Guide for Growing Pothos Plants
It is quite easy to grow pothos plants. With a bit of effort and care, you can fill your house and garden with this beautiful air-purifying vine.
Selecting the Plant
There are different types of pothos plants. You can select one or more varieties depending on your décor or requirements. Since Potho plant can thrive without direct sunlight, you can use one or more varieties for office use as well.
It has different names also; such as devil’s ivy or money plant.
Choose Golden pothos that have golden hues mixed with the heart-shaped green leaves. Pearls and Jade pothos have dark green leaves with white or creamy streaks. Neon pothos plants have leaves the color of dark neon. Silver satin pothos have smooth leaves with a touch of silver streaks. Cebu blue pothos have silver-blue leaves. The Marble Queen variety has leaves with green and white variegation. A new variety, Manjula pothos, has wide green leaves streaked with silver, white, light green, and cream streaks. Global green, a new variety, has deep green leaves. N’Joy pothos has green leaves with green or white streaks.
You can find many different pothos plant varieties.
Propagating Pothos Plants
It is absolutely easy to propagate pothos. If you already have pothos plants in your house, you can start growing new ones at any time.
– Simply cut an existing healthy stem (around 4-6 inches). Measure it from under the nodes, which are brown growths opposite the leaf stems. You can either root them in soil or water. If you choose the former, ensure that the stem is entirely covered with the soil.
– The soil can be your simple garden variety. But it is better for pothos plants if the soil is a bit alkaline and acidic as well.
– You can even root the plant in the soil after it has grown more roots in the water. Place the pot in any corner with indirect sunlight or any source of light. Keep it safe from the reach of dogs and cats as it can be slightly toxic to them. Keep rotating the pot so that all parts of the stem/s receive light. Ensure that the soil is only moist and not completely wet with water. Use a pot with good drainage.
Caring for Pothos Plants
Pothos plants do not require much care. But there are simple rules you need to remember for it to thrive well.
– Water the plant only when you notice the soil becoming dry. Take care to not water the plant excessively. Touch the soil with your fingers to check its moisture level if you are unsure of its dryness by merely looking at it.
– Protect your pothos plants from cold weather. It is a native of a warm-climate region. So, 10 degrees C is ideal for them.
– Pothos plants may thrive in humidity but this plant variety can also tolerate dry air. So, you can accordingly place the plant in your house or office.
– Pothos plants do not require frequent fertilization. If the soil is good refrain from it. During its growing stage, you can use liquid fertilization. A sign of overfertilization – burnt edges of the leaves.
– Repot the plant as soon as you notice it outgrowing its current pot. If roots begin to crowd the soil, it is difficult for the plant to thrive. Summer or spring months are good times to repot pothos plants. So, you can propagate them accordingly. But if you live in a place with hot climate, any time is a good time to repot it.
– Pruning is an important part of gardening. Do not forget to remove decaying or dead leaves from the plant. If you see leaves or stems yellowing, it may be time for a good pruning. You can trim the stems a bit to promote the good growth of the plant. If the plant continues to show lethargic growth, trim the stems up to soil level. It will help in its renewed growth.
– If you see pests in the plant, simply use a good insecticide directly on the site.
You can enjoy your pothos plants with only a little effort.
Different Types of Reusable Vegetable Bags
Estimates suggest that there are around 500 million plastic bags worldwide. Thanks to the growing awareness of the people about the hazards of plastic bags, reusable vegetable bags are back in demand. Shifting to reusable vegetable bags is one of the easiest ways to cut down contributing to this plastic bag count.
The very mention of vegetable bags brings to our mind the picture of cloth bags. But a quick look at the types of vegetable bags explains how diverse the choice range is.
In this post, let us look at the different types of vegetable bags available. We will also discuss their features and benefits.
Cotton bags:
Features:
• Easy to use.
• Wash and reuse.
Cotton bags are known for their looks and usability. They are made from pure cotton, which makes them eco-friendly. Prints on cotton bags last long and enhance their look.
This makes cotton reusable vegetable bags a popular choice for corporate gifting or as return gifts. You can use them as vegetable bags or showcase your swag, all at an affordable price and staying eco-friendly.
Jute bags:
Features:
• Sturdy.
• Trendy.
• Sturdiest of all reusable vegetable bags.
Jute grows in areas with heavy rainfall. Jute cultivation is also known for its sustainable practices that need little to no pesticides.
Jute-made vegetable bags can bear more weight than their counterparts. They are also biodegradable and decompose faster than other organic bags.
Woven bags:
Features:
• Handmade.
• Rugged.
• Fashion-friendly.
They are made by knitting and using traditional techniques of weaving. Made of wool, thick threads, and often various types of cloth, woven bags last long.
They can bear more weight and are multi-usable. Woven bags also come with a variety of works, such as embroidery and patchworks making them more fashion-friendly.
Non-woven bags:
Features:
• Lightweight.
• Easy to make.
• Sustainable.
The process of making non-woven bags demands little water in their manufacturing. This makes them sustainable and environment-friendly. Non-woven bags are made on machines, unlike woven bags. They are light in weight and offer plenty of design and print variations.
Non-woven bags are the first choice for many corporate companies as a part of their gifting options. The swag non-woven bags possess is a bonus that will make you choose them apart from their eco-friendly nature.
Recycled plastic bags:
• Recycled.
• Reduce wastage.
• Biodisposable.
Recycled bags are made from plastic waste. They are earth-friendly, unlike plastic bags. Making recycled vegetable bags from plastic waste is an effective antidote to cut down on the number of plastic bags.
Canvas bags:
Features:
• Environment Friendly.
• Stylish.
• Strong.
Canvas-made vegetable bags are multi-usable. Brands have been leveraging them to move closer to customers. Their friendliness for printing makes them suitable to print many quirky, catchy, and thought-provoking slogans and one-liners.
Canvas bags are the latest craze for shoppers for the style quotient they impart and their usability. They are compact, foldable, and washable. Thus, they fit perfectly to carry while traveling or for college.
Mesh bags:
Features:
• Breathable.
• Easy to organize.
• Lightweight.
Mesh bags come with different options – zipped, strings, open neck, etc. Compared to other types of reusable vegetable bags, mesh bags offer more visibility to the vegetable stored in them. This makes a great choice to organize vegetables in the refrigerator.
Mesh bags come in handy while organizing clothes, wardrobes, kids’ essentials, etc. Washability, ease of storing and reusing are the added features of mesh bags.
Summing Up
The choices for reusable vegetable bags are plenty. Compared to paper bags or plastic bags, reusable vegetable bags are better for the environment.
A single reusable bag can be an effective solution for preventing hundreds of plastic bags from ending up in the dump. Eco-friendly bags can be used in various ways, apart from vegetable shopping. It makes them return on investment assured. Thus, it’s a win-win for both saving the Earth and your hard-earned money.
After their life, you can safely discard them at recycling centers or bury them in soils without an ounce of worry that they poison the land, water, and air.
By switching to reusable vegetable bags, you contribute to the safety of humans, animals, and aquatic life. Take the first step towards saving the Earth by pledging to use and reuse vegetable bags from today. Encourage others also to use vegetable bags and turn into a savior of Earth.
What to Look for in an Air Handler Repair Service
Whether we’re at home or work, indoor air quality matters. In addition to safety, we expect our air handler systems to keep us comfortable on the coldest of nights and the hottest of afternoons. But today, the value placed on efficiency and sustainability is also top of mind for the building owner paying the utility bills, those using the indoor space, and larger society as well. With that in mind, it’s a great idea to rethink our preventative maintenance and air handler repair plans.
Here are some qualities to look for when hiring the right air handler repair service for your needs.
Expertly trained technicians
When it comes to maintaining our homes, businesses, and commercial spaces, it’s far from cliché to say, ‘you get what you pay for.’ The first step to ensuring you’ll get a great return on your investment is to ensure the technicians working with you are certified and trained up to the latest national standards and state-wide regulations around air handler repair practices. An expert technician can perform a thorough inspection to determine any challenges within the system and create the best maintenance and repair plan to keep everything running efficiently.
There are many moving parts to these systems, so entrusting an air handler repair pro ensures nothing is missed. This includes checking for any clogged filters, worn belts or motors, and inspecting all ductwork for air leaks requiring sealing or replacement. Depending on the system, its age, and other circumstances, the technician can suggest the best maintenance and repair plan if needed, as well as a suggested routine for scheduled follow-up inspections.
A great preventative maintenance plan for longevity
Those scheduled follow-ups become our preventative maintenance plan that actually saves money in the long run. By extending the air handler unit’s lifespan, more costly replacements are avoided. With a well serviced and maintained air handler unit, building owners and managers can expect it to last 20-25 years, possibly even longer. However, over that time, inefficiencies can pop up and go unnoticed, which causes increased expense, and eventually you experience decreased air quality and performance. In addition, air handler repair costs may rise if an issue is left unidentified and service is put off. Regular servicing helps avoid air flow issues as well as uneven temperatures throughout the space. Data suggests a great preventative maintenance plan can increase the longevity of an air handler unit by 15-to-20 years and those cost savings grow over each year replacement is avoided.
Respect for budgets and bottom lines
Professional air handler repair service companies have a great respect for the homeowner’s budget and the bottom line that commercial building owners must closely keep their eye on. These experts can best come up with a timeline that keeps their visits as spaced out as possible while also checking in regularly enough to keep maintenance costs down. This includes taking care of necessary routine cleaning, damage repairs, and replacing smaller parts as needed.
Repair professionals also understand the importance in efficient energy operation. In fact, should you notice increases in your monthly energy bills, it’s a strong sign it’s time to reach out to your trusted service provider. The air handler unit can contribute to up to 50 percent of the building’s energy use, so keeping it running optimally truly does make all the difference. Finally, professional air handler repair service providers help avoid, or drastically decrease, any business or revenue-impacting downtime associated with a full replacement.
Look for a history of excellent service and happy customers
If you don’t already have a trusted professional air handler repair service company in your contact list, it’s a great idea to form a relationship ahead of time. Scrambling in the face of a breakdown or emergency is simply never budget friendly. Look for companies that have great reviews, ask those around you for referrals, and simply connect with companies, ask questions, and let your instincts tell you if they’re right for your building maintenance requirements.
Excellent air handler repair providers are open about their technicians, programs including OSHA training, and certifications. They should openly report their compliance with all state regulatory standards, including NFPA, ASHRAE, the Joint Commission, EPA, and any other regulatory guidelines. Above all, they should welcome your questions and work to form a supportive relationship spanning beyond scoring a quick job and aims for the long term.
The Benefits of Hiring a Professional Fire Damage Restoration Service
There is a lot of work to be done after a fire. Almost immediately, you will need the property assessed for damage and you will start needing to contact people about potential restoration. These days, many people choose to go with a professional fire damage restoration service for this type of work. The benefits of doing so are plenty. Here are just a few.
Help at Every Step
Rebuilding and renovating a property after a fire is a complicated procedure. It starts with an assessment by professionals and likely insurance representatives. From there, immediate safety issues need to be addressed and corrected. From there, the fire damage needs to be completely removed and replaced with sound construction. After that, renovations to the property will need to be done with an eye to any potential issues regarding mold, smoke odor and residue. Finally, the space needs to be fully prepared to be reopened and used once more.
If this sound like a lot of work, then there’s good news: a professional fire damage restoration service can help at every step. From before you even set foot on the property after the fire, they can help formulate a plan of attack, execute it and hand you the keys once it’s finished.
This is the true power of an expert fire damage restoration service: they cover every step, understand every potential issue and are prepared to handle them all with confidence and care. Instead of attempting to figure it all out yourself, you should instead rely on the experts, who can get it done faster and better than anyone else.
Proper & Professional Evaluation
Immediately after a fire, you need to know a few key things: what’s salvageable, how much will it costs and what your insurance will cover. The right fire damage restoration service can help you with all three of these questions by showing up quickly after the fire has been put out. They can help assess the damage, put together a quick estimate and give that to you for interacting with your insurance company.
Good Work Done Quickly
Whether the property in is your personal residence or an office building, you’ll want it back to safe and operational as quickly as possible. That’s where a fire damage restoration service makes all the difference. Because they are ready to help at every step, they can also help move things along at a faster pace. That means your building is back to being usable more quickly, minimizing additional costs and inconveniences.
Guarantee Your Safety & Health
There are numerous health and safety issues that come along with fire damage. From structural issues related to the fire to potential mold issues that come in the aftermath, every one of these issues needs to be fully addressed by a professional. It’s the only way to make sure that all of the restoration work is done properly and with the safety of a building’s occupants in mind.
Save Money
At the end of the day, even fire restoration must be done with a budget in mind. It’s here where some people decide not to go with the professionals, thinking they can save money by hiring untrained handymen or attempting the work themselves. Unfortunately, this often results in spending more money in the long run.
When you choose a non-professional fire damage restoration service, many things can get overlooked. From structural issues related to fire damage to mold and other problems that can come from firefighting techniques, all these factors need to be carefully considered. Untrained professionals often overlook these important steps, leading to issues that worsen over time, and get more expensive to fix as they worsen.
Why Choose a Professional Fire Damage Restoration Service?
There is a lot of work that needs to be done after a fire damages a property. From damage assessment and initial safety concerns to proper renovations and reconstruction efforts, every step requires specialized expertise and careful consideration. This is why many people who experience fires call up a professional fire damage restoration service. Only experienced professionals have everything you need to ensure your property is safely restored and built back with safety, aesthetics and function in mind.
Don’t rely on amateurs to bring life back to a property after a fire. Instead, contact a fire damage restoration service and make sure the work is done right.
How To Get Rid of Smoke Smell After A Fire
Wildfires can be devastating. They have as large an impact on the indoors as they do on the outdoor environment. Smoke can cause damage even if your home has not been burned or otherwise affected by the flames. No matter how far, or how close the fire was to you, the smoke odor and the air pollution that it causes can come into your space. Smoke is a hazard and odor should be considered a part of the plan to clean up after a wildfire to protect home and health. How can you get rid of that smoke smell after a fire and why is it essential to do so?
What damage can smoke odor do?
Needless to say, the smoke odor that comes into the home after a wildfire cannot just be expected to move away and out on its own. it is excessive and pervasive. If you have had to leave your home in the wake of a wildfire you need understand that it can do a lot of damage and any recovery includes smoke smell remediation. The damage that smoke can do is threefold. It damages the heating and cooling system in your home, it damages the air that you breathe to the point where your health is compromised, and it can damage surfaces.
Smoke is dangerous for health
Smoke from wildfires contains heavy toxic particulates of ash and dark soot that may be microscopic, but are powerful enough to irritate throats, eyes, nose and lungs. Prolonged breathing results in allergic reactions, discomfort and damage to delicate nasal passages and lung tissues. Wildfire smoke has tiny particles that can penetrate deep into the lungs. There are things that can be done to get rid of the odor, but it is best to call smoke smell remediation professionals to help you when you need to get rid of much more than just the odors left from the wildfire.
Here are some of the first steps in smoke smell remediation
Air out your house, and open doors and windows to get good ventilation and move that air around. Place fans around to help the movement of bad air out and clean air in. Use dishes of baking soda placed around the home to help absorb the odors.
Wash curtains, rugs, covers and bedding (all soft textiles). Wash walls and other surfaces with hot water, soap and white vinegar to remove soot and greasy residue from them. Clean carpets and upholstery as well.
These first steps are not labor intensive and may not be any more than slightly helpful. Unfortunately, if the wildfire smoke damage was particularly bad, then using professional services to clean the carpets, walls and upholstery for the smoke smell remediation will be a better option, especially if the inhabitants of the home are susceptible to asthma or allergens.
Use professional smoke smell remediation services to clean the ducts and the HVAC system
This is an essential step. If your home has been damaged by smoke odor from wildfires, then so have the air ducts and the heating and cooling system. Professional air duct cleaning is effective to ensure healthy air quality.
For the final step in smoke smell remediation call a professional air duct cleaning company who has wildfire clean-up experience to inspect and clean all the HVAC equipment. The inspection will ensure that there has not been damage to the system and give it a good cleaning. The filters will likely need to be replaced for the best results.
Smoke smell remediation professionals will restore air quality
Wildfire smoke can cause damage to property, and the particles can enter through even the smallest space. This smoke is damaging to humans, and also to the heating and cooling system in the home. Air cleaning systems have to work harder to clean the air and make it comfortable. If the system is plugged, clogged or damaged, it works harder and costs more to run. Smoke remediation companies have expertise and technology to help clean and restore air quality back to what it was before the wildfire damage occurred, according to standards. Be sure to have the HVAC system professionally cleaned after any fire.
The Importance of Regular Septic Tank Maintenance
Your septic tank does not just rid you of sewage wastes. It is crucial to your health and that of your family. This is why you have to make sure it is handled in a way that does not have a negative impact.
The first step in preventing diseases and infections that would arise from mismanagement is by doing regular septic tank maintenance, which should be done by qualified professionals.
To fully grasp the severity of the situation, here are some consequences of not subjecting your septic tank to regular maintenance.
Effects of Inadequate Septic Tank Maintenance
• Problems and More Problems
Usually, you may have just a single issue with your septic tank which a professional would usually have fixed within a couple of minutes, in addition to this, the professional would also analyze the entire system, checking for potential damages.
However, if you overlook a leaky faucet, coming up with some form of a makeshift temporary solution, you may end up regretting it at a later time. This is why it is best to call the experts immediately there is a minor issue or if you simply have a bad feeling, for your septic tank check-up so you can avoid spending more later.
• Inefficient Drainage
You may or may not have noticed that your septic tank is not performing its duties like it originally used to. If this happens, then it’s because you don’t have a regular septic tank maintenance plan. Likewise, you would notice a higher efficiency rate when you pump out the system, so do yourself a favor and avoid a septic catastrophe by doing regular septic tank maintenance.
• Smelly Effect
Noticed something smells around your home? That’s probably your septic tank begging for maintenance and it would be cruel to ignore.
• Environmental Pollution
A lack of effective maintenance on your septic tank would lead to a build-up of sewage if this does not end up clothing your drainage system and lead to an overflow. It would cause a negative impact on the environment; this is much worse if you are close to a lake or river.
However, there is also a good side to this story. When you do regular septic tank maintenance, you are going to be getting the following features from your septic system:
1. Improved functioning: Your entire septic system would be more efficient in its operations once it is free from all the congested materials which have managed to build up over the years.
2. Prevention of more problems: As discussed earlier, during regular septic tank maintenance, the professional who has been called to handle it would also inspect the entire system for any potential issues and also help prevent them.
3. What to do and what not to do: Through regular maintenance, your septic professional would advise you on what you should be doing, as well as what you should desist from, these tips could save you a lot of money which you would have spent on maintenance
4. Good for your health: A well pumped and working septic tank would prevent wastage overflow, particle spreading among other things which are better options than harmful side effects of a bad septic tank. A good septic tank may save you multiple trips to the doctor
5. Good for your pockets: A regular septic tank maintenance would save you all the extra and unnecessary costs you would have spent on the repair and changing of parts of the septic system. So why not save your money by spending a little now, rather than spending a whole lot later
In conclusion, your septic tank takes care of you and your family through its functions, it is only proper that you reciprocate this by also having a regular septic tank maintenance system wherein you call a professional to help inspect and fix any needed parts of the system. After all, we all know it’s past time that you had a check-up on your septic tank.
Effective Methods for Bed Bug Removal
Discovering that there is a bed bug infestation in your home is an awful experience. By the time that you see the signs, there is no telling how extensive the problem has become. There could even be bugs in multiple rooms of the home. That’s why it is important to hire professional bed bug removal experts to make sure that the infestation is removed completely.
What are Bed Bugs and Where Did They Come From?
Bed bugs are small bugs that bite and feed on human blood. Adult bugs are brown, flat and oval shaped that are usually about 3/16” to 1/4” long. They can become larger and rounder if they have recently bitten someone. Young bed bugs are generally more translucent and can be very hard to detect. Bed bug eggs are even more difficult to see because they are incredibly tiny – the size of a pinhead.
Bed bugs prefer to bite humans and their bites are itchy and unpleasant. While it is believed that bed bugs do not carry serious diseases, they still need to be dealt with as soon as possible.
Bed bug infestations most commonly occur because of travel. These tiny bugs easily hitch a ride on luggage or clothing. Once they arrive at the destination, they quickly infest their new location.
Identifying Bed Bugs
Bed bugs generally hide in areas that are out of sight like in the seams of bed mattresses, between cushions, folds of curtains, in drawer joints, and under loose wallpaper. If the infestation becomes very serious, the bugs and their eggs will become more visible.
Many people do not see the actual bed bugs or eggs, but they notice bites on their bodies or spots of blood on their sheets. Some infestations are detected because these bugs release a musty, sweet odor. However, they are detected, they require a professional bed bug removal company to thoroughly remove them.
Most Effective Method for Bed Bug Removal
While many companies offer chemical fumigation as a method of bed bug removal, it is not always the best choice. Chemical pesticides work, but they also leave behind a chemical residue that has an unpleasant smell and requires the treatment area to be evacuated for multiple days.
The best alternative to chemical fumigation is heat treatment for bed bug removal. Professional bed bug removal companies that use heat treatment are able to effectively and thoroughly eliminate all traces of bedbugs in a short period of time.
How Heat Treatment Works on Bed Bugs
Chemical-free and odorless heat treatment is a great way to eliminate bed bugs. Professional bed bug removal specialists block off the affected area and apply heat that kills bed bugs. The heat is able to penetrate through carpets, curtains, and other furniture. It also gets into the walls and kills any bugs that may be lurking out of sight. Thermal blankets are used to protect any sensitive objects in the room (like electronics) so clearing out the space is not necessary. As an added bonus, heat treatment also kills any unnoticed mold that may be growing within the walls.
Heat treatment is definitely a much more discreet method of eliminating bed bugs. Since fumigation tents are not required, nosy neighbors will be none-the-wiser that the property is being eradicated of a potentially embarrassing problem. Find a company like Alliance Environmental that uses trucks and technicians’ uniforms that are discreetly marked as “Team Heat” rather than any references to bugs or extermination.
Working with the Best
When looking for a reputable bed bug removal company, take some time to thoroughly weigh all of the available options. Always choose heat over chemical fumigation – you will get great results faster without the nasty effects of toxic chemicals. Find a company that has years of experience in effective bed bug elimination. Also make sure that the company you choose has great reviews and is certified by local, state, and national governing bodies. A reputable bed bug removal company will be happy to supply you with an accurate quote before the work begins, and they will not only be an expert in bed bug removal, but they can help with a variety of property issues, including mold, dry wood termites, and mite removal.
How to Maintain Air Handlers Properly
When it comes to your HVAC system, you want to keep surprises to a minimum. They are important systems, but the cost of replacing some of their parts can come as a surprise to the uninitiated. That is why more and more building owners and operators are opting for air handler repair instead of waiting for their systems to fail.
If you have wondered about how to get the most out of your HVAC system, and what you can do to take the best care of your air handlers in particular, then read on. This handy guide will walk you through what air handlers are, why they need regular maintenance, and the advantage of choosing air handler repair over simply waiting for your system to break down.
Air Handlers: The Silent Superstars of Your HVAC System
For many people, the term “air handler” hasn’t even crossed their minds. They are, like many parts of an HVAC system, the unseen heroes of almost any building. These machines are designed to regulate and circulate air throughout a building. In some cases, these machines actually heat or cool the air that moves through them. Others have elaborate filtration systems to aid in the removal of harmful contaminants from the air.
These large machines are integral to your HVAC system, operating as the hearts that keep air moving throughout your building. As such, they are also designed to last a long time. With proper maintenance and air handler repair, they can last for decades and stay at peak performance throughout their lifecycle.
Why Pay to Maintain Air Handlers?
Many people are curious as to why regular maintenance is so important when it comes to air handlers. After all, our HVAC systems generally run unseen and without issue. And when issues strike, they can simply replace any items that need replacing.
While this does work for some businesses and business owners, the reality is that simply replacing items of a system that break can result in a number of expensive issues.
The first issue is cohesion. Many HVAC systems are designed as an intricate network of machines that all work together to clean air, improve air quality, and keep a building well-ventilated. When you start to let machines break down and replace them as they go, the system stops working together as well as it did, leading to more issues down the line.
The second major problem with simply replacing broken machines in an HVAC system is that they are expensive to replace and much more inexpensive to repair. While many HVAC machines are expensive, they are also designed to last for decades. With proper repairs, they can operate at their best for much longer, extending the lifespan of your system and saving you money in the long run.
Is Air Handler Repair expensive?
In a word: no. In fact, air handler repair is surprisingly inexpensive. When it is done by an experienced professional, you can actually maintain and repair almost any HVAC system without prohibitive costs. It is one of the major reasons that many business owners and property managers are choosing to partner with local HVAC professionals to keep their HVAC systems maintained. With the cost of maintenance and repair so low, and the cost of replacing major units like air handlers so much, it pays to focus on maintenance and repairs over replacement.
When it comes to maintaining your HVAC system, it is always better to be proactive. When you partner with experienced HVAC professionals for your system maintenance, they can perform regular inspections to ensure every part of your system is working, from the furnace and air conditioning units to the air handlers and even negative air machines. They can also ensure that your system is working together to maximum efficiency and will suggest any changes you could use to improve efficiency, air quality, and more. They can also perform necessary repairs, including air handler repair, to keep your system working at its absolute best for decades to come.
If you want to get the most out of your system, then don’t wait for something to break down. Instead, contact experienced HVAC professionals, including those who understand air handler repair, to keep your system working.
What You Need To Know About Getting Your Air Ducts Cleaned
Now more than ever, making sure you are living in a healthy space is extremely important. You want to make sure that the air you are breathing is the best air quality you can get—especially considering the lasting presence of Covid-19 and its new variants. With the pandemic still impacting our lives, it’s more important than ever to make sure you are taking care of your HVAC systems and looking into air duct cleaning.
If you’re new to HVAC, it’s important to know that your ducts will need to be cleaned regularly. Depending on the air quality outside and inside, they may need to be cleaned more often. Here are some of the benefits of air duct cleaning and what is involved.
Benefits of Air Ducts Cleaning
Many factors can contribute to you air ducts getting dirty. Regular, everyday air has dust and dirt particles. It is your HVAC system’s job to restrict how much of the dirt in the air is passed through into your breathing space. Filters trap particles so that they do not get through from the outside. This means that some of that dust and dirt remains in your ducts and accumulates over time. Just like you would need to regularly change your air filter, you also need regular air duct cleaning. At the same time, changing your air filter more often can help keep your air ducts cleaner.
Air quality also greatly contributes to how dirty your ducts will get. If you’re in a region that experiences lots of smoke, for example, your air ducts cleanings will need to increase accordingly. Dust and dirt aren’t the only things hiding within your ducts. They may also be home to mold growth and even pests. That’s why it’s so important to have your ducts inspected and cleaned, especially if you start noticing changes in the air. It’s also an important step in maintaining your HVAC system. It will last longer if it’s cleaned and well maintained regularly. If you sense less air coming through or notice a new or unpleasant smell in the air, it’s definitely time for an air duct cleaning.
What is Involved?
There are a few different steps to air ducts cleaning. The first one is to clean the ducts with special tools and remove the visible dirt. Once the dirt is dislodged, the technician uses a very powerful vacuum to ensure the dirt is removed from the building without contaminating the air. The technician will then check the air filter and test the system to make sure it’s working as it should.
With the arrival of Covid-19, there are even more steps to the air ducts cleaning process. This is to ensure the air quality is as a healthy as possible, and that your HVAC system is working to limit the spread of the virus. Just like viruses, not all dirt is visible. Two tools have been developed to trap and kill inviable airborne contaminants. Those tools are bipolar ionization and Ultra-Violet C Light.
Bipolar Ionization and Ultra-Violet C Light
Bipolar ionization causes particles to stick together, making them easier for the filter to trap. Ultra-Violet C Light will actually kill or deactivate the harmful microorganism. Deactivating the microorganism means that it will no longer be able to reproduce, therefore limiting its spread. These methods of air duct cleaning will ensure your ducts are as clean as possible, providing you with clean, consistently flowing, healthy air to breathe.
In today’s world, where people are spending more time indoors and the risk of illness is higher due to Covid-19 variants, it is really important to do everything possible to breathe healthy air. If you’re not sure when your ducts were cleaned last, then it’s probably time to look into air ducts cleaning. Clean and well-maintained ducts and filters will help limit the spread of the virus. People will also be travelling more and wanting to get out and go places. With business now open and people moving around a lot more it’s important to make sure you are doing your part in providing clean air—not only to help keep you safe, but also to help limit the spread of Covid-19 in the community.
Prefinished Vs. Unfinished Wood Floors What Should You Pick?
While renovating your home, the to-do list can be never-ending. In this process, picking up the perfect flooring for your house may seem straightforward and quick. But with so many options of wood floors in Scottsdale, the decision will take longer than you expect. People often get confused between prefinished and unfinished wood floors. To help you pick the suitable one for your house, we have discussed these flooring types below.
Unfinished Wood Flooring and its Advantages
Unfinished wood means raw hardwood, which is installed, sanded, and refinished on-site. The on-site installation process ensures these floors are highly customized. These woods are available in a variety of species and natural color variations. You can add a personal touch of stain color, sawn profile, inlays, and borders and apply varied flooring styles to different rooms, using the same basic wood. It comes with a protective layer giving it a more authentic look. This wood is easier to refinish whenever required, and the added inlays make the perfect flush with the rest of the floor.
Prefinished Wood Flooring and its Advantages
Factories coat prefinished wood flooring with polyurethane even before hitting the shelf. If you want to skip the hustle and want the floor ready after immediate installation, it is a perfect option to opt for. It is ready to use after installation because factories complete the sanding process well before packing the products. If you are renovating the floors of only certain parts of your house or any other place, it is a more convenient option. It is also better for flooring in improvement projects. It is more durable and more uniform to color and straining. The anti-scratch coating makes the floor more resistant to surface damages.
Prefinished Vs. Unfinished Wood Floors
To help you decide on a perfect flooring option for your home, we have listed below what separates the two choices.
Prefinished floors are ready to use after installation.
The on-site flooring gets finished using oil-based polyurethane at the site itself. In this method, the homeowner has to wait for some days or even weeks before moving your furniture. The floor is vulnerable to scrapping even if it appears dry. The prefinished floor is ready to move in just after installation.
• Prefinished woods use lesser VOCs.
VOCs are Volatile Organic Compounds that are considered to be carcinogenic. When you choose unfinished flooring, the oil-based polyurethane gets applied at your home, due to which you and your family are at risk of smelling and breathing in the vapors of harmful resins and solvents. Whereas in the case of prefinished wood, all this process takes place in the factory.
• Unfinished Floors offer more choices, and enormous renovations prefer unfinished woods.
The unfinished wood floors in Scottsdale provide a wide range of choices. As discussed earlier, these woods can be customized too. Refinished woods come with a definite species and stains. Although for a small space, the prefinished products are more budget-friendly. Thus for large buildings and workplaces, contractors recommend unfinished floors.
• Cleanliness
Prefinished floors have micro-bevels on edges, while these are absent in the unfinished ones. The grooves present in the on-site floor create gaps, which makes dirt-trapping easy, and cleaning becomes harder. Cleaning the finished floors is more seamless in comparison, but you still need to take measures to protect the floor.
• Repairing
In case of dents or scratches, a floor repair is necessary. The repairing process is faster if you have a prefinished floor. It is because an unfinished floor needs to be repaired or refinished by a factory. Since the on-site flooring is often custom ordered, later on, finding a match can be difficult. So we recommend storing some extra boxes of flooring while you place an order so that repair work may become easy.
An edge of an unfinished floor is that it can be restored and fixed multiple times. The prefinished floors can be sanded only once or twice because of the thicker polyurethane layers by factories. So a deep sanding is required, which also increases the labor cost.
Reason to Call the Professional Gutter Cleaning Service
There are numerous things to look for when you think about maintaining your home. Right from roofing, painting, septic tank health, plumbing of the house, maintaining backyard, and most importantly gutter cleaning. All these points are responsible for keeping your home up and running smoothly. Especially when it comes to gutter cleaning Westchester Country NY services, you must know that it is going to ensure that your water drainage system is good, and your house and its foundation are protected.
It is always advised to hire a professional gutter cleaning Westchester County NY services as they have a fast and efficient cleaning system that gives you better results. Gutters are considered the first ones to get damaged from water and have an important role in your roofing system. Therefore, here are some crucial reasons as to why you should call the professional gutter cleaning service so that your work is done most efficiently.
Prevent flooding in the basement
It is one of the most tiring tasks if your basement is flooded and you must know that it has been caused because of the blocked gutter. When a gutter is blocked, the water starts to overflow from the gutter pools and starts to seep and accumulate into the house’s foundation and weakens your foundation over time. And the cost to repair an unstable foundation will surely break a leg as it is huge. Therefore, it is vital to make sure that you are getting your gutter cleaned from professional services while saving future costs. If you neglect it, then the unstable foundation would leak the water into your basement and that will be no fun at all.
Get rid of pests and insects
Blocked gutters and dirty water is a home for different types of insects and pests and still, water can lead to the breeding of numerous rodents and insects. This could also hamper the health of your family as these insects can easily make way to your home and the pests can bring termites to your whole house. That is why cleaning your gutter can keep the foundation and roof of your house dry and protect it from these insects and pests that will not breed in the moisture-less places.
Convenience and safety
Cleaning gutters is surely not your job and when you hire professionals to do it, you are at ease. All you need to do is shortlist a few, ask for quotations, finalize one and make an appointment as per your schedule and they do the job for you. Another reason is the safety that you must consider for gutter cleaning. There are many aspects involved in the cleaning process one is climbing on the roof. Therefore, you want all of it to happen as safely as possible. And when you hire a professional gutter cleaning Westchester County NY services, they have expertise in doing the job with all the safety measures to avoid any accidents.
Your mind is at peace
It is always best to let the expert do the job for you so that you can be at peace and concentrate on your work. When you hire the right services, you know that the technicians are trained and will be using the right equipment so that the job is done without any mistakes. Since you are investing by calling the gutter cleaning services, you would want the service to be impeccable so that your mind can be at peace. The job will be done correctly and in the given time with all the safety measures. What else do you want then!
Get the problem fixed at an early stage
Not cleaning your gutter regularly can make the clogged water sag and certain parts of it can become loose affecting the roof. That is why before any measure mishap happens, it is better to call up a professional gutter cleaning Westchester County NY service and get it fixed so that heavy damage is avoided.
Professional gutter cleaning services offer fast jobs and have well-trained experts so that every problem gets fixed without wasting any time. Being a homeowner, you would want to keep your family healthy and safe and by hiring these professionals you are taking that step while having peace of mind.
Why You Should Hire Professionals for Your Fire Damage Repair?
Sometimes despite the best of intentions, ACCIDENTS HAPPEN. They come in all sizes and forms, including fires. If you understand what fire damage is and how to go about finding the perfect fire damage repair company for your needs, the difficult process of dealing with a fire can be made a bit easier.
What Are Some Common Causes of a Fire?
The origins of most fires is often simple, often involving things that can happen in any home. You many need the services of professionals in fire damage repair due to causes such as:
• Electrical Equipment and Faulty Wiring – Fires can start from faulty and damaged equipment, like a toaster with a frayed cord. Overloading power sockets or extension wires and power boards can also cause fires. Be proactive and have an electrician come and inspect your home for faulty wiring.
• Cooking Equipment – Stoves left unattended.
• Heating – Portable heaters can ignite fires in curtains, couches, and clothes. Keep them at a distance from anything that can catch fire. Winter also brings an increased danger of fires. Stray logs, sooty chimneys, and holiday decorations all pose a risk.
• Candles – Unattended candles can topple over and set fire to things. Even its naked flame can set fire to anything close by, like drapes and hanging objects. Keep a tab on candle use and put them out once they have served their purpose.
• Curious children – For some reason, these little humans are wired to be attracted to a pretty flame. Keep all flammable items out of their reach and teach them about fire safety.
What do Fire Damage Repair Companies Do?
Fire damage repair needs to be done quickly to reduce the effects of acidic soot and smoke damage. The first 24-48 hours are critical and are known as “the golden hours.”
Inspection
The first thing a fire damage repair company will do is come and conduct an inspection. They will see that the property is safe enough to start work on, and they will inspect exterior and interior damage. For the latter, they will evaluate things like:
● What can be restored and what needs to be discarded
● Smoke and soot damage
● Items that have decreased life expectancy
● Sentimental value
● Loss of use and loss of value
● Estimated time of completion
Securing the perimeter
This includes fencing off the property and boarding up structure openings. If there’s extensive roof damage, this will mean sealing off the roof to protect against the weather during fire damage repair.
Removing debris
You will not have to hire a different company to remove debris. The fire damage repair company has you covered. After their evaluations, they are the ones who know what to keep and what to chuck. If they find the presence of asbestos in your property, they will arrange for its safe removal.
Mitigating further damage
Believe it or not, at this stag of fire damage repair, water is the enemy. The repair and restoration company will work to dry out the structure to prevent mold and corrosion by conducting a water mitigation process.
Clean up & smoke smell removal
This is the most extensive part of fire damage repair. The team will use a variety of equipment and cleaning agents to do the job. You can expect all surfaces to be given a thorough clean and any items that have been packed out are restored to their pre-loss condition.
Construction and restoration
Consider this stage the final stage of the facelift. The fire damage repair team will work hard to restore the building to its pre-fire condition. This includes replacing things that have been removed, like roof replacement, drywall replacement/ painting, replacing fixtures, floor material, and rebuilding damaged sections.
How to Find a Fire Damage Repair Company
Do your homework
Eenie-Meenie-Minie-Mo will not cut it. Ask around for recommendations. Chances are you know someone who knows someone who has hired a fire damage repair company. Ask about their personal experience or a personal referral. Look at a few at a time, compare reviews, practices, and prices.
Visit the companies in person
After you have made a few phone calls and checked out fire damage repair company websites, it is time to visit them in person. There is no replacement for this. Visiting a brick-and-mortar allows you to build rapport with the people behind the brand. You have time to get all those niggling questions off your chest. You might even discover things not mentioned on their company website.
What to Ask a Fire Damage Repair Company
While you are making your rounds, you need to ask the right questions. Ideally, you will want a company that has been established for a while and can prove an outstanding track record. On the other hand, do not discount companies who are new to the game. New fire damage repair companies often go above and beyond to make a good impression on clients. So, whether you are going for the top dog or the underdog, here are a few things to find out:
● Are they bonded, licensed, and insured.
● Have they worked with your insurance company – If not, look for an alternative service provider or negotiate with your insurance company.
● Do they have a list of previous clients – If they are a new fire damage repair company but have taken on lots of happy clients, you may want to take a shot with them.
● Do they perform restorations – some contractors only work on new jobs.
● How long will the work take – you will have to find a temporary home to stay in while the repairs are done, so know beforehand how long you can expect to be away.
If your home or office has been victim to a fire, it is best to call in professionals who are experienced in fire damage repair. Do not risk your health or that of your family by attempting restoration on your own.
