Ideas For Master Bathroom Hardwood Flooring

How to Choose Your Engineered Hardwood Flooring

If you are thinking about hardwood floors for your home you are probably exploring options and prices. Engineered hardwood flooring may be the perfect choice for your needs.

What Is Engineered Hardwood Flooring?

Engineered Hardwood Flooring is a type of wood floor with a few characteristics that make it different from traditional wood. Engineered wood flooring is constructed from wood particles that remain after the wood has been cut.

Instead of wooden planks for flooring, engineered hardwood flooring is made of the leftover wood particles, shavings, and dust. The result is a highly durable product that is much less expensive.

Why Use Engineered Hardwood When You Can Get Traditional Wood?

One of the main driving factors in choosing engineered hardwood flooring is the difference in price. It is an economical option with other benefits over traditional wood floors as well.

Engineered hardwood flooring is easy to install. It is easier to install than traditional wood and usually comes together with a tongue and groove feature like laminate. Instead of using glue and nails for installation, you slide the pieces of the flooring together.

Wood If the cost of traditional wood flooring is prohibitive, engineered hardwood flooring is probably the solution you need. It is not an actual genuine plank of wood, but nobody looking at your floor will know the difference because engineered hardwood flooring looks and feels like a floor made of traditional wood planks.

Other Factors to Consider When Choosing Engineered Hardwood Flooring

If you are installing your floor over concrete, you will need to take some measures to ensure structural integrity. You can install it over an existing wood floor or over plywood. Check on specific requirements or have a professional install your flooring. Engineered hardwood flooring is generally not recommended for bathrooms or places with moisture and water.

Engineered hardwood flooring is easy to care for and maintain. Because it is built in layers it is less likely than traditional wood to bow or warp. A veneer gives engineered hardwood a look similar to traditional wooden floors at an attractive price.

 

Benefits Of Buying Engineered Hardwood Flooring

Engineered hardwood flooring is more economical than hardwood but will not compromise your home’s aesthetics. It is made by bonding layers of wooden materials like plywood and a top layer of solid wood veneer. The thicker the top layer, the better the quality of the engineered wood.

The following are the benefits of engineered hardwood flooring that make it a coveted choice among homeowners:

  • It is extremely durable and with proper maintenance can last up to 30 years.
  • Unlike solid wood, engineered variants are not as susceptible to temperature and humidity.
  • It is more economical than hardwood.
  • Engineered wood comes in a variety of styles and textures.

 

Laminate Or Engineered Hardwood Flooring: Which To Choose?

One choice a Carmel homeowner may need to make when buying new floors is whether they want laminate flooring or engineered hardwood flooring. Initially, it may seem like there are more similarities between the two than there are differences, especially as new modernized laminate has become more popular. Read on to learn the differences between laminate and engineered hardwood flooring and to find out which is best for your home.

What Is Laminate?

Laminate flooring is made up of multiple layers of synthetic materials. It is able to closely mimic the look of genuine hardwood (as well as other materials). The core support layer of laminate is made mainly of resin and fiberboard, while the uppermost layer has a printed and textured layer with the desired look of hardwood, natural stone, or another pattern.

What Is Engineered Hardwood?

Engineered hardwood is made of multiple layers of wood. The bottom and middle layer is typically made of plywood, while the top layer is made of genuine wood. Engineered hardwood flooring is made from real hardwood, at least on the top layer. Laminate only imitates real hardwood and is made of all synthetic materials.

Which Option Looks Better?

In addition to their structural differences, there is an aesthetic difference between laminate and engineered hardwood. While laminate can be a great imitation at first glance, it cannot fully replicate the look of genuine hardwood upon close inspection. Engineered hardwood floors show the vast amount of variance found in natural hardwoods while laminate flooring will repeat a pattern every five boards or so.

What About Durability?

Durability can depend on the home. Flooring in high-traffic Carmel homes will have shorter lifespans, regardless of whether they are laminate or engineered hardwood. However, proper care and maintenance of either kind of flooring can allow homeowners to reach the maximum lifespan possible. Generally, laminate flooring will last anywhere from 10 years up to 25 years, and it often comes with a warranty. Engineered hardwood flooring can last for a person’s entire lifetime, but it will sometimes require spot plank replacement or sanding down to repair any damaged areas. However, engineered hardwood can only be refinished once or twice before it needs to be replaced.

How Much Maintenance Does Each Require?

Both laminate and engineered hardwood flooring are easy to care for. Laminate needs to be swept or dust mopped on a regular basis. Spot cleaning as needed with a damp cloth is usually sufficient to remove spills and stains. Engineered hardwood floors also need regular sweeping, and they will usually do best if they are periodically treated with a special hardwood floor finish.

 

Types of Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood floors are a beautiful addition to any home. Whether you’re looking for the perfect touch of charm or want to add warmth in your design, hardwood floors are an excellent choice. But how do you know which is better, solid hardwood or engineered hardwood? There are many differences between solid and engineered hardwood, and we’ll help you understand the pros and cons of each to determine which one is best for your space.

Solid Hardwood Floors

Solid hardwood have been around for many years, and while solid hardwood has changed over time, the natural look and beauty of solid wood floors continue to offer a touch of warmth in any home design. Solid wood differs from engineered wood, particularly in its construction. Solid hardwood floors are milled from one piece of wood, while engineered wood floors feature a unique, layered construction. The unique construction of both solid and engineered floor make for many differences between their features, durability, and more.

Engineered Hardwood Floors

Engineered wood floors are another type of wood floor that are ideal for many homes. Engineered hardwood floors are constructed from genuine wood. However, when creating engineered wood planks, multiple plies of wood are glued together in a cross-grain pattern. On top of the cross-grain wood pattern, a genuine piece of wood is placed on top, which gives engineered hardwood its natural, genuine wood beauty. Then, the layers are bonded under high heat and pressure. Unlike solid hardwood, this construction makes engineered wood more dimensionally stable, which means less expansion and contraction with changes in moisture and humidity levels.

 

Water and Heat Resistance

Solid wood

Solid hardwood floors are not water-resistant. In fact, because this type of flooring is made from real wood, water spills and accidents can cause significant damage to solid hardwood. Cupping and buckling are two types of issues that can occur with high levels of moisture on the subfloor or other changes that involve water and moisture. Solid hardwood also expands and contracts as changes in moisture and humidity levels change over time, which is completely normal and natural. Solid wood floors should not be installed in areas where moisture is prevalent, like bathrooms or kitchens, and spills should be picked up as soon as possible to avoid water damage.

Engineered wood

While engineered hardwood is also constructed using genuine wood, its surface and layers below make most engineered hardwood water-resistant. Keep in mind, engineered hardwood is water-resistant, not waterproof, which means that it cannot tolerate every spill or liquid accident. It’s just as important to clean up mishaps when they happen to keep damages from occurring with engineered hardwood floors. Unlike solid wood floors, engineered wood floors can be installed in areas like kitchens, laundry rooms, bathrooms, and even below-grade rooms like basements.

Care and Cleaning of Hardwood Floors

Solid Hardwood

Maintaining solid hardwood floors will extend your floor’s life and keep them looking amazing for years to come. Solid hardwood floors can be swept or vacuumed with the beater bar turned off on a bare floor setting to remove dust and debris. It’s crucial that you turn the beater bar off, as it can damage the wood floors.

Engineered Hardwood

Engineered hardwood floors are relatively easy to maintain, as dirt, dust, and debris sit on the surface. Sweeping engineered hardwood or vacuuming it with the bare floor setting turned on, and the beater bar off will remove loose dirt and dust. When cleaning engineered floors, always check with your manufacturer for approved cleaning products and solutions to ensure that you are not causing irreversible damages.

Posted by on – Comments Off on Ideas For Master Bathroom Hardwood Flooring
Posted in Flooring

How Not To Choose A Wedding Photographer

How to Choose Your Wedding Photographer

It’s key that you book a great photographer to capture your wedding. Follow these steps to find the perfect wedding photographer to document your day.

Couples often say that their wedding day passes by so quickly that it’s difficult to soak up every little moment and commit all the emotions to memory. All of your wedding vendors will take care of the details so that you can hopefully sit back and take everything in, but your wedding photographer plays the biggest role in preserving the magic of the day. Your wedding photos will take you back in time and give you the opportunity to relive everything—from incredible moments you might have missed to your favorite memories to reminisce about.

Needless to say, it’s key that you book a great photographer to capture your wedding. If you aren’t sure where to start or how to choose your wedding photographer, you’ve come to the right place: follow these steps to find the perfect photographer to document your day.

Steps For How to Choose a Wedding Photographer

  1. Set Your Budget

Your first goal is to set your wedding photography budget. There are a lot of photographers out there, so knowing what you can spend will help you narrow your search right away to photographers who are in your price range. Keep in mind that the cost of wedding photography varies a lot depending on your location, the photographer’s experience, and their package offerings. Today, the average price of wedding photography is around $2,000.

  1. Figure Out Your Style Preferences

The next step is to figure out what photography style appeals to you. A photographer’s style will determine:

  • How The Photos Are Taken
  • What Your Photos Will Look Like
  • How the photographer will interact with you and your guests on the wedding day.
  1. Do Some Research

After you’ve set your budget and settled on a style, explore wedding photographers online that fit your criteria and start compiling a list of your favorites. Or, ask your recently married friends and family about their photographer and if they recommend him or her. As you explore, make sure to look through each photographer’s portfolio of work and read reviews from other couples.

  1. Connect and Request Quotes

When you’re ready, begin reaching out to the photographers on your list to introduce yourself, request a price quote, and ask questions. See the section below on how to request a wedding photography price quote, which includes a sample inquiry template and questions you should be sure to ask.

  1. Meet With Your Favorites (Optional)

Having a great connection with your photographer is important. He or she will be by your side throughout your entire wedding day, so it’s essential that you feel comfortable and relaxed in their presence. A great way to get the know the individual behind the camera is to request an in-person meeting (or a video or phone chat) to talk through the wedding details and get a feel for each other.

 

Compare Your Top Choices

If you’re considering multiple wedding photographers, begin to narrow down your options by thinking through how they compare in the following categories:

  • Cost — Is one of your options significantly more expensive or cheaper than the others? Does the quality of their work align with the cost?
  • Personality — Is there anyone with whom you made a great connection? Do you feel comfortable with all of your options?
  • Experience — Who has the most experience? Does level of experience matter to you?
  • Reviews — How are the reviews for each of your candidates? Are there any trends—good or bad—in the reviews you read?
  • Offerings — How do the package offerings compare across your options? Which package gives you the most bang for your buck?

Book!

Now it’s time to book the wedding photographer of your choice. Keep in mind that if you wait a significant amount of time between your initial outreach and when you’re ready to contract their services, they may no longer have your date available. So while we encourage you to weigh your decision with care, it’s also important to not delay too long.

The booking process is different for every photographer, but it typically looks like this:

  • Let the photographer know that you want to book them and confirm that your wedding date is still available.
  • Your photographer should send contract for your to review and sign. Pro Tip: Never work with a wedding vendor who does have a contract. The contract serves to protect you and the vendor in the instance of legal disputes, outlines the exact nature of your business relationship, details what services and products you will receive, and communicates the vendor’s policies.
  • Sign the contract, return it to photographer, and pay the deposit.

 

What To Ask Your Wedding Photographer

Booking a wedding photographer can be a tough process. You’re trying to find someone who is going to be spending one of the most important days of your life with you! You need to make sure there’s compatibility, but that there’s also appropriate coverage for everything you need, and that’s why it’s important to know what questions to ask your wedding photographer.

Wedding planning can amount to a lot of work, and sometimes it’s difficult to know exactly what questions to ask to get what you need out of your wedding photography. They have one opportunity to get it right, so these are the best questions to ask your wedding photographer to make sure you’re both on the same page and ready to go.

Background Questions To Ask Your Wedding Photographer

  • How long have you been shooting weddings?
  • How did you first get into wedding photography?
  • What is the most memorable wedding you have shot?
  • What is your favorite part about shooting weddings?
  • How would you describe your wedding photography style?
  • Do you have multiple shooting styles?
  • Do you prefer candid or staged images?

Questions For Your Engagement Photography

  • Do I need engagement photos?
  • Do any packages include engagement photography?
  • How should we dress for our engagement shoot?
  • Do you have any location suggestions for engagement photography?

 

Photography Style

How Would You Describe Your Photography Style?

There are three main types of photography style, which you can find out more about in our photography glossary. Briefly, they’re reportage, which is candid and tells the story of your day; traditional, which focuses on formal, posed group photos and classic shots; and contemporary, which is more fashion-led and editorial.

Ask your photographer to show you their favourite wedding photo and you’ll get a good understanding of their vision and style.

Can I Speak to Some Former Clients or Read Testimonials?

Any good photographer will be happy to put you in touch with former clients as they know they’ll get great feedback on their work! If they try to put you off speaking to former couples or the testimonials on their website don’t match up with reviews on other sites, be wary.

Will I Be Able to Give You a List of Specific Shots We’d Like?

A shot list is a list a couple gives to their photographer with the absolute must-have photos they need them to capture, like a special photo with your Grandma and Grandad. Most photographer should accept this no problem, although don’t request too many or it can take time away from capturing the candid moments of the day. If a photographer refuses, the day may be more about their vision than yours.

Do You Offer an Engagement Shoot as Part of Your Package?

An engagement shoot is a brilliant way to get comfortable in front of the camera and get to know your photographer. You’ll get used to being directed and perfect your winning smile. If an engagement shoot isn’t included with your package, it’s worth negotiating one in or paying extra for one.

 

On the Day

What Time Will You Arrive at the Venue?

Get it in your contract whether your photographer will be there while you’re getting ready or they’ll meet you at the ceremony. Most couples will want the prep and journey to the venue captured as it’s such a special part of the day, but it can be cheaper if you’re on a strict budget to cut down on the photographer’s hours and not include these.

Do We Need to Provide You with Food?

It’s completely up to you whether you provide your photographer with food, but it’s the polite thing to do. They’ll be working 10+ hours for you and will need sustenance.

Ask your photographer what they’d like: you can arrange for them to have a plate and sit at one of the tables or somewhere else, or you can put money behind the bar or give them a meal allowance if they’d prefer to cater for themselves. They’re unlikely to be taking lots of photos during the meal anyway as no one wants the moment they stuffed half a chicken supreme in their mouth caught on camera.

Do I Need to Cover Travel Costs?

All this information should be clearly laid out in your contract to avoid unexpected charges. You’ll want to know if petrol or overnight accommodation need to be covered by you. Always expect that a destination photographer will require you to pay for travel and accommodation.

Will You Be the Primary Photographer on the Day?

National agencies have multiple photographers on their books so you want to know the person you’re talking to is the photographer you’ll get. Even if they are at the wedding in a second shooter capacity, make sure you meet the primary shooter in person before you pay a deposit.

Posted by on – Comments Off on How Not To Choose A Wedding Photographer
Posted in Events

Child Home Electrical Safety Inspection

REASONS TO INVEST IN AN ANNUAL ELECTRICAL SAFETY INSPECTION FOR YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS

In an ideal world, every time you go to flip a light switch or plug in an electronic device, you are going to get a steady, safe stream of power, but sadly, that isn’t always the case. Your electrical system is a massively complex organism, and from time to time, it develops little hiccups that can inhibit it from performing like it should.

When it comes to keeping your home or business’s electrical system functioning like it should, one of the best things you can do is call in a professional electrician and have them perform a thorough electrical safety inspection on your system. There are a number of different reasons that come together to make getting an electrical safety inspection a wise investment for your home or business, and to highlight exactly what a few of those are, our team of professional electricians have taken the time to put together this short list identifying exactly what a few of those are.

Fire Safety

Because we make use of it so frequently on a daily basis, it is easy to forget sometimes just how dangerous electricity can be. One of the major threats that can arise from an electrical system that isn’t operating correctly is the risk of fire. Faulty or outdated wiring is one of the leading causes of home and business fires all over the country, but taking the time to get an annual electrical safety inspection for your property can help resolve these issues before they have a chance to become a threat. During your inspection, our team of professionals will go over your system thoroughly and make sure all of your wiring is up to date and up to code, as well as resolve any lingering issues that could become a safety hazard given the right conditions.

Personal Safety

While faulty electrical systems definitely put your property at an increased risk of fire, they can also create shock hazards for you, your family, employees, or customers. Whether it is from electrical overloading, faulty outlets, wiring, or whatever the case may be, it is important to catch these issues before someone gets hurt. With an annual electrical safety inspection, you can have our team of professionals go through your system and catch any of these hazards before anyone gets hurt. Helping to protect those important to you and improve the overall safety of your property.

Adherence To Electrical Code

When it comes to your electrical system, whether in your home or business, it is important to ensure that everything is operating correctly and is in adherence with all local electrical codes. If it has been some time since your electrical system was updated, or you have had any work done to your system by a less-than-professional technician in the past, electrical safety inspections can be a great way to not only ensure your system is operating safely, but to ensure every aspect of your electrical system is in compliance with these electrical codes.

 

Electrical Home Inspection and Safety Check

Are you buying or selling a property? Are you renting out a property and want to make sure it is safe? An Electrical Home inspection and safety check can prevent any serious electrical accidents from occurring in the future. Most house fires are caused by faulty wiring, overloaded circuits or faulty appliances. Surprisingly though most homeowners do not bother to have their home checked until something goes wrong, like a loss of power or tripping circuit.

When should you have an electrical home inspection and safety check done?

If you are buying or selling a property

If you have not had an electrical home inspection done before or it has been more than 5 years

If your home is more than 20 years old

No damage is caused to your system due to improper handling

What is involved in an electrical home and safety check?

The qualified licensed electrician will first do a visual inspection of the electrical wiring, power points and switches

The electrician will then run some detailed tests with the power off. Including testing circuits and power points

Testing and tagging of appliances if required. Read more about test and tag requirements here

Using a checklist, the electrician will list all items inspected and their condition. (Good, Fair or poor)

What will you receive?

On completion of the inspection, you will then receive a detailed report outlining any potential electrical hazards and recommendations. These may include:

Broken power points, lights and switches

Old broken wiring

A lack of earthing or bonding

Overloaded circuits

Old broken fuses/lack of safety switches

Dangerous or DIY electrical work

 

Home Electrical Safety Challenge

Why is there a different kind of outlet in my bathroom? What does that “TEST” button do? Why does the circuit breaker trip every time my portable air conditioner comes on? What’s the difference between a power strip and a surge protector?

Do you know everything you should about your home’s electrical system and the electrical products you use in it every day? If you’re like most people, the answer is probably “no.” It’s time to change that.

Electrically-related home fires and incidents result in hundreds of deaths, thousands of injuries and more than a billion dollars in property damage each year. A healthy respect for electricity and a basic knowledge of electrical safety practices can help keep your home and family safe from electrical hazards all year long.

The Home Electrical Safety Challenge provides a simple exercise to help you give your home an electrical safety “check-up.” Each week during National Electrical Safety Month, use the Challenge worksheets in this section to take a look at a different area of your home. Learn to identify potential electrical hazards and correct them. Making a few easy changes to improve safety can also lead to increased energy efficiency and savings on your utility bills.

Is your home ready for the challenge?

The Home Electrical Safety Challenge was developed to help raise awareness about potential home electrical hazards. This exercise is not a substitute for an electrical system inspection performed by a licensed, qualified electrician.

 

Electrical Safety Inspection

Whether you have an old home, new home, or are doing renovations, you need to get an electrical safety inspection. It is recommended that you have at minimum annual safety inspections to keep your home or business safer.

Electrical Panel Inspections

The Circuit Breaker Panel is the main control box for electricity in your entire house. If left unattended, and wires come lose or break, you could end up with a serious problem, even an electrical fire. An annual inspection of your breaker box allows your electrician to check for loose wires, proper breaker connections, and identify any hot spots that pose a threat to the breakers or connections.

Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detectors Inspection

Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors save lives once they are maintained properly. This means testing that the detectors work monthly, changing the batteries yearly, and scheduling annual inspections with your licensed electrician.

Arc-Fault Protection

An arc-fault is where you have a high-powered electricity discharge that translates into heat and has the possibility of damaging the wire’s insulation. When this happens, there is the possibility of it causing an electrical fire. This could be from plugs that are pulled slightly loose which cause arching.

Inspecting Your GFCI Outlets

The Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) is designed to protect you from electric shock in places where there may be water. This is why GFCI outlets are ideal for outdoors, bathrooms, kitchen counters, pool areas, etc. Similar to the AFCI devices, your GFCI outlets should be tested monthly using the test button on the outlet. And they should be inspected at least annually by a professional electrician.

 

ELECTRICAL SAFETY INSPECTION CHECKLIST

Outlets and Light Switches

Work your way through the home and make note of any outlets or light switches that aren’t working. When an outlet or switch fails, it may be a sign that the wiring behind it is faulty.

If you touch the outlet or switch, is it warm or hot? This is also a sign that the wiring could be faulty.

Whenever the outlet or switch components appear to have changed color to look burnt or brown, don’t use them.

If you hear them making any noises, such as a buzzing sound, the wiring is probably loose.

Are the outlets or switches loose? This is a potential hazard that can lead to overheating and eventually cause a fire.

Electrical Cords

Are the cords in good condition?

Do the cords run unobstructed by furniture or other objects?

Have you removed any staples or nails that compress the cords?

Do cords run around or on top of carpets, not underneath them?

Do you use extension cords sparingly?

Do all cords run in a straight line, without purposefully wrapping?

If you can answer yes to these questions, your electrical cords are in good shape. If you answered no to any of these questions, change your practices around the home. Pinched, stapled or nailed cords can lead to damage, overheating and fire hazards.

Appliances, Lighting and Circuits

Operate your lights and lamps safely by checking the wattage of the bulbs. Never install a bulb with a wattage that’s higher than the recommended use.

Check the appliances in your kitchen. Make sure that the cord to your coffee maker, for instance, isn’t close to the stove, where exposure to heat is possible.

Take note of the number of times electrical breakers have tripped. Tripped breakers or blown fuses can be signs of an overextended electrical circuit.

Posted by on – Comments Off on Child Home Electrical Safety Inspection
Posted in Electricians

Car Accident Lawyer Supplies Basic Safety Driving Guidelines

Should I Get A Lawyer For A Car Accident That Wasn’t My Fault?

If you got into a car accident that was not your fault, you have a right to hire a lawyer. You may assume that because you did not cause the accident, everything will work out in your favor, but you may need to prove that you did not commit any wrongdoing.

While you do not need to seek legal counsel, a car accident lawyer may help you file a claim or lawsuit against a negligent party. Getting into a car accident due to another party’s negligence typically results in stress, frustration, and injuries. Ben Crump Law, PLLC does not want you to worry about tackling everything yourself after an avoidable accident; we can handle the legal process for you.

Focus on Your Health While We Focus on Your Case

You will want to seek medical attention following a car accident, even if you feel fine. Medical records may help you file a claim with your insurance company. Remember that you do not have to accept the initial settlement an insurance company offers you. If you do, you may lose your rights to pursue a lawsuit to receive fair compensation should your injuries prove more devastating in the future.

A car accident lawyer may help you build your case and speak with your insurance company so you can focus on your recovery. Our goal is to reach an out-of-court settlement that you deserve, but we have no issue going to trial and fighting for you there as well.

What a Lawyer May Do for Your Case

There is no reason you should be paying out-of-pocket expenses for property damage and injuries that someone else caused. If you become a client, a lawyer can answer all your questions, discuss your legal options, and keep you updated throughout your case.

The liable party should face the consequences of acting negligently and pay for the losses you suffered. To demonstrate evidence that you suffered at the hands of the defendant’s carelessness, a lawyer may do the following:

  • Obtain a police report that details how the accident occurred
  • Speak with witnesses and gather testimony from them
  • Use the help of expert testimony and accident reconstruction specialists
  • Talk to your doctor and get your most recent medical records

An attorney may also bring in the four elements of negligence to prove your innocence in the matter. The elements of negligence include:

  • Duty of Care:The other motorist owed you a duty of care.
  • Breach of Duty of Care:The other driver violated this duty of care.
  • Causation:The liable party’s breach of duty of care caused losses and injuries.
  • Damages:You, the plaintiff, suffered economic losses and injuries that a financial award may cover.

Your case may prove that you experienced a preventable accident. You should not have to feel any anxiety about your losses extending into the future if your injuries prove permanent.

 

The Rule of Thumb When Hiring a Lawyer for Car Accident that Wasn’t My Fault

We’re not here to take your money or to waste your time. Indeed, there is an endless supply of car accidents to litigate. The question you want to know is: Should I hire an attorney to litigate my claim against an at-fault driver.

The rule of thumb is this: You can submit a claim if you want and get some money back but if you have serious injuries, you should hire an attorney. By “serious” we mean any injury that will require you to miss any time from work. If you get out of the accident with a couple of scratches and body damage to your car, the insurance companies are usually pretty good about paying for the repairs.

What they’re not so good about is paying for repairs to you personally. The reason is that there are a number of people that attempt to scam insurance companies by claiming significant irreparable damage to their bodies when none really exist. For that reason, the insurance companies will stress test your case against their policyholder as much as they can. That means poring through your medical records and interpreting ambiguities in the police reports against you. This is, essentially, their job.

 

What to Look For When Hiring a Car Accident Attorney

Auto accident attorneys cover a range of issues stemming from personal injury, wrongful death, property destruction, and liability determinations. When looking for a lawyer, you should concentrate on their experience, skill level, commitment, location, and fee structure.

For example, your attorney should be well versed in state and national transportation laws, know how to deal with insurance and health care companies, and know how to effectively prepare and settle a case. Also, it’s important that you check the attorney’s background, references, and track record.

Lastly, a good lawyer will typically accept your case on a contingency or “no win-no fee” basis if the attorney feels your case has any merit, so it’s important to check the attorney’s standard fee structure.

 

Should I hire a lawyer for an accident that was my fault?

If you were responsible for the accident, then you cannot claim damages from the other driver’s insurer. In this case, you do not need to hire a personal injury lawyer to sue for damages. If you are at fault, your insurance company will hire a lawyer to defend you.

It is best to speak to a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after an accident to ensure you protect yourself. We recommend that you speak with a personal injury lawyer before contacting the insurance company representing the other driver. However, you should speak to your own insurance company as soon as possible.

 

Here are the main advantages of hiring a car accident lawyer.

  1. Personal Injury lawyers understand the correct statute of limitations for different types of personal injury cases

If you have been injured in a car crash, under Colorado law, you have a three (3) year statute of limitations. This means that you have three years from the date of your car accident to settle your case or to file a lawsuit.

If you do not settle or file your case within three years, then your case is lost forever and you cannot go back in time to try to resolve your case.

  1. A skilled car accident attorney can help you find and deal with insurance issues

An insurance company will be involved in almost all car accidents. Why is this? Because most drivers comply with mandatory state laws that require everyone to purchase certain minimum levels of car insurance. Sometimes a driver is involved in an accident and either doesn’t have insurance or let his auto insurance lapse. That poses great difficulties for an injured claimant as there is no bodily injury coverage to assert your claim. In this situation, you can always assert an uninsured motorist claim against your very own car insurance and it will be absolutely necessary if you are injured.

  1. A good personal injury attorney will prove your auto collision case
  • An experienced car accident attorney will be able to prove Liability (which is a legal term for “fault”). Attorneys know how to prove fault and know how to gather the evidence to prove that the other driver was at fault. Fault is something very difficult for you to attempt on your own, so better to leave this in the hands of an experienced attorney.
  • Next, your attorney will prove that your injuries were caused by the subject car accident. Again, it is better to leave these legal elements in the hands of your attorney as your attorney will know the correct case law and medical evidence to prove that your injuries were caused by the force and impact of the crash. Photos and damage estimates of both vehicles involved in the car crash can help demonstrate the forces on your body and resulting injuries.
  • Finally, an experienced personal injury attorney will be able to prove your damages. Damages are the monetary value or settlement value of your case. Lawyers will prove your damages through medical evidence (medical records, medical bills) and testimony from your treating physicians. Damages are the final key to proving how much money you should get according to the arguments and evidence that your attorney puts forth.
  1. A good car accident attorney will know when to settle your case

A skilled personal injury attorney will advise you on every settlement offer made by the at-fault driver’s insurance company. For example, if the insurance company offers $10,000 and that just barely covers your medical bills, then your attorney will advise you not to settle at that amount and will make continuing arguments as to why your case is worth more than that amount.

Your attorney will advise you to decline the offer and will advise you on the next settlement offer that you should make. Negotiating settlements is a little like buying a car. Your attorney will make an offer that will be accepted or declined. If it is declined, your attorney will continue pushing and making further settlement offers until a compromise is reached.

Posted by on – Comments Off on Car Accident Lawyer Supplies Basic Safety Driving Guidelines
Posted in Legal

Make Sure The Quality Of Water Is Healthy And Right For Your Family

Water Testing Guide

Did you know that 80-85% of errors in testing are a result of user error?

These issues stem from improper sample handling and poor testing technique. Our 10 page guide goes over the key fundamentals to give your team the foundation they need for success. Topics include:

Proper sample collection

Preparing your sample for testing

7 key steps to effective testing

How to accurately test water and build a solid foundation for an effective water treatment program.

The first (and very crucial step) to accurately test water, is the collection of an accurate sample. This means having the proper sample size, but also making sure your sample is representative of your whole system. By ignoring this most basic of principles, your test results can be skewed from the beginning causing you to generate erroneous results. To accurately test water there are three keys needed for an effective program.

An issue in one area can cause issues for your entire testing program; however, proper testing begins with the operator.

Most of the time, when an error occurs, it is because of user error and improper water sample collection methods. Improper handling can consume certain chemicals or introduce contaminants which affect tests and your response to the result. An important key to a representative sample, is flushing the sample line before you take your sample. This will clear out impurities or chemical concentrations at the sample point. This is why proper training and carefully following water quality testing procedures are so important.

This industrial water testing guide will answer the question of how to collect an accurate water sample and also give you and your team several key tips for water testing to ensure you are getting accurate results and making good treatment decisions. This guide will help you master the fundamentals and understand water testing best practices, so you can build a solid foundation

Topics covered include:

How to collect an accurate water sample

Preparing your sample

Proper lighting

Clean equipment

Sample accuracy

Proper technique

 

Drinking Water Help Guides

Acetone in Drinking Water?

Acetone has a pungent to fruity odor and it tends to be clear and colorless. The “odor” threshold for acetone in air is when it is 13 to 20 ppm and water when the level is 20 ppm.  A concentrated fluid of acetone is highly volatile and flammable and acetone can be found in paints, lacquers, solvents, varnishes, cements/glues, and cleaners.  Acetone is highly water soluble and can leach readily into the groundwater.

In addition to anthropogenic sources, i.e., man-made,  acetone is created during the natural living and growing processes of plants and animals and levels of acetone are typically higher during a low carbohydrate diet, exercising vigorously, have poorly managed diabetes, or eating a high fat diet.

Absorption/Metabolism

Acetone is quickly absorbed by ingestion, inhalation, and dermal exposure. In two experiments with humans, inhalation absorption was in the 70 to 80 percent range. There is no data for the other routes. Absorbed acetone is almost entirely eliminated from the body within a day after exposure.

Short-Term (acute) Effects

Mild nervous system effects that abated soon after exposure ceased were seen in humans exposed to concentrations of acetone of 500 ppm in air and greater. Symptoms included irritation of the eyes and respiratory system, mood swings, and nausea. Accidental poisonings report similar nervous system effects of sluggishness and drowsiness that were not long lasting.

Only one animal study could be located, which investigated the effects of acetone exposure by ingestion. Rats were given drinking water containing acetone at a concentration of 25,000 ppm for 18 weeks. The only effect observed in the rats was weight loss, which may be attributed to decreased food consumption.

 

Water quality

Water quality refers to the chemical, physical, biological, and radiological characteristics of water. It is a measure of the condition of water relative to the requirements of one or more biotic species, or to any human need or purpose. It is most frequently used by reference to a set of standards against which compliance, generally achieved through treatment of the water, can be assessed. The most common standards used to assess water quality relate to health of ecosystems, safety of human contact, and drinking water. Water quality has a huge impact on water supply and oftentimes determines supply options

In the setting of standards, agencies make political and technical/scientific decisions based on how the water will be used.[4] In the case of natural water bodies, they also make some reasonable estimate of pristine conditions. Natural water bodies will vary in response to environmental conditions. Environmental scientists work to understand how these systems function, which in turn helps to identify the sources and fates of contaminants. Environmental lawyers and policymakers work to define legislation with the intention that water is maintained at an appropriate quality for its identified use.

The vast majority of surface water on the Earth is neither potable nor toxic. This remains true when seawater in the oceans (which is too salty to drink) is not counted. Another general perception of water quality is that of a simple property that tells whether water is polluted or not. In fact, water quality is a complex subject, in part because water is a complex medium intrinsically tied to the ecology of the Earth. Industrial and commercial activities (e.g. manufacturing, mining, construction, transport) are a major cause of water pollution as are runoff from agricultural areas, urban runoff and discharge of treated and untreated sewage.

Contaminants that may be in untreated water include microorganisms such as viruses, protozoa and bacteria; inorganic contaminants such as salts and metals; organic chemical contaminants from industrial processes and petroleum use; pesticides and herbicides; and radioactive contaminants. Water quality depends on the local geology and ecosystem, as well as human uses such as sewage dispersion, industrial pollution, use of water bodies as a heat sink, and overuse (which may lower the level of the water)

In urbanized areas around the world, water purification technology is used in municipal water systems to remove contaminants from the source water (surface water or groundwater) before it is distributed to homes, businesses, schools and other recipients. Water drawn directly from a stream, lake, or aquifer and that has no treatment will be of uncertain quality.

 

Water Quality Testing

It contains background information, lesson ideas, procedures, data collection and reporting forms, suggestions for interpreting the results and extension activities.

Parents, teachers, students and not-for-profit environmental educators are welcome to download the Water Quality Testing Manual free of charge. Please note that this program tests the environmental quality of water bodies, not the potability of drinking water.

Teachers in MWRA communities may borrow a Water Quality Testing Kit from MWRA. The kit contains equipment for testing temperature, pH, Dissolved Oxygen, Biochemical Oxygen Demand, Nitrates, Total Dissolved Solids and Salinity, Turbidity

In order to borrow a Water Quality Testing Kit, teachers must attend a full-day workshop. If you would like more information about the kit or the workshop

 

HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL TESTING LABORATORY

This Guide is intended to summarize the State Health and Environmental Testing Laboratory’s ability to provide analytical support for the most recent EPA Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) requirements. The SDWA has undergone at least 8 major rule changes for analytical testing since its inception in 1975. Phase II and Phase V regulations increase the number of parameters monitored from 35 to 84 (including regulated and unregulated parameters) and significantly increase the technical complexity of the analytical procedures and instrumentation.

Currently the State of Maine HETL is not certified for Asbestos and Diquat. The State of Maine has been granted Waivers for Glyphosate, Dioxin, EDB, and DBCP. Other tests are available and may be listed in other testing guides: Private drinking water testing, Environmental, or special requests. Prices are the result of regulatory administrative procedures, either from individual price determination, or from the application of the approved regulated hourly rates.

The SEMI-VOLATILES ORGANIC SCREEN test uses a solid phase extraction technique to extract higher boiling compounds from the water sample. This is an EPA GC/MS method 525.2.Current analytes include: Hexachlorobenzene, Hexachlorocyclopentadiene, Benzo(a)pyrene, Di(2-ethylhexyl)adipate, Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate, Alachlor, Endrin, Lindane, Simazine, Aldrin, Heptachlor, Heptachlor Epoxide, Methoxychlor, Atrazine, and Dieldrin.

This test is performed according to Safe Drinking Water Act criteria for total TRIHALOMETHANES. Trihalomethanes result from chlorination of water.The four chlorination byproducts: chloroform, bromodichloromethane, chlorodibromomethane, and bromoform are tested by EPA method 524.2.

HERBICIDE SCREEN – A general screening method for the detection of the chlorinated acid herbicides (2,4-D) and residues of Dalapon , Dinoseb (DNBP), DICAMBA and PENTACHLOROPHENOL with EPA Method:   515.2

Posted by on – Comments Off on Make Sure The Quality Of Water Is Healthy And Right For Your Family
Posted in Home Inspection

Facts About Tax Planning That Just Might Surprise You

What is tax planning? What are characteristics and types of it?

Tax Planning can be understood as the activity undertaken by the assessee to reduce the tax liability by making optimum use of all permissible allowances, deductions, concessions, exemptions, rebates, exclusions and so forth, available under the statute.

Types of Tax Planning

  1. Short-range and long-range Tax Planning: The tax planning which is made every year to arrive at specific or limited objectives, is called short-range tax planning. Conversely, long-range tax planning alludes to such practices undertaken by the assessee which are not paid off immediately.
  2. Permissive Tax Planning: Tax planning, wherein the planning is made as per expressed provision of the taxation laws is termed as permissive tax planning.
  3. Purposive Tax Planning: Purposive tax planning refers to the tax planning method which misleads the law. Under this type, there is no expressed provision of the statute.

Tax planning means intelligently applying tax provisions to manage an individual’s affairs, in order to avail the tax benefits based on the national priorities, in accordance with the interest of the general public and government.

 

Objectives of Tax Planning

  • Minimal Litigation: There is always friction between the collector and the payer of tax. In such a situation, it is important that the compliance regarding tax payment is followed and used properly so that friction is minimum.
  • Productivity: Among the most important objectives of tax planning is channelization of taxable income to various investment plans.
  • Reduction of Tax Liability: As a tax payer, you can save the maximum amount from payable tax amount by using a proper arrangement of your enterprise working as per the required laws.
  • Healthy Growth of Economy: The growth in an economy depends largely upon the growth of its citizens. Tax planning estimates generation of white money that is in free flow.
  • Economic Stability: Stability is supplemented when the tax planning behind a business is proper.

 

Ten Characteristics of Good Tax Planning

  • Some of the best tax plans originate with client generated ideas. Taxpayers who inform themselves about the basic tax laws and start brainstorming or passing ideas by their tax advisor typically end up with excellent tax results.
  • A tax advisor who is curious and asks questions about your information is likely a competent tax advisor. This is the same person who probably has been to your business and wants to know what you have planned for the upcoming year and can offer suggestions while discussing your circumstances.
  • Typically there is not one single tax saving strategy that reduces your taxes, but rather it is a combination of several techniques that produces good results. For example, wisely using accelerated depreciation methods while taking advantage of tax credits can produce a low tax burden in year #1 which also reduces estimated tax payments for year #2.
  • Many good tax results are from a tax advisor who explains why an area of the tax law is not clear cut and is able to offer the client options on how to proceed. There are circumstances where both the taxpayer and the IRS can be correct. Many times a good tax result is from taking a justifiable position, even though the IRS could assert tax law to the contrary.
  • Good tax planning does not waste tax deductions. There are circumstances when a taxpayer should not take a deduction in year #1 because the tax savings is not as great as it could be by saving the deduction for a later year. Some deductions are deferred by making elections while others are deferred by delaying expenditures.
  • Sometimes the focal point of a good tax plan is simply deferring paying the taxes. For example, there are circumstances where taxes are going to be due, but flexibility exists in timing the year they are due.
  • Good tax planning sometimes dictates paying some taxes now because paying now will be less expensive than paying in a latter year. This is especially true when a taxpayer is currently in a low bracket year. In these cases, the optimal tax strategy may be to recognize income earlier than what you originally planned or delaying an expenditure.
  • Sometimes losses, especially flow-through losses from partnerships and S corporations, are not deductible in the year incurred. Good tax planning can help determine the best year to deduct losses. A similar theory applies to capital loss carry forwards.
  • Tax planning should also consider how to reduce payroll and self-employment taxes.
  • Good tax planning always considers the non-tax aspects of the circumstances and merges tax laws with financial prudence.

 

Tax Planning Strategies

Any successful tax planning strategy centres around three themes; reducing income, increasing deductions and utilisation of the lower tax rates available.

Below are some of the more common strategies employed to assist in Tax Planning.

Making Deductible Superannuation Contributions

This can be done either by a salary sacrifice arrangement, (if an employee) or claimed as a tax deduction by a self-employed person. As your superannuation fund only pays 15% tax on the contribution you have effectively shifted a portion of your business profits into a lower taxed environment.

There are limits however on the amounts for which you can contribute and claim a deduction. In 2013/14 those under 59 years of age at 30 June can only contribute $25,000 and those over 59 can contribute $35,000. Exceeding these amounts could result in an additional tax being levied on the excess, so care needs to be taken.

Review and Write off any Bad Debts

As you are entitled to a deduction in the year your write off a bad debt, identifying bad debtors and writing them off is an easy, cost effective strategy and should be done on a regular basis.

However, in order to receive the deduction, there must be no prospect of recovering the outstanding debt and if it is later recovered, it must be included as assessable income.

Review Timing of your Invoices

Whilst it is always a good idea to prepare and send out interim invoices for work partially completed, care should be taken especially if an interim invoice is going to be raised close to 30 June and the work will be completed early July. In this scenario, it may be prudent from a tax perspective to invoice for the completed job in July, (and have the income assessed in the following financial year) rather than have a part of the income assessed in the current financial year.

Review your Inventory at Year End

Many businesses fail to review their inventory, in particular for either obsolete or damaged items. These items generally have significantly lower values than current or undamaged stock, yet they are still valued at their full value. By revaluing these items, you can create a further deduction for your business.

Small Business Concessions

For business with an aggregated turnover of less than $2 million, there are various concessions available relating to deductions you can claim, in particular:

Trading Stock Rules:  If the change in value of stock from the previous year is less than $5,000, there is no requirement to record this as income in the current financial year, providing an opportunity not to record an increase in stock values if it is less than $5,000.

Prepayments:  By prepaying expenses which are for the next twelve months now, (e.g. insurance, subscriptions, registration etc.) you can claim a tax deduction for the entire expense in the current financial.

These are just some of the more common tax planning strategies available. Any strategy undertaken should be done in consultation with your accountant to ensure that it fits with your overall goals and objectives.

 

Corporate Tax Planning

This is a way of lowering the liabilities on a registered company. One of the most used methods is by including the deductions on business transport, health insurance of employees, etc. With tax deductions and exemptions provided under the Income Tax Act, 1961, your enterprise can largely reduce its tax burden in a legal way.

Rising profits of an enterprise means higher liabilities of tax. In such a situation, it is important that they dedicate enough time on tax planning that reduces liabilities. With a tax plan, both direct tax and indirect tax is lessened at the time of inflation. Not just this.

Tax planning means a proper planning of:

  • Capital budget.
  • Sales and Marketing costs.

Posted by on – Comments Off on Facts About Tax Planning That Just Might Surprise You
Posted in Accounting

Social Underpinnings Of Residential Cleaning

House & Apartment Cleaning Cost Guide

Wouldn’t it be great to open your door and find a sparkling clean home inside? A reliable cleaning company can make that dream a reality. You can expect them to take care of all the things you don’t want to do, such as cleaning windows, mopping floors, and dusting shelves. The right cleaning company can take care of many tasks you hadn’t thought of. If you want to know how much it will cost to keep your home sparkling clean, keep reading this cost guide.

Average Costs

On average, the cost of a cleaning company will come in around $216, with most homeowners spending anywhere between $150 and $304. Cleaning companies usually charge by the hour or by square footage. Per hour costs can range between $64 and $116. This cost often includes multiple cleaners. The cost of cleaning by square footage will depend on the size of your house. For an area less than 1,000 square feet you can expect to pay around $115. For a 3,000 square foot home you can expect to pay closer to $323.

Before you hire, ask the company is they offer a first-time cleaning by square foot. This will allow the cleaners to better determine how long it will take to clean and if there are any special requirements for cleaning your home. For a typical single family home, this will cost you around $168. A typical single-family apartment will cost around $129.

How often you have the company come to clean will affect your cost. Depending on the frequency, you may be able to save some money, around $6 to $12 per cleaning. Ask the company if there are further discounts by paying for multiple cleanings upfront or by signing a contract for long-term service. This could end up saving you approximately $64 to $258 in the long run.

You can also hire a cleaning company for a one-time service. This is useful if you’re throwing a party (or cleaning up after one) or getting your home ready for viewings when selling. A one-time cleaning for a typical sized home can cost between $258 and $388.

 

How to Clean: Tips for Keeping Your Home Healthy

This includes preventing and mitigating bacteria, viruses, and other pests like moths, silverfish, and bedbugs that can do harm if left unchecked. And regular cleaning is even more crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic. SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, can live on some surfaces in your home for days.

Luckily, it’s easy to get rid of the virus material from these surfaces with some basic disinfectants and cleaning procedures. Read on to learn about some common trouble spots around the house and solutions for keeping your living spaces safe and healthy.

How to clean a kitchen

Everyone gravitates to the kitchen. Part restaurant, part entertainment center, and part family room, it’s ground zero for the most troublesome spots in the home. Practically every surface is a magnet for bacteria, viruses, germs, insects, and other pests.

Here are some general tips for disinfecting your kitchen surfaces to prevent COVID-19:

Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds before you touch anything, especially if you’ve been outside or at work.

Sanitize your hands with a 60 percent (or higher) alcohol sanitizer if soap and water aren’t immediately available.

Regularly wipe down all kitchen surfaces, including counters, tabletops, and any other surface you frequently touch, like stove or microwave buttons. Use an EPA-approved disinfectant if available.

Wash all dishes and silverware before and after you use them.

Sponges and dish towels

A sponge can carry mold and thousands of germs and foodborne pathogens if it’s not cleaned or stored properly.

Things you can do to kill germs on a sponge include:

placing the sponge in the dishwasher with a high temperature and the drying cycle on

wetting it and putting it in the microwave for 1–2 minutes

squeezing it out well after every use and keeping it in a place that allows it to air dry

 

Easy house-cleaning strategies

Spring is here, but you’ve got better things to do than clean. With smart planning, a few easy-to-establish habits, and the 10 tips below, you can make cleaning less of a hassle. The advice below is from How to Clean Practically Anything (Consumer Reports Special Publications, 2002)

Divide and conquer. As with any daunting task, housecleaning is easier if you break it into smaller parts. Doing a chore or two a day is easier than letting tasks accumulate and become overwhelming. Cleaning regularly gets rid of dirt before you have to scrub it, saving you elbow grease and the things you

Conquer housework’s drudgery with our easy-to-follow tips clean unnecessary wear and tear. Regularly brushing Fluffy and Fido may cut back on the amount of pet hair around the home. There are also a number of easy–and often free–things you can do to improve the air quality inside your home

Devise a schedule. Many people find that a schedule lets them take control over housework, rather than the other way around. Start by making a list of cleaning tasks in your home. Then note how often each chore needs to be done–daily, weekly, monthly, or seasonally. Devise a schedule that spaces your daily chores evenly over the course of a week and your weekly chores evenly over the course of a month. Happily, few chores need to be done on a daily basis.

If it’s not dirty . . .  You don’t have to clean things that aren’t dirty–sometimes a touch-up is all that’s necessary. If there is a handprint on an otherwise perfectly clean mirror, don’t clean the whole mirror; just attack the print itself. You don’t have to dry-clean a suit that only needs to be aired, brushed, or pressed. Surfaces that you or your visitors can’t see–like the top of a cabinet–don’t need to be cleaned regularly. Put some paper down, and when it gets dirty, pick the paper up and throw it out.

 

How COVID-19 Has Changed The Residential Cleaning Business

Cleanliness is on everyone’s minds these days, particularly as so many of us are working from home, learning from home, or quarantined at home as COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, continues to wend its way through the U.S.

“We should be able to weather the storm,” he told Webster, “primarily because we weathered those actual storms many years ago.” With a nod toward the current economic crisis, he said there are at least some lessons that can be gleaned from the Great Recession of a decade ago — namely that house cleaning is less luxury than some might think.

The COVID-19 Impact

Now, as the virus has shaken daily life, said there have been some jolts. “Like every business, it’s having a significant impact every day — and it’s a new battle for us,” he said.

Those suspensions have been spurred by clients worried about potential, general health risks. noted that his company has a number of proactive policies in place to guard against those health risks, such as not cleaning locations where there have been any viral-related health concerns (such as the flu). Staffers disinfect their cleaning kits regularly and are beefing up the use of protective gear, such as goggles.

Revenue Tug Of War

Asked by Webster about the current business environment, noted that the company is adding customers as well (even as there have been suspensions), indicating that there is a bit of a tug of war going on within the company’s business model.

 

How to clean and disinfect

COVID-19 spreads through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. A person can acquire the virus by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose or eyes.

A key way you can protect workers and others from the risk of exposure to COVID-19 is by implementing appropriate cleaning and disinfecting measures for your workplace

A combination of cleaning and disinfection will be most effective in removing the COVID-19 virus. Workplaces must be cleaned at least daily. Cleaning with detergent and water is usually sufficient.  Once clean, surfaces can be disinfected. When and how often your workplace should be disinfected will depend on the likelihood of contaminated material being present. You should prioritise cleaning and disinfecting surfaces that many people touch.

How to clean and disinfect

Cleaning means to physically remove germs (bacteria and viruses), dirt and grime from surfaces using a detergent and water solution. A detergent is a surfactant that is designed to break up oil and grease with the use of water. Anything labelled as a detergent will work.

Disinfecting means using chemicals to kill germs on surfaces. It’s important to clean before disinfecting because dirt and grime can reduce the ability of disinfectants to kill germs. The following disinfectants are suitable for use on hard surfaces (that is, surfaces where any spilt liquid pools, and does not soak in): alcohol in a concentration of at least 70%, chlorine bleach in a concentration of 1000 parts per million, oxygen bleach, or wipes and sprays that contain quaternary ammonium compounds. These chemicals will be labelled as ‘disinfectant’ on the packaging and must be diluted or used following the instructions on the packaging to be effective.

Cleaning should start with the cleanest surface first, progressively moving towards the dirtiest surface. When surfaces are cleaned, they should be left as dry as possible to reduce the risk of slips and falls, as well as spreading of viruses and bacteria through droplets.

Posted by on – Comments Off on Social Underpinnings Of Residential Cleaning
Posted in Cleaning

What Are The Components Of A Pain Management Agreement

Pain Management: Types of Pain

Pain is a general term that describes any kind of unpleasant or uncomfortable sensation in the body.

There are many different types and causes of pain, and these can be grouped into eight different categories to help with pain management:

  • Acute pain
  • Chronic pain
  • Breakthrough pain
  • Bone pain
  • Nerve pain
  • Phantom pain
  • Soft tissue pain
  • Referred pain.

Acute pain

This starts suddenly and only lasts for a short period (ie, minutes, hours, a couple of days, occasionally a month or two).

It is usually caused by a specific event or injury, such as:

  • A broken bone
  • A car crash or other type of accident
  • A fall
  • Burns or cuts
  • Dental work
  • Labor and childbirth

Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is pain that has persisted for longer than six months and is experienced most days. It may have originally started as acute pain, but the pain has continued long after the original injury or event has healed or resolved. Chronic pain can range from mild to severe and is associated with conditions such as:

  • Arthritis
  • Back pain
  • Cancer
  • Circulation problems
  • Diabetes
  • Fibromyalgia

Chronic pain can severely affect a person’s quality of life and prevent them from returning to work or participating in physical activity. In some people, it may lead to depression or social isolation.

Breakthrough Pain

Breakthrough pain is a sudden, short, sharp increase in pain that occurs in people who are already taking medications to relieve chronic pain caused by conditions such as arthritis, cancer, or fibromyalgia.

Breakthrough pain may also be called a pain flare and it may occur with exercise or physical activity, coughing, illness, stress, or during the period between pain medication doses. The pain level is often severe, but the location of the pain is usually the same as the person’s chronic pain.

Bone Pain

This is a tenderness, aching or discomfort in one or more bones that is present during both exercise and rest.

Bone pain is commonly associated with conditions or diseases that affect the structure or function of bone, such as cancer, a fracture (broken bone), infection, leukemia, mineral deficiency, sickle cell anemia, or osteoporosis. Many pregnant women experience pelvic girdle pain.

Nerve Pain

Nerve pain is caused by nerve damage or inflammation. It is usually described as a sharp, shooting, burning or stabbing pain and may also be called neuralgia or neuropathic pain. Some people describe it as being like an electric shock and it is often worse at night.

Nerve pain can severely interfere with a person’s life and affect their sleep, work, and physical activity levels. They are often very sensitive to cold and may experience pain with even the slightest touch. Many people with chronic nerve pain also develop anxiety or depression.

People with neuropathic pain are often very sensitive to touch or cold and can experience pain as a result of stimuli that would not normally be painful, such as brushing the skin.

Common causes of nerve pain include:

  • Alcoholism
  • An injury to the brain, a nerve, or the spinal cord
  • Cancer
  • Circulation problems
  • Diabetes
  • Herpes zoster (shingles)
  • Limb amputation
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Stroke
  • Vitamin B12 deficiency.

Phantom Pain

Phantom pain is pain that feels like it is coming from a body part that is no longer there. It is common in people who have had a limb amputated, but is different from phantom limb sensation, which is usually painless.

Historically, Doctors believed phantom pain was a psychological problem but they now realize these are real pain sensations that originate in the spinal cord and brain. It often gets better with time, but managing phantom pain can be challenging in some people.

Soft Tissue Pain

This is pain or discomfort that results from damage or inflammation of the muscles, tissues, or ligaments. It may be associated with swelling or bruising and common causes include:

  • Back or neck pain
  • Bursitis
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Rotator cuff injury
  • Sciatic pain
  • Sports injuries, such as sprains or strains
  • Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome.

Referred pain

This is pain that feels like it is coming from one particular location, but is the result of an injury or inflammation in another structure or organ. For example, during a heart attack, pain is often felt in the neck, left shoulder, and down the right arm. An injury or inflammation of the pancreas is often felt as constant pain in the upper stomach area that radiates to the back. A ruptured spleen can cause pain in the shoulder blade.

 

Manual and physical therapies

Massage

Before you begin massage therapy you will typically talk to the therapist about which areas of your body are painful and what you feel comfortable with. During massage the therapist will use varied pressure on specific areas of your body to help your muscles to relax, providing relief from pain and stress.

Sometimes massage can feel a bit uncomfortable, particularly if your muscles are very tight. If you are worried, talk to your massage therapist. They will be able to reassure you and make the experience as comfortable as possible for you.

Pros

  • Can help to relieve pain
  • Provides relaxation/reduces stress
  • Tailored to your individual needs

Cons

  • Can be uncomfortable
  • May not be offered readily through your doctor
  • Must attend a therapist’s office (need transport)

Physiotherapy

You might have heard physiotherapy referred to as physical therapy. A physiotherapist will work with you to build up your range of movement. They will teach you how to strengthen your body in a way that prevents pain flares. Typically, physiotherapists will carry out passive treatments, meaning treatments in which they do the work. These might involve them manipulating and moving your body to strengthen it and target specific muscle groups.

You will also engage in active treatments, meaning you take an active role while being guided by your physiotherapist. These are often specific strengthening and flexibility exercises. You will usually be given exercises to practice at home, to continue building and maintaining strength.

Pros

  • Reduces pain
  • Increases range of movement
  • Strengthens body
  • Tackles fear avoidance
  • Increases confidence
  • Has long term results
  • Increases level of functioning
  • Reasonably easy to access
  • Active treatments can be carried out using an online pain therapy program

Cons

  • Requires effort and dedication
  • Can be uncomfortable at times
  • Could cause flares during the learning period

 

Ideas to treat acute pain before it becomes chronic

Treatments for chronic and acute pain will differ depending on the underlying cause(s) of the pain. Furthermore, certain pain treatments will work for some people, but not for others. It is very important to be aware of the level of pain you are feeling and discuss this with your doctor. You may need to try different pain management techniques before finding one (or more) that work the best for you.

Here are some ways, including complementary and homeopathic techniques, to treat acute pain so it doesn’t become chronic:

1 nerve blockers: Local anesthetics can be used to block the group of nerves associated with pain.

2 non-prescription, non-habit forming drug treatments: Some examples include Aleve, Tylenol, or Motrin.

3 physical therapy: Some examples of passive physical therapy include hot packs, cold packs, TENS units, and ultrasound. Some examples of active physical therapy include stretching, pain relief exercises, strengthening exercises, and low impact aerobic conditioning.

4 psychological counseling: Some examples include talk therapy, relaxation training, stress management, and pain coping skills training.

5 behavior modification techniques: One example of this is cognitive behavioral therapy.

6 transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS): Developed in the late 1960s, this technique uses electricity to help alleviate pain. The low electrical impulses block certain pain receptors so that the brain does not receive the messages that you are in pain. A session is typically 15 minutes, but may require multiple sessions for successful pain relief.

7 alternative pain management treatments: Some examples may include relaxation, acupuncture, hypnosis, and biofeedback.

 

Pain Management Treatments Worth Trying

This is why so many people are eager to find a pain management treatment that is successful for them. Chronic pain affects everyone differently, but most of the following therapies have proven effective for a wide population of people, so they may provide at least some pain relief for you. Before you start any new pain management treatment, consult your physician to avoid any health risks.

  • Physical exercise—chronic pain has the unfortunate effect of immobilizing you. If you are suffering from lower back pain or a migraine, one of the last things you want to do is expend energy running or biking. However, exercise provides many benefits. In the short term, physical activity produces endorphins, natural pain killers that relieve pain and boost mood. It also helps you sleep more easily and restfully. Over the long time, exercise also helps relax tense muscles that may produce secondary pain symptoms. Many fitness programs that emphasize movement or stretching also specifically mitigate certain pain conditions like arthritis or fibromyalgia. Discuss with your doctor any exercise program prior to starting it to prevent additional injury.
  • Physical therapy—although physical therapy may include exercises, there are some key differences. First of all, you will be under the supervision of a medical professional so there should be less risk of injury. Their expertise should also help you focus on specific pain management treatments that are most likely to reduce pain. Secondly, a physical therapist can also offer access to treatments unavailable to the general public like acupressure, ultrasound or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS).  Finally, scheduled physical therapy sessions means that you are more likely to adhere to a rehabilitation program that produces benefits.
  • Therapeutic massage—many people think that a massage is merely a relaxing indulgence, but a massage administered by a qualified medical professional can produce significant pain relief. One of the types of massage that is gaining more support in the medical community is acupressure which applies gentle rubbing or pressure to key points on the body. Not only does this relax muscles and promote the production of endorphins, but it also helps increase circulation, allowing more oxygen and nutrients to reach damaged tissue. Ultimately, enhanced circulation accelerates the healing process. More than one session is usually required to achieve optimal benefits.
  • Mindful meditation—one of the most insidious effects of chronic pain is how it re-wires the brain. Studies show that chronic pain sufferers can lose up to 11 percent of their gray matter, primarily in the prefrontal cortex. This region regulates emotions, and this loss of regulation allows anxiety and fear to predominate thought processes. Stress and fear act to intensify pain feelings. Mindful meditation helps minimize this secondary processing of pain symptoms. Long time practitioners of mindfulness can virtually neutralize pain symptoms entirely.
  • Pain relief medications—almost everyone who encounters pain wants immediate relief which most people equate with medications. Intense pain may compel you to ask your doctor for more potent drugs like opioids, but new research suggests this may not help as much as you think. Not only do opioids make some people more sensitive to pain, but they also interfere with sleep which also amplifies pain symptoms.  More physicians are recommending that chronic pain patients take over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen which have been shown to be as potent for some patients as opioids.

 

Ways to treat pain if it becomes chronic

If acute pain becomes chronic, your doctor will need to overcome some unique challenges.

It is very important to communicate your pain and symptoms with your doctor. Prospira PainCare treat chronic pain by using a multidisciplinary approach.

Your treatment plan can include any of the following techniques:

  • physical therapy
  • chiropractic care
  • pain medications (non-addictive)
  • injections
  • surgery as a last resort

Posted by on – Comments Off on What Are The Components Of A Pain Management Agreement
Posted in Health

Steps To Moving Out Cleaning Of An Apartment On Good Terms

Areas To Look Out For During Your Move Out Cleaning

People come and go from one place to another, and there are a lot of reasons behind it. Typically, you relocate to another city or suburb because you got a better job or business opportunity in that place

In this read, we are going to share with you a comprehensive guide for the critical areas that need serious cleaning before you finally move out of your house, apartment, or condo. Continue reading to find out more.

Ceilings and Crown Moldings

Technically, there are different strategies we can take in starting to clean your apartment or house, yet starting with the upper areas is the common option. With this, those specks of dust that aren’t sucked by the vacuum will drop to your floors for easier vacuuming.

Windows and Blinds

Our house cleaning personnel only uses green window glass cleaners for removing those dust, soil, and grease sticking on windows and frames. To avoid any scratches on your glass window panes, we only use soft microfiber (lint-free) in wiping off debris and dirt.

Furniture and Upholstery

Our highly trained and experienced staff knows the essential cleaning protocols for the sensitive fabrics of your upholstery and wooden or leather furniture. Our standard steps for sanitizing and disinfecting your furniture and upholsteries are the following:

Inspection

Preparing the area for cleaning

Vacuuming

Pre-treatment or spotting of stains

Soil extraction

Final spotting

Drying

Final assessment

 

The Ultimate Move-Out Cleaning Checklist

No matter if you’re relocating to a new apartment or buying a new house, moving can be pretty stressful. When you have a lot on your mind—packing up, picking renters insurance plans, changing your mailing address—cleaning the place you’re moving out of can quickly fall down to the bottom of your to-do list. While hiring a cleaning service can help you check off this task, handling it yourself will save you some money and lets you tackle the cleaning on your own schedule.

Renter’s Guide to Move-Out Cleaning

If you’re a renter, cleaning before you move out is important in order to get your security deposit back and to avoid a cleaning fee from your landlord or the building’s management company. Before you start scrubbing, confirm what the expectations are. Sometimes management will provide their own cleaning list for you, and some leases will even state upfront what the costs will be if the place isn’t properly cleaned before you move out. Below are the move-out cleaning basics you should be sure to cover.

Cleaning Tips

Clean from top to bottom. Just like we recommend for your regular cleaning routine, dust surfaces high up in the room, like ceiling fans or shelves, before cleaning lower surfaces, like floors. This way, you won’t accidentally waft dust onto just-cleaned areas.

Work in stages. Depending upon how large the space is, cleaning all at once may be overwhelming. Break it up into chunks of time, starting with the areas you’ll use the least between now and move-out day, such as a guest bedroom.

Allot time for last-minute cleaning. Even if you clean in advance of move-out day, there are some things you’ll have to clean right before you leave, like the bathroom. Remember that once the furniture is moved out, you’ll likely have to sweep up the dust bunnies that are uncovered.

Move-Out Cleaning Checklist

Dust the ceiling fans

Remove any nails or screws from the walls

If you used hardware to hang up artwork or shelves, now’s the time to remove them and fill the holes with putty.

Clean the windows and wipe window ledges

Wash the doors

Wipe them down with a damp microfiber cloth

Sweep and vacuum, then mop the floors

Dust any vents or exhaust fans

Dust blinds or window treatments (if you’re leaving them)

In the Kitchen

Empty out and clean the refrigerator

Have a cooler ready for any food you want to transport to your new place.

Clean the oven and stovetop

Time to scrub all of the grease splatters off of your stovetop.

Refresh the dishwasher.

Scrub and disinfect the sink (and the garbage disposal, if you have one!)

Wipe down and disinfect the countertops

Clear out the cabinets

 

Move Out Guide

In an effort to help make your move out process go smoothly and to maximize your deposit return, please follow the guidelines enclosed. Deposit returns will be sent within 30 days of your lease expiration. If you do not provide a forwarding address when you return your keys, your deposit will be sent to the last known address.

When you assumed occupancy of your current residence, you found it in a clean and ready to move in condition, unless otherwise stated on your Move-In Inspection report. Due to the very short time period between your move-out date and the new resident’s move-in date, it is imperative that your residence be left in a very clean, move-in ready condition. Any damages needing repair or routine maintenance should be reported prior to vacating the residence.

KEYS:

All apartment keys must be returned

If keys are not returned on time, you will be charged for having the locks replaced.

Tenants not moved out by lease end date will be charged $200.00 a day.

Roommates: Please designate one contact person to return keys and complete the forwarding address form indicating the address where you would like the deposit mailed.

The deposit will be mailed to ONE PERSON ONLY and it will be this person’s responsibility to distribute the refund to the other parties.

Deposits are NOT allowed to be used as a rental payment!

UTILITIES:

All utilities MUST be left on until the day of lease termination date in order to inspect your unit. If they are turned off within that time, the reconnection charge will be billed to your deposit.

ABANDONED PROPERTY:

Any valuable abandoned property – value determined by Lessor – left in a residence after keys have been turned into the office will be stored for 60 days. To recover items, you must pay $50.00/day storage fees plus our cost of packing and storing and any and all outstanding charges on your account. After 30 days, all items will be disposed of and the storage fee will be deducted from the security deposit.

 

Move out cleaning

Before moving out you must clean the apartment properly. Please remember that when moving out from a shared apartment also the shared part of the apartment must be cleaned and all tenants living in the apartment are responsible for this. If the apartment is not properly cleaned, the cleaning costs will be deducted from the deposit or invoiced

Please clean the following:

vacuum/sweep and wipe all the floors, floor lists and thresholds with a detergent

walls

the radiators and the back of the radiators

doors and door frames

setting lists of the windows

sockets and light switches

cupboards and wardrobes (in-and outside)

drawers

the stove, the oven and the back of the stove (pull the stove out of its place)

the hood and the grease filter

fridge and if you are the last one to leave the apartment, defrost the freezer (to avoid the growth of mold in the fridge/freezer, make sure it is properly defrosted and dried and do not close the door after you have switched it off)

kitchen sink, tap and worktop

bathroom taps, floor, drain, walls, sink, cabinet and toilet seat

take all trash to the waste disposal point

 

HOUSE CLEANING GUIDE: TIPS TO TACKLING MOVE OUT DAY

Wait Until You’re Fully Moved Out to Start Your Clean

It’s critical when it comes to move-out cleaning that you wait until your pad is completely empty. Tackling your total clean will feel endlessly easier when you only need to make one final round. Many people make the mistake of starting too soon, ultimately tracking more dirt in and out making more work for yourself. Save the step and fight the urge until the very end.

Move From The Highest To The Lowest Points & Driest To Wettest

This cleaning tip might seem obvious, but how many times have you found yourself cleaning the counters after a full sweep, knocking more crumbs on the ground and cursing yourself? By starting with high dry cleanings like dusting the cobwebs and ceilings, you’ll push the debris onto the ground prepping for a final and full dry sweep and mop to top things off.

Be Sure To Keep Your Electric & Water On

In order to complete a total-clean, be sure to bear in mind that you’ll need an additional day after the furniture moves out for the cleaning necessities. Imagine going to plug in the vacuum or wet the mop only to realize that you’re sorry out of luck?

Commonly Missed Areas

It’s a seemingly standard procedure to be charged by your residential property management for a stained spot or dirt smear at least once in your life. Let’s change that protocol. Oftentimes people forget to clean out the inside of their cabinets and drawers, leaving dirt scum or cookie crumbs. These insignificant details tend to be more significant to property management than you might hope. Air vents also tend to gather a ton of dust over the course of a lease and need attention before move out. Take a duster to those babies and you’ll be in the clear.

Posted by on – Comments Off on Steps To Moving Out Cleaning Of An Apartment On Good Terms
Posted in Cleaning

Ant Control Best Practices

Ant

Have an ant problem? Here’s how to get rid of ants permanently — both inside and outside — using proven, organic and natural control strategies.

As a group, ants are important natural predators of many insect pests including flea and fly larvae, caterpillars and termites. However, there are times when it may be necessary to get rid of an ant problem, especially when they are found in the kitchen searching for food. Some species invade lawns and gardens where they build large unsightly mounds or protect aphids, mealybugs, scales and other insects from their natural enemies. They can also damage plants by tunneling around the roots causing them to dry out.

Identification

Common in and around the home, ants range in size from about 1/32 to 3/4 inch long. They have three body parts (head, thorax and abdomen) and can be anywhere from a yellowish-red in color to black. Most are wingless, but winged forms exist during “swarming” or colony reproduction. Ants have pincer-like jaws and can bite although most do not. A few species are very aggressive and will inflict a painful sting.

Life Cycle

Ants are social insects and live in colonies with three distinct types of adults called castes. Queens are larger than their peers and are responsible for egg laying. Some species have only one queen per colony whereas others have many. Males are responsible for mating with the queens; they do not participate in any other activities. Workers are sterile wingless females. They make up the bulk of the colony and are responsible for building and defending the nest, caring for the young and foraging for food.

How to Control

Like all pests, ants require food and water to survive; by eliminating these basic necessities you can greatly reduce their numbers.

Store food and organic wastes in sealed containers, clean up all kitchen surfaces and empty trash daily.

Caulk cracks and crevices around foundations and apply Don’t Bug Me Spray to door and window jams to prevent entry from outside.

Where pipes and electrical wires enter the house spread Tanglefoot Pest Barrier to keep crawling pests outside.

Diatomaceous earth contains no toxic poisons and works quickly on contact. Dust lightly and evenly around areas where pest insects are found.

Apply Organic Insect Killer Granules around foundations, lawns and landscaped areas to eliminate or repel all kinds of crawling insects.

Dust Boric Acid (Borax) lightly into cracks, crevices, wall voids and other insect hiding places. This fine powder clings to the legs, antennae and bodies of crawling insects and acts as a stomach poison when consumed during grooming.

Spray Orange Guard in and around the kitchen to kill on contact. Approved for organic use, Orange Guard is a broad spectrum insect killer that’s safe to use inside or out. Repeat applications may be necessary.

Safer Ant & Roach Killer is the first effective, truly organic aerosol that kills crawling insects in seconds. Best of all, it has a fresh citrus scent, so there is no chemical odor!

 

How to Kill and Repel Ants Safely

Where there’s one ant, there’s thousands more. This may not bother you so much if you’re picnicking in the great outdoors, but if an ant infestation is occurring in your home, you’ll want to remove the problem fast.

Diatomaceous earth (silicon dioxide)

Diatomaceous earth is a type of silica. It comprises fossilized remains of aquatic organisms called diatoms. Diatomaceous earth isn’t a poison. It kills ants and other bugs by absorbing the oils in their skeletons, which dries them out. Since it’s an irritant, avoid breathing in diatomaceous earth or getting it on your skin.

Glass cleaner and liquid detergent

Combining spray-on glass cleaner with liquid detergent or dish soap can help deter ants from entering your home. It does this by removing the scented pheromone trail they leave behind when they walk. Mix together and spray on areas where ants seem to congregate or originate from. Wipe down the area after spraying, leaving a light residue.

Hand soap

If the scent of glass cleaner bothers you, using hand soap may be enough to remove ants. Soapy water of any kind removes the scent of ant pheromones. Use it on ant trails and points of entry in your home.

Pepper

Since ants seem to find the smell of pepper irritating, you can try black or red (cayenne) pepper as an ant deterrent. This remedy to ant infestation is completely natural and safe. Anecdotal evidence suggests that sprinkling pepper around baseboards and behind appliances may help keep ants at bay.

 

How to Get Rid of Ants Outdoors

Many homeowners think of ant infestations as an indoor problem, but actually, indoor ant problems always start outside. For killing ants outdoors, you need to go to the source of the problem, which is the ant nest/colony. Finding the nest isn’t always easy, but when you do, you can treat it appropriately, as well as put effective preventive measures in place. Learn how to kill ants outside to keep your yard, garden, home free of ants.

RECURRING ANT INFESTATIONS

Maybe you’ve dealt with an indoor ant infestation in your home, later to have ants return later. As you may have guessed by now, that’s because your indoor ant problem was coming from outside. A significant portion of ant infestations result from an anthill (or hills) out in your yard, and this is the source that you need to address. If you think you have a lot of ants inside your home, realize that there might be tens of thousands more outside in their colony ready to head into your home searching for food, water, and possibly to nest. Just when you think you may have gotten rid of your indoor ant problem, remember that queen ants can lay up to thousands of eggs in a single day.

HOW TO PREVENT ANTS OUTDOORS

The best way to control ants (or any other pests, for that matter) is to remove the things they are attracted to, and the conditions in which they thrive. Here are some things you can do outdoors to help minimize, or better yet eliminate, the presence of ants in your yard and garden.

Keep your lawn mowed regularly, and your shrubbery and trees are well-trimmed away from the side of your house.

Make sure firewood is stored at least 20 feet away from your home, and keep your lawn free of grass clippings and other clutter.

If you recycle beverage cans or bottles, make sure they are thoroughly rinsed out before placing them outside in the recycle bin.

KILL ANTS OUTDOORS

Ant bait, bait stations, ant sprays, or a good plant-based insecticide dust are all viable options for killing ants outdoors. Look for ant colonies around the foundation of your home, as well as around logs or large rocks. Indoors, check around baseboards, carpet edges, and under sinks. Treat wherever you observe their activity.

 

HOW TO GET RID OF ANTS WITH NATURAL AND NON-TOXIC ANT CONTROL METHODS

Many homeowners ignore one or two ants when they see them inside. Big mistake. These ants are often scouts for a colony that will eventually infest the home. Learn how to get rid of ants with three steps using natural, non-toxic methods.

Keep Your Home Clean

Food and water attract ants, so keep your home free of crumbs, excess moisture and the like. Start by scrubbing your fridge, stove and dishwasher. Get into all crevices to remove splatters and spills. Pull the appliances away from the wall to sweep and mop underneath, wiping any debris from baseboards and walls. Also wipe down any countertop appliances such as blenders and toasters. Don’t forget to regularly sweep and mop any areas where your family dines, and wipe up after every meal to keep the rooms free of anything that will attract ants.

Practice Organic Insect Control With Non-Toxic Sprays and Insecticides

There are more than a few organic products that promise to keep ants away, including home remedies. One commercial product that works for many homeowners is Orange Guard. The water-based insecticide and repellent uses d-Limonene, aka orange peel extract.

It works on most insects, including ants, roaches, fleas, silverfish, aphids, spider mites, leaf hoppers and scale insects, making it an excellent product for use around the home. And because it contains only edible plant extracts and water, you can use it safely around children and pets. You can even use it on countertops and other areas around food.

Destroying Ant Nests

If despite using the above methods you regularly get visited by ants, figure out what kind they are so you can destroy the nest. For example, the university describes carpenter ants for the purposes of identification and recommends applying an insecticide directly to the nest. Boric acid makes an excellent non-toxic treatment for ants. Simply follow the trail of ants to their nest.

 

The Complete Guide to Getting Rid of Ants – For Good

Ants are kind of like the mother-in-law you don’t get along with. They barge into your home uninvited, and you can’t think of a single polite way to ask them to leave. While these critters are only looking for some food and shelter, they can be a nuisance – and they can contaminate your food.

What Kind of Ants are in My House?

Did you know that there are more than 12,000 species of ants in the world? Fortunately, only a handful of these species are known for invading homes. Because ants are so small, it can be difficult to identify a species just by looking at it. But in most cases, you can tell what type of ant is in your home based on its color and size.

Argentine Ants

Argentine ants are prolific breeders. They’ve managed to reach every continent in the world over just the last century. Individually, these ants are tiny at just 2-3mm in length. But their colonies are huge. Males and queens are larger than the average worker ant, and colonies often have hundreds of queens.

Odorous House Ants

Odorous house ants prefer to build their nests outdoors under stones or mulch. These ants are one of the most common types to invade homes, and they’re attracted to sweets.

Carpenter Ants

Large in size, carpenter ants are common in the United States – and they’re considered structural pests. Black in color, these ants are usually between 0.3″ and 1″ long. Carpenter ants are unique in that they build their nests inside of wood. They actually carve out the wood with their mandibles, and they prefer to build their homes in damp, rotted wood.

Posted by on – Comments Off on Ant Control Best Practices
Posted in Pest Control

Recent Posts