customers to pay via credit card by checking a box, and even automatically bill their credit card to keep life simple for everyone.

How to Become an Accountant: Education and Career Roadmap

Should I Become an Accountant?

Accountants can work in the public and private sectors providing consulting, auditing, and analyzing services. Job duties include the review and maintenance of financial records for businesses, the preparation and submission of tax documents for individuals and companies, the assessment of financial operations, and the recommendations for fiscal efficiency to responsible parties, as well as day-to-day management of funds. Longer hours are usually required during tax season.

The education needed to be an accountant is normally a bachelor’s degree. Many accountants pursue voluntary certification as a way of demonstrating expertise to future employers or clients. Becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is necessary for those who file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)

Meet Accounting Degree Requirements

A bachelor’s degree is generally the minimum degree you need to be an accountant, especially an entry-level position in the field. Bachelor’s degree programs in accounting are available by that title specifically, or accounting specialization options may be present in broader programs like business administration. Accounting degree requirements include courses in accounting, tax accounting, and auditing, but some also involve additional coursework in management, marketing, and finance.

Success Tips:

Find an internship. An internship with an accounting firm or an organization’s accounting department provides experience that may prove useful for securing a job after graduation. Accounting interns might assist in preparing financial statements, conducting audits, and communicating with clients. Additionally, an individual will often learn about accounting software programs.

Join a professional association. Joining an accounting organization can give you access to networking and career development opportunities. There may be a student chapter on campus, or you can get an individual membership. The associations may have special membership rates for students.

Gain Work Experience

Work experience can help you advance in the field of accounting, and some states require it to take the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam. By taking an entry-level accounting position, or possibly an internship, aspiring accountants have an opportunity to observe the duties and responsibilities they’ll perform on a daily basis.

Ways Technology Has Changed The Accounting Industry In The Last 5 Years

Over the last decade, technology has been developing at an exponential rate. It has had a big impact on the way we live our personal lives, and the effect on the ways we work has been even greater. Over the last five years, technology has changed how we manage many different aspects of business operations. Accounting is no exception.

Access to faster software that can perform more complex functions, as well as interconnected technology has made accounting both easier and more efficient. Indeed, organizing financial information, analyzing data, and measuring economic activity has never been simpler.

CLOUD-BASED SYSTEMS

The internet is something all businesses should learn to utilize fully. Too often, we think of the internet as nothing more than the place our company website and social media accounts reside. However, there is a momentous change that is currently sweeping across the corporate world: the cloud.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO YOUR ACCOUNTING BUSINESS? HERE ARE JUST A FEW WAYS IT CAN IMPROVE YOUR PROCESSES.

You can now analyze data in real-time because everyone in your firm has access to the most recent data.

Cloud computing makes e-format documents from the web easier to collect and use.

You have unlimited storage space as your business grows—no matter how large your accounting files are or how many you have.

You can synchronize files across multiple platforms.

Your files are secure and automatically backed up on the cloud.

MORE DIVERSE ROLES FOR THE ACCOUNTANT

If there’s one aspect of accounting that professionals dread the most, it’s the very tedious and tiresome task of compiling and computing data. However, with the advancement of technology, you can now do all that with just a click of a button.

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Long Distance Moving Pod Versus Moving Truck Rental

The ultimate long distance moving day checklist

One of the most personal experiences you’ll have in your life is moving. Especially if you have to move across the country. A long-distance move is a fresh opportunity to expand your horizons and challenge yourself in an unfamiliar setting. On the other hand, it is always a mixture of emotions and challenges

Every good long-distance moving day checklist starts with decluttering

When it comes to relocation, your stuff can cause many complications. People who want to avoid complications at any cost hire Flatbush movers. Anyway, it is important to begin your long-distance moving day checklist with decluttering your house.

Every long-distance moving day checklist must contain good organization

As you already know, the key to a successful relocation is a good organization. It has to be present in every aspect of your relocation. Especially if you plan to move long-distance.

So, here are some tips about the organization of the relocation.

Notify your landlord about your move. Also, inform the post office, utilities, phone services, and all the other personal service providers. For example doctors, dentists, accountant, and attorney.

Gather all the papers and records that are important to you, label them and keep them in one file. Furthermore, these kinds of files have to travel with you. So, don’t forget to include them in your long-distance moving day checklist.

Don’t forget to cancel physical newspaper subscriptions and gym memberships.

Before traveling, get your car serviced. Also, switch any insurance that can’t travel with you to your new location.

A reliable long-distance moving day checklist has to include the essentials

Okay, so the moving day is just around the corner. There are still many more things to be done before you leave your current household. All of them are necessary for your safety and the safety of all residents in the building.

Moving Long Distance vs Local: What’s the Difference?

You pack your things, you move your things and then you unload your things. But getting your belongings from Point A to Point B becomes a little more complex when they have to travel:

Long distances

Across borders

Overseas

This is one of the primary reasons why homeowners are encouraged to seek out professional long distance movers when the relocation takes them further afield.

Moving Quotes

Calculating the cost of a move within typically incorporates the weight of goods you want to transport, plus the distance those goods will travel

This allows long distance moving companies to account for things like:

Driving time

Fuel costs

Vehicle wear and tear

However, international long distance movers will sometimes base moving quotes on the volume your goods take up. This is because your goods might be loaded into a shipping container (usually in 20- or 40-foot lengths) for overseas transport on a cargo ship.

Moving & Storage have the resources to handle each stage of your move, including:

Packing services: packing, wrapping, crating and loading your goods

Transportation: have our own fleeting of moving trucks and drivers

Destination services: staff will handle the unloading of your goods

For long distance and international moving, providing destination services becomes more challenging. Long distance movers often partner with van lines that have the transportation networks needed for hauling goods right across the country.

LONG-DISTANCE MOVING

Movers to provide you with a premium moving experience with the same crew at both ends, instilling trust and accountability for quality service during your long-distance move.

never charge you based on the weight of the truck, meaning there are no nasty surprises come move day. Focusing on one customer at a time, never consolidate trucks across multiple moves

Movers to arrange specific pickup and delivery dates and times for long-distance moves, committing to your schedule first. You will also be at ease, avoiding the worries and risks of your items being lost or contaminated by someone else’s.

QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN SELECTING A LONG-DISTANCE MOVER

Here at Movers, are changing the way that long-distance moves are traditionally handled. have heard the endless horror stories of long-distance moves that result in lost items, broken items, hidden charges and late arrivals. In quest to revolutionize the entire moving industry, knew we had to offer a premier long-distance moving service that was completely different from the van lines.

What is the Helpful Ideas For Finding Long Distance Movers

A long distance move can be a very interesting combination that will test your nerve and physical stamina. Since you could be moving anywhere from 51 miles up to 3,000 miles, there is a lot of variety and many factors that need to be considered. The following tips should give you a clearer idea about how to find the perfect long distance mover for your needs.

Choosing Your Important Services

The most important first step in this process is to know what types of services you might need ahead of time. From here, it will be more easy to compare different moving companies with each other on the basis of what is offered.

Think about the following:

Packing Services—Many long distance moving companies will be able to provide you with full packing services. They will literally box up your stuff, load it on the truck, and then unload at the destination. Of course, this is a full-service type of feature that will entail an extra cost.

Boxes—Although it is probably better (read: cheaper) to get them yourself, the moving company will be happy to sell you boxes, along with additional packing supplies.

Packing Supplies—Yes, they will have just about everything for you including packing tape, paper, bubble wrap, blankets and furniture covers, etc…

Stair / Long Carry Services—These are extra services which might be needed if there are stairs going up to your house or apartment, or there is an extra long distance that items will need to be carried due to parking limitations. In both of these situations, the moving company is also likely to add another fee onto your bill for this service.

Automobile Transportation—While this is normally a separate service provided by another company entirely, some long distance movers do offer auto transportation. It may even save you some money, so be sure to check if this service is needed.

Finding & Researching Your Movers

Just make sure that price, while an important factor, is not your only (or even the main) consideration. If one of the estimates is significantly lower than the rest, there might be a reason why…and no one likes being scammed.

Focus also on:

Company Credentials—Only consider those movers who are actually registered with the FMCSA and have a legitimate DOT number. That means they have a license and can very likely be trusted.

Read Reviews—And also check out any testimonials that you may find. Even consider actually contacting the company and obtaining some references. A solid and reliable business should not have any problem with this.

Three Quotes—The general rule is to always obtain at least three quotes. Read the fine print of the estimates and get clarification of everything which is overly detailed and technical.

Best Long-Distance Moving Companies

Planning a long-distance move? Getting your things to a new apartment in the same city can be challenging enough. When you throw in distance across state lines – or even further, international borders – there are even more complications involved. In most cases, it’s best to hire a professional to make sure your belongings get there safely. In this list, we’ll cover the top-rated long-distance movers currently available for hire.

Should you hire long-distance movers?

Before committing to hiring long-distance movers, you need to make sure it makes financial sense. Assess the total value of your belongings: furniture, kitchenware, and anything else that can’t be packed in a suitcase. Then, ask for a quote from a moving company. If it will cost more to ship your stuff than its current market value, you’re better off just selling or donating everything and starting over.

You can also opt to rent a furnished apartment in your new city instead of purchasing everything all over again. This is especially true if you don’t plan to stay for at least two or three years

Their units all come stocked with everything you need, from dishes to an ironing board. Renting furnished not only lightens your load for the move-in but simplifies your move-out as well.

When you’re ready to get moving, draft your own checklist by a deadline (i.e. three weeks out, the day before, etc.) or take inspiration from a ready-made one.

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How To Solve Your Basement Mold Issues With Mold Inspection

Mold Inspections and Mold Assessments

Mold Inspections can either be performed directly by a restoration company or by a third party mold inspector. In a perfect world there is no difference as to who performs this, so long as the inspector is qualified to do so.

Recently, certain states have made regulations in the mold industry that prohibit performing a mold assessment and remediation on the same job. The reason for this is that there is a possible conflict of interest. The inspector should be unbiased and a restoration company has an incentive (getting a remediation job) to say there is a serious problem when there may not be.

Mold Testing

If you are doing your research on indoor mold growth, you have likely come across some information on mold testing. These tests can be performed by a mold inspector, before a job is started to:

Determine if a problem exist

Find a source of an issue

See what areas are

Air Samples:These mold tests are taken with a vacuum pump and a spore trap. The spore trap is basically a plastic cassette with a lab slide that has adhesive on it. The vacuum pump sucks air into the spore trap, and any mold spores in the air stick to the slide. These cassettes are sent in to a third-party laboratory, preferably one that is AIHA accredited, where they are opened and analyzed. The standard procedure is that an outside control sample is taken and compared to various inside air samples to see if abnormal or “elevated” conditions exist.

Surface Samples:Direct samples can be taken with a swab or tape lift when visible mold is present. This is helpful to the inspector because not all mold, including Stachybotrys, is easily airborne. It is very possible to have visible mold and not have an airborne mold problem, especially in water damage related mold growth that has recently started to colonize. These samples are used as proof for the inspector to make the correct recommendations and useful to help determine if the species is surface mold or deep rooted into a material.

The mold inspector will then take these lab results and make recommendations off of them along with what they saw on the visual inspection. Ultimately the inspector is performing mold tests to determine if:

There is a mold problem or not

What or where the source is

How far has the problem spread

What needs to be done in order to fix the issue.

Mold

Local boards of health (LBOH) may receive complaints about mold from housing occupants, or a LBOH inspector may identify mold during an inspection. The presence of mold can raise concerns about potential health issues and other effects. This training will provide an overview of mold, outline processes and procedures for LBOH to follow when investigating certain types of housing, and provide resources that can aid in resolving this complex public health issue.

After completing this training, you will be able to:

Explain what molds are

Name three things that spores need to grow into mold

Discuss three possible health impacts linked to indoor exposure to mold and one non-health impact of mold growth

Identify nine sections in 105 CMR 410.000 (410) that apply to mold, moisture, or water damage in certain types of housing

Respond to mold complaints in accordance with 410

List seven recommendations to prevent mold growth and eight tips to effectively clean up mold

What are Molds?

Molds are fungi that are part of the natural environment. Outdoors they break down dead organic matter. Indoors, however, they should be avoided.The key to avoiding indoor mold is to understand how molds grow and how to minimize the conditions that allow this growth.

Spores

Molds reproduce by making microscopic spores which can be released into the air. Spores float through outdoor and indoor air and can survive in harsh environments. Given the right conditions, spores will grow into mold relatively quickly, often in just 24-48 hours.

For spores to grow into mold, they need three things:

1. Food

Outdoor vegetation and building materials

Indoor materials, especially porous ones, such as paper, cardboard, ceiling tiles, wood, paint, carpet, and fabric

2. Moisture

Water leaks or flooding

Water vapor, the result of high relative humidity

3. Optimum Temperatures

40°-100°F (70°- 90°F ideal)

Mold can still survive in non-optimum temperatures

BASEMENT MOLD PREVENTION TIPS | CLEANFIRST RESTORATION

Mold requires nourishment, warmth, and moisture in order to grow. Unfortunately, your basement most likely has all three things, making it the perfect place for mold growth. Fortunately, there are ways to deal with basement mold growth

Four key steps in dealing with mold colonies are:

CONTAINING the basement mold and preventing it from spreading to other areas;

KILLING the basement mold;

REMOVING the dead mold; and

PROTECTING the cleaned out basement and adjacent areas against future mold colonies.

The fourth step, protection, is the most important and will be our focus here. As the old cliché goes, an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure. Preventing the growth of mold is ultimately cheaper and easier than trying to get rid of a mold colony. Also, focusing on protecting your home—your basement, especially—from mold growth will make sure you won’t have to deal with the first three steps.

Causes of mold growth in your basement

As mentioned earlier, a basement can be a breeding ground for mold because it can be damp and humid, with no exposure to sunlight. The usual cause of mold growth in basements is a water problem, such as flooding or leaky pipes. Condensation resulting from cold temperatures and high humidity is also another common cause of mold.

Detecting mold in your basement

You will need to detect mold so you can kill it and to ensure a thorough mold cleanup. The easiest way to check for mold is to sniff around for a musty or smell. The limited ventilation in your basement will make it much easier for you to detect any strange odors.

Mold Mycotoxins Indoor Pathogens

What We Do

sole focus is to help guide those with complex medical issues back to health through the environmental assessment of their homes and buildings. identify sources of mold, mycotoxins, and other indoor environmental pathogens, then create roadmaps for restoration and continued maintenance.

Team Approach

With the use of cutting edge video technology, field technicians live-stream your inspection to corporate headquarters, allowing to provide a comprehensive assessment performed by a team of multiple certified environmental consultants.

Progressive Sampling Methodologies

Combining comprehensive inspection process with the most progressive sampling methodologies available allows to gain a complete understanding of your unique situation. This enables us to provide a full roadmap for remediation and restoration.

About 10 years ago I had a mold exposure and I’m still suffering from very severe chronic issues, multiple chemical sensitivity, insomnia, anxiety, etc. I have the genetic predisposition to not be able to detox when I’m exposed to mold. Mold is a very serious thing that needs to be dealt with properly. I did work with another inspector years ago and he was not as thorough as We Inspect. It’s incredible, they will go through the inspection process as if they had a magnifying glass

I have a child with a congenital heart condition and it’s very important for her to have clean air. My daughter and I had been experiencing nose bleeds and memory loss that came on suddenly and we didn’t know why. I found mold underneath our kitchen cabinet and I felt it was important to get a professional mold inspector to see if my home was safe to live in. We Inspect are amazing mold experts. They were meticulous in their inspection process and did a very thorough job. They were really there for me and I really appreciated that. I would very highly recommend We Inspect for any mold testing. They are incredibly knowledgeable on the subjects of mold, mold testing, and remediation.

Mold Inspection And Testing – Qualified Mold Inspector

many realtors advise their clients to have black mold inspection and testing carried out before purchasing or selling a home. If mold is present in the home then this can be very bad for the deal. When selling a home, many sales are lost, and property values are reduced, due to the presence or smell of mold. The smell of mold causes many visitors to move on.

The value of a home can drop substantially if this happens enough, as many people will think something is wrong with it. When you sell your home it is always best to have a certificate from a mold company. After someone has signed a contract, mold is the last thing that they wish to find in the home

A Few Things You Should Know About a Mold Inspection and Testing

foreclosures have become an everyday part of modern life. When this happens the electricity is generally turned off which can create the perfect environment for the development of mold. The primary reason this happens is because the heating and cooling unit no longer works as a dehumidifier. If the humidity level inside your town is quite high, then not having a working heating and air conditioning unit could create the perfect conditions for mold to thrive.

You should also keep in mind that just like older homes on the market, new ones are now facing a greater threat of mold contamination. Energy efficiency is something that a lot of new house are good at maintaining. More development is actually more likely in these power-efficient homes due to the lack of airflow because of trying to save cash on power.

mold removal can be very costly. Your health could also be at risk if you don’t have it done. Even though all molds aren’t the toxic kind, all of them can cause allergies. It’s crucial to inspect the home you are considering purchasing doesn’t have toxic mold. This can quite easily be discovered through air quality testing. It is good practice to always have air quality testing in any real estate transaction to give you the peace of mind that you and your family are moving into a healthy, safe environment.

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Becoming An Exterminator

Pest Control

ANTS

There are many species of ant, but in total ants are the #1 pest problem not just in Connecticut but in the country. Treating them can be difficult. Most do-it-yourself remedies simply kill the ants you see, not addressing the root of the problem: the nest.

Ants can cause a variety of problems in Connecticut, depending on the kind that is bothering you. Some will chew and burrow through your home like carpenter ants, weakening your foundation like termites. Others can spread disease as they invade your kitchen and cabinets.

BED BUGS

Bed bugs are a re-surging problem in the United States, including in Connecticut. Once thought to be all but eradicated, bed bugs are back with a vengeance. Despite popular belief, it doesn’t take a dirty or unkempt home to come down with these nasty bloodsuckers. Bed bugs will hitch a ride home with you from a hotel, movie theater, or even a restaurant.

If untreated, a few bed bugs can quickly turn into a full-scale infestation, overcoming every room in your house.

TERMITES

Termites will literally eat you out of your home if left untreated. They can turn once solid wood into Swiss cheese. The tricky thing about termites is it can take a long period of time before they are noticed, at which point the substantial damage has already been done.

COCKROACHES

Cockroaches are more than unsightly, they are unsanitary and spread disease. Unfortunately, cockroaches are not an uncommon pest in Connecticut. And there is never just a single cockroach – there are always many more lurking behind walls and in cracks and crevices.

MICE & RATS

Mice & rats are a common problem in Connecticut and can be a real nuisance once you’ve got them. These rodents chew or burrow their way into homes, apartments, and businesses seeking food and shelter. Often a rodent problem develops when a neighbor has a problem and either treats it, driving the rodents into adjacent buildings, or lets it linger so long the rodents expand their hunting grounds seeking more food.

What Kind of Pesticide is Your Exterminator Using?

A reputable exterminator should list the active ingredients in their pesticides. Your local exterminator also should tell you the potential health threats associated with the pesticide, symptoms of poisoning, and any additional instructions for minimizing exposure and health impacts.

Here is some more information about each of the four most commonly used pesticide chemicals, as well as a couple of other pesticides that are growing in popularity

Pyrethroids and Pyrenthrins

Permethrin is the most common active ingredient in insecticides applied by licensed exterminators. It is one of a large class of chemical insecticides known as pyrethroids. They mimic pyrethrins, which are botanical insecticides typically derived from African chrysanthemum flower varieties. Both pyrethrins and pyrethroids work to paralyze and eventually kill a wide variety of insects.

Piperonyl Butoxide

MGK-264 and piperonyl butoxide are among several popular chemicals that are typically added to pyrethrins and other insecticide agents. The additives do not act alone as pesticides, but enhance the effectiveness of the other chemicals by inhibiting insect metabolism.

Hydramethylnon

Hydramethylnon is typically used in bait for ants, cockroaches, termites, crickets, and silverfish. It is a slow killer of insects, making them lethargic and slowly killing them over three or four days. While it may not be an instant solution, it has long-term impacts because insects are still alive to take the poison back to their colony.

PEST CONTROL

Pest Management Services

Pest Control offers a wide range of pest control services specialized to your situation in order to help maintain a pest-free zone. pest control technicians are thoroughly trained to identify the source of the pest problem including identifying which pest is causing the issue and recommend the best long-term solution for you or your business. always has the most current certifications to ensure the highest quality of service and create better results

Bed Bugs are a fast-growing problem. When signs or symptoms of bed bugs appear, it is essential that you call in a professional immediately to inspect the area of concern. carefully inspect common areas in which bed bugs make their nesting grounds such as box springs, mattresses, head boards and nightstands. In addition, will inspect areas such as baseboards, outlets and additional furniture in the room. After the inspection has been completed, a detailed report will be provided by the pest management professional and if activity is found, further arrangements for treatment can be scheduled immediately.

Rodents can be tough to get rid of and can cost residents and business owner’s a tremendous amount of time and money in damages. The best option when there are any signs of rodent activity is to call for an inspection. A professional will be able to locate access points in which rodents may be entering, identify the type of rodents you are dealing with, and inform you on the best way to proceed with removing the problem.

The German Cockroach is a common household insect within the United States. German Cockroaches are light brown to tan and have fully developed wings. They usually infest in kitchens and bathrooms but will live anywhere there is food and water. They enter your home by being transported by infested bags and cardboard boxes. German Cockroaches may also be harbouring in used appliances such as refrigerators, toasters and microwaves.

Three types of ants that can be causing an infestation to your home is the Allegheny Mound Ant, Carpenter Ant and Pharaoh Ant. The colony of the Allegheny Mound Ants become active in the spring. Foraging for food begins and they hibernate in the tunnelways of a mound below the soil surface. Workers attack and dismember other insects that the ants can overcome.

Pest Control Marketing Tips and Tricks

We’re all familiar with the tell-tale signs. First, you hear little feet scurrying around on the floor. Next, there’s a faint squeaking sound coming from inside your walls. Then, finally, you see it.

It’s at this time—when the prospect is desperate for help of any kind—that pest control businesses need their advertisements to stand out. Without a doubt, a consumer looking for services of this kind wants help as quickly as possible. That means advertisers need to earn top sponsored positions and craft some truly attention-grabbing ads.

Like we said—when your prospects are hurriedly hunting for a fast solution, getting the top ad position on the search engine results page (SERP) is absolutely crucial. To do this, you need to know the basics of the Google ad auction. Two key factors affect where you end up in the paid results: maximum cost per click (CPC) bid and Quality Score.

Quality Score is a little more complex. It’s basically Google’s metric for the relevance of your ad, and two things are important: click-through rate (CTR) and landing page quality. The higher your CTR and the better your landing pages, the greater your Quality Score.

Here’s the coolest part of the auction: advertisers with the best Quality Scores are rewarded with lower CPCs. So, boosting your CTR and optimizing your landing pages will drive more leads to your website and save you money.

Organic Pest Control for the Garden

You put in all this effort getting your garden to finally sprout. Then you go outside one day and all of your plants are chewed to the ground. Sometimes it’s so extensive that it looks like you never had any flowers in that bed at all. But rather than running out and buying the harshest pest control on the market, there’s a gentler way. Try using organic pest control.

The EPA has a laundry list of major types of symptoms when exposed to pesticides, including increased risk of cancer, headaches, nausea and muscular weakness, to name just a few. In fact, the EPA recommends you use non-chemical methods of pest control where possible. So below we’ll cover different ideas for organic pest control in the garden.

These options for organic pest control tend to be low for expense and time investment, as well. For instance, you can buy organic deer repellant sprays for around $15 a bottle or some methods require items you may already have around the home.

Organic Methods Using Applied Products

Purchasing your organic pest control can be as simple as buying a safer, more natural product instead of a chemical-laden one

Some ideas include the following:

Many biopesticides use safe, naturally occurring protozoa, bacteria and fungi to keep out unwanted species.

Botanical insecticides are made from plants, as the name suggests. For instance, neem oil is a common all-natural insecticide, fungicide and miticide. You can find it in a concentrate for these purposes.

Low-toxicity fungicides also count as an organic method.

Organic scented sprays can repel pests, like deer repellant.

Irish Spring soap has a very strong smell that might repel certain pests. Hang bars of the soap from trees in mesh bags.

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Choosing A Custom Home Builder

Cool Things to Add To Your New Home Build

A bathing station for the dog

People are passionate about their pets and if you’re building a custom home, you may want to include some extras for Fido. We suggest putting in a doggy bathing station in your garage, so when you get back in from a hike on the mountain, you can get your pup all cleaned up! If your dog is smaller, elevate the station so that you don’t have to bend down and crouch over your dog.

On-demand water heater

Never have a shower run cold again. With an on-demand hot water heater, you save space and you save energy because you are only heating water as you need it. This also means you can take long, luxurious showers without running out of warm water.

Independently controlled outdoor outlets

Few neighbourhoods know how to celebrate Christmas like. If you want to be a part of the revelry, build your home with outdoor receptacles beneath eaves and in various locations around your house. This will help eliminate the need for messy extension cords and you can wire them to switches in your home, so you can switch the lights on and off as you need. You can even go a step further and put them on a smart home automation system and control the outdoor lighting from your phone.

Dual kitchen workspaces

If your home is the gathering place for family and friends, you may want to consider dual work spaces in the kitchen, complete with sinks and garbage/recycling cans. It helps keep people out of your space while you’re working, or you and a friend can work at the same time without getting in each other’s way. It takes the separate beverage bar to a whole new level!

Jetted laundry sink

Washing delicate laundry can be a chore, but if you have a jetted laundry sink, you can just pop your laundry in.

How to Buy in New Construction

Buying “new construction” is a bit different from buying a previously-owned home. For one, because there is no previous homeowner, you don’t have to deal with a seller’s emotional tie to the property, which typically influences the negotiating process. Whether you’re designing and building a custom home or buying a home that’s built on spec in a new subdivision, you’ll only have to work with the builder.

As with buying a previously-owned home, you have to figure out your budget and secure financing before you even begin house hunting. Get pre-approved by a bank or mortgage lender. Decide how much money you want to invest in a new home. And don’t overlook the extras like property taxes, insurance, furniture, window treatments, landscaping costs and maintenance that can drain your bank account.

Weigh the Pros and Cons

Nothing beats the feeling of being the first person to live in a newly-built home. Everything is shiny and untouched.

Research Neighborhoods and Builders

When buying in a new subdivision, consider working with a buyer’s agent who knows the area well, can set up home tours and walk you through the closing process

Know What’s Standard and What’s Extra

Ask the builder about amenities and upgrades. Amenities are features that benefit the entire community like a clubhouse, health and fitness center or a gated entrance. Upgrades refer to added features or items you pay extra for to enhance your home, like certain types of flooring or appliances.

Before you get building work done

Coronavirus – if you’re having repairs or building work in your home

Plumbers, electricians and other traders can still come to your house to carry out repairs – as long as they don’t have any symptoms of coronavirus. They should try to stay 2 metres away from you and avoid any vulnerable people.

These steps should help you save time, money and stress when you’re preparing to get building work, renovations or repairs done on your home. They’ll also help you avoid problems with builders, plumbers or other contractors, eg decorators and electricians.

Check if you need permission or approval

You may have to get more than one kind of permission or approval before you go ahead with work on your home.

Always check if you need:

building regulations approval – you may need this even for small improvements, eg replacing windows or doors

planning permission – you usually need this to build something new or make a major change, eg an extension

If you have to get approval or permission

You may need to hire a surveyor or architect to help you apply for building regulations approval or planning permission. If you’d struggle to pay for this, visit your local Citizen’s Advice and ask about applying for the Chartered Surveyor’s Voluntary Service.

If you’re a leaseholder

Check your lease if you own the leasehold (not the freehold) on your home. You may have to get permission from the freeholder before work starts. If the lease says you can’t make changes, you can still ask the freeholder for permission. You may have to pay some costs.

Find Your Local Showhome

HOME BUILDERS YOU CAN TRUST

We are new home builders with years of experience building houses nationwide. We believe every Kiwi should be able to afford a new home and we work hard to make building your new home a possibility.

AFFORDABLE HOMES

If you have been searching for a home and never thought that building a house was within your budget, then browse our extensive range of house plans. We offer different build options, from Kitset Homes to a Full Build.

FIND YOUR LATITUDE HOMES BUILDER

Whether you prefer to buy a kitset home and take total charge of the construction process or would rather leave everything in our hands with the full build option, our experienced home builders will be there for you from day one. Good advice and support can be invaluable, especially during the first stages of the project.

Construction Tips and Other Ways to Save Big When Building a House

Buy a large lot with a friend or family member that can be split into two smaller lots. Some of the most appealing properties may be much larger than what you want or can afford, yet the seller may not be willing to break up a large parcel. So if you can share the cost with someone else (preferably someone you don’t mind having as a neighbor), you may be able to pick up a great building site for a reasonable price.

Consider a so-called problem lot — a hillside, narrow, or in-fill property. Generally, these types of lots are not as desirable as others, so they don’t sell as quickly and often go for a much lower price. With the right plan and a capable contractor, however, a potentially difficult lot might be perfect for your new home. Check out our house plans for Sloped Lot House Plans and House Plans for Narrow Lots

Choose a canal or bay lot instead of ocean or lakefront property if you must have a waterfront site. These choices are usually less expensive but still water accessible. Plus, they provide great protection against inclement weather. Browse our collection of Coastal or Lakefront (which don’t necessarily have to be built next to an “ocean” or “lake!”).

Buy low-maintenance building materials — vinyl or cementitious siding and metal roofing, for example. Even if they are somewhat more expensive at installation, they will pay for themselves in the long run as you won’t have to repair, replace, or repaint.

Collect salvaged materials from demolition sites. Old barnwood, used bricks, and distinctive wood doors add inexpensive character to a home without exorbitant cost. Many times you can have the materials at no cost, as long as you’re willing to haul them away. Just be sure to check first with the owner of the building being demolished.

Splurge only on those things you truly cannot live without. However, don’t skimp on structural components or doors and windows — for the safety and security of your home, you’ll want to purchase the best you can afford in these areas. In addition, certain features help determine the overall design and are worth making every effort to keep; for example: the board-and-batten siding and large black double hung windows of House Plan 430-156 (see plan image below) reinforce the design’s farmhouse character.

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Do It Yourself Light Switches Installation

The Cost Of Installing Light Switches

Over time, many of your light switches may need to be replaced. They can become outdated as the decor of your home changes. You may think that you can do this yourself; however, you have to keep in mind that major issues can occur from improperly installed electrical outlets and switches.

In addition, if you install your light switches wrong, then you may not pass a future house inspection and have to do it all over again, the right way. To save yourself both of these headaches, it is important to hire an electrician to do the job right the first time.

The benefit of hiring an electrician is knowing that you are ensuring your house is safe and up to code and can pass any inspection that comes your way. The downside of hiring an electrician is that it costs more money than doing it yourself. However, in this instance, the benefits far outweigh the cons

Some things to keep in mind:

1. Most electrical contractors like Conductive Electric tend to work on an hourly wage or per project basis. That means that you can save costs by having them do everything you need done in one trip. For instance, if you want to add some decorative switches and change some other switches to dimmers, then you should let your electrician know about all of those things beforehand. This will allow them to get the whole project done at one time, and avoid them having to come back at a later date.

2. The type of switch can end up increasing or decreasing the price, as some require more work than others do. For example, a motion sensor switch, which has extra wires, will take longer than your average switch, and in turn it will cost a little bit more to put in.

The best way to get a good price is to talk to more than one electrician. You can determine their expertise, and if you have the number of projects you need done, they should be able to give you a pretty good estimate on how much the project will cost.

How to Install an Electronic Dimmer Switch

Installing an Electronic Dimmer – Introduction

Standard wall switches control power to light fixtures on a simple on-off basis. However, dimmers allow you to vary the lighting intensity by controlling the amount of voltage a fixture receives.

Old-style dimmers operated using a rheostat—a large variable resistor. As you increased resistance in the rheostat, the voltage to the lamp was decreased and the energy that would have gone to brighter light instead wound up as wasted heat energy dissipated in the dimmer.

But times have changed, and now we use electronic dimmers. Electronic dimmers now use an ingenious little device called a Triac. A Triac is a three terminal, solid-state electronic switch or relay that quickly turns power to a lamp on and off up to 120 times per second. Since this power sequencing occurs so fast, it is not perceptible to the naked eye. Other benefits are that it generates very little heat and saves energy.

Getting Started

So read on! This tutorial walks you through the steps of replacing a single-pole switch with an electronic dimmer using incandescent or halogen lighting. You can do it easily, create mood lighting and save energy in one easy project. If you have a three-way switch configuration, in which the light fixture is controlled by two switches, then you can install a dimmer to replace one of the switches, but make sure to buy a switch identified as a three-way dimmer.

NOTE: If you have a standard compact fluorescent bulb (CFL) or LED bulb, then dimmer switches will not work. If you want to dim a CFL or LED  bulb, you will need a special dimmable bulb, which costs more than standard bulbs.

Best smart light switches

If you have a number of lights in your ceiling, installing one of the best smart light switches is the most practical way to let you integrate those fixtures into your smart home. 

For one thing, if you install smart lights, rather than a smart light switch, every time you—or someone else—flips the light switch, you’ll lose the ability to control the lights. If you flick off a smart light switch, on the other hand, you can still control your lights from your smartphone, or using a voice assistant

A smart light switch lets you schedule your home lights to turn on and off at a set time, and make it look like you’re home when you’re on vacation. You can also connect smart light switches to other smart home devices, and program them to turn all your lights on if a smoke detector activates or your security system detects an intruder.

What are the best smart light switches?

After testing numerous models, we think the best smart light switch overall is the GE C-Start Smart Switch Motion Sensing Dimmer has a motion sensors built in, so it can automatically turn on the lights when you enter a room, and also has an ambient light sensor, so it won’t turn on your lights all the way if there’s a lot of sunlight coming in. That’s a smart feature that can save you money. And, this dimmer switch works with a wide range of bulb types.

However, the design of GE’s switch is a bit unconventional, so it will stand out more than other smart light switches. Leviton’s Decora smart dimmer has a more subdued design, but lacks the motion and ambient light sensor found in the GE switch.

Things to know before you install that barn door of your dreams

Quality hardware is a must

Your barn door will be a focal point in your home, so it needs to look great, perform flawlessly and hold up under the wear and tear of everyday use. High quality hardware is durable, moves smoothly and quietly and beautifully complements your décor. It may cost a little more, but it will be worth it in the long run. Naturally we suggest the KV line for durable aluminum flat rail, round rail or stainless steel hardware kits in popular styles and finishes, sold through major hardware distributors

You need the right kind of space

A barn door can free up space compared to a swinging door, but it also needs room to slide along its track. If you’re mounting a single door, you need wall space on one side of your opening that is at least the width of the door, so it can slide completely open. For double doors you need wall space the width of an individual door on each side of the doorway. Make sure the wall has no light switches, outlets, windows, vents, doors or artwork that might impede the door or scratch it as it slides open.

The door must be wider than the doorway

That’s right. Barn doors hang from a track outside the room, covering the doorway, but leaving gaps at the sides between wall and door. For complete coverage and to minimize the gaps, make sure the door is at least several inches wider than the opening. For example, a 4-foot door will cover a 3-foot opening with 6 inches on either side, reducing the gaps. Buy a track that’s twice the width of your door:  A 4-foot wide door takes at least 8 feet of track to slide completely open. For wider doors, cut the track to fit and join the pieces with connectors available from the hardware manufacturer

Structural support is required

Barn doors can be heavy – up to 200 pounds or more, so for sturdiness, most people mount the track to a header, attached to the wall studs, above the doorway.  A 2 x 6 cut twice as long as your track should do the trick. If you mount on wall studs, be sure there is a stud or wood block at every interval on your track, including beyond the door opening. Wall anchors are not sufficient support for hanging these doors. Bonus: Mounting your door to a header positions the door far enough from the wall to clear the door frame and trim when sliding.

You’ll need a handle; maybe a latch

A handle or pull lets you slide the door open and shut easily, and it looks great. This works on the outside, but you’ll need to install a recessed pull on the inside so the door clears the door jamb when it slides open.  If your barn door is the entry to a bathroom or bedroom, you’ll find different privacy latching solutions available, from a hook and eye closure to a latch with strike plate – even a decorative deadbolt will work.  Choose handle, recessed pull and latch in a style and finish that complements your door and hardware.

How much does an electrician cost?

From routine electrical installation or repair work to emergency call-outs, you’re probably going to need the services of an electrician at some point in your life. When power failures and issues occur, your first priority is to get the issue fixed. Pricing, however, is easily a close second.

For example, you need to consider whether your electrician is fully qualified. A fully qualified electrician will ensure:

A safe electrical installation which complies with the latest electrical wiring regulations.

A fully verified, inspected and tested electrical installation – complete with a signed electrical certificate which validates the job.

Where required, submission of work to council authorities and/or inspectors. There’s no use getting electrical work done if the electrician is unprofessional, unqualified and inexperienced – no matter how cheap their rates are. An unqualified electrician can cause more harm than good, putting you, your family or your team in danger.

Now, the next most important consideration – costs for good, reliable electrical work. We’ve compiled an extensive guide to electrical costs to help you make an informed decision for you and your family, plus ensure you have some knowledge about our prices prior to engaging our electrician

EMERGENCY & REPAIR WORK (NON-QUOTED)

Let’s face it – accidents and emergencies happen. Some emergencies like a blown fuse or changing a light bulb can usually be attended to without the assistance of an electrician. However, it’s important to put your safety first and if in doubt, it’s best to let a qualified emergency electrician assess the situation for you.

With the increasing number of electrical gadgets in everyday life, it seems like there’s never a power point when you need one. Most people can get by using powerboards but these can become unsafe and you risk an overload if you’ve got more than one powerboard plugged into any one socket.