Carpets are a popular floor covering due to
the noise insulation and the warmth they provide in the home, not to mention a
soft landing for toddlers learning to walk. But just like other floor surfaces
they get dirty and need to be cleaned. The trouble is that dirt and dust that
can easily be seen on the hard floor surface is hidden within the carpet
fibres, so it looks cleaner, meaning the carpet may not get cleaned as often as
it should.
Steam cleaning
Having a professional steam clean the
carpet is the best way to get it properly clean as the steam penetrates all the
carpet fibres and lifts the dirt out of them. Any moisture left behind is
sucked up by the cleaning equipment so the carpet ends up being much cleaner
and it can dry out quickly. Most experts recommend this be done on an annual
basis, but much depends on your lifestyle and climate.
Under certain conditions the carpet will
get dirty much more quickly and so will need professional carpet cleaning more
often – even 3-6 monthly is not too much. The carpet should be cleaned more
frequently if
The people who live in your
home suffer from allergies
You have children and inside
pets
You live in a dusty or windy
climate
Mud gets tracked in regularly
The house is surrounded by
plants that have a lot of pollen, such as wattle trees.
The house is in a high smog
area
There are smokers in the house
Vacuuming
In between professional cleaning, you need
to vacuum the carpet and other floor surfaces on a regular basis, depending on
how much foot traffic there is. Weekly or twice weekly for heavy traffic and
fortnightly for light traffic, such as where no one is home all day and there
are no pets. To vacuum a carpet properly you need to go over it slowly to allow
the suction time to lift dirt and dust out from the fibres, unlike a hard floor
that can be swished over quickly.
Spills
If there is a spill on the carpet it should
be attended to immediately, blotting up the moisture with paper towels, then
dab with a moist towel to remove staining. If the carpet gets too wet, leave a
stack of paper towels pressed down with something heavy on it overnight.
Mud
The only stain that should not be attended
to immediately is mud. If mud is tracked onto the carpet, it is better to leave
it until dry, then scrape and vacuum it off. When most of it has been removed,
dampen a towel with a mild solution of detergent to dab at the stain that is
left.
How Often Should You Clean Your Carpets With
Pets?
Pets shed hair and dander, and when they go
in and out of the house they bring in all kinds of dirt and gunk from
outside.
If you’ve got pet traffic, you should steam
clean your carpets every 4-6 weeks. We recommend that you invest in your own
steam cleaner so that you have easy access to it every month. Plus, with most
commercial steam clean rentals at $30/day, even a top of the line steamer will
pay for itself after 10 months.
Between steam treatments, it’s important to
vacuum every day. Though this may sound excessive, it’s necessary. Daily
vacuuming keeps you and your family safe from the bacteria that pets bring in
that can fester in carpets. For those with pets, these are the best vacuums to
purchase.
If you find that your carpet has an odor to
it from pet accidents, try the baking soda method to get rid of the smell. All
you have to do is apply baking soda to any smelly spots on the carpet, let it
sit for 24 hours, and vacuum up the residue.
Best Practices for Keeping Your Carpet
Looking Nice Between Cleanings
1. Vacuuming
Regular vacuuming is one of the most
effective (and cost-effective) ways of removing dirt from your carpeting. Be
sure that you are using the right vacuum and going slowly over the carpet in
both forward/backward and side to side directions. Areas like general offices
areas or corridors should ideally be vacuumed daily, or at least 3-4 times a
week. Lower traffic areas like conference rooms and executive offices can
usually be done once a week.
2. Spot Cleaning
The sooner you can treat a stain spot, the
better your chances of successfully removing it. It is a good idea to have
someone regularly check your carpeting for any stains to spot clean them. You
can also have this done as part of a carpet preventative maintenance program.
3. Preventative Cleaning
The best method to keep your carpet looking
good and lasting long is to have them professionally cleaned at regular
intervals (which may differ for different areas based on the state of the
carpet, usage and traffic). For heavy traffic areas like entrances and halls,
you want preventative cleanings 1-2 times per month. For medium traffic areas
like administrative offices, every 2-3 months is typically sufficient. For
lighter traffic areas like conference rooms, every six months is recommended.
How often should you have preventative
cleaning done?
For heavy traffic areas like
entrances and ground floor halls, you want preventative cleanings 12-24 times a
year. The more the better, but at least once a month.
For medium traffic areas like
administrative offices or above ground halls, 4 times a year (quarterly) is the
ideal frequency.
For lighter traffic areas like
boardrooms and conference rooms, twice a year should do the trick.
Don’t Believe This Common Carpet Cleaning
Myth
There’s a popular myth that cleaning
commercial carpet too frequently will shorten the life of the carpet or make
its appearance worse. This leads some managers not to clean carpet at all or
wait until the carpet is severely soiled.
This myth actually has a bit of truth to it
because extraction cleaning done improperly can lead to a dirtier
carpet—especially where detergent residue is left behind. Residue is a soil
magnet. Carpets with residue will begin to look dirty again within a matter of
days in high traffic, ground floor areas.
But beyond that specific situation, the
“less cleaning is better for your carpet” myth is just that—a myth. In
actuality, the more you clean your carpet (as long as it’s done properly) the
better it will look and the longer it will last.
Obviously, cost also plays a factor. The
more you have your carpet cleaned, the more dollars you need to devote to your
carpet-cleaning budget. So what’s the best approach? How should you clean your
carpet, and how often, to keep it looking good and give it the longest possible
lifespan?
The demand for videography continues to see
a rapid rise, and for a good reason. Gone are the days of blurry camcorder
videos; you can now package your keynote, wedding day, or holiday trip into a
fascinating piece that can be preserved on your PC or hard disk for eternity.
However, when it comes down to the actual task of filming/recording a memory or
adventure, you have to carefully pick someone who is experienced and is going
to do justice to the job.
Deciding who to go with is undoubtedly the
most difficult part of working with a videographer, but it is also the most
essential. If you recruit someone cheap, you take the gamble of perhaps getting
bargain-rate services; but if you do your homework, and leave some wiggle room
in your allocated budget, then you have a better chance of being happy with
your final choice.
So as you’re looking around, here are some
tips for finding the perfect videographer (that may not have crossed your
mind).
1. Look at Their Most Recent Work
Demo reels are ideal to judge the ultimate
potential of a videographer and get your creative juices flowing on what they
could produce, however, look at the most recent work that the person or firm
has delivered. This should give you a good sense of what to expect in your
videos. Base your expectations on their recently produced products, and if
you’re looking for a different style of videography, don’t be afraid to ask.
These are the most common styles that
people search for:
Cinematic: This is the most
common videography style you’d come across in your search. The films produced
with cinematic style videography are like a real movie, stylized and edited as
a classic or modern abstract. Expect the final video to include more sound
bites and intact footage of your event.
Storytelling: This style
utilizes sound bites, both from the recording at another time and from the day
of the event, to tell the story of your event. Similar to how music may be
utilized to deliver an emotional effect in other types of recordings, sound
bites are used in storytelling for dramatic results.
Nostalgic: There is a new trend
to use 8-millilitre, or Super 8 film, to record videos with a vintage flair.
Videographers may use it to record the entire event or blend it with modern
technology to create unique effects.
Visit a videographer’s social media
profiles to see what their most recent projects appear like. Recent work can
paint a more accurate picture of the current talent and video equipment they’ll
bring to your event.
2. Look for Reviews/Testimonials
Some videographers will over-promise to
secure clients and under-deliver the end product. Can your choice of
videographer ensure timely delivery? Does he/she have ample resources to do so?
Here’s how you can verify their reliability and accountability:
Check Reviews: Type their name
in Google and see what people are saying. When you do, you’ll likely come
across varying statements about their work. Reviews can be found on local
business websites, Facebook, and Google My Business. Make sure you thoroughly
check each review as negative reviews are sometimes left on purpose.
Look at Testimonials: You’d be
in a safe zone if you choose someone with positive testimonials about their
work. However, double check if the testimonials are real by calling or emailing
the person who has left the testimonial. It might even be okay to ask for the
project they’ve done for that client for additional verification.
Get A Guarantee: Bind the
videographer and their team in a contract that they’ll dedicate time to your
project and won’t slack until your recording is the embodiment of your vision.
At the end of it, choose someone who
doesn’t require micro-managing at your end.
3. Request That They Pitch Something
Creative
Decent videographers would strive to make
creative pitches that are cut above the rest. It’s how they convince people to
recruit them. However, many won’t make the grade when it comes to offering
something that stands out from the pack. If a videographer is referencing something
that your audience has witnessed before a dozen time, there’s no time in hiring
them to record your event.
But how can you be sure?
Ask them to pitch fresh ideas
before giving them the green light. Again, it’s part of their job to offer you
creative and new options to help you reach your goal.
Ask what’s their level of
familiarity with your industry. It might be best to work with someone who
already knows your niche, as they’ll already know what could cut.
Write a brief, and then deliver
it to potential videographers. Get them to provide suggestions on how they can
promote your event and offer value to your audience in a unique manner.
If your videographer is as good as they
claim to be – there’s no reason to doubt why they can’t bring something pretty
incredible to the table.
4. Inquire About Packages
Like most service providers, videographers
list several packages to help clients receive the exact services they’re
looking for. Packages are great because you get to choose something that both
aligns with your needs and budget.
A common misconception about videography
packages is that you’ll receive full-length footage of all aspects of an event.
While this package is offered as an option by some videographer, it’s likely
that the final product will be an edited and stylized masterpiece that
highlights the best parts of your day. Other popular packages to look for when
hiring a videographer include:
Highlight video: A highlight
video lasts from 2-10 minutes and is based on a modern approach to videography,
where the recruited individual creates a show of cinematic art out of the
moments and activities throughout your event.
Short film: It’s a 10-20
minutes’ reel that is basically an edited version of an event’s footage. It
takes a more linear approach, often showcasing a portion of applause, toasts,
etc. Depending on what add-ons you include, it may also include first look
footage, ready footage, and closing ceremony footage.
Teaser video: We’re sure that
you’ve watched a trailer or two at some point in your life. While, this package
is based on the same concept, but for the movie of your event! It’s often
accompanied by a short film and includes a brief highlight by the videographer
as they continue to craft and refine the final product. Some packages list
teaser videos as an add-on.
Full documentary: If you want
the videographer to capture the majority of your event, go with this option. It
involves creating longer length videos that include whole sections of your
event.
Add-ons: Popular add-ons include
360 coverage with a drone, raw footage (unedited footage of happenings),
greetings from audiences, and rehearsal coverage.
Don’t get skimpy over the price, as the
video is something that you will keep forever and want to replay years down the
track. You don’t want to be regretting paying for the wrong package just
because the price was low. Consider the amount of love and effort videographers
place into editing and composing your videos along with the day they spend with
you, and judging by their past work, consider the package as a lifelong
investment.
Location of the videographer
One of the very first things you need to
consider before hiring a videographer for your events is to determine the
location and movement of the videographer. Before we move on, do well to know
that a videographer is in charge of recording or capturing the live footage of
your event.
Why is the location of your videographer
important? In the course of event planning, you have to decide if you’re hiring
remotely or locally. In the case of a wedding documentary, hiring remotely may
not work. However, there’s an exception if you can finance the hotel expenses
of the videographer. So, the best thing to do while preparing your project
brief is to state your preference. You should add the location you prefer, or
state that you’re open to freelancers.
One videographer may not be enough
Have you ever considered capturing all the
happenings in your event, but you feel it’s not possible? If yes, it’s best you
know that two or more videographers may do the trick. A single-camera may not
be sufficient to capture all the details, and you don’t want to look back and
have major regrets.
To avoid regrets, you should consider
whether you should hire more than one videographer. So, if you want to film a
live event such as a wedding, you need more than one video camera to capture
different angles. To achieve this, you have to hire different videographers.
Sometimes, videographers work as a crew, which makes the job straightforward.
However, if you find an independent one, you should ask if they’ve worked with
any other in the past. This makes it easy for you to hire a second
videographer.
Ask If They Have Multiple Options to Deliver
Deliver is another vital aspect to consider
when selecting a videographer. It primarily refers to the way in which the
footage and the film will be delivered. Most videographers have their method,
but you may want to explore the following methods of delivery when deciding
which vendor to work with.
Dropbox
Hard drive (external)
Pen Drive or USB Stick
Burned DVD
In addition to delivering the footage for
hour personal use, the videographer may upload your video on a video streaming
website for online viewing. Most will host recordings on YouTube and video.
However, online display is often available for a specified period. Some
videographers will host the video indefinitely, while others will offer just
one year of online hosting. This is one of the things to explore in your
selection process, as well as what happens in the case the video is taken down.
Great videographers will also offer
guidance on online deployment, as well as how to produce successful videos. We
mean – you already know, getting your hands on the video is one thing but
ensuring it plays the best way and in the best place is something entirely
different (and a little tricky for novices to pull off)
Portfolio, quality, and style
Before hiring a videographer, you should
ascertain your style and that of the videographer. Do you want your video in a
documentary, or cinematic style, or you want a taste of both? Now is the time
to make a vital decision. The need for this information is because you need to
grasp the unique style of your videographer. You also want to make sure their
style is similar to your preference.
If you want a romantic video, your
videographer has to come up with something of this sort so you both would be on
the same page at the end of the agreement. Remember, you’ll be spending a
reasonable amount of cash on a videographer; you don’t want to be left
disappointed.
Another thing you should do is to ask for
samples of portfolios of their previous work. This is important because it
gives you a taste of the videographer’s style and professionalism.
Questions To Ask A Videographer Before
Hiring Them
Videographers are responsible for recording
live events and video productions. Unlike cinematographers, videographers focus
on small-scale productions and are often the camera operators—overseeing a
project from start to finish.
Videographers who collaborate with brands
are known as corporate videographers. Their role is to produce video
documentation that advances and promotes the brand.
For brands, it’s essential to get this
collaboration right.
That’s why we’ve compiled a complete
breakdown of the 32 most important questions to ask a videographer before
hiring them:
1. How long have you been filming corporate
productions?
If you’ve developed a great product or
service, video content can increase awareness and generate sales. Therefore,
it’s important to hire an experienced videographer.
2. What makes you qualified for the work?
This question works best in conjunction
with the previous one. It’s important that the videographer is confident in
their experience.
3. Do you understand our business?
Videographers must understand your business
to be able to explain it to prospective customers. If they can’t identify your
USP, how can they translate the video into sales?
4. How important is video marketing?
Good videographers do more than creating a
video. It’s important for them to understand that a video is part of your
brand’s larger marketing campaign.
5. How do you decide whether a video is a
success or not?
This will provide more information on their
understanding of video marketing. A video’s success should be measured against
marketing metrics like engagement rates.
6. Can you provide samples of previous
client work?
It’s important to see previous corporate
work they’ve done for clients and feel inspired or excited. Focus on the
production value of their work.
7. What other projects are you working on?
If a videographer is getting a lot of work,
it’s a testament to the standard of their productions.
8. How many videos do you produce each
month?
Videographers that produce a lot of videos
will be experts—but might not have close customer service.
9. What videos in your portfolio are you
most proud of and why?
Video is a creative medium. It’s important
to work with people who are proud of being creative. Look for creative risks
that have brought previous projects to life.
10. What’s one of the biggest mistakes you
have made during a project, and how did you deal with it?
A left-field question—but the best
videographers embrace mistakes as opportunities to learn and improve. It’s
important to see examples of this process in action.
How the Right Attorney Can Make a Huge
Impact on Your Dog Bite Case
Dog attacks are terrifying, even if you
don’t get bitten. It makes you feel like you’re the wildebeest chased down by
lions on a nature show. Sadly, the most fearsome aspects of many dog bites are
the disfiguring scars and emotional trauma victims can be left with forever
after a pet turned predator gets his fill of you.
It’s especially bad when the victim is a
child.
The first hurdle is finding out if there’s
insurance to cover it. It’s usually the dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance
policy, but that doesn’t make it easy to get a proper settlement. Here’s why
it’s a good idea to hire an experienced dog bite attorney to help you:
You don’t know the right
settlement amount to aim for—and it could be way more than you think. Valuing a
case is a complex science based on many factors. Critical factors that can make
the value of a dog attack case change dramatically include future plastic
surgery to fix scarring, emotional harm, and whether your case has the
potential for punitive damages.
You don’t know how to negotiate
with the insurance company. Negotiating with an insurance company is just
bizarre to most folks. I’ve represented businesspeople who negotiate for a
living but just can’t understand it. In the face of shockingly low offers and
totally unfounded reasons given for them, you’ve got to keep a cool head and
not get emotionally involved. That’s extremely hard when you’re the victim. It
just naturally clouds your judgment in a decision with potentially lifelong
implications. An experienced attorney leaves you out of these intense
conversations to forge a clear path to resolving your case.
You don’t know how to develop a
compelling presentation to convince the insurance company to settle. All injury
case negotiation is geared toward one thing: you can prove it at trial. If you
don’t know what to prove or how to prove it under the rules of evidence,
prepare to walk away almost empty-handed with no one to blame but you.
You don’t know how to handle
medical evidence. To get a good settlement, you’ve got to handle medical
evidence the right way. It can drive your settlement amount, but you’ve got to
know what’s important. It’s vital to investigate and present future medical
needs the right way. With future plastic surgery and ongoing counseling as part
of your life, a skilled attorney can help get you a settlement to cover it.
“What Should I Do If A Dog Bites Me
Contact the police – Dog bite
injuries often become complicated because people have conflicting stories about
what happened. Let the police interview everyone and decide the truth.
Take photographs – The more
evidence you have, the better. Photographs can serve as valuable evidence in
your case. Take photos of your injury, the dog, where the dog was kept and
anything else that seems important. Evidence builds strong cases.
Take notes – Write down the
time of the dog attack, where it took place, if there was a fence keeping the
dog on the property or other important information.
Talk to witnesses – If you see
someone you saw the dog bite you or your loved one, get their full name,
address and phone number. You or the police might need to interview them again
for more information.
Talk to the dog owner – Simply
get the full name, address and phone number of the dog owner. This information
could prove to be crucial during the investigation.
Seek medical attention – Even
if the dog bite does not seem serious, let a doctor decide. What might seem
like a minor injury could be much worse.
Contact us – Let our
experienced Pennsylvania dog bite attorneys work with you and help you build a
strong case.
Why You Should Hire a Dog Bite Lawyer
Dogs are the best man’s friends and pets,
but sometimes they can attack people and cause serious injuries. Some of these
attacks can cause a lot of suffering and pain to the affected persons. Anyone
who has been bitten by dogs should seek immediate medical attention. Victims of
dog attacks can get the right compensation from dog owners by hiring experienced
and aggressive dog bite lawyers.
Professionals have excellent negotiation
skills and can help you in filing your case and thus ensure that the matter is
resolved as quickly as possible.
They are Experienced and Knowledgeable
Experience is one of the main benefits that
you can get by working with a professional dog bite lawyer. These lawyers are
well versed in all the local laws pertaining to animal control. In most cases,
the pet owner is held accountable when his dog bites or harms a person. The lawyer
hired can adequately prepare your cases and ensure that the dog owner fully
compensates you. He can also help you claim all the money you have incurred in
terms of medical costs.
They Have Access to Useful Resources
Dog bite attorneys have access to plenty of
resources to support your cases. For instance, they can hire investigators to
gather the evidence needed to prove that the pet owners were indeed negligent
for the attack. In essence, it required a team to handle some of the complex
matters.
They Can Prepare for Your Defense
Some dog owners can confuse victims of dog
attacks and even sue them for negligence. It is, therefore, important to hire
an experienced dog bite attorneys to sue the dog owners. He or she can ask the
dog owners in the courtroom to prove that the owner was negligent and,
therefore, responsible for the incident. Anyone who wants to get a fair dealing
should seek the services of the professionals.
Have Excellent Negotiation Skills
Professional lawyers are well-trained and
have good negotiation skills. These are guys who can comfortably deal with
other lawyers and insurance companies. This means that they can fight for their
clients’ best interests and, in particular, dog attack victims.
Dog Bite Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I expect from my dog bite
personal injury claim?
In 2014, the average dog bite home
insurance claim was $32,018. This is an increase of nearly $5,000 over claims
made in 2013. New York State had the highest reported average at a whopping $56,628
per claim.Since no two cases are the same, nor two injuries, you should not
expect to receive this much if you’ve been bitten by a dog. Dog bite
settlements depend on the severity of the attack and the length of medical
treatment required. For more information contact an attorney at The Advocates
Law. We’ll answer all of your questions.
Who is responsible for my dog bite injury?
Dog bite cases can become rather complex
and the relevant law tends to vary from state to state, and even from one
county to the next. For further information contact The Advocates. Our
attorneys are experts in dog bite law.
How long does a dog bite case typically
take to settle?
The short answer is months, if not years.
If your case is clear cut and liability is easy to determine, then your case
could settle out of court and be concluded within 4 to 12 months.If your case
does go into litigation, then it may not settle for a number of years. The
discovery phase following the filing of lawsuit can be anywhere between 6 to 12
months. The good news is that most personal injury cases never go to trial.
Is It Necessary to Hire a Dog Bite Lawyer if
I’m Bitten by a Dog?
Only one percent of dog bite victims who
suffer injuries receive compensation. Even if there is a rock-solid case, you a
need dog bite lawyer to have any chance of earning damages. Just because you
hire a lawyer, though, does not mean the case is going to court.
It is no secret that court cases can be
expensive. More often than not, it is in the best interests of all parties
involved to settle the dispute out of court. According to a government survey,
97 percent of civil suits end out of court or without a trail, with plaintiffs
receiving $4.4 billion in damages annually.
If you and the other party decide you want
to settle out of court, a dog bite lawyer will be there to represent you during
the negotiating process. These negotiations require the same meticulous and
persuasive maneuvering as the courtroom, but without the same legal stakes. A
lawyer will ensure you receive a fair deal by maximizing leverage and dictating
the agenda.
Of course, not every case can be settled
out of court. If you believe your lawsuit should go to court, a dog bite lawyer
can make sure you have the materials and evidence to win. Having a lawyer can
provide an accurate picture of the legal process, which will go a long way
toward minimizing stress and hassles.
The
choice of whether or not to hire a dog bite lawyer is a case-by-case
consideration. If there is a significant injury, at a bare minimum, you should
have a complimentary consultation with a lawyer. This meeting will assess your
chance of winning based on evidence, witness testimonial, and other elements of
proof.
If I Remodel My Home, Do I Need an
Electrical Upgrade too?
People are updating their kitchens, their
bathrooms, their home offices, etc. with remodeling plans they’ve been dreaming
about for a few years now. But with these remodels, these questions always come
up:
Do I need an electrical upgrade during my
remodel?
Should I get an electrical upgrade at the
same time, before, or after the remodel?
Good questions, the answers to which
largely depend on the home and the remodeling projects being done. But the
majority of the time, the answers are:
Yes, you probably need an electrical
upgrade, and…
It’s usually more cost effective and safer
to do the electrical upgrade at the same time as the remodeling project.
Of course, your home or circumstance may be
different, but more often than not, you’ll want to take an electrical upgrade
into account if you’re doing any major remodeling project in your home,
particularly when it comes to kitchens, bathrooms, home offices, entertainment
rooms or additions.
Why Do I Need an Electrical Upgrade with My
Remodeling Project?
it’s possible your home has actually needed
an electrical upgrade for awhile now, depending on when you last had it done.
Not only have our electrical demands increased over the years, but the building
codes dictating how electrical work is done in homes have also changed to
address those increases over the years. If your home isn’t currently up to
code, adding new appliances, additional space, outlets, switches, etc. may well
require an electrical upgrade in order to keep your home safe, efficient and up
to local building codes.
Bathrooms, Kitchens, Workshops, Home
Offices and Entertainment Rooms Need More Power
Kitchens and bathrooms are two of the most
popular types of remodeling projects, but many families are adding rooms,
updating their home offices, adding workshops, etc. All of these new additions
or remodels require upgraded, more efficient electrical wiring, and possibly a
new electrical panel.
Let’s just discuss the kitchen for a
moment, as an example. In older homes, kitchens often didn’t have that many
outlets because there weren’t as many small appliances and gadgets in use.
Fridges and ovens were smaller and didn’t pull as much juice as today’s larger models
either. Today’s building codes require an outlet ever 6 feet away—but we find
that for many of our customers, they need outlets spaced around 4 feet from
each other
REMODELING & RENOVATION ELECTRICIAN
SERVICES
Upgrading your house is an exciting and
wonderful moment in the homeowner’s journey. Whether you’re working through a
general contractor or overseeing the construction project on your own, you’ll
need to bring in an electrician to plan, install, and change up your electrical
system
Remodeling your home is a big deal, and you
want an electrical contractor that will treat it as important as you do.
Electric delivers on your remodeling project expectations by properly mapping
out the electrical system with your planned remodeling vision (while also
coordinating with the other trade contractors involved in the project).
Handle Electrical Permitting
If you need to add a circuit, you’ll need a
contractor who can pull a permit (which will also require updating the smoke
detector system up-to-code in older homes).
Out With The Old, In With The New
Our goal in the process is to ensure the
things you care about are known and planned out before, during, and at the
completion of your remodeling or renovation project. If you’re updating an
older home, it’s also common and often advisable to update older aspects of the
house including breakers, panels, fixtures, and wiring while you’re already
making changes.
Here are some of the many electrical
options you have for your home construction project.
Service panels (temporary poles and
permanent panels)
Proper electrical grounding
Wall wiring (or rewiring)
Smoke detectors
Circuit breakers
GFCI outlets
Ceiling fans & fixtures
Outlets, dimmers & switches
Indoor & outdoor lighting
Pendant & under-cabinet lighting (for
kitchen remodels)
Smart home features (smart outlets,
switches, and dimmers)
Low Voltage Wiring
How Much Does It Cost To Install Electrical
Wiring Or A Panel?
Electrical Wiring Cost
Electrical wiring for your home costs
$1,327 on average. Wiring or rewiring typically falls between $534 and $2,121.
This will depend on how much, what type of work you need done, and how long it
will take an electrician to complete.
Installing wiring and panels or rewiring a
home’s existing electrical system are potentially hazardous home projects. Hire
a licensed professional to get the job done safely and correctly.
Electrical Wiring Installation Costs
The average cost of electrical wiring falls
between $534 and $2,121. How much you pay will depend on three main factors:
the price of the electrical wires themselves, the cost of other materials (like
panels), and your electrician’s hourly rate. Your pro should provide all the
tools and materials needed to complete the job. These factors will vary depending
on where you live as well as the complexity of the project.
Average Wiring Costs per Square Foot
New wires typically range from $6 to $8 per
foot. For an additional $2 per foot, you can invest in structured wiring:
heavy-duty electrical and data cables designed for modern entertainment and
communication devices.
A bid from an electrician will probably not
list a separate charge for wiring. In a home where electrical service is
already accessible, pros charge a set fee per opening. Openings include switches,
receptacles, and fixture boxes. If you want to know exactly what kind of wiring
your pro is using and how much you are being charged for the service, you may
need to ask.
Residential Electrician New Construction
& Remodel
provides electrician and electrical
contractor services for home remodeling. Whether you are doing a room addition,
creating an inviting outdoor living space, adding a home theatre, or
undertaking a substantial renovation of your home, you should work with an
experienced, licensed, and Better Business
New Home Construction
In-house electrical plan layout and design
New construction wiring
Custom home wiring
Interior lighting systems
Home automation system wiring
Appliance installation
Home theatre wiring
Home network / data cabling
GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter)
plugs
Surge protection
Ceiling fan installations
Dimmer switches
Recessed can lighting
Track lighting
Spa and pool wiring
Landscape & security lighting
Generator installation
Home Remodeling
Electrical troubleshooting
Electric panel upgrades
Electric service upgrade
Electric breakers and fuses
Interior lighting
Electrical plugs and switches
Tamper proof plugs
GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter)
plug
Surge protection
Appliance installation
Under cabinet kitchen lighting
Recessed can lighting
Home theatre wiring
Data cabling and home networking
Pool and hot tub wiring
Landscape lighting
Security lighting
Residential backup generators
Electrical wiring of garages, barns,
workshops
Riding arena lighting
Riding arena wiring
EXPERT PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Remodeling your home is a big investment.
We know because we’ve been there. We work with you every step of the way to
make sure your vision becomes reality without unnecessary stress or costs.
Getting quality electrical work and good
value is just part of the story. You deserve friendly, prompt service from an
electrical contractor who respects your time and home. That’s the Momentum
difference.
Feel confident during your remodeling
project knowing that Momentum has every electrical detail covered. We know the
investment of time, money, and imagination you’ve put into designing your dream
home. From energy efficiency to smart homes or just better looking lighting, we
are there to help.
Whether working directly for you, or
through a general contractor, Momentum keeps you up-to-speed on every aspect of
your project, clarifying details and checking your satisfaction in real time.
Our proactive approach and team spirit will take the guesswork out of the
design and installation of your electrical system.
Correct well construction together with
continued maintenance are essential for the safety of private drinking water
wells. Information on proper well construction can be found with the water-well
contractor licensing agency, local health department, or local water system
professionals.
Placement and construction of new wells
must meet state and local regulations and may be surveyed by the local health
department. There are strict rules about locating drinking water wells near
drain fields, livestock and septic tanks. The locations of wells should be
such, that rainwater flows away from it. Bacteria and chemicals on the land’s
surface may be picked up by rainwater and transferred to the well, resulting in
contamination.
Private wells are not protected by the Safe
Water Drinking Act as the EPA’s rules only apply to public drinking water
systems. Primary responsibility lies with the individual well owners to ensure
the safety of the water drawn from their wells. The government’s health
protections for water systems complies with federal and state regulations of
frequent analysis, testing and reporting of results and does not benefit
private household wells.
3 Reasons You Should Test Your Well Water
Are you wondering whether or not to get
your water tested? Here are a few reasons:
1. Pregnant women, nursing women, infants,
and elderly are more susceptible to illness and, therefore, should avoid
suspicious water sources.
2. Bad water worsens certain health issues.
For example, the bacteria found in unfiltered water can exacerbate
gastrointestinal problems.
3. Chemicals and contaminants can seep in.
Water sources located near farms, factories and waste disposal sites may become
contaminated with dangerous pollutants.
Well Water Testing
We can help you discover the facts about
the quality of your well water. Our inspectors can test your water for bacteria
and nitrates as well as any other contaminants. We will provide you with the
information you need to keep your family safe.
Water Testing
You rely on water for hundreds of uses each
day. It’s important to know that it’s safe. You immerse your body in water when
you bathe. You inhale steam when you shower and you give water to your pets.
Water quenches your thirst and you use it to prepare even the simplest meals.
If your water supply contains harmful contaminants, you need to know so you can
take steps to eliminate the problem.
water testing service helps you feel more
confident about selling or buying a home. If you’re preparing to market your
home, you can take steps to eliminate any problems we find. If you’ve made an
offer on a home, your water potability results can help you decide whether or
not you should go through with the deal.
Comprehensive Water Testing
inspector takes samples at your home and
delivers them to a certified testing lab for analysis. Depending on a home’s
water source, the water may be subject to a number of different contaminants.
For more meaningful results, we tailor our testing to the source.
City Source Water Testing
Basic profile test – This test panel
includes results for coliform E.coli bacteria, chlorine, chloride, fluoride,
nitrite-N, nitrate-N, pH, odor, color, turbidity, calcium, magnesium, total
hardness, iron, manganese, sodium, sulfate, and copper.
Lead – The lead in a home’s water supply
may be due to plumbing or water lines. Because it’s odorless, colorless, and
tasteless, testing is the only way to detect lead. Exposure may cause physical
and developmental problems.
Well Water Testing
Basic profile
Lead
Arsenic – High arsenic levels in a well
water supply can be a result of drilling a well through bedrock. Arsenic is a
known carcinogen with no smell or taste. Testing is the only way to determine
its presence.
Uranium –
Deep bedrock wells are susceptible to contamination by naturally
occurring uranium. Uranium can cause kidney damage and testing is the only way
to determine if well water is uranium free.
Radon – Radon is a radioactive gas which
occurs naturally in local soil and rock. It’s a known contributing factor to
lung cancer. As its colorless, odorless, and tasteless, testing is the only way
to confirm radon in a water supply.
Volatile Organic Compounds – VOCs in water
may contain carbon, hydrogen, and other elements. You may notice an odor in the
air as they vaporize. VOCs may cause a wide range of adverse health effects.
Water Testing
For the public’s protection, Congress
enacted the Clean Water Drinking Act in 1974 and strengthened it in 1986,
setting minimum water quality standards for most homeowners. Unfortunately,
however, there is no guarantee that all utilities comply with the regulations.
Enforcement is difficult on national, state
and local levels; not all known contaminants are on the list; and all testing
isn’t necessarily accurate. Having your water tested will let you know if there
is lead in it or if it contains other contaminants. If lead levels are greater
than 15 parts per billion (ppb), action is highly recommended. Testing is the
only way to tell if there are harmful levels of lead or other contaminants in
your drinking water.
YOU SHOULD CONSIDER TESTING YOUR WATER IF:
-You use water from a private well. Germs
and chemicals can get into your well water and contaminate it in different ways.
Some germs and chemicals occur naturally. Heavy metals like arsenic, lead, and
cadmium are naturally found in rocks and soil and sometimes seep into ground
water whichs ends up inside your well water. Other contaminants come from human
and animal waste resulting from polluted storm water runoff, agricultural
runoff, flooded sewers, or individual septic systems that are not working
properly and will seep into your well water. I’d want to know my drinking water
is safe, so testing on it an annual basis will keep you and your family from
becoming sick from your well water.
-Your home has lead pipes (pipes are a dull
gray color, soft enough to be scratched with a knife or key). Your home
inspection report will always indicate the type of pipes that are supplying
your water.
-Your home has older copper plumbing and /
or chrome-plated or brass fixtures.
-You see signs of corrosion from your water
(frequent leaks, rust-colored water, stained sinks, dishes or laundry).
Home Inspections will gladly draw a sample
of your tap water and have our independent certified lab analyze your water for
any unhealthy levels of contaminants. I will contact you with the water test
results within two days. (Pricing does vary. Simply click “Optional
Services”, then scroll down to “Water Quality Analysis” to view
testing levels and pricing).
If (after testing) you find that the levels
of any contaminants are high, then you need to take action immediately.
Depending on the pollutants involved, your next steps may vary. You may need to
install a water treatment device, such as a reverse osmosis system, a
distillation system, an aeration system or an activated carbon filter
Drinking Water Testing Advice
Should You Have Your Water Tested? The
question of whether or not to have your water tested is a serious one that
concerns the health of you and your family.
Your water should be safe to drink and
acceptable for all other household uses. in addition to illness, a variety of
less serious problems such as taste, color, odor and staining of clothes or
fixtures are symptoms of water quality problems. Even water that appears
problem-free may not necessarily be safe or acceptable.
Not everyone needs to test their water and
it is impractical and unnecessary to test for all possible contaminants. This
fact sheet provides a few guidelines for deciding whether or not to have your
water tested, and if so, what tests would be appropriate for your situation.
Your Cooperative Extension agent can offer you further assistance and
information.
Supplies, Should You Test Your Municipal
Water Supply?
Many homeowners get water simply by turning
on the faucet and making a monthly payment to a municipal water system. others
provide their own water. Your water supply is either public (you and others are
connected to the same water system) or private (you supply your own water).
Public water systems draw water from rivers, reservoirs, springs or ground
water wells. Most private drinking water comes from wells, though springs and
ponds are sometimes used.
If your water comes from a public or
municipal water system your water is regularly tested for contaminants
regulated by Federal and state standards, such as pathogens, radioactive
elements and certain toxic chemicals.
Watch out: However, some public water
supplies may have water quality problems caused by inadequate municipal water
treatment facilities or distribution systems. For example, at PUBLIC MUNICIPAL
WATER TESTS we include research citations describing Cryptosporidium and
Giardia contaminants found in some public water supplies in various countries.
Some rural water supply districts do not
have enough money to hire trained specialists or to immediately comply with
expanding government requirements. In addition, corrosive water or
deteriorating pipes in the house may add contaminants to municipal drinking
water after it enters your home.
Well Water Testing
Water tapped by a private well is often of
the highest quality. When buying a home with a private well, your home
inspection should include a water quality test. Many tests are available. If a
test item is not on the list of commonly used test lists we can put you in
contact directly with the lab for custom testing combinations
Drinking Water Test Kits
FHA/VA ( Epa Parameters)
Bacteria, E. coli, pH, Iron, 1st Draw Lead,
2nd Draw Lead, MBAS, Total Solids, Nitrate/Nitrites
State of Delaware (includes County
Complete) Bacteria, pH, Nitrate, Iron, Chloride
Turbidity:
Provides a standard means for measuring dirtiness of water.
Color:
Color in water results from the presence of metals, organic matter, and
other dissolved or suspended materials.
Odor:
Odor is recognized as a quality factor affecting the acceptability of
drinking water (and foods prepared with it).
PH:
Sometimes used in fresh water as the indicator of corrosiveness. Dissolved carbon dioxide often causes water
to become a mild acid which causes degradation of plumbing systems and
fixtures, pH of 7 is considered neutral, less than 7 acids, above 7 alkalines.
Nitrate:
High levels of nitrates in water indicate biological wastes in the final
stages of stabilization or run-off from heavily fertilized fields. Drinking waters containing excessive amounts
of nitrates can cause infant methemoglobinemia (blue babies).
Nitrite:
Nitrites are not often found in surface waters because they are readily
oxidized to nitrates. The presence of
large quantities of nitrites indicates partially decomposed organic wastes in
the water being tested.
Iron:
Iron in domestic water supply systems stains laundry and porcelain,
causing more of a nuisance than a potential health hazard.
Manganese:
Occurs naturally in many areas.
Presents more of a usability problem than a health hazard. Causes dark stains in plumbing systems and
laundry. Causes bad tastes and coats the
interior of pipes and valves.
Chloride:
High chloride concentrations in water are not known to have toxic
effects on human beings, though large amounts may act corrosively on metal
pipes and be harmful to plant life.
Detergents:
Causing foaming problems. Does not usually occur naturally. The most common source is domestic usage eg:
wash water, drain fields, etc.
Hardness:
From the domestic standpoint, hard water consumes excessive quantities
of soap, forming curds and depositing a film on hair, fabrics, and glassware.
Waters with a total hardness in the range
of:
0 to 60 mg/l = soft
60 to 120 mg/l = medium hard
120 to 180 mg/l = hard
above 180 mg/l = very hard
Total Coliform: This is the most common and basic test for
health hazard bacteria contamination.
This test indicates the sanitary condition of a water supply Coliform
Bacteria should not be present in a drinking water supply. Results are given as the number of colonies
per 100 ml of water. Acceptable levels are not more than 0 per 100 ml.
Fecal Coliform: The fecal coliform test will differentiate
between coliforms of fecal origin (intestines of warm-blooded animals) and
coliforms from other sources.
Although some people find employment in
entry-level accounting positions (such as bookkeeper or clerk) without earning
a diploma, most accounting professionals hold at least a four-year bachelor’s
degree. Some choose to pursue more education and go on to become certified
public accountants.
If you’re just starting out your school
journey—or returning after an absence—you’re in the right place. Here are the
accounting education options to get you started on the path to success in the
field:
AA
Associate’s Degree
Available online or in a traditional
classroom, this degree provides a solid grounding in the fundamentals of
accounting and accounting technology. It can pave the way to an entry-level
position with an organization’s finance and administration team, such as
billing clerk, accounts receivable clerk or staff bookkeeper.
Time commitment: one to two years
BS
Bachelor’s Degree
Almost all staff accounting positions
require a bachelor’s degree, which is available online, in a traditional
classroom, or some combination of the two. Specific courses will depend on the
school you choose, but expect to study the principles of accounting, business
communications, accounting technology, business law and more.
Time commitment: up to four years,
depending on your previous college credits
M
Master’s in Accounting
After a few years in the field, you might
decide to move up the accounting ranks into a more challenging role. The
master’s in accounting degree opens the door to management-level jobs in a huge
variety of industries, from banking to construction to high tech.
Time commitment: one to two years
CPA
Getting Certified: CPA
Are your long-term sights set on becoming a
Certified Public Accountant (CPA)? After earning 150 credit hours in a master’s
degree program, you’ll be eligible in most states to sit for the rigorous CPA
exam. Then you’ll need to work under the supervision of a licensed CPA to prove
your stuff. Once you’ve successfully met these challenges, the path to senior
accounting roles is open.
Online Accounting Degrees
Already juggling a busy life full of work
and family commitments? Consider online accounting classes, designed with
working adults in mind. The online option is:
Flexible – Many online schools
have year-round, rolling start dates. No more waiting around for spring
semester to start!
Efficient – With short classes,
weekly homework deadlines and no need to commute, you can adjust your study
schedule to accommodate family and work obligations.
Mobile – Thanks to mobile apps
and interfaces, you can access online classes just about anywhere there’s an
Internet connection.
Affordable – The online option
might save you money. There’s no need to relocate, and the tuition cost can be
lower than on-campus programs.
How Business Accounting Works
People are starting their own businesses
every day. If you’re thinking about joining them, you probably have a vision of
what you want that business to be. What may excite you about your business is the
product or service you have to offer, the success that you imagine, and the
freedom of lifestyle that you are sure will come — in time. What may bore or
even frighten you is the plethora of numbers you have to wrestle with. You will
be asked business questions that may elicit a blank stare as your response.
Cash accounting? Accrual basis? Profit and loss statement? Projections? Huh?
Whether you want to create fine oil
paintings or sell pork bellies on the street, your business will require some
form of accounting. That term alone can cast a glaze over the brightest eyes,
but in this article, we’ll show you that accounting is a process larger than
crunching your numbers. It is a tool that will help you “account for”
what your business has done, is doing, and hopes to do in the future.
Accounting can be a bit like painting a picture, and a little like solving a
puzzle. Despite its bad press, it can actually be fun.
Keys to Success
The first step to making accounting fun is
to get a grip on the terminology. If your heart skips a beat when someone asks
about your balance sheet, you can calm yourself by learning exactly what a
balance sheet is and how it can help you. We’ve added a glossary of accounting
terms at the end of this article to get you over the hump.
Second, realize that accounting is more
than numbers. It includes databases of your customers, your vendors, and your
employees, if you have them. The information you keep on these people and
companies will help you track your business and plan your future. With proper
accounting, you might discover that people in the Florida Keys buy barrels of
pork bellies in February. You can legitimately plan a sales trip for the entire
month. See? This is getting interesting.
Third, the key to successful accounting is
in the establishment of your accounting system and the reliable input of data.
You will set up a system that is uniquely yours. Recording the transactions and
information is called bookkeeping, and it must be done regularly. You won’t get
a good picture of your company if the paint (data) is stored in boxes in the
basement. There is nothing harder than the task of going back to find and key
in reams of old information. When you do, you stand a good chance of getting
something wrong.
How Can Accounting Help Your Business?
Accounting doesn’t just make life easier at
tax time and give you a better idea of how your business is doing financially.
Accurate accounting can also make you more attractive to clients. Here are some
common ways proper accounting can help make your business more valuable for
your clients:
1. FINANCIAL STABILITY
When your business finances are in order,
you have an accurate view of how much money is coming and going. You can also
create more accurate forecasts for future revenue and expenses, so you can make
sure you have enough cash reserves to float you through any tough times.
With stable business finances, you can
offer your clients a consistent, positive experience. You won’t need to cut
costs unexpectedly because money is tight, so you won’t suddenly cut down on
employees or take on so much new business that the quality of your work
suffers.
2. GREATER EFFICIENCY
Proper accounting offers you up-to-date
financial data about your business. And that can help you make crucial
decisions about the need for, and timing of, new business investments. Could
new equipment make you work faster? Could it mean you deliver better service to
your clients?
Accurate financial data helps you decide
whether it’s the right time to invest more cash in your company and how those
expenses will affect your cash flow.
3. SMARTER MARKETING
Financial records offer you insights into
your expenses and cash flow, which in turn can help you make better decisions
about marketing your business.
Accurate accounting information can help
you decide the right time to launch a marketing campaign and understand whether
your marketing efforts are delivering the results you want.
What Are the Basics of Small Business
Accounting?
Now that you’ve got a handle on how
accounting can help your business, you’re ready to dive into the basic
principles of small business accounting. There are three main areas of
effective small business accounting:
1. MASTER BASIC BOOKKEEPING
Don’t let the name intimidate you:
bookkeeping just refers to keeping track of your business transactions, from
revenues to payments. One of your main business goals is probably to make
money, and to do that, you’ll need to know how your income compares to your
costs. Proper bookkeeping can help by:
Letting you know if you’re
making a profit, or if you’re on track to do so
Telling you whether you’re in
danger of running out of money
Simplifying tax season by
recording information you’ll need to file taxes
2. FILE YOUR BUSINESS TAX RETURNS
Tax season can be a stressful time for
freelancers and small business owners, and for good reason: filing taxes
becomes more complicated when you’re self-employed. But with proper accounting
throughout the year, you can lessen tax-time headaches.
There are different types of business taxes
and they vary by industry and by state, but some of the most common include:
Income Tax: Which requires you
to pay a portion of your income to the government.
Sales Tax: Depending on the
type of work you do for clients, you might add sales tax to your invoices that
you later pay back to the government.
Employee Taxes: If your company
has staff, you’ll collect taxes from your employees’ paychecks and pass that on
to the government.
For a full rundown of filing taxes as a
freelancer, check out the FreshBooks blog.
3. CREATE FINANCIAL REPORTS
Accounting reports can help guide important
business decisions. You probably face tough choices often—whether to buy pricey
equipment for your business, what specific services to offer clients or whether
to hire contractors to help with your workload.
There are a number of accounting reports
that can help you make these decisions. Some of the most common reports
include:
Cash Flow Statement: Shows you
all your financial activities, from the money flowing into your business
(earnings from clients) to the expenses moving out (for rent, utilities, staff
and more). Clearly, this is an important report to get right
Profit and Loss Report: Shows
your total income and your total expenses for a specific time period. It’s not
quite as detailed as your cash flow statement, but it offers a helpful overview
of where your business stands financially.
Balance Sheet: Shows what your
company owns versus what it owes for a specific time period. In other words, it
gives a snapshot of your financial position at any point in time.
Ways to Help Your Accounting Staff Be More
Successful
There is a multitude of ways in which you
can help your accounting staff become more productive and reach their personal
career goals. Here are just a few…
* Praise employees in front of their peers
– Everyone loves a compliment, but there is something about honoring someone
publicly that encourages him or her like no other. When praising employees in
public, be specific about what they have done right. Remember that the actions
you acknowledge and encourage will be perpetuated.
* Train accountants with microlearning –
It’s nearly impossible for an accountant to be successful apart from ongoing
training. Most accounting firm managers know this and do provide training in
some form. What training model does your firm utilize? Whether your training
program is traditional (in-person), online, or blended, make use of
microlearning. Microlearning allows people to digest bite-sized pieces of
knowledge in short periods of time, often via a mobile device. This type of
learning can be more fun than lengthy training sessions. It also increases
learning retention.
* Choose the right accountants for your
firm – If you want your workforce to be successful, hire the right accountants
right off the bat. In the article How to Help Your Employees Succeed, Dr. John
B. Charney wrote, “Leadership is about more than overseeing a team of people…it
is about selecting the right people in the first place and then constantly
ensuring everybody on that team is working to the very best of their ability.
Make sure all your people are in the right position within the firm.” Hiring
the correct employees and placing everyone where they are most effective takes
time and practice, but it is key to your accountants’ and firm’s success.
You’ve chosen your sofa, and it’s looking
right at home in your living room. Now we want to make sure that it’s there for
all of life’s moments. Daily life can expose your sofa to many things, but
there are a few sofa care tips you can follow to ensure your sofa remains
looking like new.
Upholstery fabric cannot be cleaned in the
washing machine. By vacuuming and brushing your furniture frequently, it
minimises the chance of dust particles settling and affecting the durability
and colour of the fabric. To keep your sofa in the very best condition, we
recommend an in-situ professional upholstery cleaning every 18 months. With
emergencies, such as drink or food stains, a local specialist cleaning company
should be contacted for advice on how to proceed.
If you have young children, sticky fingers
and biscuit crumbs are likely, so investing in an easy-to-clean sofa with
durable and hardwearing fabric is a must. It is important to remove stains
before they sink in. Use a slightly damp, clean cloth (preferably muslin) to
blot any spills as quickly as possible, but do not scrub the stain as this will
risk damaging the pile, particularly on velvet fabrics. If too much water is
used, it can result in watermarks and discolouration. We strongly recommend not
using a cleaning solution on any upholstery.
Although our furry friends are integral to
the family, they can affect the appearance of a sofa with their fur, claws and
mucky paws. Durable fabrics are important in this instance where fur can be
easily brushed off with a furniture brush, and any dirt can quickly be wiped
clean.
Linen is a lightweight, natural fabric that
will crease and stretch over time, adding to its charm and character. Like all
sofas, you should vacuum dust and crumbs regularly to prevent further damage
and keep the fabric clean. Linen is a highly absorbent, natural fibre, so for
most spills we would recommend calling an upholstery cleaning specialist to
your home to avoid further damage. We suggest choosing linen for slouchy,
relaxed style sofas as the natural stretching of the fabric will contribute to
the relaxed look and be less noticeable in comparison to a sleek, firm sofa
shape. Always position furniture away from direct sunlight.
FURNITURE CARE
Periodically, lightly brush or vacuum the
upholstery to remove soil particles and dust and prevent them from imbedding
between fibers.
Turn and rotate cushions after vacuuming to
prevent excessive wear and soil deposits.
Avoid placing newspaper on fabric. The ink
will permanently stain and discolor the material.
Keep fabrics away from direct sunlight if
possible.
Do not use acids, dyes, paints or nail
polish near fabrics.
Do not cover fabrics with darker fabrics
when having work done in the home, since dyes may rub off.
Liquid spills should be absorbed
immediately. Blot with white absorbent cloth or paper towel.
Spills such as jelly or soft spills should
be scooped up with a soft edge spoon. If the spill has dried up, scoop it
gently and vacuum the rest.
Never throw your fabric in the washer or
dryer unless the fabric says it is machine washable. Remove the pillow forms
before washing.
To spot clean, always test an area of the
fabric that is not seen first, such as under a chair/sofa skirt. Let it dry,
and then proceed if the results are positive. Do not oversaturate an area with
any cleaning solutions.
Do not rub strongly and try not to let a
stain dry.
Professional cleaning will prevent the
gradual buildup of dirt and grime, but discuss with the dry cleaner any fire
retardant finishes that may not endure through some methods of cleaning.
FABRIC CODES DETERMINE METHOD OF CLEANING
CODE CLEANING METHOD
W To prevent overall soil, frequent
vacuuming or light brushing to remove dust and grime is recommended. Spot
clean, using the foam only from a water-based cleaning agent such as a mild
detergent or non-solvent upholstery shampoo product. Apply foam with a soft
brush in a circular motion. Vacuum when dry. Pre-test a small area before
proceeding. Use a professional furniture cleaning service when an overall
soiled condition has been reached.
S To prevent overall soil, frequent
vacuuming or light brushing to remove dust and grime is recommended. Spot
clean, using a mild water-free solvent or dry cleaning product. Clean only in a
well ventilated room and AVOID any product containing Carbon Tetrachloride
which is highly toxic. Pre-test a small area before proceeding. Cleaning by a
professional furniture service is recommended.
S-W To prevent overall soil, frequent
vacuuming or light brushing to remove dust and grime is recommended. Spot
clean, with a mild solvent, an upholstery shampoo or the foam from a mild
detergent. When using a solvent or dry cleaning product, follow instructions
carefully and clean only in a well ventilated room. AVOID any product
containing Carbon Tetrachloride which is highly toxic. With either method,
pre-test a small area before proceeding. Use a professional furniture cleaning
service when an overall soiled condition has been reached.
X Clean this fabric only by vacuuming or
light brushing to prevent accumulation of dust or grime. Water-based foam
cleaners or solvent-based cleaning agents of any may cause excessive shrinking,
staining or distortion of the surface pile and, therefore, should not be used.
Prepare Upholstery for Cleaning
Prepare surface for cleaning by thoroughly
vacuuming or brushing. Set up the machine, directing your attention to the hose
connections at the rear.
Set Up
First, pull free the top portion of the
large vacuum hose at the back of the machine. Then connect the top portion of
the machine vacuum hose to the vacuum hose of the Hand Tool. Next, screw brass
connection to small diversion valve, ensure it is on tightly to engage.
Remove the UPPER (white) tank. Mix
Upholstery Cleaner with water in a clean bucket according to the label
directions and POUR into the LOWER red tank.
Fit Upper white tank back in place, seal
tank and clear dome securely by replacing restraining wire.
Plug in the power cord and position the
machine. Refer to the label on top of machine and turn the machine ON for
upholstery cleaning.
TEST for colourfastness by first cleaning a
small, hidden area, then rub the test area with a white towel. If no colour
appears, continue cleaning. A little colour on the towel means there’s some
chance of colour running, but you probably can still clean safely. Dry cushions
on sheets or towels laid out on the floor.
Start Cleaning
Working at a slow, steady pace, begin
cleaning by squeezing the hand tool lever as you pull the tool over fabric.
Overlap strokes slightly. IMPORTANT: Do NOT depress the button on machine
handle while using the hand tool.
If foam builds up around the hand tool,
pull a little bit faster or vacuum excess solution by passing over area a
second time without squeezing lever.
When cleaning is complete, disconnect the
upholstery tool then empty any remaining solution by taking the machine outside
or over drain and turn machine ON for upholstery, this will empty lower tank.
Before returning to store, ensure machine
is cleaned according to instructions at back of machine and vacuum hose is
securely reconnected. Switch should be in OFF position.
NOTE: For velvet upholstery, fluff up damp
pile with a soft brush or towel to keep from matting.
Understanding Upholstery Cleaning Codes
Checking the Upholstery Cleaning Codes
before doing any kind of upholstery cleaning is vital. You need to check the
manufacturer’s instructions on how it should be cleaned or whether it can even
be cleaned. Certain types of Fibres will respond differently to certain
Upholstery Cleaning methods. Typically, manufacturers use standard upholstery
cleaning codes to advise on the appropriate cleaning method for the fabric on
your furniture.
It should be noted that Upholstery Cleaning
Codes must not be confused with upholstery wearability codes or grades which
usually refer to something known as a Double Rub Count. Double Rub equates to
the durability of the fabric of your upholstery and is different from
upholstery cleaning codes. Wearability codes are something to consider when
purchasing new furniture.
A word of caution
Do-it-yourself upholstery cleaning should
only be done on lightly soiled furniture in accordance with the codes. Codes
address spot cleaning and results cannot be guaranteed. Always test a small out-of-site area first to
ensure you don’t make the look of that couch or armchair worse than it might
already be.
What are the Upholstery Cleaning Codes?
Standard upholstery cleaning codes are: W,
S, WS and X.
W for Wet.
S for Solvent.
WS for Wet and Solvent.
X for Vacuum only and sometimes you may see
D for Dry Clean only.
Where to find the Upholstery Cleaning
Codes?
The codes will be on a tag or label
attached to the furniture. You’ll usually find the tag on the base of the sofa
or armchair under the seat cushions. Alternatively it may be completely
underneath the frame. Or on the side near the arm rest
What do the Upholstery Cleaning Codes mean?
W (Wet) –
W refers to Water-based Cleaning. Spot clean with water only. Distilled
water is ideal. To simply dab spots use a clean white or cream towel. Avoid
colored cloths that might bleed their color onto the fabric.
Your Upholstery Fabric might be amenable to
Professional Water Based Cleaning such as Hot Water extraction or Steam Cleaning
but consult with a trustworthy cleaning
service company who will give you an honest answer as to whether your
décor is agreeable to steam cleaning.
S (Solvent) – Water is a bad idea and
should be avoided. It may leave water marks. It could also damage the fabric
through shrinking or bleeding. Instead the fabric must be dry cleaned with a
solvent based cleaning product. Appropriate Solvents help to break down grease
spots leaving the area dry. After application, the fabric should be vacuumed.
Ensure there is plenty of room ventilation when using solvents and make sure
you use one designated specifically for upholstery. Read the instructions and
follow them carefully.
WS (Wet and Solvent) – WS means the fabric
allows for both Wet and Solvent Cleaning but it depends on the stain needing
attention. Is the stain oil based or water based? Professional Upholstery
Cleaning may be more appropriate for this code but it depends on the fibres
X (No Cleaning/Vacuum only) – Unfortunately
this means your beloved piece of furniture should not be cleaned. And this is
for sure something you should check for when buying a new item for your home.
Step Guide To Cleaning A Sofa
Professional Upholstery Cleaning – Sofas
and chairs are not only vulnerable to surface stains, dust, and dirt, but grime
can become deeply embedded into the fibres, too. Even if you can’t see the
dirt, it’s there, so for cleanliness and hygiene’s sake, cleaning upholstery on
a regular basis is very important – but it doesn’t have to be difficult.
If your sofas and chairs have removable
covers, upholstery cleaning is simple: put them through the washing machine, or
pop them down to the dry cleaners – just follow the instructions on the label.
If your covers are not removable, however, you’ll need some suitable upholstery
cleaning products and easy methods to tackle the stains and dirt. Here’s how to
clean upholstery swiftly and effectively – leaving you time for more relaxing
activities.
Which Upholstery Cleaning Products Should I
Use?
You can buy upholstery cleaning products
from most stores, but there are other products that you can find around the
home that will also help to get your sofas and chairs clean.
Mild laundry detergent and warm water,
mixed well to create suds.
White vinegar: This is a good choice for
removing surface stains, but you’ll want to use a soapy solution afterwards to
give the area an intensive clean. You’ll also want to air the sofa as much as
possible afterwards by opening windows or by using a fan to help reduce the
smell of the vinegar.
Baby wipes are ideal for spot-cleaning
upholstery. They’re very gentle, so they won’t damage the material, and they’re
relatively dry, so there’s no chance of over-saturating your furniture.
How To Clean Upholstery In 4 Steps
Furniture cleaning isn’t a science: try out
a few techniques before choosing the one that is right for your belongings.
This step-by-step guide explains how to clean a sofa:
Before using any upholstery cleaning
products, vacuum the sofa or chair first to remove as much surface dirt and
dust as possible. Be sure to use the correct attachments to avoid damage to the
material – a soft brush attachment is ideal.
Spot Clean. Using baby wipes or vinegar
poured onto a strong microfiber cloth, apply to any obvious stains, wiping
gently as you go. Remember to test the upholstery cleaning products on an
inconspicuous area first.
Overall Clean. Using soapy water and a
microfibre cloth, gently wipe your sofa with the solution, allowing it to soak
into the fabric and tackle the dirt beneath the surface. You only want to use a
very small amount of water – don’t saturate the material.
Dry. Some people use a hairdryer to quickly
dry a sofa, but allowing it to dry naturally is always the better option, if
you have the time. To speed things up, open windows and allow the breeze to
help with the drying process.
Choosing the right veterinarian to care for
your furry family member and keeping them healthy is a very personal decision
to make for any pet parent. Whether you’re getting a new pet or would just like
to investigate switching veterinarians, choosing the right one is important
because any family member deserves the best care possible – and we all want our
pets to stay with the family for years to come.
Not only do you want a vet that provides high quality care, but one you
feel comfortable with, too. has provides these tips to help answer the
questions every pet owner should be asking:
1. Talk to your friends and family members
If your close friends and family members
have a vet in the area that they like, you may want to start there. Ask them
what they like about their vet and what experiences they have had with them.
Has it just been general checkups, or has your pet had more extensive
treatment? Personal referrals are a great way to find someone to care for your
pet.
2. Make appointments with a few vets in
your area
If you are choosing a vet, consider making
appointments with a few different doctors in your area. When you have your
first appointment, you will want to take a look around the facility and take
into consideration:
What is your first impression
of their facility – Is it clean? Is the staff friendly?
What types of problems they are
able to deal with – if your pet has a more serious issue, can they handle it?
Who do they refer you to?
Do they have 24-hour emergency
care?
How many vets do they have on
staff?
How easy is it to make an
appointment?
Does the facility fit with your
budget? Do they have payment plans if your animal were to have a serious
medical condition?
Are they AAHA accredited? (The
American Animal Hospital Association oversees and evaluates the quality of the
veterinary staff, facility, patient care and the equipment they use)
3. Ask questions to determine your comfort
level with your potential vet:
How long have they been practicing
and what veterinary school did they graduate from?
Do they have any specialties?
Does the veterinarian work days
and times that work with your schedule?
How did they interact with your
pet – Were they patient? Caring?
Did they take their time with
you or did they rush through your appointment?
Were they comfortable working
with your pet?
Did they thoroughly answer all
of your questions in a manner that made you feel comfortable?
Does the doctor ask about
lifestyle and risks before prescribing optional vaccines? (I.e., some vaccines
may not be necessary unless the family engages in certain activities or
choices, like lots of hiking/camping, or visits to kennels)
Will the doctor write
prescriptions and allow you to acquire them elsewhere or online (as opposed to
exclusively through their office)?
Easy Tips for Choosing a Veterinarian
Although it seems intuitive, start by
selecting a doctor who really likes and understands cats! Some veterinarians,
even if they like cats, are more dog-focused. Here are some tips to help choose
a cat-focused veterinarian.
Set up an appointment – Meet
with the veterinarian or veterinary team to check out their services in person.
Reach out to front desk staff –
Ask them to recommend a doctor on their team who is likes cats, excels in
working with them, and is interested in feline medicine and surgery.
Partner – Look for a
veterinarian who really wants to work with you in making decisions that are
best for you and for your cat.
Discussions – Look for a
veterinarian who spends time answering your questions, and who discusses issues
other than vaccines with you. Veterinarians who like cats should discuss feline
nutrition and behavior. These discussions will really help you to provide the
best home environment and care for your cat.
How to choose the right vet for your dog or
cat
Ask other dog and cat owners who they would
suggest.
Start out by asking your local dog-owning
friends which veterinarian’s office they use. Even if there is only one vet in
your town, some of your friends might take their pets to a vet in a nearby
area. Maybe the care is better there, or maybe the prices are more reasonable.
Ask your friends and neighbors what they
like about the vet they use and what they don’t like. You can also read online
reviews through Google+, Yelp and Facebook to see what other people are saying.
Compare prices.
Prices do vary from office to office, and
while you probably wouldn’t mind paying a bit more for better care, why should
you pay twice as much for a routine exam or vaccinations? It is worth calling a
couple veterinary offices in your area. Some questions to ask related to prices
could include:
What do you charge for basic
exams for dogs? And for cats?
How about for senior pets?
(Some will charge more for senior exams)
What are the prices for routine
vaccinations such as rabies?
Do you offer any discounts for
multi-pet households?
What do you charge for a
spay/neuter surgery?
What do you charge for dentals?
Do you accept Care Credit (a
health credit card)?
Ask about hours and how emergencies are
handled.
Some vet offices close at 5 p.m. every
weekday while others remain open in the evenings. Some are open on weekends,
and some are not.
Think about your schedule and what hours
would be the most convenient for you.
It’s also a good idea to ask how the vet
handles emergencies. Does this particular office handle emergencies as they
come in? Does it send them elsewhere? If so, where is that hospital located?
Knowing this is important in case your dog is ever in need of emergency care on
a Saturday or in the middle of the night. I don’t know about you, but my
animals always seem to get sick on the weekends.
Other topics to consider:
If you have a dog that is
nervous, aggressive or fearful at the vet, you will want to make sure to find
someone who is tolerant, patient and experienced handling all sorts of dogs.
The same is true if you have a fearful cat.
If it’s important to you to use
natural products such as natural flea and tick prevention products, you may
want to find a vet who is supportive of this vs. the chemical alternatives.
And finally, ask yourself if
this person is someone you are comfortable talking to. Does she take the time
to listen to your concerns and answer your questions?
How to Get Rid of Possums? Make Them Leave
in a Natural Way
Scratch, scratch, scratch. Something in the
attic is trying to get your attention. Now that your curiosity is up, you need
to know who’s the uninvited visitor. You slowly enter and what do you see? A
mess, chewed belongings and sometimes even the furry burglar in the act – the
possum itself
The main culprits are usually one of the
two species of possums: the common brushtail possum – as large as a cat with a
big bushy tail, and the common ringtail possum – smaller in size with a bare
curled tail. Both of them are adorable little critters but don’t be fooled by
their big innocent eyes! They can cause a lot of problems in a household.
Why you should get rid of possums as fast
as you can:
Diseases – They can carry diseases like
Buruli ulcer and Tularemia and spread them through urine, droppings and fleas;
Fleas – Possible flea carriers and
potential danger for your pets and kids even without the infectious diseases;
Stress for the pets around the house – The
possums invade their territory and make constant noises at night which drives
pets crazy;
Property damage – They can chew cardboard,
insulation, electrical cables and munch on your garden plants.
Signs of a possum infestation
Of course, the fastest way to find out you
have a possum problem at home is either to see one face-to-snout or catch it
with a surveillance camera. If you only suspect there’s a possum around, you
need to do a little bit of investigation. It’s important to identify the animal
as it can be a pest like a rat or a mouse. That will determine what measures
you need to take
Signs of possums to look out for:
Noises – They’re noisy little fellas. They
can be vocal and growl, grunt, screech and hiss. Other noises they make come
from scratching and knocking things down at night (when they’re most active),
usually in roof cavities;
Droppings and urine – You can find possum
droppings and urine stains. The brushtail possum’s droppings are from dark
green to brown and with the size of an olive. The ringtail possum’s droppings
are from dark brown to black and around 1 cm long. You can find them in
different places – on the balcony, in the guttering, on garden tables, etc.
It’s hard to find the difference between possum and rat droppings but in case
you find either, you might want to call a pest control company right away;
Chewed electrical wiring – Like any
rodents, possums love chewing on things that they shouldn’t. You definitely
have a rodent problem if you find chewed electrical cables. This can create a
fire hazard and your household might end up with no electricity;
Trees and flower damage in the garden –
Possums love munching on plants, even decorative ones. The problem is even more
apparent if you have fruit trees in your garden.
Best Ways To Get Rid Of Possums And Other
Pests
The Best Ways to Get Rid of Possums
Depending on where you live, pests are inevitable. When they are attacking your
crops, you need to act fast. Below are some of the best ways to get rid of
possums and other menaces. It’s important to be self-sufficient. Cultivating
crops makes you less dependent on others.
They also have a strong scent. They can do
serious damage to a garden. You will need to assess whether the damage has been
done by possums or whether something else is after the crops. One way to make
sure that the culprit are possums is by measuring the hole they created as they
need at least 3 inches to squeeze into it.
How to protect crops from possums
Possums need to be controlled because they
can eat over 65 types of plants. They can completely destroy a farm full of
crops in a matter of a few days. They don’t need much to survive; a nesting
place is enough as long as they have access to food. You will find their nests
in hollow logs, under masses of vegetation, or in trees.
Some people have tried installing a
two-strand electric fence that has wires at 4 inches and at 12 inches. This
would help to not only protect the crop against possum but it would also
protect the crops from damage caused by other pests. Poly tape also works well
for this purpose. An electrical fence usually activates at dusk and remains on
until dawn.
Trapping Possums
Sometimes you have to resort to catching
possums and relocating them. This is the most economically friendly way and the
most effective method as well. However, it requires daily commitment as you
will have to put food in the traps and check in often. The minimum sized box
for catching a possum should be 10 x 10 x 32 for traps that have single doors.
How to get rid of possums from your home
Few things are as startling as a possum
thundering across the roof in the middle of the night. They’re surprisingly
loud for a creature of slight proportions. While possums are cute and mostly
non-aggressive, they can wreak havoc around your home and garden as well as
carry and spread diseases.
Signs you have a possum problem
If you’ve heard scampering across the
ceiling or in the walls during the night, chances are you have a possum or a
rat in your home. Identification of the unwelcome visitor is key to determining
the most appropriate action. Droppings are the best indicator as to whether the
pest in your roof or wall cavity is a possum or a rat.
Cruelty-free ways to remove or repel
possums
Possums are a protected species which means
it’s illegal to harm or kill them, and remove them without a permit. Relocation
may seem like a cruelty-free way to remove a possum from your home, but because
possums are extremely territorial relocation will most likely result in the demise
of the animal.
Fence them out
While possums are agile creatures and great
climbers, they can only jump up to 1m high. This means a sturdy paling fence
over 1.5m high can prevent possums getting into your garden. If you have a
lower fence you could install fence spikes on the top of the fence to deter
possums (as well as cats and rodents) without harming them
Remove access to food and water
As the saying goes ‘prevention is better
than cure’, so by making your home less appealing to possums it is a great way
to deter them. Start by removing access to food and water on your property.
Opossums
What is an Opossum?
Opossums are the only marsupial found in
North America. They live in many parts of the United States with the exception
of the Rockies, western plains and parts of the northern region. Opossums
usually live alone and are only active at night. Though a relative of the
kangaroo,
opossums are much slower and produce a
nauseating smell when threatened. These wild animals are able to survive in a
wide range of conditions and locations by virtue of their flexible diets and
reproductive habits. If you are dealing with an infestation, opossum removal
should be handled by a professional.
What Do Opossums Look Like?
Opossums grow up to 40 inches in length,
about the size of a house cat. Their bodies are covered in white or grayish
hair. Opossums have a long, pointed face with round, hairless ears and a
rat-like tail. Additionally, females have a pouch on their stomach for holding
newborns.
Opossum vs. Possum
Although the average person may use the
terms “opossum” and “possum” interchangeably, they are different. An opossum is
a white and gray marsupial that is found primarily in North America. In
contrast, a possum is the name used to describe a marsupial
Opossum Removal
In order to prevent an opossum from taking
up shelter in a residence, homeowners should store trash in sealed receptacles
with animal-proof lids, preferably in a locked shed or outhouse. It’s good
practice to bring pet food dishes inside at night to avoid attracting opossums
and other nuisance wildlife. Homeowners should also remove other obvious
sources of food and shelter from the property, such as fallen berries and
fruits, as well as woodpiles and logs. On a nice day, Inspect the outside of
the home for holes and access points, such as broken vent covers. To further
limit opossum accessibility to a home, tree branches hanging near roofing
should be trimmed, as opossums are skilled climbers and leapers.
How to keep raccoons and possums away from
your house
Major cities are being overrun by raccoons,
but the “trash panda” isn’t the only invader. As opossums, skunks,
and other furry pests make homes in our neighborhoods, it’s important to know
how we can respect nature without letting it ruin our yards.
What attracts raccoons and other fuzzy
nuisances?
Animals adapt to human-created habitats
through a process called urbanization. As it turns out, some mammals benefit
from our tendency to replace everything with a strip mall.
found raccoons were uniquely suited to
living in cities. In fact, city life might actually be better for them. Think
about it: humans arrive, kill or drive off big predators, install sources of
clean water like sprinklers and hose spigots, and leave out bins of food. We
even build culverts that help critters avoid roads. Some crafty animals have
been known to build dens in the space under houses. In fact, raccoons are
living so high on the hog that we’re giving them diabetes.
How to keep raccoons, possums, and other
furry pests away
Wild animals are generally drawn to humans
because it’s the path of least resistance to food, water, and shelter. Make
these harder to get and they’ll leave on their own.
Most pest mammals will eat almost anything,
so start by firmly securing any trash or compost bin. Use
“animal-proof” containers and be sure to regularly remove rubbish,
especially scraps of food. Bring in any dog or cat food you might leave out
during the day and ensure your pets stay inside after dark—you don’t want them
to become food themselves. If you have food sources you can’t bring in, such as
bird feeders, hang them high enough so that they’re difficult to reach from the
ground or a branch.
Seized engine moments are perhaps one of
the lowest points for a driver. It’s very annoying when a vehicle’s ignition
cranks, the fuel tank is full, and the spark plugs are new, yet the car cannot
start. This behaviour is typical with seized engines.
Engines are said to be seized or locked
when mechanical failures lock down the crankshaft from rotating on the bearings
in response to piston movement. The locking of internal components, such as the
piston getting stuck to the cylinder walls, piston rod bearings malfunctioning,
and crankshaft breaking, are some of the primary causes of crankshaft lock
down.
Seized engines are a nightmare as it
usually means replacing costly parts or worse the replacing the engine entirely.
Causes of seized engines
An engine can jam due to several reasons
that include:
Inadequate engine lubrication –
the starvation of lubricant causes moving engine parts to start grinding, and
friction builds up. The friction emits heat that causes engine parts to expand.
The expansion reduces the clearance between the moving part and may eventually
constrict the movement when the pieces start grinding. The excessive heat may
also melt and amalgamate or weld the parts together, locking down the engine. Continued
grinding also causes the parts to wear out and eventually malfunctions and gets
stuck. For example, the piston head and the cylinder sleeves may wear out,
eventually causing the piston to stall.
Rust – when a vehicle is unused
for long, rusting of the engine parts may occur. When sensitive parts such as
piston sleeves or the piston and crankshaft bearings rust, their movement is
restrained, and the engine seizes.
Bending of the engine parts –
with usage, some of the vehicle parts may bow to pressure. When parts such as
the piston rod or the crankshaft crook out of alignment, they may cause jamming
and lock the crankshaft.
Damaged piston or crankshaft
bearings – the bearings play a significant role in facilitating smooth movement
of the piston and the crankshaft. When the bearings are damaged, this movement
is cramped and may lock down even the entire system, seizing the engine.
Broken crankshaft – although
rare, crankshafts at times develop cracks and eventually break. The broken
crankshafts jam the pistons against the piston sleeve, stalling the whole
engine.
Excessive heating in the engine
– heat may not necessarily come from friction due to lubricant starvation.
Sometimes lack of coolant, continuously overworking the engine beyond its
designed capacity, poor carburettor jetting or poor ignition timing may cause
excessive heating. This excessive heating causes the oil to overheat, lowering
its lubrication properties and eventually leading to metal-to-metal wear that
seizes the engine.
Accumulation of water in the
engine – water may accidentally find its way into the engine. Since water is
not compressible like gasoline and does not ignite readily, it causes the
engine to seize up.
Symptoms of a Bad Starter
The starter in your vehicle is a crucial
part of the ignition system. As its name indicates, the starter in your
Volkswagen is responsible for starting the engine. In order for it to start,
the engine has to be turning quickly so that it can create combustion. The
starter is an electric motor that turns the engine over when you turn the key
or push the ignition button. When you do this, a relay connects a strong
electric current between the battery and starter solenoid. That allows the
pinion gear of the starter to connect with the flywheel, which is connected to
the crankshaft. When the starter motor turns the flywheel, the rest of the
engine will rotate so that combustion takes place in the cylinders and the
engine runs on its own.
If the starter is damaged in any way, the
chances of the engine turning over and starting aren’t good. But there are
other things that could cause this problem as well, from a dead battery to a
bad alternator. How do you know if the starter is to blame? These symptoms can
give you a good idea, but ultimately it’s best to have the experts take a look.
Your Engine Doesn’t Turn Over, But
Electrical Accessories Work
In general, if your engine is turning over
but still not starting, it’s not likely to be a problem with the starter. The
noise that you hear when your engine cranks means that the starter is doing its
job, but there’s a problem elsewhere. But if you’re met with no noise, it may
be that the starter solenoid or relay is broken, and is not sending the current
through. There are many reasons that an engine might not turn over, and not all
of them are related to the starter. A dead battery, for example, could also
cause the car not to start. To make sure that the battery isn’t the issue, turn
on electric systems in your vehicle like the radio, the headlights, the A/C. If
they’re weak or don’t turn on at all, or if they dim when you turn the key, the
problem may be with the battery and not the starter.
You Hear a Whirring, Grinding, or Squealing
Sound from the Engine
If you hear either a gentle whirring or an
irritating screeching sound coming from under the hood when you turn the key,
it’s likely that a bad solenoid is causing freewheeling. A freewheeling starter
motor is one where the pinion gear isn’t able to connect to the flywheel. This
means that the pinion gear is spinning (producing that whirring sound), but the
lack of connection keeps the engine from doing the same. And if you hear a
grinding noise, it may be that the gear is making some connection to the
flywheel, but not the right kind of connection.
You Hear a Clicking Noise
This is a tricky one, because a clicking
noise might not necessarily be caused by a bad starter. In fact, clicking when
you turn the ignition key is often caused by loose battery terminals or a weak
battery. However, it could also be due to the starter relay or solenoid not
getting enough power. If the starter relay has been damaged and isn’t sending
enough current, the sound it makes can be just like the clicking you hear from
a dead battery.
You See Smoke
Smoke coming from your vehicle is never a
good sign. In order to turn your engine as quickly as it does, the starter
needs to use a good amount of electricity. Still, it has a limit as to how much
it can handle, and going over that limit could cause the part to start smoking.
Though it could be caused by an electrical short in the starter, it’s also
possible for this to happen when using the starter too long. Instead of
constantly cranking the engine, which could cause the starter to start smoking,
wait a few minutes between tries.
The Starter Won’t Stop
The starter is supposed to run only when
you’re starting the engine. It’s right there in the name, after all. Once the
engine is started and you stop turning the key or pressing the button, the
starter will disengage from the flywheel until you next turn on your vehicle.
Or that’s how it’s meant to be, anyway. While most of the starter problems
we’ve discussed lead to a starter that won’t activate, the opposite can also
happen. If a starter stays on, the entire starter and the flywheel could suffer
massive damage and need to be replaced. If this happens to you, turn off your
car immediately and have it towed to an authorized service center.
Tapping the Starter Helps
This last one is just as much a tip as it
is a symptom. If you suspect that the starter is at fault, grab a hammer (or
another heavy object made of metal, like the tire iron in your trunk or a
quality wrench). Open the hood and locate the starter–and make sure that it’s
actually the starter! Then, tap the starter with the hammer or other tool. It’s
important that you tap relatively gently, rather than whacking the starter.
Hitting it too hard could damage the starter and make your current problem even
worse.
There are a few important things to note.
The first is that not all starter problems can be resolved by using this
technique. If you hit the starter and nothing happens, it could still be a
starter problem. The second thing to note is that this is just a temporary fix.
If it works, you should take the opportunity to drive to the dealership to get
the starter tested and replaced if necessary.
How do I know if my tractor engine is
seized?
People also ask, what are the signs of a
seized engine?
Seized Engine Symptoms
The most prominent seized engine sign is
complete engine failure, i.e., no matter how much you try, the engine will not
start.
On cranking, loud clunking sounds can be
heard from a seized engine, due to the stater hitting the flywheel.
Also, will a seized engine turn over? A
seized engine means the electronics in your vehicle may still work (i.e. the
radio, A/C, etc.) but the engine itself will not turn over. Instead, you may
hear a knocking or clunking sound.
Also know, how do you unstick a tractor
engine?
While there are a few different methods for
freeing a stuck (or seized) engine, here’s our favorite. First, pour a
high-quality penetrating oil down the cylinders (through the spark plug holes).
Use up the entire can, dividing it between each cylinder. Let it sit overnight.
What will cause an engine to seize?
An seize is usually caused by overheating
leading to the pistons exerting sufficient friction on the piston walls that
the engine stalls. Things expand when hot. Pistons expand when hot. Often when an
engine has seized, the heat and pressure of the pistons against the cylinder
walls fuses them together, like a weld.
