Importance Of Immigration Lawyers
Immigration Lawyer vs. Consultant
Immigration lawyers, or attorneys, have much more legal experience than consultants. Immigration lawyers must attend law school and complete a three-year degree in order to become a lawyer. They are also required to complete the bar exam in order to become legally registered and many undergo an internship period with a law firm during, or after, their studies. Most law programs also require an undergraduate degree before attending law school, which means that lawyers generally have several years of post-secondary education.
Immigration lawyers are also able to attend immigration interviews with you, and can advocate for your application in a Canadian court of law in the rare case that your application is brought under judicial review.
Conversely, immigration consultants are not lawyers. They do not attend law school and generally undergo a one-year certification in order to become registered. It is also not required for immigration consultants to have completed an undergraduate degree to start their certification.
While immigration consultants are legally able to represent you, only lawyers are allowed to advocate on your behalf in federal court, in the event that it is required.
What About an Immigration Consultant Instead of an Immigration Lawyer?
Immigration consultants also provide services to immigrants, but these services can be limited. They can fill out immigration forms for you, but they cannot appear in Federal Court if necessary when the case is refused.
In Canada, the immigration consultant occupation generally only requires a certificate or diploma while immigration lawyers have gone through university and then law school. Immigration lawyers are regulated by their Provincial or State Bars while immigration consultants, in Canada, must be members Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants (CSIC), which as it turns out, does seem to have the resources nor will take disciplinary action where there is misconduct.
There have been many cases in the media during the past year where immigration consultants have overcharged clients, not done the work the client paid for or even blackmailed clients into paying more money before having them deported. This is not to say all consultants are bad. There are many good, ethical and qualified ones. However, clients will have little to no recourse, it seems, using an immigration consultant if something does go wrong. This is not the case when using a licensed immigration lawyer.
What is the Role of an Immigration Lawyer?
The role of an immigration lawyer is somewhat unique when compared with other types of lawyers. Most immigration lawyers spend their time helping persons who are having difficulty dealing with immigration requirements.
The role of immigration lawyers is usually that of an advisor or counselor to foreign citizens and immigrants who must interact with U.S. immigration authorities. Immigration lawyers provide advice and guidance for matters such as visa applications, green cards, citizenship and naturalization, deportation issues, and employment for non-citizens.
Immigration lawyers spend far less time handling civil disputes in court than other types of lawyers. Instead, they usually act as mediators between clients and immigration authorities such as the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
On the other hand, immigration lawyers do make appearances before immigration judges if a client is facing an immigration hearing. Many immigration lawyers also handle matters involving an interaction between immigration and criminal laws.
Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner
You do not have to have a law degree, or any degree, to give immigration advice regulated by the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner. You will need to pass an examination and meet the standards required by the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner. The timescale for becoming an immigration advisor regulated by the OISC is generally much quicker than that for becoming a barrister, solicitor, or member of the Institute of Legal Executives.
Unlike solicitors and barristers, who can give advice on area of immigration, asylum and nationality law, to any level, those regulated by the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner can decide which areas of immigration, asylum and nationality law they wish to do, and the level to which they wish to do them. There are three levels of regulation. Regulation by the OISC allows you to give advice on only on the immigration matters for which you are regulated, to the level at which you are regulated. Those working at level three can appear before the Immigration and Asylum chambers of of the Tribunal and those working at levels two and three may be able to join a licensed access scheme that will allow them to instruct a barrister to represent their clients. OISC registered advisors cannot lodge applications and conduct proceedings in the higher courts.
It is possible for solicitors and barristers, whether practising or not, to qualify as OISC regulated advisors.
Essential Traits Of The Best Immigration Lawyers
Accessible
While you are not entitled to 100% of an immigration lawyer’s time, you may expect a good immigration lawyer to be available when you need them. When faced with an emergency, however, the attorney should be able to respond quickly to your situation. Also, ask who would be the backup professional to help in case your attorney is not available at the time.
Experienced
Besides academic achievements, you should determine how many years of experience the immigration lawyer may have with your case type. Look for one who specializes in immigration and check out their credentials. Is the attorney well respected by peers, or won awards? If you reside in Texas, has the individual been recognized by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Immigration and Nationality Law?
Excellent Reputation And References
Seeking a lawyer who specializes specifically in immigration matters is the right starting point. Law firms like Davis & Associates in Dallas TX work exclusively on immigration matters such as:
- Family and business immigration
- Visas and green cards
- Political asylum
- Deportation issues
Always ask for bonafide references and look for personal testimonials to determine what experience others have had in dealing with your prospective immigration lawyer. Ask about the types of cases the lawyer has handled and the outcomes.
Also, check online search engines and social media sites for reviews from other clients.
Good Judgement
The best immigration lawyers are successful because they can draw logical conclusions from a wide range of situations and variables. Because they frequently appear in courts and before immigration officials, they should be well prepared with reasonable arguments and must remain confident and decisive at all times.
Creative Solutions
A competent immigration lawyer draws from experience, recent research, analytics, and logic to find unique and innovative strategies to accomplish the goal. The best immigration lawyers also demonstrate perseverance when representing their clients, always creating new solutions whenever roadblocks appear.
Excellent Communication And Public Speaking Skills
Precise communication with you, the client, is critical. The ability to communicate well in negotiations and while presenting your case is also essential. Often, the lawyer will need to think about and respond to challenges on the spot and must do so with confidence.
People Skills And Compassion
Immigration lawyers should be personable and persuasive. How the lawyer is viewed can reflect directly on your case. If your representative is easily angered or rude, your case will suffer. Avoiding confrontation while presenting an argument is vital to success.
Immigration officials prefer to work with immigration lawyers who can communicate professionally, demonstrate reasonableness, are knowledgeable, and show a genuine commitment to their clients.
Is A Metal Roof A Good Investment For Your Home
Metal Roofing – Get The Facts!
Metal roofing has become a good option for all homes excluding those with very flat roof pitches. It is important to note that now shingle-style metal roofing products are indistinguishable from the traditional asphalt shingle roofs. If you are a person who wants to know about the metal roofing, then below are the twelve facts that you need to know:
1-Install It on Existing Roofs
Yes, you heard it right! You can install the metal roofing on the existing roof without tearing off the singles. Remember that the shingle removal is a preferred but tear-off is messy and raises the cost of the job as well. One of the big problems with this installation is trapped water vapor. If it stays trapped between the old roofing and metal roofing, then this leads to rot and mold. But this problem can be removed by installing a vented metal roof. The second option is that you can install new metal roofing over the furring strips (1 x 3s or similar) and it will raise metal to provide a ventilating air pocket between the layers. Remember that you should check local building codes before you are going to install a metal roof directly on the old shingles.
2-Does Not Attract Lightning
The majority of the people think that it may attract lightning but that’s not true. According to a technical bulletin by Metal Construction Association, it is said that metal roofing does not increase the risk of lightning strikes. Note that if metal roofing will be struck by lightning, then remember that this is less combustible in comparison to conventional roofing materials like wood shakes or shingles. According to the bulletin, metal roofing is an electrical conductor and noncombustible material, this makes it desirable construction available during lightning.
3-Energy-Efficient Option
According to studies, a metal roof will reflect solar radiant heat that will be reducing the cooling cost by 10 to 25 percent. In areas, where the cooling cost is more than the heating cost, they should add a shiny and granular coating on a metal roof to increase the reflective capacity of the roof. You will see a clear difference in energy savings of metal roof vs. asphalt shingles.
4-Cost-Effective Option
The metal roofing will carry warranties in comparison to the best asphalt shingles that last for 30 years. On the other hand, metal roofing will last 50 years or more. According to other statistics, it may last for 40 to 70 years. So, there is very little chance that a homeowner has to install more than one metal roof during his life. Remember that the metal roofing installation cost is more as compared to asphalt roofing but it will save your money in the long run.
5-It’s A Viable Option
In the past, you will see metal roofing on a high-end architect-designed home but now that’s not the case. You will see metal roofing in conventional houses as well. All the credit goes to the better manufacturing process and increased availability. As per the industry statistics, market share for metal roofing has increased at the rate of 3 percent every year in the past few years. You may be surprised to know that now 15% of all the roofing installation uses the metal roofing materials. To get metal roof installed, you should contact Corey & Corey to hire their expert roofing contractors Cape Cod. They will properly install the roof using proper tools and advanced techniques to provide you satisfactory results.
Metal roofs are loud
40% of respondents said that a metal roof may be too noisy.
Fact: While it may come as a surprise to many homeowners, a metal roof can be even quieter than asphalt shingles. Contrary to popular belief, metal panels or shingles are not loud at all!
An aluminum or steel roof has solid sheathing attached to the underlayment that actually helps silence the noise from rain, hail, falling branches and other weather conditions, better than other types of materials. So you do not ever have to worry about waking up to the sound of rain!
This misconception may come from people being in barns or industrial warehouses that have tin roofs. Indeed these roofs are good conductors of noise, but that is because very thin sheet metal is used and there is no insulation.
Since residential metal roofing adheres to much higher construction standards, there is no reason to compare it to these barn roofs and worry that they will be just as loud.
Pros and cons of metal roofs for your home
Advantages of metal roofs
- Longevity. Metal roofs can last 40-70 years, depending on the material. Traditional asphalt roofing materials have an estimated life expectancy of roughly 12-20 years.
- Durability. Some metal roofs can sustain wind gusts up to 140 miles per hour, will not corrode or crack, and may be impact-resistant (depending on which metal you choose). In addition, metal roofs don’t need the periodic costly maintenance that other roofing materials often require. However, they should be inspected periodically to make sure no repairs are required.
- Safety. Metal roofs will not spark and ignite into flames during a wildfire or lightning strike.
- Energy efficiency. Metal roofs reflect solar radiant heat, which can reduce cooling costs by 10-25%.
- Environmentally friendly. Metal roofs not only have 25-95% recycled content, depending on the material used, but are also 100% recyclable at the end of their life as a roof. In contrast, most shingle tear-off waste ends up as part of the building-related waste stream — up to 20 billion pounds per year.
Disadvantages of metal roofs
Despite their many advantages, metal roofs have some potential drawbacks.
- Affordability. Metal roofs can be as much as two or three times more expensive than other roofing materials. While the life of a metal roof is much longer, investing in a metal roof only makes sense if you plan to stay in your home long enough to enjoy the cost benefits.
- Noisiness. Metal roofs can be noisy, especially during a heavy rain or hailstorm. Adding more insulation during installation usually solves this problem, but that may increase costs.
- Expansion and contraction. Metal roofing materials that are attached as large panels tend to expand and contract. If they are not properly installed with fasteners that allow the metal to “breathe,” the panels may loosen.
- Inconsistency of color match. If a repair is required or a home extension is added years later, it may be difficult to find an exact match to the existing metal.
- Performance. If water accumulates anywhere on the roof because of poor-quality installation or repair, it can eventually cause serious damage. Low-grade metals may also be thinner and less durable. Some metals rust in certain climates or dent more easily than others during hailstorms or installation.
How to Get a Wireless Internet Signal in a Home With a Metal Roof
Metal objects can cause major wireless Internet disruption, so if you have a house with a metal roof you may need to take extra steps to ensure that your wireless Internet signal is as strong as it possibly could be. You want to avoid dead signal zones in the house where you are unable to get wireless Internet at all. You can adjust your modem and router in order to get in the best position for a signal.
Step 1
Purchase a wireless router with as long a range as possible. Metal roofing significantly decreases the signal strength of a wireless network in many cases, so you’ll want to start with the most powerful hardware possible
Step 2
Keep any metal objects within the home as far away from the router as possible. Situate the router so it is off of the ground, and ideally near a window to escape some of the metal roof interference.
Step 3
Use a wireless repeater to strengthen the wireless signal as you go through your home. The wireless repeater will also extend the effective range of your wireless network, although it will not have as great of an effect as it should, due to the metal roof.
Step 4
Move all of your computers to be within line of sight of the wireless router, if possible.
When you ask the question about the heat absorbancy of metal, there are a number of variables to consider:
- First, both the color and finish of the metal affects its heat absorbancy. Metal exposed directly to the sun will certainly heat up, but whether or not it heats up more or less than other roofing materials has to do with the color and finish. The Energy Star finishes that most of our metal roof products use are certified to be reflective of sunlight and therefore cooler than the older finishes. And a pale color will absorb less heat than a dark color.
- While it’s true that a metal roof will absorb heat when directly exposed to the sun, the same is true of any roof covering material. A dark colored roof in either asphalt, ceramic, slate or any other material will absorb heat at roughly the same rate. It’s unlikely that using the same color in differing material will result in a significant roof top temperature difference.
- Once the sun stops striking a roof directly, the lightest material will lose its heat fastest. The lightest roof available is metal, so it cools quickest. Once the sun stops shining on a metal roof, it quickly reverts to the same temperature as the surrounding air. With heavier materials like slate or concrete, their mass means they will retain heat much longer. The longer they stay hot, the more heat they’ll transfer to the building beneath. In terms of roofing materials contributing to heat in a building, once the sun stops shining, metal is the best possible option.
Helpful Information About Stucco Repairs
How Stucco Repair Is Done
Stucco can endure for 100 years or more, but that doesn’t mean it is impervious. Cracks and holes that develop in the surface let in water that can quickly lead to further damage to the stucco and the underlying surfaces. Patches of stucco can also break free from the wood or metal lath is it adhered to, resulting in loose areas that can grow over time. In this way, small holes often turn into bigger ones, along with more moisture exposure and damage.
Remove the Loose Stucco
Remove all loose or otherwise damaged stucco in the repair area by tapping it with a hammer and a cold chisel. Break away the loose pieces until you reach solidly adhered stucco along the entire perimeter of the area. Be careful not to damage the underlying wood lath or sheathing. If there is metal lath under the stucco, cut it out along the perimeter, using metal snips. Remove all nails or screws securing the lath, and remove the lath from the wall.
Add Building Paper
Cut two pieces of grade D building paper to fit the patch area. Each piece should cover all exposed wood materials to create an effective moisture barrier.
Staple the first piece of paper to the wood lath or plywood sheathing, as applicable. Staple the second piece of paper over the first.
Install Metal Lath
Cut a piece of galvanized metal mesh stucco lath, using metal snips. As with the building paper, the lath should match the repair area so there are no gaps between the lath and the edges of the original (well-adhered) stucco.
Position the lath over the building paper and fasten it with galvanized roofing nails. The nails must be long enough to penetrate 1 inch into the wood framing members behind the original lath or, if the wall has plywood sheathing, nails should penetrate the full depth of the sheathing.
Mix the First Batch of Stucco
Mix a batch of quick-setting repair stucco, following the manufacturer’s directions, using a drill and mixing paddle or, for large quantities, a mortar mixer.
Keep the mixed stucco in a shaded area, and be ready to apply it as soon as it is mixed. Quick-setting stucco typically has a working time of 45 minutes or less, so mix only as much as you can apply in that time.
Apply the Scratch Coat
Spray the edges of stucco around the patch area with water (to prevent premature drying of the new stucco). Scoop a fist-size amount of wet stucco onto a trowel, then sling the stucco onto the metal lath to embed the wet mix into the openings in the mesh. The stucco should be able to hold onto the mesh by itself.
Repeat the process to cover the entire patch area, then smooth the stucco into a flat, even layer that is within 1/2 inch of the original stucco surface. Carefully press and smooth the wet stucco along the edges of the patch to bond the new stucco with the old.
Scarify the scratch coat with a trowel or scarifier, then let the coat cure as directed the mix manufacturer. You may need to water-cure the stucco by spraying it with water periodically. Curing may take only one to two hours, depending on the conditions and the stucco product.
Apply the Brown Coat
Mix a batch of stucco for the second, or brown, coat. Trowel the stucco onto the patch surface in a smooth, even layer that is recessed 1/8 inch from the surrounding original stucco. Let the brown coat cure as directed, misting with water, as applicable.
Apply the Final Coat
Mix a batch of stucco for the final, or color, coat. This coat can be a standard or custom-order color to achieve the desired look. However, it is very difficult to color-match a patch so that is blends with the surrounding stucco; hiding a patch completely often requires painting or coating the entire wall with a compatible paint or pigmented coating.
Apply the final coat with a trowel so it is flush with the surrounding area. Texture the coat, if desired, to match the original finish. Let the stucco cure as directed.
Common Problems with Stucco Homes
You’ve probably seen or heard of house hunting TV shows. The real estate agent and potential homebuyers evaluate the home’s location, bed and bath count and interior color choices. But the home’s siding rarely gets airtime. As a contractor, this concerns me, because siding is one of the key elements that determines curb appeal, not to mention its function of protecting the home from nature’s elements. Stucco siding requires careful consideration. Here’s what you need to know!
Stucco installation
As is the case with any home improvement material, stucco’s reliability depends heavily on how it was installed. Unfortunately, because stucco is comprised of several layers, there are several opportunities for an inexperienced contractor to incorrectly apply the material. One of the most common installation errors is incorrect flashing. Water intrusion, which can cause expensive damage, is a consequence of this.
If stucco sand becomes mixed with soil around the home, cracking can occur. While cracking can be repaired, the homeowner is most often the party responsible for bearing the burden of the cost. Even more troublesome is the fact that many installation issues don’t appear until several years down the road.
Water damage
In order to maintain its integrity, stucco must be kept moisture-free. It’s vital that gutters and downspouts are installed in a manner that directs water away from the home. Special care must be taken to ensure that doors and windows are tightly sealed so that water can’t permeate the stucco.
Paint color commitment
Opting for stucco on your home requires forward thinking, as this siding material can last more than 50 years. In order to update the color, the stucco must first be sandblasted. Skipping this step can create future issues with moisture.
Tips for Painting Stucco
To avoid different shades of color on your home, stucco walls should all be painted at the same time. Don’t be tempted to just paint the areas that need it. Use this time to closely inspect all the walls to identify problems (cracks, mold, pests) before they get worse.
Before painting stucco, always begin with a dirt-free surface by power washing the walls. Scrubbing the lower 1/3 of the wall with detergent and a stiff brush will remove excess dirt. Stucco paint can be rolled or sprayed on. While spraying is faster, it doesn’t always result in the fullest coverage. Brushing is not recommended.
If spraying, back rolling is a professional technique for ensuring complete coverage: Immediately after spraying a wall, have someone follow behind and roll the fresh paint with a lambs’ wool paint roller. This pushes the paint into cracks and crevices the sprayer cannot reach.
Always apply two coats of paint.
THERMAL BREAK
The new stucco systems include an additional insulation layer of Styrofoam, a feature I love because it provides more of a thermal barrier. This is known as an exterior insulation and finish system (EIFS). An acrylic-polymer coat of stucco is applied onto a base of mesh and foam board insulation. EIFS has higher plasticity, which means it has more resistance to cracking, but it is more vulnerable to high impacts such as hail or hockey pucks, than traditional stucco siding.
For my money, new synthetic stucco – if used with a high-strength backer mesh and high-compression foam – is the way to go.
Repairing Stucco Saves You Money
If you already have plaster or stucco on your walls, removing it entirely can actually be more costly than simply calling in the professionals for repair. Even after you take off the surface layer, you’re then faced with the cost of installing an entirely new interior surface. If your home already has plaster or stucco, quality care and upkeep are investments that just make sense.
There are clearly plenty of reasons to have and keep up plaster and stucco walls, but repairing old or damaged surfaces takes the touch of a skilled craftsman. So what can you do? Call in the pros, of course. Homeowners can avoid messes and mistakes by having an experienced professional handle their repair. They can assess the current state of your walls to answer questions like:
- How well is your plaster or stucco attached to its lath (meaning the wooden slats that attach it to the wall’s framework)?
- Is it salvageable at all?
- How is the surface quality?
They will then decide exactly what the best technique is to reattach your layer of stucco or plaster to the lath, repair surface damage, and repaint it to get the exact look you want.
The Correct Time To Get A Mold Inspection
Why Is It Important to Call for Mold Inspection Services?
A Look at the Benefits of Scheduling a Mold Inspection
If you suspect that you have mold in your house i , it’s important to hire an expert in mold remediation to perform a professional mold inspection. Symptoms of mold exposure can be incredibly serious, particularly exposure to toxic black mold. Here is a look at the key benefits of hiring a mold remediation expert to perform a mold inspection and black mold testing in your home.
Prevent Serious Symptoms of Mold Exposure
Mold symptoms, particularly black mold symptoms, are dangerous, and can even be life threatening. If you or anyone in your household is already ill or suffers from an autoimmune disease, you’re at a higher risk of dangerous symptoms of mold exposure. Symptoms of mold exposure can be as mild as allergies, skin rashes, and common cold symptoms. Black mold symptoms can include serious respiratory problems and infections, asthma complications, chronic headaches and fatigue, dangerous neurological problems, and toxic mold syndrome.
Improve Indoor Air Quality
When the mold in your house becomes airborne, your indoor air quality
significantly declines. Mold exposure and mold symptoms occur when mold spores
are inhaled from the air and settle in the lungs or nasal passages. A mold
remediation expert can test your indoor air quality for signs of mold spores.
He can also perform an extensive mold inspection to look for signs of mold
growth throughout your home. If he finds mold in your house, he will perform
professional mold testing, including black mold testing, to see if you are at
risk for toxic mold exposure.
Reduce Your Risk of Structural Damage to Your Home
Mold growth occurs in areas that are damp and warm. This means that mold might
grow in areas of your home that aren’t immediately visible, such as behind
walls or wallpaper, behind or underneath plumbing fixtures, in flooring or
ceiling tiles, and behind or underneath appliances. Water damage and mold
growth can cause problems with wooden structures, insulation, and electrical
wiring in your home. A mold inspection and mold remediation will reduce or
prevent serious structural damage.
Signs You May Need Mold Remediation
So, how do you know if your home contains harmful levels of mold? When you see black spots appearing on walls, ceilings or other areas of your home, it is a clear sign that there is an overgrowth of mold. However, mold could be growing inside the walls invisible to the naked eye. Mold build-up in air conditioning ducts also often goes unseen. As the AC unit blows, it contaminates your air with tiny mold spores circulating throughout your home day and night.
Water Intrusion Events
Moisture creates a perfect breeding ground for mold spores. A water intrusion event is a common cause of mold overgrowth. Overt flooding from an outdoor or indoor source will often bring on a mold problem within 72 hours of the water intrusion. When drywall, carpeting, upholstered furniture, and other porous materials become saturated with water, it takes a long time to dry out thoroughly. Mold likes to grow in damp, dark areas. That’s why basements and attics are particularly vulnerable to mold problems.
Some water intrusion problems are not as easy to detect. Leaking pipes inside the walls may go unnoticed for a long time. If the water collects behind tiled walls, for instance, you may never see the damage.
Odd Odors from an Unknown Source
If you get a whiff of something musty in the air inside your home, it is a good sign that there is a mold source nearby and you may need mold remediation. Again, air conditioning ducts could be the source. Also, check for water that has pooled around an AC unit, water heater, or under a sink. These are all places that small leaks may occur and go unnoticed. Some species of mold do not give off odors, so mold could be present even if you do not smell anything unusual.
Stains and Discoloration of Walls and Ceiling Tiles
Even if you don’t see the tell-tale black spots of mold growth, more subtle hints may be popping up around your home. Yellow, brown or orange discoloration of ceiling tiles, walls, or in showers or bathtubs could be an indication that there is mold growth occurring. Not all mold species appear black. Just like you may have noticed on different types of food, some molds are white, gray, green, red, or brown. Depending on the organic substance that the mold has settled into, colors may vary.
Health Symptoms that May Indicate Mold Problems
One of the most critical yet unrecognized signs that you need mold remediation is the adverse effect that mold has on human health. Breathing mold spores can cause a variety of symptoms, including:
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- A sore throat
- Nasal & sinus congestion
- Sneezing
- Nosebleeds
- Watery eyes
- Chest tightness
- Difficulty breathing
Because these symptoms resemble the common cold, a mold problem may not be considered as the source. If you or your family members seem to catch colds often, a mold issue could be the real culprit. Inhalation of mold can even bring on asthma attacks for those who suffer from the condition.
Long-term mold exposure to toxic molds may cause including cancer, pneumonitis, neurotoxicity, and other serious illnesses.
Here are the ways you can prevent the spread of mold, and what you can do to get rid of it.
- Keep an eye out for hidden leaks: Wet spots on your ceiling, at baseboards or on the floor are a telltale sign of a leaky pipe or roof. Your home’s pipes are behind drywall, which can leave a small leak unnoticed for a long time.
Mold can grow behind those walls and filter into the air through ducts or pipes. A plumber or contractor can help identify weak spots or possible leaks and prevent mold growth. - Keep your air conditioner clean: Many air conditioners, especially window units, are susceptible to mold growth. They often trap moisture, creating a breeding ground for the spores. Choosing a unit with humidity control can prevent moisture build-up. Leaving the device running at a low or “automatic” level during the day will keep air circulating and prevent a serious rise in humidity. You should also replace filters every three months, or as recommended.
“Your home should always maintain less than 60 percent humidity in order to stop mold production,” said Dr. Spahr. Finally, keeping ducts free of dirt and dust also eliminates the organic matter on which mold can feed. - Ventilate heat-prone rooms: Bathrooms, kitchens and laundry rooms create a lot of excess heat and humidity, whether it be from the shower, stove or dryer. All three of these rooms should be well ventilated to prevent the lingering moisture that attracts mold.
How Black Mold Affects The Brain
When mold enters your body through the air or skin, it can cause disturbances in many body organs including the brain. Often confused as just allergies, mold infection can greatly affect the cognitive function of the brain. When this happens, many dysfunctions occur leading to psychological distress and even feelings of craziness. Toxic mold can kill the neurons of the brain and affect a person’s mental ability. They also cause nervous disorders like tremors and personality changes such as irritability and mood swings.
Treating Mold Infection
If you’ve experienced black mold infection symptoms, the first step is to have the mold completely removed or remove yourself from the contaminated environment. However, in serious incidences, you need to take the necessary steps to treat it. Because of its long-term effects, it can easily be misdiagnosed and mistreated thereby leaving you more frustrated. If you think that you have mold symptoms, then you need to get a proper evaluation. To test for mold allergies and symptoms, your doctor may perform a blood test and skin prick test. These tests can help diagnose both severe mold poisoning and mold allergies. Treatment for black mold exposure and allergies may include:
- Nasal sprays: You can use over the counter nasal sprays to reduce any inflammation caused by black mold allergies or a solution of warm distilled water to clean your nasal passages and remove congestion.
- Over the counter medications: Over the counter drugs such as antihistamines can also help reduce your immune system and the swelling that occurs due to allergic reactions.
- Allergy shots: Your doctor may also recommend getting regular allergy shots to boost your body’s immune system over time.
The Mold Inspection Procedure
When your professional mold inspector arrives at your property, in order to begin the inspection, he will use an assortment of methods, including: visual inspection, surface sampling, and air sampling in order to determine the source and the type of mold that is present in the building.
Each time a mold inspector visits a property they will begin the process with a visual inspection. They will check the property and look for any signs of water damage, water intrusion, possible faucet or pipe leaks, and any other signs of moisture. They will also test the temperature and the humidity on the property, and add these calculations to a wide variety of data that they will be obtaining about your home or property.
When a professional mold inspector begins the surface sampling process, they are actually attempting to determine what kind of mold exists at a particular location within the property. The inspector may use a swab or a piece of tape to obtain the sample. As soon as the sample is properly packaged to avoid contamination, it is sent to a reliable laboratory where it can be analyzed.
The air sampling procedure is perhaps the best process of determining whether or not airborne mold spores exist within your premises. There are a variety of types of equipment that may be used for this type of sampling, but generally air will be drawn and then impacted over a glass substrate in order to create the sample.
Pediatric Nursing Isn’t Just Kids Stuff
How to Choose a Pediatrician
Pediatricians have special training in the health and illnesses of children from birth through adolescence and into the young adult years, and most are certified by the American Board of Pediatrics after passing a comprehensive examination covering all areas of health related to infants, children, and young adults
How to Find the Names of Qualified Pediatricians
The American Academy of Pediatrics and HealthyChildren.org can supply you with names of board-certified pediatricians in your community through our Find a Pediatrician tool.
*Note: Only Fellows of the American Academy of Pediatrics or “FAAPs” are listed in our Find a Pediatrician tool. Only board-certified pediatricians can add the designation “FAAP” after their names, which means they have reached the highest status of membership in this professional organization.
Most local/county medical societies provide referral services to pediatricians in their area who are taking new patients.
If you are located near a major medical center, community hospital, or teaching hospital, contact its department of pediatrics for the names of doctors in your area
Interviewing Pediatricians
With a list of doctors in hand, call the office of each. Explain that you are looking for a pediatrician for your child, and inquire about the doctor’s background and training, as well as general office procedures. If you are impressed with what you hear, arrange for an interview during which you can meet the doctor and ask some additional questions. It may be more convenient to do this interview by telephone
Here are some key questions to ask and things to consider during this first meeting:
What medical school did the pediatrician attend, and where did he or she undergo postgraduate and residency training? (Medical directories in many public libraries and online—such as the American Board of Medical Specialists Directory—can also help answer these questions.)
What are the doctor’s present hospital appointments? If it becomes necessary for your child to be hospitalized, where would he or she be admitted?
Is the pediatrician’s office conveniently located? Is it easily accessible by car or public transportation?
Are the office hours convenient for your own schedule? If you are a working parent, you may desire evening or weekend hours.
What is the doctor’s policy on taking and returning phone calls? Is there a nurse in the office who can answer routine questions?
Is the doctor in a group practice with other physicians? Does another physician cover for the doctor at times? Who handles phone calls when the office is closed or during vacations?
Do you sense a genuine interest by the doctor in the problems of your child, including particular health disorders he or she may have?
Do both the physician and the office staff appear amicable and courteous? Do they demonstrate compassion and patience? Or do you feel rushed in the office, as though the doctor is eager to move on to the next patient?
How are visits for acute illnesses handled? Can you make an appointment on short notice if your child needs to see the pediatrician because of a sore throat, cold, or a potential ear infection, for example?
Does the doctor communicate clearly to explain illnesses and treatments, and does the doctor make an effort to ensure that all your questions are answered?
In what managed-care programs does the doctor participate? What is the office policy regarding the processing of insurance forms?
What will be the fees you will be responsible for when seeing the doctor for sick visits, routine examinations, etc.? See Understanding Cost Sharing: Deductibles, Copayments & Coinsurance.
If your child ever develops a complex illness that requires he care of one or more specialists, will your pediatrician coordinate care among all the doctors providing treatment? See Your Child’s Medical Home: What You Need to Know.
How to Select a Pediatrician
Choosing a pediatrician for your baby is no easy task. After all, this doctor will help your little one through childhood vaccinations, nasty colds, and everything in between. But when should you start looking for a pediatrician, and what criteria should you focus on? Here are our top tips for choosing the best pediatrician near you.
When Should I Look For a Pediatrician?
Start looking for pediatricians while you’re still pregnant—preferably between 28 and 34 weeks along. “It’s important to have a pediatrician you’ve already met and respect, because you have enough going on after the baby is born,” says Evaline Alessandrini, M.D., a pediatrician at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
There’s also another benefit of finding a pediatrician early: Dr. Alessandrini’s recent study, which she co-authored, found that babies who see the same doctor for their first 6 months are up to twice as likely to receive important health tests before they turn 2. Sticking with the same doctor also prevents wasted time on things like “going over whether immunizations are up to date,” she says. “If you have a continuing relationship with a doctor, you have the time and comfort to go deeper.”
How to Research a Pediatrician
Searching for a pediatrician may seem daunting, but remember that you’re not trying to find “the best doctor in the world.” You’re simply looking for the most effective doctor for you, your partner, and your future child. Here are some tips.
Get references. Everyone has different criteria for picking a pediatrician, so you should collect at least three names from friends and coworkers. (If you’re short on preferred doctors, try the American Academy of Pediatrics’ referral site at aap.org/referral.) Also look into the hospitals that your candidates are affiliated with; you’ll want one that’s both convenient and reputable.
How to Choose the Best Pediatrician for Your Child
Parents seem to go to a lot of different extremes when choosing a pediatrician. Some do almost nothing and simply choose the pediatrician on call in the hospital when their baby is born or pick a doctor randomly from a list in the phone book or their insurance directory.
The Importance of Choosing a Pediatrician
Choosing the right pediatrician is more important than most parents think. While you can simply change doctors if you don’t like the first pediatrician you see, if your newborn or older child is truly sick, the first doctor you see could be making life-changing decisions about your child. Or they could miss a potentially life-threatening problem.
Pediatrician Recommendations
A common way for parents to choose a pediatrician is to get a recommendation from their friends or family members. This is probably one of the best ways, but when someone tells you that they love going to their pediatrician, be sure to ask why before you blindly follow them to the same office.
Choosing a Pediatrician
Although we like to think that things like cost and convenience should be secondary when making such an important decision, they can be very important when choosing a pediatrician. If the pediatrician you would like to see is not on your insurance plan or is an hour away, it may not be very practical to go to her office.
Interviewing Pediatricians
Although you can typically narrow down your choice of pediatricians by figuring out who is on your insurance plan and in your area, who is accepting new patients and getting some recommendations from friends and family, the best way to find a good pediatrician is to actually set up an appointment and meet with a few.
How to Choose a Pediatrician
When looking for a pediatrician to care for your baby, you’ll want to give yourself plenty of time to find someone both you and your partner feel comfortable with. So it’s a good idea to begin choosing a pediatrician at the beginning of your third trimester. Ask your OB and trusted family and friends for recommendations.
These questions can help you choose the right pediatrician for you.
Does this doctor have a good reputation?
What is this doctor’s training and experience?
Does the pediatrician respect my philosophy on breastfeeding and immunizations?
Does the doctor listen to me and explain things clearly?
Will my child see the same doctor every time?
Who covers for the pediatrician when he or she is not available?
Is my spouse or partner comfortable with this doctor?
Is the office staff pleasant and helpful?
Is the office location convenient?
How long does it take to get an appointment?
How long will my child and I spend in the waiting room?
Does the pediatrician offer evening and weekend hours? Who sees my child during these hours?
How are emergencies and after-hour calls handled?
What hospital is the pediatrician affiliated with?
Does my insurance cover this doctor’s services?
How to Choose a Pediatrician: What to Look For
Choosing the right doctor for your child is one of the most important decisions you’ll make for you and your baby. Sure, you’ll want to consider convenience and office hours: Is it close to home, are they open late or on weekends? What about expertise — where did they do their training, are they board-certified? Do they come recommended by friends and family? What’s their philosophy on things important to you?
Convenience
It can help to look for a practice that fits into your life and can support you, too, by being there when you need them. You’ll want both convenience and quality care, from a doctor you can trust to be on your side through your child’s development and growth. A good pediatrician will be available to your entire family to offer advice from infancy through adolescence
Values
A good pediatrician knows how to listen to you and your child. They understand the unique needs of parents and young families and can dispel myths, alleviate fears, and provide information you need — at the right time. You want someone who you can speak to honestly and collaborate with on the care of your child.
Expertise
Consider the level of training of the provider who will care for your child. Are they board-certified in pediatrics? Do they offer specialized training in breastfeeding, child development, or other things that will meet your family’s needs? And does the practice have direct access to pediatric specialists, if and when they need them, for reference or advice?
Make an informed choice
Becoming a parent or growing your family is a time of huge transition. It can, at times, feel like a rollercoaster ride. But it’s all part of the process; the joys and challenges of being a great parent. And when your child is here, having the right pediatrician by your side can make all the difference in the world.
Personal Injury Lawyers Are A Must Have When Filing Personal Injury Claims
How to Choose a Personal Injury Lawyer
Understand why you need a personal injury attorney. A personal injury attorney is different from other types of attorneys because of their experience and expertise in a specific area of the law. If you have been injured due to someone else’s negligence, or if you have allegedly injured another, you will want an attorney that knows how to handle your case. Personal injury attorneys often have.
Make a list of factors that go in to choosing a good personal injury lawyer. When you begin the process of choosing a personal injury attorney, you will want to understand what makes a lawyer good. With the following list in hand, you can begin searching for lawyers that meet your criteria.
Ask for personal referrals. Once you have a checklist of what makes a good personal injury lawyer, you will want to ask friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers if they know any good attorneys. You should start the process by looking for personal referrals because these are the attorneys who usually have the best reputations and are trustworthy.
Google potential lawyer candidates. Try a simple Google search and see what you can come up with. Try to use this method in combination with other methods to get the best results.
How to Choose the Best Personal Injury Attorney for Your Case
Find an Attorney You Can Trust
You must have total confidence in your attorney. You don’t want to be second guessing them throughout your case. Using your existing network is a great way to find someone who’s trustworthy and accountable.
Check the Attorney’s Rating
Regardless of where you find your attorney, make sure they are a member in good standing of their state and local bar association. Larger bar associations have attorney referral lists you can access at no charge.
Factors for Comparing Attorneys
Every personal injury case is unique, and every attorney-client relationship is also unique. There are several factors to think about when choosing the attorney who will best fight for you.
How to Choose a Personal Injury Lawyer
First, make sure you look for a lawyer who practices in the state where you live or the state where you were injured.
Second, look for lawyers who handle your kind of case. For example, if you were injured in a car accident, look for a personal injury lawyer who handles car crash cases. You can usually find this information on their website.
Third, once you have a working list, check and see if there have been any disciplinary actions filed against the lawyer you are thinking of contacting.
Fourth, find out what you can online. Look at the attorney’s website and content, check for reviews, both good and bad. You should be able to find out enough information to decide if you are willing to do a consultation with them.
Fifth, schedule an initial consultation. Most personal injury lawyers offer free consultations, since most work on a contingency basis rather than charging by the hour. After you meet with the lawyer, you should have a good idea of whether it’s a good fit.
How to Choose a Personal Injury Lawyer
What if I Don’t Want a Trial? How Can I Still get Full-Value for my Personal Injury Claim?
Sure, everyone hopes their case will settle without a fight. But think about it. Wouldn’t you agree that having a seasoned, Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer is the best way to increase the risk to an insurance company and, accordingly, having them offer a fair settlement to you? You need to hire the lawyer the insurance companies hope you don’t hire.
Insurance Companies Base the Amount they Offer on the Lawyer you Hire
They keep track of lawyers and law firms that settle cases for low values. This means when you hire a big firm or a lawyer that never goes to trial and just settles cases, a lower value will be placed on your claim.
Are Board Certified Lawyers More Expensive?
No, the Florida Bar regulates contingency fees. So most personal injury lawyers charge the same exact fee. If every attorney charges the same fee, why not hire one who is an expert in personal injury cases?
Choosing a Good Personal Injury Lawyer
Starting Your Search
Most lawyers who specialize in personal injury cases tend to represent a particular side of these kinds of cases—either the plaintiff (the person who was injured) or the defendant (the person, business, or other entity who is alleged to have caused the plaintiff’s injury)—not both. If you’ve been injured, you want to hire what’s called a “plaintiff’s lawyer.”
Narrowing it Down
No matter what resource you use to find an initial list of personal injury lawyers, you’ll want to whittle it down to three or four prospective candidates by keeping the following tips in mind.
Money Matters
In most personal injury claim scenarios, you’ll be able to hire a lawyer on a “contingency fee” basis. This means that the lawyer will be paid a percentage of any settlement or court award you receive—usually around one-third—and if you don’t receive anything from the other side, your lawyer does not get paid a fee. It’s important to read the find of any contract before you sign it, and understand that you still might be on the hook for “costs” associated with your case (which are different from legal fees).
What Are The Benefits Of Carpet Flooring
How To Choose The Right Carpet Type For Your Home
Carpet types may look very similar, but understanding the differences will help you make the right choice for your home. To make your selection process a little easier, we’ve put together our ultimate guide to carpet types.
Wool carpet is warm, luxurious and has a long-lasting beauty that will stand the test of time. It is naturally stain resistant and has significantly better soil release than any other fibre – but you’ll need to make sure you clean up spills quickly.
Nylon is the most popular carpet in Australian homes. Ultra soft, durable and stain resistant, it’s ideal for high-traffic areas, families or pets. It’s also a cheaper alternative to traditional wool.
Solution Dyed Nylon (SDN) is the next generation of nylon carpet. It has colour added to the fibre during the production process, rather than applied to the surface afterwards, making it colourfast against cleaning and sunlight.
Polypropylene is a synthetic fibre that is a great option if you’re working to a budget. Anti-static plus fade and stain resistant, it is often used in rental properties, garages and playrooms.
How to Choose a Carpet that is Beautiful & Durable
Flooring can add beauty and style to your home. From beautiful, natural hardwood to soft luxurious carpet, a floor provides the backdrop for the rest of your room. You floor also gets a lot of wear and tear. Pets, guests, family, kids – your carpet literally gets walked all over every day. Choosing a floor that can take the abuse is important in having the beautiful backdrop that lets your home shine. When you’re choosing a floor, arm yourself with this information and you won’t be disappointed with the beautiful floors you’ll have for many years to come.
NYLON
Durable, versatile, wear-resistant and easy to clean, nylon is a great fiber choice for all areas of the home. Nylon is also soft to the touch and some new nylon yarns can be exceptionally soft. Nylon is not inherently stain-resistant, however, most nylon carpets are treated to protect against spills and stains
POLYESTER
Exceptionally soft, polyester also has natural stain resistant qualities. Polyester is not as resilient as nylon but thanks to advancements in yarn processing, polyester carpets now perform much better than older polyester carpets.
POLYPROPYLEN (OLEFIN)
Polypropylene, while not as resilient as nylon or polyester will not absorb water making it more stain and fade resistant. Polypropylene is usually found in loop pile carpets where the lack of resiliency is not an issue.
BERBER
Berber is a looped carpet tufted with thick yarn. It often has random specks of color in contrast to a base hue. It is great for any areas that must endure lots of traffic, such and entryways and hallways. This floor covering has a rich, textured feel, while maintaining an informal, casual look.
Carpet Selection: Things You Must Know
Carpet dealers usually carry samples of many carpet lines from multiple mills and manufacturers in their showrooms. You’ll see a range of quality when you begin your carpet search. Your best bet is to educate yourself and research your options before you head to the store. Then, you’re sure to get a quality carpet that provides comfort, durability and beauty far into the future.
What You Should Know:
By asking these questions, the dealer is trying to gauge which grade and style of carpet would work best for your home.
How much use will the room get? (This is a consideration because a heavily used room may not be the best place to install white or very light-colored carpet.)
Are kids going to be playing down on the floor? Or is it a formal room that doesn’t get much use? (Again, lighter colors my create more maintenance but another factor the dealer is trying to consider is whether you should choose carpet made with BCF fiber like STAINMASTER® so that children playing on the floor will not find themselves covered in loose fibers shed from staple products.)
What You Should Know:
You should always remember to bring swatches of fabric from drapes and furniture, wallpaper samples, and paint chips with you when you are selecting carpet. That way you can consider a range of colors that will match your existing décor. Remember that color can also affect your mood. Warmer colors often make you feel energized while cooler tones provide a sense of calm.
Wall-to-Wall Carpet Buying Guide
On the Carpet
Buying the right type of carpet for a room in your home involves more than finding a style in the color you like. You first will need to consider your lifestyle—what you typically do in that room—location, material, construction, and upkeep. Carpet manufacturers have responded to homeowners’ desire for great looks, value, and easy maintenance with many innovations and options in recent years.
Selection
When shopping, think function first
Fiber Facts
The type of fiber used determines the basic performance and appearance of the carpet. The biggest trend today is: soft. Homeowners seek comfort, and carpet offers a cushion underfoot. It also suppresses noise. The fiber content is usually listed on a specification sheet on the back of the sample. While names may differ among manufacturers, products still fall within one of five basic categories.
Wool
Wool, the granddaddy of all soft floorcoverings, retains its legacy of luxury. Natural and made from woven construction, it offers a greater range of designs, detail, and color than a traditional tufted carpet. Expect good stain resistance as long as you treat it as soon as something is dropped on it. It also has inherent flame retardant characteristics.
Nylon
Nylon comes a close second to wool in terms of performance and feel, but on average it costs less. This versatile fiber offers plenty of variety in styles and construction: frieze, textured, shag, loop cut loop (LCL) all can be made from nylon. It has excellent soil resistance, colorfastness and resilience, which allows it to bounce back, making it a suitable just about anywhere. Some of it can be recycled once into another nylon carpet if the manufacturer so chooses.
Selecting the Right Carpet
From the Store to Your Floor
You’ve decided that carpet is the best flooring choice for your home. Now what? There’s a lot to consider and many great options from which to choose. Today’s carpet offers a wide variety of choices in style, fiber composition, and color.
A Rainbow of Choices
If a room is your interior design canvas, carpet is your paintbrush. It can be neutral, complementing the other visual elements in the room. It can also be a bold, focal point of the room. Because carpet comes in nearly every color imaginable, the choice is yours
Types of Carpet
Carpet is constructed in several different ways, along with a variety of fibers. Understanding the strengths and differences of each will help you make the right choices for your lifestyle, home, and budget.
Cut Pile: One of the most popular constructions, cut pile achieves its durability through the type of fiber used, density of tufts, and the amount of twist in the yarn. Highly twisted yarn will hold its shape longer, making it a smart choice for high-traffic areas.
Textured Plush – Decorative and versatile. Textured surfaces help hide footprints and vacuum marks. Add causal beauty to any room. The preferred style for busy households. A great carpet for the entire home.
Saxony – Refined surface. Works well with traditional interiors. Ideal for living and dining rooms.
Friezé – Forms a “curly” textured surface because yarns are extremely twisted. Has an informal look. Helps minimize footprints and vacuum marks.
Plush (Velvet) – Dense, luxurious feel. Shows footprints and vacuum marks easily. Best for low traffic areas and formal rooms.
Loop Pile: Here loops are the same height, creating a uniform look. This style generally lasts a long time in high-traffic areas. Many of today’s popular Berber styles are level loop styles with flecks of a darker color on a lighter background.
Some Information On Toilet Installation
How to Choose a Toilet
Choosing a new toilet for the bathroom can be an overwhelming experience. With so many options, configurations, and styles to choose from, you want to make sure you’re selecting the right toilet to suit all your needs.
When selecting a new toilet for your bathroom, consider your desires, budget, and lifestyle. The right toilet can drastically improve your bathroom experience, and we’re here to help you navigate through all the different things you need to take into consideration before making your final choice.
Self-cleaning toilets, for example, allow you to save time, and cuts out the need to do one of the most undesired chores in the house! Our new ActiClean Self-Cleaning Toilet is the perfect solution, using a cleaning solution combined with our powerful VorMax flushing system, with both a Quick Clean and Deep Clean cycle for a bowl that’s sparkling clean at the touch of a button.
Consider a Toilet that can Help Save Water
Not only is water conservation important to the environment, but it can also help save you money on your water bill each month. Standard toilets now flush at a rate of 1.6 gallons per flush (gpf) – which is less than 50% of the water used by older 3.5 gpf toilets. Due to advances in hydraulic designs, these 1.6 gpf toilets work as well, and in some cases even better than older toilets in terms of bulk removal and reducing clogs.
Choose the Right Configuration for your Bathroom
There are several different configurations of toilets to suit different needs. Selecting the right configuration will ensure that the toilet has the right look and design for your bathroom.
How to Buy a Toilet
In your lifetime, you’re going to flush your toilet an average of 140,000 times. Your toilet will also account for about 30% of your home’s water use, so replacing an old, faulty toilet or purchasing an eco friendly toilet can benefit both the environment and your bottom line. While most people are familiar with the standard gravity toilet with a tank on the back, details like flushing power, water conservation, and a model’s design should all be considered before you purchase a toilet.
Understand the mechanics behind a toilet. When you flush a standard toilet, the handle pulls up a chain, which raises a flush valve. This flush valve then releases at least two gallons (about 7.5 litres) of water from the tank into the bowl in about three seconds, which triggers the siphon to suck the contents of the bowl down the drain and into a sewer system or septic tank. However, contrary to popular belief, the tank is not the most important part of a toilet’s technology. In fact, you could detach the tank from the toilet and pour two gallons of water into the bucket by hand, and the toilet would still flush.
Consider a gravity-assisted toilet. This type is the most common type in North America. These toilets use the weight and height of the water in the tank to facilitate a flush. The tank then refills via a small gushing pipe (usually plastic) until a float shuts off the flow. If any water does happen to flow a little higher from gushing, hand-motion inside, or even an earthquake, a narrow overflow tube handles any overflow problems. So, as long as the toilet is functioning properly, no water should spill outside of the porcelain tank. This type is the staple toilet, simple, effective, and durable. The flushing sound for gravity assisted toilets also isn’t particularly loud and they are easy to repair. However, if you have a lot of people using your toilet (say, a large family) or are going to be putting a lot of wear on the toilet’s flush system, gravity-assisted toilets may not have enough power to flush consistently, after every use.
Consider a pressure-assisted toilet. Unlike gravity assisted, pressure-assisted toilets have an ‘active’ rather than a passive mechanism. This type adds pressure to the force of gravity by supplying more force than the traditional unit. Water displaces air inside a sealed cylindrical tank, usually made of metal or plastic, inside the larger ceramic tank, helping to generate a larger force. However, because the water in the tank is held under pressure, it flushes with greater force, resulting in a loud flushing sound. As well, a greater amount of pressure via your toilet can put stress on older pipes and plumbing in your home, which can lead to a leak or a busted pipe.
Consider a vacuum-assisted toilet. This type innovates on the standard gravity-assisted toilet by using a vacuum that draws the water with more force into the bowl using the rim holes in the upper toilet bowl. Vacuum-assisted toilets have a cleaner, quieter flush than other models, making them ideal for a bathroom near your bedroom, or by a quiet area of your home. However, unclogging this type of toilet requires some time and skill. To unplug the bowl, you have to take the lid off and put your hand over an opening in the tank for the plunging action to work. The vacuum-assisted toilet also costs about $100 more than a gravity toilet.
Toilet Buying Guide
When you’re in shopping mode for a new commode, remember that a big price tag doesn’t guarantee better performance. In our tests of single- and dual-flush toilets, the ones with the top Overall Scores were midpriced models. The best toilets also save water while delivering worry-free performance.
How We Test Toilets
To develop our toilet ratings, Consumer Reports’ test engineers put the fixtures through a battery of tests involving waste removal, bowl cleaning, and drain-line clogs. We also measure how loud a toilet’s flushes are
Toilets by Type
While there are many features to consider when buying a toilet, including height, bowl shape, color, style, and flushing technology, most toilets fall into one of two basic types: gravity-feed and pressure-assisted. Gravity-feed toilets dominate the market, but pressure-assisted models are worth a look.
Gravity-Feed Toilets
As their name implies, these toilets have a flush valve that relies on gravity. Water drops from the tank into the bowl to move waste down the drain. They can work with as little as 10 pounds per square inch of household water pressure. Models with a beefy 3-, 3½-, or even 4-inch-wide flush valve deliver more thrust in our tests than those with a 2- to 2½-inch valve. Ask to see the manufacturer’s specifications for the flush valve.
Pressure-Assisted Toilets
As water compresses air within the sealed tank, it creates pressure that thrusts waste forcefully down the waste line. A pressure-assisted toilet is an especially good choice for large families, but it does have a noisier flush.
Choose the Right Toilet for Your Bathroom
is there really much to think about other than looks when selecting a toilet for a bathroom remodel? Surprisingly, yes. When it comes to choosing a commode, size, height and how well it functions should play into your decision.
THE PERFECT FIT
There are thousands of toilets on the market, but a rough-in distance, which measures the distance from the finished wall to the center of the sewer drain for the toilet, will narrow the field. The standard rough-in is 12 inches, and the widest selection of toilets is available in this size. If a bathroom remodel makes use of an existing rough-in that is another size, 10 or 14 inches for example, choices can be more limited.
WHAT STYLE?
There are several toilet types available. A two-piece toilet, in which the tank bolts on top of the bowl, is typically a bit more affordable. A one-piece toilet, with an integral tank and bowl, can cost more, but these units are easier to clean because they have no seam. Wall-mounted toilets add drama to a bathroom, and cleaning under them is a breeze. However, this higher-end fixture can be more expensive to install because it requires a thicker wall to mount the toilet and house the tank, and future maintenance could require reopening the wall.
FLUSHING TECHNOLOGY
Once you’ve settled on the size, shape and style, find a toilet that flushes efficiently. “You can have the most beautiful toilet in the whole wide world, but if it doesn’t flush, it’s ugly,” Williford says
BIDETS
Bidets, fixtures that look similar to toilets but are actually used for personal hygiene, are typical in European bathrooms, but aren’t as common in the United States. Max Isley, owner of Hampton Kitchens in Raleigh, N.C., estimates that less than 20 percent of his clients choose to include a bidet in a bathroom remodel, and most do simply because the fixture is fashionable and helps with resale. Bidets can also be useful for anyone who has mobility problems and finds it difficult to get into a bathtub or stand in the shower.
Things to Consider When Choosing a Toilet
Loo, commode, privy—no matter what you call it, this plumbing fixture is part of your everyday life. Given that the average person visits the toilet 2,500 times a year, it’s important to pick one that you’ll be happy seeing—and sitting on—every day.
Measure the Rough-in
In plumbing terms, a “rough-in” is the distance from the wall behind the toilet to the bolt cap of your toilet. Toilets typically have a 10”, 12” or 14” rough-in. This distance determines the type of toilet your plumber can install
Choose a Toilet Style and Type
Toilets come in a wide range of styles, including traditional, transitional, modern, eclectic and contemporary. Once you know what you’re looking for in a style, you can then consider the type of toilet of that best suits your needs.
Two-piece Toilets consist of two units: a bowl and a tank that is bolted on top. Depending on the model, you may be able to mix and match your bowl and tank. If you are interchanging your tank and bowl, make sure the tank securely lines up with your bowl’s bolt holes. Two-piece toilets work well with a variety of styles.
One-piece Toilets seamlessly integrate the toilet and the bowl as one unit. This creates a sleek, clean look that’s perfect for a modern or contemporary bathroom. One-piece toilets are easier to clean and install than two-piece toilets. One-piece toilets are typically found in modern, contemporary and eclectic bathrooms due to their sleek appearance.
The Secret Of Electrical Maintenance That No One Is Talking About
How To Choose The Right Electrician For Home Maintenance
The importance of maintaining your home electrical system cannot be understated. If you fail to either check the condition of your wirings and fixtures or address electrical problems immediately, you’re bound to encounter accidents and damages in your home. That’s why you need to hire the right electrician to conduct regular maintenance.
Why DIY Electrical Maintenance May Be Dangerous
Some people resort to doing the electrical work themselves due to cost. While it’s true that tapping the services of an electrician may incur additional expenses, embarking on DIY electrical maintenance work may prove to be more costly.
Lack of knowledge and experience: Professional electricians are trained to handle most of the home electrical issues, and their troubleshooting skills are far better than the average homeowner. For instance, flickering lights may have other underlying reasons other than a busted bulb.
High safety risk: It’s easy for a regular homeowner to disregard safety when it comes to electrical work. In contrast, most electrical contractors have complete personal protective equipment when they work on electrical systems.
Choose one who has local recognition
If you don’t know any electrician in your area, ask around or do a quick search on reputable electrical contractors. Electricians with glowing reviews and overwhelmingly positive feedback are your best bets. In addition, look for an electrician or electrical company that has recognition locally for excellence in service.
How to Choose the Right Electrical Contractor for Your Business
In this industry, technology is constantly evolving. When you’re in the market to hire a new electrical contractor, it’s obviously crucial that who you hire is trustworthy and abreast of all the changing technology and stays up-to-date. When your electrical contractor is ahead of the curve, your business will not only become more efficient, but you’ll save money, too. Here’s what to look for when choosing the right electrical contractor for your business
New Certifications
Certifications let you know that your electrical contractor has received and understands the latest developments in the field. But there are more than just certifications for installing and maintaining electrical equipment, there are also certifications for doing these things safely. You and your employees have probably undergone some form of basic OSHA safety training. The right electrical contractor company will undergo a more rigorous, specialized OSHA–30 certification, which means that the employees of that company have received 30 hours of training centered around things such as current common electrical hazards, personal protective equipment, hazardous locations, and proper wiring methods. Be sure to ask your prospective companies if their technicians have undergone OSHA-30 training. This will be a sign to you that the company is not only doing things to the highest standard, but they’re doing it safely as well.
They Recommend ARC Flash Studies
An ARC flash study is a complete examination of your electrical system. It helps assess the level of risk in your workplace. These studies ensure that your factory is completely compliant with local, national and even international standards by finding issues with your electrical system and bringing them to your attention, and allowing you to fix them. It also helps to ensure the safety of your employees and protects your equipment (as well as your building) by identifying maintenance needs such as poor connections, neglected equipment and contamination, all of which could lead to short circuits and fires
They Provide Lift Training
Sometimes, electrical equipment and wires are located up out of safe reach, even with the use of a ladder. In these instances, lifts are often used. But not just anyone can use one. Lift equipment requires special training. The employees of your electrical contracting company have this training. You may not be able to, or need to, call the company every time you need something addressed. The right electrical contractor will provide lift training so that some of your employees can operate a lift properly and take care of smaller needs.
They Conduct Regular Safety Meetings
Sure, there’s a safety handbook. And everyone knows the basic rules. But, even so, someone might forget something, or do something they find easier, but is not necessarily safe. Not only that, but there are periodic updates to the safety regulations. It’s important that everyone is aware of these safety updates, and on the same page about proper safety procedures and protocols. In order to do this, your electrical contracting company should conduct regular safety meetings throughout the year. This helps to ensure that no matter who is sent out to your company, they will all adhere to the latest, proper regulations.
types of maintenance strategy, which one to chose?
Maintenance is carried out following detection of an anomaly and aimed at restoring normal operating conditions. This approach is based on the firm belief that the costs sustained for downtime and repair in case of fault are lower than the investment required for a maintenance program. This strategy may be cost-effective until catastrophic faults occur
Maintenance carried out at predetermined intervals or according to prescribed criteria, aimed at reducing the failure risk or performance degradation of the equipment.
Maintenance carried out by integrating analysis, measurement and periodic test activities to standard preventive maintenance. The gathered information is viewed in the context of the environmental, operation and process condition of the equipment in the system. The aim is to perform the asset condition and risk assessment and define the appropriate maintenance program.
Maintenance based on the equipment performance monitoring and the control of the corrective actions taken as a result. The real actual equipment condition is continuously assessed by the on-line detection of significant working device parameters and their automatic comparison with average values and performance. Maintenance is carried out when certain indicators give the signaling that the equipment is deteriorating and the failure probability is increasing.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT ELECTRICAL SERVICE FOR YOUR FACILITY
As your company grows, the number of electrical issues you face increases proportionately, and choosing the right kind of electrical contractor for your facilities becomes increasingly important. Have you ever wondered whether it’s best to choose an on-call or on-site maintenance plan for your facility?
Why Use a Dedicated On-Call Electrician?
Having an on-call electrician means that when there’s an issue, a dedicated electrician familiar with your site will arrive quickly — typically within two hours.
On-Site Electricians Provide Fast, Site-Specific Responses
Having one or more on-site electricians is typically only advantageous for larger facilities that have enough electrical work to keep at least one full-time electrician occupied.
The cost of having an on-site electrician may be a consideration, but for large facilities, the risk and costs associated with not having an electrician onsite during an emergency is typically much greater.
For example, at a large New York City facility hosting a major event, an electrical cable was accidentally cut by an unrelated construction project. The mishap cut the power to the event, but the on-site electricians responded immediately, repairing it with minimum downtime and little disruption.
CHOOSING AN ELECTRICIAN FOR YOUR ELECTRICAL REPAIRS
When it comes to electrical repairs, you always need to choose a licenced and qualified electrician. Not only is this the safest and most effective way of getting quality electrical repairs, it is also the law. There are many electrical specialists throughout Queensland, however, and this can make choosing an electrician difficult.
CONSIDER YOUR NEEDS IN TERMS OF ELECTRICAL REPAIRS
The first thing to consider when looking for an electrician is your needs. Electrical systems vary in size and design between different applications. For example, large-scale commercial electrical systems will be far different to the domestic electrical systems that are installed in most homes. By considering your personal needs in this regard, you can help refine your search for the best electrician.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF ELECTRICAL REPAIRS REQUIRE DIFFERENT APPROACHES
With so many different types of electrical systems, it can be challenging to find the right electrician for you. If you can refine your electrical problem into one of the categories below, however, you will have a good starting point. Ideally, you could find an electrician that specialises in a diverse range of areas, as this normally suggests that they are skilled in their field.
Commercial electrical repairs are unique, as they involve specialised electrical systems. Because shops, retail spaces, restaurants and other such commercial buildings require specific and tailored electrical set ups, they often need specific and unique electrical repairs. If you require electrical repairs in your commercial premises, then you should look for an electrician who offers commercial electrical repair services. If they offer these repairs specifically, then you can rest assured that they will have the knowledge, experience and tools necessary to complete the job to a high standard of quality.
Residential electrical repairs are the most common and they can involve anything from appliance installation to rewiring jobs. It is important, for your safety and the safety of your family, that you find a licenced and qualified electrician to undertake your residential electrical repairs. A good way to find a reliable and reputable operator is to look at some testimonials or reviews on their website. As well as this, you should have a look at the services they offer and ensure that they are well suited to addressing your electrical repair needs.
The Benefits Of Carpet Cleaning
How To Choose A Good Carpet Cleaning Company
One popular type of flooring in the home and some business premises is carpeting. If this is your type of flooring then at certain times you will require some special maintenance to keep the carpet looking its best. This is where the services of a good cleaning company come in like rug cleaners. Delicate material and fabric need professional cleaning. It is thus important to find a company that can provide quality services.
Reputation
When researching on carpet cleaning companies to hire it is important to look for those that have a good reputation. Inquire from your networks on companies they can recommend to you due to the type of service they received. Likewise, one can search the internet for reviews of potential companies that they are considering to hire. One can check on the companies websites for feedbacks from clients. Moreover, there are also sites dedicated to rating and review such companies. This sites can offer valuable information regarding the reputation of companies
Education and Certification
When choosing a carpet cleaning company, it is important to look at the training and certification of the cleaning firm. A company that has staff who are trained is a guarantee that quality service will be offered. It is also proof that they can correctly clean carpets, they are aware of the different cleaning methods, understand the various kinds of fabrics and materials and they can handle any stains. Verify that the carpet cleaning company your want to hire has staff that is qualified.
Experience
There is value in experience. A cleaning carpet company team that has experience is proof that they are experts and have honed the knowledge of cleaning carpets through practice over time. It means that they can offer solutions to your carpet cleaning issues and will be effective at their service. Experience guarantees quality service, quality service means happy clients
Equipment and Products
Another important factor to consider is the type of cleaning process the company does. How is their cleaning process, how long do the carpets take to dry, what kind of equipment and products do they use when cleaning. Are the products environmentally friendly and safe for children, pets, and people with allergies? Such information will guide you as you make a choose on which cleaning carpet company to hire.
Carpet Cleaner Buying Guide
Embedded dirt can’t get you down when you’ve got a carpet cleaner around. See how well the top cleaners navigate on nylon plush carpets below.
Home Carpet Cleaning: Grubby to Great
Got dirty carpets? There’s certainly no lack of cleaning options, including buying a carpet-cleaning machine, renting one, or hiring a pro. While nothing beat the ease and performance of a pro, some of the machines we tested came pretty close for less money.
More Power, Deeper Clean
Machines that were better at lifting embedded dirt have larger, more powerful motors. Almost all of the full-sized models did a better job at removing dirt. Bissell and Hoover, the two largest manufacturers of carpet cleaners, say you must use their cleaning solutions in their machines or you could void the warranty or cause electrical shock or fire by damaging the machine.
How to Choose
Embedded dirt requires deep cleaning. Check your carpet’s warranty or manufacturer’s website for suggestions on how often you should clean. Otherwise you could damage the carpet or void its warranty. Some companies, for example, don’t allow a pro to reapply stain treatments.
Focus on Features
Separate tanks for hot water and cleaning solution make refilling quicker because you usually need to refill water more often. Smaller tanks mean more frequent refills. Carry and push the machine before buying, especially if you’ll be carrying it up and down stairs. Look for models with attachments if you’d like to clean upholstery or stairs.
Consumers Guide To Carpet Cleaning
I am a member of the Carpet and Fabricare Institute (CFI), and owner of Above & Beyond Carpet Care. My company is a certified firm by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification, also known as the IICRC. I have earned the highest IICRC cleaning certification as “Certified Master Cleaner”. We are also certified in stone, masonry & ceramic tile cleaning, upholstery & fabric cleaning, carpet repair & reinstallation, odor control, flood restoration and mold remediation. I’ve been in the carpet cleaning business for over 23 years. And in that time, I’ve learned that carpet cleaning is the subject of much confusion. In fact, people have so many misconceptions about carpet cleaning that I decided to offer this consumer’s guide to carpet cleaning so when you select a carpet cleaning company, you can make an informed intelligent decision.
YOU SHOULD WAIT AS LONG AS POSSIBLE BEFORE CLEANING YOUR CARPET. Not true. Dirt is an abrasive – like sandpaper. Every time you step on the carpet, you grind dirt into your carpet fibers. This cuts your carpet, just as if you had used a knife, causing it to wear out faster. A dirty carpet will not last nearly as long as a clean carpet. And while vacuuming helps — by itself, it’s simply not enough. The longer you wait to have your carpet cleaned, the more damage you do to your carpet and the faster it wears out
THE ONLY REASON TO CLEAN CARPET IS TO REMOVE THE DIRT. Not true. As you probably know, outdoor air contains pollens, fungus, bacteria, air pollution, cigarette smoke, car exhaust — and hundreds of other chemicals. When you and your family members come into your home, you carry those pollens, bacteria and chemicals in your hair and on your skin, clothing and shoes. Not surprisingly, all those chemicals, pollens and bacteria wind up — you guessed it — in your carpet. If you have allergies, asthma, emphysema, or other breathing problems — one major source of your problem could be the pollens, fungus, and chemicals in your carpet.
NE METHOD OF CARPET CLEANING IS JUST AS GOOD AS ANOTHER. Not true. You can choose from two primary methods: Dry cleaning or hot water extraction. First, I’ll explain dry cleaning. Many people believe that dry cleaning your carpet is like dry cleaning your clothing. This is not true. All carpet cleaning methods use water in one from or another. Here are the three methods of dry cleaning carpet.
HAVING THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT IS ALL A COMPANY NEEDS TO CLEAN YOUR CARPETS PROPERLY. Not true. Many companies own hot-water cleaners — but a large number of employees don’t know how to use them. You probably know someone who bought the newest computer on the market — but didn’t learn how to use it for a year or more. The same is true with carpet cleaning machines. The company may own good equipment, but the employees may not know how to use it correctly. This is why it’s important that you choose your carpet cleaner carefully.
Things to Consider When Choosing A Carpet Cleaner
Choosing just the right company to clean carpets can be a bit tricky. There are many factors to keep in mind when looking for the perfect carpet cleaner. Price, services included, and professionalism are all part of choosing the right company for keeping carpets clean. Here are ten important things to remember when choosing a carpet cleaner.
Pricing is Key
In the business world, many people have heard the old saying “you get what you pay for.” This phrase is important in many aspects of the business world, but it may not be true when it comes to choosing a cleaning company for the carpets. In fact, many people have found that some of the less expensive companies did better work. Professional carpet cleaning is worth the cost and many customers generally love the outcome when they hire a professional. The end result of crystal, clean floors is what they are really looking for.
The Type Of Cleaning
Many carpet cleaners offer a very specific way of cleaning the carpets. There are two types that are usually offered: dry carpet cleaning and steam cleaning. The type chosen will change the cost of the job. Dry cleaning is sometimes called low moisture and it involves chemicals with very little water. This type of cleaning is much faster than steam cleaning and is chosen by those who need clean carpets in a flash! This method does not clean as deep as steam cleaning, but it is suggested for those who don’t keep really dirty floors.
Knowing The Needs
When it comes to getting carpets all clean, knowing the needs of the floors and customer is key. By knowing the type of carpet, what kind of stains it has had, and the age of the carpet, customers can help the cleaner figure out what the floors need to be cleaned properly.
Check Insurance, Licensing, and Bonding
Any company that comes into a home to clean it must be bonded by the state. They must also have insurance and licenses. This paperwork means that the staff has had background checks and if anything happens to the furniture or property, the company is prepared to cover any of the damages.
Choosing a Professional Carpet Cleaner
What carpet cleaning products are they using?
Cheap harsh chemicals can make your carpet look clean for a while, but these chemicals can be hazardous to your family or pets. You should ask you carpet cleaner if their products are safe for children and pets. Chemicals are not the only problem though. You should also ask if they will be using soap or detergent to clean your carpet. If the answer is yes, you will need to ask them how they intend to remove the detergent or soap entirely! If they do not remove the residue from these products, you may wind up with crunchy carpets, or worse, dirt-attracting residue in your carpet.
What carpet cleaning tools are they using?
There are a few tools that may be used for carpet cleaning, and they are not all made equal. Steam cleaners can be useful if the water and residue can be fully extracted, but this is hard to achieve, and you will usually be left with flooded carpet that takes quite some time to dry. It also leads to residue left behind on the carpet. Another type of tool is a dry cleaner. This tool first requires a pre-spray which also gets the carpet wet. Then a buffer pad is used to buff the stains out. Quite frankly it doesn’t work anywhere near as well as an extraction wand. Dry carpet cleaning methods are not approved by leading carpet manufacturers and will void your warranty. A hot extraction wand is the best option for carpet cleaning. It will run water through the carpet fibers and suck it out quickly, so you do not get flooded carpets.
How is the company’s customer support on the phone?
This may seem like a strange one, but a phone call can tell you all you need to know about working with a carpet cleaning professional. When the company answers the phone, are they polite and professional? Alternatively, did you get just a hello, if you just got a hello you may have reached someone on their cell phone. Now, this does not immediately make their service terrible, but it may not be as professional. Regardless, ask some questions about your needs and verify if the person on the other line is excited to be helping you or bothered by your questions. If you sense bothered, time to call someone else. You want to make sure you are getting your carpets cleaned by someone who will listen to your concerns and get the job done the way you want!
What are customers saying about them?
You have to be careful when you look at reviews, a few reviews can be faked, but it is hard to make up many reviews on a reputable website, although even this is possible. The best thing to do is look at reviews from multiple sources like Google, Yelp, and Facebook. It is also essential you read some reviews, do not just take into account the star rating. What were the customer’s problems and concerns, what did the customers like about the carpet cleaning professionals? Reviews are a quick and easy way to get some insight about the quality of the carpet cleaner. If you want a pro tip: use the ctrl+f feature on your computer to look for specific reviews for your need. For example, you may have pets and want to see what other pet owners thought. Use ctrl+f and search “pet” then those reviews will be highlighted making it easier to find relevant reviews for your needs.
What certification do they have?
It is excellent when customers speak highly of a carpet cleaner; it is even better when an independent lab has tested and ranked the carpet cleaning company on their scale using tests created by NASA. That is what The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) has done. They test all things carpet related, from the actual carpet material to the services providers of all things carpet. For carpet cleaners, the CRI examines the company’s methodology and process using a standardized test and measurement system. The best carpet cleaners receive a seal of approval. The greatest among them receiving a platinum approval rating