vernon, Author at Foreveratlast

How To Get Rid Of Silverfish In One Week

Silverfish

Besides being a nuisance in your home, silverfish has destructive feeding habits. They can cause extensive problems by damaging valuable books, photographs, paintings, plaster and other household items containing starch or cellulose. This nocturnal and discreet pest which can cause an infestation to go unnoticed for a long period of time until substantial damages have been done. Silverfish can also survive in most environments, but thrive in conditions of high humidity and can often be found in dark, damp areas such as kitchens, bathrooms, basements and attics

Silverfish’s Usual Hiding Place

Kitchens or Bathroom- under sinks and kitchen cabinets

Laundry area – behind wallpaper, window or door frames

Storage areas – in storage boxes, bookcases, old stacks of newspapers and magazines

What Attracts Silversish?

Silverfish are attracted to damp areas with 75% – 95% humidity, hence it is recommended to reduce the humidity with dehumidifiers and fans. Seal cracks and crevices on walls, floors, and holes around pipes to deter silverfish’s entrance.

Effective Silverfish Treatment from Rentokil

At Rentokil, our experts are fully trained, licensed professionals with knowledge of the habits and lifecycle of silverfish. Our industry approved trainings enable us to treat and get rid of silverfish as effectively as possible.

We offer a range of solutions such as residual spraying that are highly targeted at the places that silverfish commonly hides we also have a range of effective solutions such as residual spraying that are highly targeted at the places that silverfish commonly hides

Home Pest Control: Silverfish Identification, Prevention, and Removal Tips

silverfish are small, wingless insects found throughout the U.S., often in residences. They are thought to be one of the oldest insects in existence. These bugs have been around for 400 million years, which is altogether 100 million years before the existence of dinosaurs. Although harmless to humans, silverfish can damage many starchy materials and items within the home. Learning how to prevent and get rid of silverfish is important information for all homeowners to know.

Silverfish infestations can be daunting because they reproduce quickly, can go for long periods without eating and come out only at night. Silverfish damage household items people don’t often look at or think about, like old books stored in basements and seasonal sweaters tucked away in the garage. This means an infestation can get worse over many months before a homeowner will notice. When the infestation is discovered, it can be hard to tell if remediation efforts are working. Worst of all, many traditional pest control poisons have no effect on silverfish.

How to Identify Silverfish

Silverfish are slender and lithe. They have a wide head and abdomen plus a narrow, pointed back end. They’re silvery gray, often shiny, and have six legs, which gives them a fragile and delicate appearance. Most people identify silverfish by their double antenna and three long appendages on the side of their bodies opposite their head. These three long appendages coming from the rear look like additional antennas.

Where Are Silverfish Commonly Found?

Silverfish can be found in many parts of the country and in different environments. However, silverfish are most commonly found in dark and damp locations. Inside a home, silverfish are found in basements, bathrooms, attics, garages and kitchens. Damp clothing and paper attract silverfish, so they’re often found in homes with a lot of clutter, starchy materials, and/or books.

Additional Silverfish Facts

Silverfish have some interesting adaptations, possibly because the species is so ancient. The following characteristics make silverfish different from many other species of insects.

WHAT ATTRACTS SILVERFISH TO YOUR HOME?

Silverfish are fast-moving, nocturnal insects that have many of the same habits as cockroaches. Like cockroaches, silverfish can trigger allergic reactions in some people, but are primarily nuisance pests that don’t bite and are not likely to spread pathogens that cause disease. However, they can contaminate food, damage paper goods and stain clothing, so you definitely don’t want them hanging around your home

What are silverfish?

As their name suggests, silverfish are (typically) silver or gray insects. The wingless adults are about one-half of an inch to an inch in length and their flat bodies help them to slip easily into crevices.

Moisture

Silverfish are sensitive to moisture and need high levels of humidity (above 75 percent) to survive, so they’re attracted to humid, damp conditions. You can find often find silverfish in bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, garages and cabinets. They can stray out of high humidity areas for a short period of time, but in general, they need higher humidity.

Warm, dark places

Silverfish typically prefer dark hiding places with temperatures between 70–90 degrees.

Carbohydrates and protein

Silverfish eat carbohydrates like flour, rolled oats and starches in cardboard boxes, paper, book bindings, glue and insulation. They also eat protein, such as dried beef and dead insects.

Tips To Avoid Silverfish

“Why would anyone want to get rid of slimy bugs?” said no one, ever. Let’s be honest. Silverfish are gross. Whether you’re seeing one every once in awhile, or you’re finding them in your hair when you wake up, sitting on your toothbrush when you get ready for the day, or in startling places when you turn lights on in your home, these are definitely a bothersome pest. So, how can you avoid having silverfish in your home? There are really only two ways to avoid silverfish. Here’s what you need to know.

Remove Moisture

When you find silverfish in your home, it is usually because you have holes that have developed because of water damage–not always, but usually. This is because silverfish are a moisture pest. Therefore, addressing moisture issues and sealing those holes will go a long way to stopping your silverfish problem.

Remove Entry Points

Every home has holes. But not every home that has holes has silverfish.If the foundation around your home is clear of weeds and mostly dry, you’ll have fewer silverfish up next to your foundation walls. When you have fewer silverfish near your walls, you have fewer silverfish looking for a way to get in.

Once water issues are dealt with, it is time to seal things up. Do a detailed inspection of your exterior walls and seal any holes you find. Remember that silverfish are tiny insects. You’ll need to pay close attention to the seal around windows, pipes, utilities, and vents. If you don’t have the money to fix things properly, use a caulking gun for a temporary fix

Still Having Issues?

The above suggestions are not always easy to implement. Every home is different, and every home presents different challenges. You may have shaded areas that prevent rainwater from drying up quickly after it rains. You may have moisture or wetness issues because of other reasons. And, sealing tiny holes is often problematic. That is why many homeowners seek the assistance of a professional pest control company like American Pest. One of our educated and certified pest professionals will create conditions in your yard and on your property that will directly address pest pressures, so fewer Silverfish are able to find tiny holes in your defenses. Contact us today to get your pest control plan in place.

Silverfish; The Good, The Bad And The Ugly

Sometimes silver fish are good.

You walk into the home of a friend and see a large aquarium in the corner. Soft light filters through the water onto the colorful stones and castles and various plants. Then there is a flash of silver. Lots of flashes. See, your friend is an avid aquarist and he has discovered the beauty of the Silver Dollar fish. He has several of these oval fish swimming together in a “school,” and they are quite pretty.

Sometimes silverfish are bad.

You walk into the bathroom in your friend’s house and see a large jetted tub in the corner. Soft light filters in through the stained glass windows and plays upon the beautiful bathroom fixtures. But then you see a silverfish, two silverfish, three! They are coming out from underneath the tub. Startled, you quickly turn on your heel and get out of there as fast as you can. Did your friend’s beautiful aquarium fish somehow escape to the bathroom? No, these are a different kind of silverfish altogether

Facts about silverfish:

These silverfish are not actually fish at all. They are a wingless insect that is silver in color and about ¾ of an inch long. They are thick at the front and have tapering bodies that are shaped like a teardrop.

Silverfish are capable of scaling walls and ceilings, so it is possible for them to drop on you.

These creatures prefer to live in dark, damp places and can live for a long time, sometimes up to 8 years.

Silverfish prefer foods that are high in starches, proteins, and sugars and, if inside a home, can often be found feeding on fabrics, paper, wallpaper, vegetables, pasta, sugar, toothpaste, cardboard, or even dead insects.

Silverfish can live for several months without eating anything.

A female silverfish can produce up to 20 eggs in one day, which she will deposit into protected areas like cracks and crevices.

Silverfish can be extremely hard to kill. They have a high tolerance to insect control products.

These insects are mostly active at night, so they can sometimes go for long periods, multiplying, without being detected.

If left untreated, they can multiply, increasing the chances that they will contaminate food and damage items in your home.

Is it possible to prevent silverfish from invading?

Keeping your house free of food particles may help in keeping silverfish at bay.

Drying out your house by using fans and dehumidifier will also deter silverfish from staying since they thrive in moist environments.Repairing any leaky pipes, sinks, toilets or tubs will also remove sources of moisture that attract silverfish.

Employing a professional pest control company will definitely keep silverfish out.

The professionals here at American Pest enjoy a beautiful aquarium filled with lovely silver colored fish just as much as anyone. But, if you have the kind of silverfish that are ugly and make people run out of your bathroom in disgust, we can help! With the latest up-to-date knowledge and equipment, and you can rest assured that American Pest can take care of silverfish, or any other household pest you may be dealing with in.

When Do Termites Become Active

Tips On How To Choose Termite Control Company

It is always very difficult to handle pest manifestation in a country like Singapore because of its past environmental changes and that is the reason why you need to select the right termite control company. In order to completely eliminate different types of pests, most pest control companies have invested a lot of resource in research as a way of coming up with new research pesticides that are very effective. Termites have always been a nuisance and the fact that the pests multiply at a very fast rate means that appropriate control mechanisms have to be put in place. There are quite a number of companies in Singapore that are known to offer termite control services but some of them may not offer you the best services.

Experience

A company that has been in operation for some time will definitely be in a better position to handle difficult cases of termite manifestation. It is always a good idea to consider companies that are very experienced in the field because it is difficult to be an expert in pest control without having dealt with different cases pest manifestation. Employees that have some first hand experiences in pest control are in a better position to do a good job compared to those that do not have any experience.

Company reputation

It is good to ask around and also read some reviews to know something about the reputation of each company. You should find out about the effectiveness of their drugs and service delivery before you can decide to hire them. Companies that produce the best insecticides will definitely have a good reputation compared to those that do not produce quality pesticides. It is not advisable to rely on advertisements because the effectiveness of pesticides can sometimes be exaggerated.

Quality and value of work

Companies that offer the best prices and have quality drugs should be considered when choosing the right termite control company in Singapore. The quality of a particular product determines its prices and you should only pay for a particular product knowing that you get value for your money.Companies that offer guarantee to their products should also be considered especially if you intend to sign up for a long term contract.

The customer relations

It is important to choose a company with the best customer service initiatives if you want to receive quality services. Customers may have different concerns and a good company should be willing to address all of them. The company should be able to explain to you all the possible effects of a particular type of pest control and at the same time clarify all details. The use of a particular pesticide has a certain degree of pest control and behaviour and it is important to choose a company that can explain to you all the details.

Tips To Choose Right Termite Control Services

The expected reaction from the side of home owners when they notice termite infestation in their home is contacting a professional termite control company for assistance. The DIY pest control is not preferred in such a case as the selection of the right treatment is done on the basis of the infestation. Another reason for which you should avoid DIY techniques for termite control is that the professional companies dealing in the pest control Brisbane have the necessary tools and experience to deal with the pests, which, most probably, you may not be having.

However, when you search on the internet or explore your local market, what you find is that there are plenty of pest control companies that claim themselves to be the best in the area. You are likely to get confused that which company you should rush to

Make sure the company meets the licensing requirements

As there are so many pest control service providers in Brisbane and the surrounding areas, great chances are there that many of them have started their services on the basis of their knowledge only. So, what you need to make sure is that the company is having a license for delivering the services. Also, look for the experience they are having in the field

Be sure that they offer an inspection

No doubt that after listening to your issue, they would tell you the treatment options but always remember the surety about the fact that which treatment would be the best needs a thorough inspection of the property. It’s OK if your service provider recommends you different options, but before choosing the one, they should be ready to inspect the property.

Inspect what services they offer

When it comes to the pest control, some agencies offer the services for all types of pest, while some specialize in the eradication of one type of pest only. It can be the termites, insects, rats and more they would be offering the services for. Thus, you must know that what services they offer and whether their services list includes the one you are looking for or not.

Things to Know When Choosing A Termite Company

Trusting a company to rid your home of termites can be nerve-wracking. Its common for many companies to promise things they can’t deliver. There’s a lot on the line when you make this decision and you want to be sure you’re making the right one. Here are three things you should know and consider before you choose a termite company.

Do they promise a guarantee?

When you sign up for termite control knowing that a company will deliver on the services they promise can offer you a peace of mind. However, not every company’s services come with a guarantee. Most professional pest control company should offer a guarantee or ensure you that you’ll receive effective services. Before you sign with a company be sure to look over the terms and conditions you’re agreeing to. Look into the fine print and find out if there is a guarantee, and if so find out how long it is good for.

Do they have a good reputation?

When you’re asking friends and family for recommendations don’t forget to do your own research. Suggestions can be a great indicator of good and reliable services, but that doesn’t guarantee you the best results. Check with your local Department of Agriculture or Better Business Bureau to find out if the company you’re interested in has any complaints filed against them. Also find out if the company is a member of your state’s pest control association and the National Pest Control Association. These memberships are important. A company’s connection with these different associations can reveal that they are up to date on the latest pest control technologies and education.

What’s included in the contract?

Take your time, and review multiple proposals from a large number of companies. Review each proposal thoroughly and ensure the company’s plan matches up with your goals from the treatment. Each proposal should include a detailed description of the company’s plan for chemical treatment procedures, copies of insecticide labels, warranties and information on repair or woodwork. Going with the first company you contact takes away your chance to see the range of treatment options available to you.

Also make sure follow-up inspections are included in your contract. The protection you receive from the company should be ongoing. The contract should include annual or semi annual check ups so you can avoid more infestations in the future.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST TERMITE PROTECTION COMPANY

If you suspect your home is infested with termites, you need to act quickly. The longer you wait to address the problem, the more time these winged pests have to establish a foothold and start eating into your home. If you are able to catch the problem early, you may be able to limit the cost of remediation and take back your home in no time. If you wait just a month or two, the problem could become much more difficult to treat. Worse yet, the longer you wait, the more damage will be done to your home.

Hopefully, you are inspecting your home on a regular basis and watching out for signs of a termite infestation. Conducting a monthly termite inspection is important, since it allows you to get a jump on the problem and address it early. Those monthly inspections also give you time to seek out the best termite protection company in town – a process that can take some time.

GO WITH A PEST CONTROL COMPANY THAT HAS THE RIGHT CREDENTIALS.

Before you hire a termite protection company, you will want to make sure that firm holds the required certifications for your state. You can start by contacting the department of environmental protection for your state and asking about licensure. They will be able to provide the information you need or at least point you in the right direction.

MAKE SURE YOU RECEIVE A REALISTIC ESTIMATE.

A quality termite protection company will be willing to provide a firm estimate based on a thorough inspection of your home. The contractor should examine your home thoroughly both inside and out, looking for the warning signs of termites and explaining their process as they go. Watch out for companies that are unwilling to provide a firm estimate.

BEWARE OF COMPANIES THAT CLAIM TO HAVE A SECRET FORMULA TO PEST CONTROL.

Also watch out for contractors who claim to have a secret formula or proprietary information on treating termites. There are a few tried-and-true treatments for termites, and none of them are secret. A quality contractor will be willing to discuss the remediation process in detail and keep you informed every step of the way.

How To Choose The Best Termite Company?

The termites are considered the most destructive and invasive insects in the world and they are causing worldwide damage worth of billions of dollars each year. In Australia alone, their damage is estimated at more than 100 million dollars. Even though you might have to spend a little in order to get an inspection or a treatment, it’s still much better than to take no action and have much higher repair bills in the long term. There are plenty of pest control companies out there, and in this article, we will take a look at how to choose the best termite company?

Signs of Termites

On the sunshine coast of Australia, 1 in 3 homes is affected by termites. Even though they eat silently, they still give signs and it is important to take action from the first moment you notice them. This way you will limit the damage and reduce the costs

How Long Has The Termite Control Company Been Around For?

If you have a serious medical issue, you would want to visit an older doctor with plenty of years of experience and avoid getting a treatment from a beginner or a student. It’s the same when choosing a pest control company. You want one that has been around for many years and that has plenty of years of experience. Look for quality and value.

Do They Have The Right Credentials To Do The Job?

Not only that the company needs to have knowledge and experience, but it also needs the right certifications. If the company has them, they are usually presented on their website. You can also contact the department of environmental protection in your area and ask for directions.

How Much Will The Treatment Cost

Of course that every homeowner would like to spend as little as possible. But a company that has prices that are way too low compared to the competition, might be suspicious. If the cost is way too small, it might mean that they are not using the most powerful and effective substances and that eventually the termites will not be destroyed.

What To Look For In A Wireless Network Camera Operator

What does a Camera Operator do?

Camera operators are the ones behind the scenes operating film or video cameras to capture footage for televisions shows, commercials, documentaries, events, and film. Many camera operators specialize in shooting footage for a specific industry, such as those working in the film industry or those working for an advertising firm shooting commercials.

Job Description of a Camera Operator

Camera operators shoot footage with television or motion picture cameras to capture scenes for a director. They would need to be knowledgable in composition and lighting techniques to ensure the angle, lighting, and story of the scene is conveyed as intended. They would also use various lenses and filters when necessary to accurately capture the moment.

Camera operators work closely with others on the project such as directors, sound technicians, and lighting personnel as these all aspects must come together when it’s time to shoot. If there is movement to the shot, they may also need to plan out how their camera will move with the subject in order to produce a high-quality shot. Some camera operators also edit the footage for the project after the camera shoot.

What Soft Skills Will Help You Succeed in This Career?

Will you make a good camera operator? The answer to this question depends on whether you have specific soft skills. These are personal qualities you were either born with or acquired through life experience. Camera operators must be creative. They need excellent visual skills and eye-hand coordination. The ability to pay attention to detail is also essential. Camera operators collaborate with producers and directors, making superb listening and speaking skills a necessity.

What Employers Will Expect From You

Here are some requirements from actual job announcements found on Indeed.com:

“Ability to walk and stand for long periods of time”
“Can carry up to 50 pounds”
“Ability to work flexible schedule, including nights and weekends”
“Ability to work from a standing position for a 2-3 hour period”
“Must be eager for unique camera shots”
“Ability to multi-task and work in a high pressure fast paced environment, usually with tight and changing deadlines”
“Must be available to work all shifts, including early mornings, evenings, holidays, and weekends”
“Dedication, patience, and stamina are needed”

What skills are needed?

Communication skills. Camera operators must communicate with other members of a production team, including producers and directors, to ensure that the project goes smoothly.
Creativity. Camera operators should be able to imagine what the result of their filming or editing will look like to an audience.
Hand-eye coordination. Camera operators need to be able to move about the action while holding a camera steady.
Physical stamina. Camera operators may need to carry heavy equipment for long periods, particularly when they are filming on location.
Visual skills. Camera operators must see clearly what they are filming or editing in the post-production process.

What is the career outlook?

Overall employment of camera operators is projected to grow 14 percent from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations.

The number of Internet-only platforms, such as streaming services, is likely to increase, along with the number of shows produced for these platforms. This growth may lead to more work for editors and camera operators.

Pros & Cons of Being a Cameraman

Being a cameraman is exciting, but it does have its moments of tedium. It’s a unique career choice for someone who is physical, focused and likes to be around action. Camera operators use digital equipment to capture live action for different forms of broadcasting. Having a background in photography or engineering is handy. College degrees are also helpful but not always required.

Pro: Close to the Action

Working as a cameraman can position you very close to the action. Camera operators are hired to capture live events for film or live broadcast. You could be called upon to film anything from a local flower show to a professional sports game. Cameramen see new and interesting things nearly every time they accept an assignment. You could be sitting across from a local celebrity one day and filming from the football sidelines the next. Operators are hired for jobs with conventions, news broadcasting and racing events. The field keeps you hopping and you’ll likely not have much time for just standing around.

Con: Long Work Hours

Since a cameraman is called upon to record live events, he usually works a fair share of evenings, weekends and holidays. Assignments can last over a period of days and a camera operator is usually needed to film various activities during that short period of time. When camera operators are hired for special events like weddings or graduations, they’ll work weekends too. It’s also hard to escape working holidays as many action-oriented events, like important games, happen around those times of the year as well.

Pro: Autonomy

While some camera operators are employed full-time by organizations, it is also a career that allows you to work as an independent contractor. Working independently affords you the ability to deny or accept assignments based on your needs and availability. When you work for yourself, you can choose the assignments that pay more or involve filming events that interest you. Once you build up a clientele, you may also be asked back by the same organizations when the events are repeated, thereby building in your own sense of job security.

Con: It’s Physical

Operating a camera for a living has its grueling moments. Often times, standing on your feet for long hours is expected. For example, filming a sporting event could require four or more hours on your feet just filming the game alone. In addition, many camera arrangements require setting up for several hours before the actual event takes place. Camera operators are usually expected to participate in all of these activities which also require carrying heavy equipment before, after and during the occasion.

Cinematographer jobs

(Also known as Director of Photography)

A cinematographer (or Director of Photography) is the person responsible for turning the Director’s creative vision into a production-feasible reality on screen.

The cinematographer or Director of Photography (DOP) is regarded as one of the most senior and most important people in the film creation process. The cinematographer must interpret the director’s instructions for obtaining a certain aesthetic for a film production, and use their technical skill to deliver against these demands by using specific film production, camera and lighting techniques to achieve a certain mood for the film.

Cinematography literally refers to the combined art and science of using a moving image camera. The cinematographer will take charge of camera and lighting crews, general responsibility for lighting the set, filtration and composition. The camera operator will still make their own calls on lens choice, but the DOP will consult with the Director to make final decisions on all visual aspects of the film.

Electronic Leak Detection Problems Addressed by Expert Plumbers

Protect your home with highly rated water leak detectors

How do water leak detectors work?

Water sensors detect and prevent excess moisture and flooding caused by broken pipes and faulty appliances. A leak detection system is made of sensors, shut-off valves and a centralized hub. The sensors are placed in areas where leaks are common, such as near faucets and beneath water heaters.

Home water leak detector systems trigger a water sensor alarm if they detect moisture in a location that should be dry. Some leak detectors also monitor for changes in acoustics. Since all leaks create soundwaves, the detector gauges the severity of the leak by the frequency of the sound it produces. For example, underground water leak detectors for finding slab leaks utilize acoustic technology.

Knowing that there is a leak is one thing, but being able to stop it from damaging your home and belongings is where the real power lies. Modern water detectors that combine moisture sensors and flow-based leak detection automatically shut off valves to prevent you from coming home to a big, watery mess. Automatic shut-off valves are installed near your water main and cut off the flow if the detector senses moisture or irregular pressure — this prevents the extensive damage that can be caused by water leaks that occur when you’re away from home and can’t access the water source.

Broken seals, clogged lines, loose connections, damaged joints, corrosion and excess water pressure are just a few of the most common causes of water leaks that sensors can detect. Water leak detectors also help prevent damage caused by tree roots and rapid or extreme temperature changes, which are difficult to discover on your own before it’s too late.

Wondering how to detect a water leak underground?

Look out for pools of water or damp patches on your floor with no visible signs there’s a leak in your ceiling. Smells are a giveaway too – underground leaks tend to take longer to come through which leads to mould and mildew, both of which have a distinctive odour.

If you don’t want to have to keep looking for signs of a leak, consider using a leak detection tool. There are several on the market, and all work slightly differently. With Leakbot, for example, you attach it near your stop tap, and it uses technology to monitor the temperature of the water going through your taps.

A leak detection tool triggers an alert if there’s a leak, which gets sent to you on a mobile app, giving you a chance to take a look and see if it’s something you can fix, or get in touch with a plumber. The time and money a leak detection tool could potentially save you makes them well worth the small, initial investment.

How Can a Plumber Find the Source of a Water Leak?

When you call a plumber to find the source of a hidden leak, they will begin by doing a walk through of your home to check for any signs or clues of a possible leak. This may include checking fixtures, under sinks, irrigation, and pool systems to rule out these sources. Your plumber will likely check the water meter as well to get an idea of how much water is being used.

The Best Water Leak Detection Tool

After ruling out surface and fixture leaks, your plumber will need to look for underground leaks or leaks hidden in the walls. The most effective tool to detect these types of water leaks is professional sound detection equipment. Using headphones and a microphone, a highly skilled technician will be able to listen for the sound of running water underground as it travels through the pipes. Additionally, they may also use pipe locator clamps on the visible portions of a pipe to transmit a radar signal over the pipes. This process is known as “charging the pipes.” Once the location of the leak is identified, an experienced plumber will explain the best method(s) to repair it and prevent any water damage to your home.

How to Check a Water Meter for Leaks

The best way to find out if you have a plumbing leak is by monitoring the water meter. Here’s how to go about it:

Turn Off All Water: Start by making sure there isn’t any water being used inside or outside your home including lawn or garden irrigation, toilets, clothes washers, dishwashers, faucets, icemakers, and automatic backflow cleaning in whole house water filters.
Check Flow Indicator: open the cover on the water meter at the street to see if it has a flow indicator. This is a small rotating wheel on the meter that can detect even small amounts of water flow. If the flow indicator is moving, you have a leak somewhere in your house or yard.

Tub and shower: Splash leaks

Splash leaks are simply water escaping past a shower curtain or a shower door. Plumbers tell us it’s the most common type of bathroom leak. Although it may sound minor, this leak causes major damage when water seeps into the subfloor where flooring meets the tub or shower. Before long the vinyl flooring or tiles begin to loosen. Even worse, the plywood subfloor delaminates and rots, requiring a huge, expensive tearout and replacement project.

Signs of trouble:

Curling vinyl flooring or loose tiles next to the tub.
Peeling paint or flaking, chalky-looking wood finish near the shower.
Water stains on the ceiling or joists below.
Mold spots on the wall or floor near the tub or shower.
If you use a curtain, look for standing water on the floor after you shower.

How to find the source of a bathtub drain leaking:

If you have a shower door, splash water all around the door and frame. Leaks around the frame may take five minutes or longer to show up.
If the door has rubber gaskets or a rubber door sweep, check them for gaps.
Also check for any gaps in the caulk where the shower or tub meets the flooring.

How to fix a leaking tub drain:

Be sure to overlap sliding doors correctly when you close them. The inner door should be closest to the faucet.
If you have a shower curtain rather than a door, make sure you close it completely when you shower, or add a splash guard.
Seal a leaking frame by running a small bead of tub and caulk around the inside of the frame. Force the caulk into any gaps between the frame and the shower surround. Quickly wipe away all the excess caulk. When the caulk dries, test for leaks again.
Replace any worn gaskets or door sweeps. Bring the old one to a home center or plumbing supply store and look for a matching replacement (be sure to get the correct size to fit).
If the old caulk along the floor shows gaps, scrape it out and run a new bead.

When Local Moving Companies Make Sense

Why is Moving House So Stressful?

If you have a preconceived idea from the majority of negative articles that moving house is going to be stressful, then it will. There will inevitably be a psychological effect of moving house as you’re uprooting your life, leaving behind important relationships and going through a physically strenuous process. However, if you’re worried, then first identify the areas of the process that have the potential to bring on anxiety.

Reasons you might feel stressed when moving:

Change of routine
Thought of packing
Fear of the unknown
Leaving friends and family
Feeling unprepared
Physical labour

Research has previously shown that it can affect not only adults but also children too. It was discovered that children showed “poorer mental health in periods following a residential move” than those who were stable and not constantly moving house. Clearly, moving house can have a huge impact on families and people’s mental health, proving that it is a stressful event to go through.

So, what can we do to prevent any moving house stress? With planning, sensible choices and our 9 top tips then you should be able to stay on top of the moving stress.

Tips for Minimizing the Stress and Cost of Your Move

Stress and costs; wouldn’t it be great if we could limit them both? Of course it would! Moving is commonly associated with being a costly and stressful event, even though it doesn’t have to be. In the following post, we will outline three tips for reducing your stress and your moving cost and keeping them to a minimum.

Answer Two Important Questions

“Can my moving company get in and out?” and “will my furniture and appliances fit?” Whether you’re moving from one permanent residence to another – and especially if you’ll be occupying temporary housing for a few months such as an apartment or condo – there are two things you want to keep in mind:

Vehicular Access

Take the area in the immediate vicinity of your new residence into consideration; is there room enough for a 53-foot moving van to maneuver safely? If not, the driver will have to park the moving van as close to the residence as he or she can get and rent a smaller truck and shuttle your goods to your residence. Finding this out at the last moment is a nasty surprise that can cause you more than a little stress. Access can also be a problem if you’re moving into a permanent home. Gated communities are a prime example of a situation where a shuttle needs to be used. Granted these environments shouldn’t deter you from purchasing the home you want, but knowing the circumstances in advance will mean less stress and better enable you to budget for the added moving expense.

Furniture and Appliances

From time to time the furniture and appliances that fit so perfectly in your old home can be tricky to fit into your new residence. Stevens personnel see it more frequently than we would like to admit. For example, that big armoire is too big to fit in the upstairs bedroom. If you are bound and determined to make it fit, the only way is to hoist it up over a balcony and through a larger entryway offered by a sliding door at significant added expense. Exercise equipment can also cause problems for moving crews. In many cases this equipment needs to be taken apart before it can eve moved. It’s just one more headache you don’t need.

Make specific plans with your old friends to see them in the future.

It’s always difficult to say goodbye. And when people move, they usually have very good intentions of staying in touch and visiting. But let’s face it — sometimes life gets in the way and you don’t get around to making those plans. So put the get-togethers and reunions on your calendar before you leave. That way, you’re more likely to follow through.

Introduce yourself to your new neighbors.

Even if this is out of your comfort zone, it is always helpful to know your neighbors. Whether you need to borrow a cup of sugar, have someone keep an eye on the house when you’re traveling, or simply to make new friends, it is definitely worth it to go out of your way to get to know the people who live near you.

Establish new routines.

Let’s face it — everything has probably changed for you. And that includes your routines. Maybe your route to work is a lot longer, so now you can’t get up early to do your morning workout. Try to figure out ways that you can still do the things you love, but with different routines.

Find as many free boxes as possible before moving

Moving boxes aren’t cheap! Before you start packing, seek out free moving supplies from various stores, online marketplaces, community groups and friends. Not only is the process of finding free boxes easy, but it’s also a surefire way to save hundreds of dollars on moving expenses. You can find potential moving boxes on Craigslist, Freecycle, U-Haul Box Exchange, Nextdoor.com and local Facebook groups. If you’re looking to take the search offline, check out local liquor stores, big box chains, offices, grocery stores, recycling drop-off points, and schools. Of course, you can always ask friends, family and neighbors for any extra moving boxes they may have lying around.

Choose a cheaper date and time to move

One of the easiest ways to save money during a move is to simply choose the right moving date. When hiring a professional moving company, the date and time of your move can make all the difference when it comes to the ease of your relocation and the size of your bank account. First, avoid moving during the “peak moving season” from May to August. Instead, opt for a mid-week, mid-month moving date between the months of September and April. Demand is typically lowest during the mid-week and mid-month days. Therefore, your costs will likely be lower as well. Of course, many of us don’t have the option to move during the most ideal time of the year. If this is the case for you (and you’re looking to save money), I suggest considering a DIY move instead.

Pack everything yourself

While hiring professional packers can certainly speed up the moving process, it can also weigh it down in terms of cost. Hiring professional packers can get expensive – costing upwards of several hundred dollars. Of course, packing rates vary from moving company to moving company. So make sure to ask how much they charge per hour per mover and how long those packing services typically take.

Hire professional movers.

No one really likes packing and lugging around furniture. So if your budget allows for it, hire a dependable moving company like Allied. When I have moved, I have done it both ways — done it myself (along with friends and family members who helped out), and I have hired movers. Trust me, having movers do all the work took away so much of my stress, and it was definitely worth it.

Questions to ask your movers before hiring them

When moving locally or long distance, you are pursuing not only a reasonable price but also a good quality of services. In order to get a good moving service and a good price, you might need to negotiate with a moving company. The rule of thumb – do not sacrifice quality for low-cost services when choosing a moving company. Here are some questions you’ll need to ask your movers before hiring them:

What are the services you can get?
How much will the move cost?
How much time will your moving take?
Will you get insurance for all of your belongings?
Do you pay extra for the packing supplies?
What does a full-moving service imply?
Are there any additional fees you should count on?

By asking all of these questions to a moving crew, you will make sure to prepare for any inconveniences. In case your movers don’t seem to speak openly about their services, you might want to avoid them and look for others.

Hiring A Home Remodelling For Home Repair

How to Choose a Contractor for Your Home Remodel

Sometimes, the most difficult aspect of a home improvement project is choosing a remodeling contractor. In order to ensure you’re on the path to a fantastic home upgrade, we’ve put together a few steps for you to take during the selection process. So, here are six things to consider when choosing a contractor for your next home remodel project.

Know What You Want

The first step in choosing the right remodeling contractor is all about you and your home. Have a plan. Decide what and how you want to remodel. Not only does having a plan make it easier to get an accurate estimate, you’ll also be able to compare estimates more easily.

Ask Your Friends and Family

Good home remodeling contractors generate a lot of positive recommendations. Ask your friends, family, neighbors and other acquaintances if they have ever worked with a contractor that they liked. Asking not only helps you narrow down your list, but also who to avoid. Knowing who does, and doesn’t, do a good job is an important part of how to choose a contractor for your home remodel.

Look for Online Reviews

Online reviews can be very helpful. Look for places where reviews are harder to fake, such as Angie’s List and Yelp, as well as social media sites, like Facebook and Twitter. You’ll get to see a broad range of experiences customers have had with the contractors you’re researching.

Speak With Multiple Contractors

After you’ve gotten recommendations and checked online, it’s time to call a few contractors. Always get multiple bids on your project. Even if you absolutely love the first plan you get, stopping there means you’ll never know if the quote you received offers a good value. Home remodeling contractors may charge different rates because they may have different specialties, so getting multiple bids is a good idea.

Tips for Choosing a Home Remodeling Contractor

When it comes to home improvement projects, you may find that many of them are not “do it yourself.” If it’s time for a home remodel, it may be in your best interest to leave it to a professional who knows what it takes to deliver high-quality results. Choosing a contractor to lead the project is a big decision and shouldn’t be taken lightly. After all, who you hire could have a huge impact on the outcome of the project and your level of satisfaction.

Experience

The type of remodeling project you’re considering can play a huge role in which contractor you choose. For example, if you’re making changes to your bathroom, you don’t want to hire a contractor that doesn’t have experience in . Whether you’re changing the look of one room or doing a major overhaul of your home, it’s best to find a contractor who has experience and expertise in many different types of remodeling projects. Ideally, you want someone who can do it all. It’s also important to consider how long they’ve been in business and how many similar projects they’ve completed.

Project Details

Be sure you know exactly what you want to accomplish. Be specific about how you want the finished project to look. Think about the materials you want to use and how much money you have in your budget. Are you willing to compromise on certain elements if you need to? Which changes are top priority? Letting the contractors you’re interviewing know these things up front can give you an idea of whether or not they’ll be able to deliver the results you’re envisioning.

Interviews

Choosing a contractor to remodel your home should be taken very seriously. After all, their expertise directly impacts the quality of the project, and a remodel is a significant financial investment. As a general rule, it’s wise to interview at least three contractors for your job before you make a decision. Use that time to get to know the contractor. Try to get a feel for their work ethics, priorities, and overall dedication. Don’t be shy when it comes to asking questions. It’s better to be thorough now than regretful later. The answers you get could be the deciding factor between one contractor and another.

Insurance

Before you hire a contractor, check with your insurance agent to see what’s covered by your homeowner’s policy regarding home repairs and remodeling. Make sure the contractors you’re interviewing have insurance, as well, and that their policy has adequate coverage for your projects. Checking this out ahead of time could help save you a huge headache later.

Keys to Choosing a Remodeling Contractor

Professional Standing: A good place to start when considering a contractor is their professional standing. Find out what professional organizations they belong to. You can also check their standing with the Better Business Bureau. This simple first step is a way to narrow your choices. Because the cost of entry is so low for remodeling contractor, there will be lots of fly by night, low bid options. Don’t be tempted.

Reputation: What do past clients say about the contractor? Are they frequently recommended? Are they invested in the community in a way that demands integrity?

Clean: The number one complaint about remodelers is dust and mess. Ask your potential contractor how they deal with dust when they are installing drywall in a home. How will they deal with construction debris? Will it be left in a pile on your front lawn or do they have a means of quickly getting it off site? A quality contractor will have clear routines for these basic issues of remodeling and, without hesitation, be able to provide detailed and reassuring answers. Vague answers that do not include things like dust walls, air scrubbers and same day removal are a red flag

Insurance: It is essential that any remodeling contractor you hire maintain necessary insurance to protect your home investment. This includes general liability and workers’ liability insurance. Ask to see their policies and call their carriers to verify.

Longevity: How long has the contractor been in business? Unfortunately, a great deal of necessary learning comes from trial and error. You do not want your home to be the class room for a young or inexperienced contractor.

How to Choose the Best Home Remodeling Contractor

Whether you want to resale your home or to give it a new look, you will always want to make sure that the right contractor handles the task. Only a well-experienced contractor is capable of giving your home that wonderful look that will make everybody passing by want to stop and have a look at it.

Online Reviews

The reason why you need to spend quality time looking at the online reviews is that this is the place where you will find important insight about the contractor. When people use services from a particular contractor, they will always want to go back and comment about the quality of the services that they got. If the services were not satisfactory, you will find this mentioned and it will give you a hint on what to do next.

Certifications

Before you decide that you are going to work with a particular company, it is wise to ensure that they have the necessary certifications with them. A license and insurance is a must. A good home remodeling contractor should have a license to show that they are qualified to offer the task that they claim to offer. An insurance cover, on the other hand, is supposed to take care of the unexpected if they happen.

The Reputation

A home remodeling contractor can only have a good reputation if they have been offering quality services to their clients. You can only know if a contractor has a good reputation by reading online reviews. It is here where you will find all the comments about the contractor. Best home remodelers will always have many positive reviews

Past Work

It is also good to take a look of the past work that has been handled by the home remodeler that you want to work with. If you like some of the projects that have been completed by the remodeler that you want to hire, then chances are that you will like their services as well.

How To Choose A Home Remodeling Contractor

It is a sad truth that contractors have a reputation for being untrustworthy. A couple of bad apples have given contractors a rotten reputation. But many contractors a good, honest workers that are dedicated to making remodeling projects easy for their clients.

Know What Kind of Remodeler You Need

Many people might not know this, but not every contractor is the same. Depending on the project you envision you should select the type of contractor that will most likely be able to make that vision a reality.

Read the Reviews

A good way to determine what kind of service a company delivers is by reading the reviews, both on and off their site. Can’t find any? That is never a good sign when a company hides them.

Make Sure They Are Licensed or Certified

Anyone can claim to be a contractor, put up a website, and take your money. Researching more about a contractor and their qualifications can save to the frustration and heartache of dealing with a fraud.

Check with Your HOA

Homes that belong to HOAs, or homeowner associations, typically have to abide by certain regulations and standards. This often means that renovations must be approved by your HOA, use certain types of floors or tiles, not change the home’s exterior, and constrict the level of noise created by the construction team. Finding a contractor that can work within HOA limitations is an essential step to building an addition for homeowners that belong to one.

Hiring a Corporate Event Planner

Tips to Pick the Best Event Planners

Range of services and options

Accomplished event planners offer solutions to some of the bigger questions for their clients. For instance, if you need help coming up with a theme for your party or event, an event planner can provide you with a list of potential themes that they can easily access tools and resources for. For instance, if you would like to plan a casino night, your planner should be able to help you nail down games, tables and chairs, food, entertainment, and decor that will add to the overall atmosphere of the night, transporting your guests into a Vegas-inspired wonderland. When these tasks are left up to someone who is unfamiliar with the options available, disappointment is often the result. Be sure to ask your party planner for a list of party themes, vendors, and other resources that they frequently collaborate with. This will give you an idea of the range of services and options they provide for their clients.

Well-organized and professional

Typically it goes without saying that any company you hire for a service should be professional and well organized; unfortunately, looks can be deceiving. It is important to take into consideration what previous clients have to say about the event planner in question: do they have a reputation for professionalism? Can they organize an event on a strict time limit and budget? Successful event planning should rely on a company or team of individuals who has experience in the industry, particularly with managing other companies and people who will contribute something to the event. For instance, it is the event planner’s responsibility to manage time constraints of the event, but also to manage vendors, caterers, performers, or distributors who will add other services.

Flexibility

Because we aren’t all inherently party-planning experts, it is expected that not everything can go according to plan. This might mean that half of our guests could cancel their RSVP, or at the last minute more guests are being added to the list. It is an event planner’s job to go with the flow and make the event a success, no matter the adversity. Party planners should have a range of resources they can turn to in case of emergencies. Therefore, when hiring an event planner, you should always ask them how they face such challenges, and how they may handle a similar situation under pressure. The most important thing is that they remain accommodating to their client, and offer solutions to problems that alleviate his or her burden of stress.

things to look out for when choosing an event planner

Looking for the easy route

Whether you want to throw a Sweet Sixteen or an Artificial Intelligence conference, your event planner needs to be aware of the goals that need to be achieved. If your event planner allows details to fall through the cracks it can have a catastrophic effect on your event. A lazy event planner will more than likely take shortcuts and you can’t be sure these shortcuts won’t be with your budget, using cheaper vendors or event tech.

Know your planner’s score

Everything we do these days is online and it should be the same with event planners. Does your planner have a website, social media pages or a digital presence? These are all important factors to consider as you don’t want to work with someone who is clueless about the digital world. EventerScore allows you to test an event supplier’s commitment to their client by checking the quality of their digital user experience.

Planners who promise the moon and the stars but don’t deliver

Before planning an event it is likely that you will do a fair amount of research before approaching an event planner. However, some event planners may pull a disappearing act once you have signed on the dotted line so it is essential to make sure your event planner knows what you want from the start.

Questions To Ask When Hiring An Event Planner

What is their cancellation and refund policy?

Make sure you know the details of your event planners contract terms up front. If you have to cancel, postpone or dramatically change your event what will your event planner charge you? Most organisers will charge for hours and services already utilised, and any outlay they have already made. However, bear in mind that other suppliers such as the venue and caterer will have their own cancellation terms, so you may have to pay them additionally. Will your organiser take care of those arrangements for you?

How will they protect your event?

Your event planner should be up to date with all the latest health and safety regulations and be familiar with carrying out event specific risk assessments. They should possess their own event planning liability insurance and must ensure all of the event suppliers are also adequately insured.

What software and technology do they use?

Find out what tools they employ for project management, budgets, event websites, registration, ticketing and analytics/reporting and ensure they are using the best available. Using specialist event technology not only helps to ensure a well organised production, it can provide all sorts of added value.

Who will be working on your event?

You’ll want to know who your day-to-day contact will be and – if that’s not the person you are meeting with – arrange an introduction to ensure you have a good rapport. Other questions to ask include: Will there be a team of people working on my event or just one? Is there backup support if that person is not available or ill? Is there a limit to the number of meetings we can have prior to the event? If there is, how much will I be charged for additional meetings?

How to choose the right event planner

Only great event planners produce great events. Whether you are planning a corporate event or a social event, large and elaborate or even small and intimate event, the greatest favour you can do yourself is to have a great event planner organise the event for you.

Event planners are both planners and producers of events. Whether or not you know what type of event you are trying to produce, that is the theme, venue, guests, entertainment and the overall atmosphere, a great event planner has what it takes to create the perfect mood and atmosphere and to make a lasting positive impression in your guests’ minds.

Here are a few quick guides to choosing the right event planner for your next event.Service: If you know what type of event you want to hold, you should first list out your event needs, all the vital components to your event’s end result before starting the search for an event planner.

Event Planning Tips Every Budding Coordinator Needs to Know

Be a hero, save the day — and do it over again

There’s no way to teach this, but through experience, the best modern planners will become better at thinking on their feet. Why does it always feel like the one thing you didn’t have a backup plan for, is the only thing that goes awry?

If you rest, you rust

Invest in your learning. You spend all of your time bringing people together to celebrate, make connections or to educate themselves. What are you doing about improving the quality of your events?

Be proactive: Ask and you shall receive

It’s time for a bit of a role reversal. You’re accustomed to fulfilling as many requests from clients as possible. But, be sure that you’re also asking your partners to go the extra mile for you.

Find properties you trust & grow your network

The main reason planners spend so much time on site visits is that they don’t always have venues or contacts they trust in a given city. You could continue spending your time vetting meeting spaces with your own eyes, but you’d be better served exploring new human connections, that already have the answers you’re looking for.

How To Kill A Silverfish In Your Kitchen

Why Are Silverfish Drawn To Homes?

The same way you will find silverfish in moist/humid places inside your home, you will also find them in moist/humid places around the outside of your home. So, anyplace that traps moisture on the ground is a great place for silverfish to hang out. Here are some of the things that will draw silverfish onto your property and possibly right up next to your home.

Leaf piles that are moist on the bottom. If you have leaves that have been sitting awhile, silverfish (and other moisture pests) will love you for it. And the closer these piles are to your home, the more likely these pests may find their way inside.
Heavily weeded areas that contain moisture. Thick weeds create shade, and shade does not allow the sun to get in and dry out soil after it rains. This is another place silverfish will hide.
Wood lying on the ground. Items such as firewood, construction materials, or other wooden objects that are directly on the ground are great places for silverfish and other pests to hang out. Not only moisture-loving pests but also rodent pests such as mice and rats.
Any object that prevents the ground from drying. Large rocks, tarps, toys; these are just a few things that could keep the ground moist and be a harborage for silverfish.
Mulch. Mulch is a favorite place for moisture pests.
Leaky spigots or clogged or broken gutters. If you have water running down the outside of your home, or water collecting in the soil, this will create conditions that silverfish love. Beyond this, it can also cause the wood on your home to soften, which will make it easier for pests to chew their way in.

How much do you know about the silverfish eggs in your home?

One of the biggest problems with over-the-counter silverfish control is that it rarely addresses a key part of the infestation: silverfish eggs. This happens for a number of reasons – the ingredients aren’t effective on the eggs, homeowners don’t know what the eggs look like or where to find them, correct application is too difficult, silverfish lay eggs year-round, etc.

And even if you can find them and do know how to kill silverfish eggs, there can be so many of them, you can quickly become overwhelmed. Just one inseminated female can produce between 1,500 and 3,500 offspring in her lifetime. The offspring will soon be ready to dart around your home, eating your books, paperwork and other valuables.

Spotting a silverfish egg cluster

Silverfish can lay two or three groups of eggs every single day. Each of these groups contain clusters of between one and 20 eggs, depending on the species. Each silverfish egg measures about 1 millimeter in length, and is more elliptical than circular (though it isn’t quite oval-shaped). When first laid, the eggs are white and soft. After a few hours of exposure to oxygen, the eggs toughen up and turn yellow.

But don’t think for a second that the eggs will be sitting out in the open, ready for easy disposal. When you think about silverfish eggs, picture them tucked away in all the little cracks and crevices in your home, because that’s where they are. Female silverfish hide their eggs to protect them from damage, and unfortunately, from your vacuum, broom and DIY pest control sprays as well.

Silverfish eggs lead to more breeding

The eggs can also be buried in dust, food or cloth, meaning you might open your kitchen or dresser drawers one day and see tiny silverfish scurrying from your family’s clothes or food, running for cover. And once silverfish find a breeding area they like, they emit aggregation pheromones, signaling for all the other silverfish in your home to come and lay eggs.

This crowded gathering helps to regulate the humidity and temperature in the area, making the eggs hatch faster, healthier and more effectively. Depending on the conditions, silverfish eggs can hatch in about 19 to 32 days. The plump, white nymphs that emerge will soon start feeding and molting, until they eventually turn into adult silverfish, ready to lay thousands of silverfish eggs and turn your home into their own.

Where do silverfish hide?

Silverfish prefer moist areas. The first place you’ll usually see them is on the bathroom floor. If you see one silverfish, there is a good chance there are hundreds living in your walls. A single female can lay 100 eggs in her lifetime and it only take 3 months from egg to adult. It doesn’t take long for silverfish populations to get out of hand. They will crawl through your wall voids, pass through attic crawl spaces, get into moist basements, and other dirty moist areas.

How do I get rid of silverfish?

Silverfish are hard to get rid of because they live in your walls and can’t be driven away by hiding food and water sources. A silverfish can live without food and water for a year. You can, however, make them less comfortable by ventilating moist areas and using a dehumidifier. This won’t eradicate them, but it will drive some away, and can keep the rest from coming out of the walls.

Are Silverfish Harmful?

Are Silverfish Harmful to Humans?

As they do not bite, sting, or carry pathogens, silverfish are not harmful to humans. The idea that these pests are dangerous likely arises from their unusual appearance. Silverfish have a metallic coloring and a carrot-shaped body with three long, thin, tail-like appendages that are attached and protrude from their last body segment.

What Problems Do Silverfish Cause?

Silverfish feed on starchy materials and items that are high in protein. They are active at night and cause damage to books, stored food, and clothing. While these insects do cause problems, silverfish are not harmful to human health and do not carry any diseases.

Home Remedies for Silverfish

Spread Boric Acid Along the Floor

Boric acid is an excellent weapon against household bugs like silverfish bugs. When ingested, boric acid can cause havoc in the bug’s stomach. The powder can also scratch and dry out the fish moth’s exoskeleton due to its abrasive nature.

Spread the boric acid along all corners of the floor and in dark spaces such as the wardrobe and bedroom cabinets. Boric acid doesn’t kill pests immediately so you may not notice any effects until a week has passed.

Boric acid should be used carefully despite being a substance that occurs naturally. All safety precautions (e.g. masks, gloves) should be taken to limit the powder’s exposure to your body. Pet owners and families with young children should use food-grade diatomaceous earth as a safer alternative to boric acid.

Reduce Moisture with a Dehumidifier

Silverfish bugs like to relocate to dark, damp places. You should see an immediate difference after the humidity level is reduced in your home. It’s worthwhile investing in a dehumidifier if you live in an area that has high humidity levels.

In some cases, the high humidity may be due to some sort of house maintenance issue, such as a leaking pipe or a leaking roof. Repairing these issues should make a huge difference in the presence of fish moths and other bugs that thrive in high-humidity environments.

Place Cedar Blocks to Repel Silverfish Bugs

Some studies have concluded that cedar can repel pests like silverfish bugs due to the strong aroma that’s given off by the cedar essential oil.

If you don’t mind the scent of cedar then consider placing some cedar blocks in various places around your home, such as the cabinets and windowsills. Cedar hangers may also help keep the silverfish bugs away from your valuable clothes.

Discard Old Newspapers and Cardboard Boxes

Silverfish bugs and fish moths love to feed on starchy paper-based material. Some homeowners have had their valuable books ruined due to a lack of control against the silverfish population. One of the first steps to eliminating silverfish bugs is to discard any unneeded paper materials.

This includes old newspaper, cardboard boxes, old magazines, and crumbling wallpaper. You should also try to donate any books that you are no longer going to read. Hoarding will only make it more likely for silverfish bugs to appear in your home.

Underground Trenchless Pipe Replace With Minimal Digging

BENEFITS FOR CHOOSING TRENCHLESS SEWER LINING

Drain issues are not something you should ignore. While clearing the clog is only the first step, the second is to figure out where the root of the problem is. The best way to do so is with a camera inspection of your drain and sewer lines

When the primary cause is a damaged or deteriorating sewer pipe, or if tree roots are making their way into your host pipe, that’s where trenchless sewer lining comes into play.

In the most basic terms, trenchless sewer lining is the process of creating a new pipe inside the existing host pipe. A resin-saturated felt tube made of polyester is inserted or pulled into a damaged pipe. The lining hardens making the inside of the pipe ‘as good as new’. Little to no digging is involved in this trenchless drain lining process, making for a more environmentally friendly method than traditional “dig and replace” sewer. Trenchless sewer and drain rehabilitation methods are generally more cost-effective than traditional exhume (dig) and replace methods. Many people are now looking to trenchless pipelining as an alternative to traditional sewer and drain repair.

Less Damage to Your Landscaping

We’ve all seen big trenches dug through a neighbor’s yard from the house to the city main out near the street. Thanks to the minimal need to dig, your landscaping won’t need a total to revamp. First, we clean out the host pipeline with our rooter machine. Next, a special pipe camera is used to confirm whether the pipe can receive lining or not. If it can, all it will take is just one small pothole (4ft. x 3ft.) to expose the pipe, followed by the lining being inserted and “cured-in-place”. Of course, the alternative would be to dig and replace large (or complete) parts of the pipe, leaving you with a ripped up yard.

It’s Faster and More Cost-Effective to Fix Rather Than “The Dig and Replace” Method

With expert knowledge and careful process, sewer lining can be done within a few hours, leaving you with pipes in almost brand new condition. Another major plus is that by identifying the area that needs fixing, you don’t have to worry about an expensive, massive pipe replacement. Certainly, we can fix the area in question, line the pipe and bring it to where it needs to be, without the extra waste of product and time (which saves you money in the process).

TYPES OF TRENCHLESS SEWER REPAIR METHODS: WHICH ONE IS IDEAL?

The repair of sewer lines is time-consuming, costly, and disruptive to day-to-day activities. Traditional sewer repairs involve trenching. As such, you have to dig deep trenches in the street next to your home, driveway, pavements, car parks, or your back or front yard. Instead of rerouting traffic and paying lots of money to dig up such areas, you can opt to use trenchless sewer repair methods to avoid disruptions.

THE PIPE BURSTING METHOD

The pipe bursting trenchless sewer repair method involves inserting and pulling high-density polyethylene pipe (HDPE) through an old damaged pipe. The inserted pipe bursts open or fractures the damaged pipe without removing it. You have to dig holes on both ends of the lateral pipe before inserting the HDPE pipe. You have to connect a ‘bullet’ or ‘bursting’ head to the HDPE pipe and pull it through the old pipe

SLIP LINING, PIPELINING, OR CURED IN PLACE PIPE (CIPP) METHOD

The slip lining sewer repair technique allows the installation of an epoxy liner into a damaged lateral sewer line. The repair creates a pipe within another pipe. The sewer lining or ‘cured-in-place pipe’ is tube coated with flexible resin. This lining gets pulled through the broken sewer line and inflated to harden and create a new pipe lining within the old damaged pipe.

IS THE CHOSEN METHOD FRIENDLY TO THE ENVIRONMENT?

Pipe bursting is a sewer repair method that is more friendly to the environment than CIPP. If not used well, the slip sewer lining method can release pollutants into the ground and utility lines. Research shows that some CIPP repair works have led to the release of styrene into storm-water. Styrene is a hazardous pollutant. Pipe bursting is thus safer than CIPP because it doesn’t involve the use of any chemicals with contaminants.

WHICH TRENCHLESS SEWER REPAIR METHOD IS MORE DURABLE?

Pro plumbers hold that both the sewer pipe lining and pipe bursting methods are long-lasting. CIPP sections last for at least five decades, and this can give you peace of mind. But the slip lining method may not last as long as the pipe bursting method because of the reduction of the diameter of the original sewer piping. But the pipe bursting method establishes a whole new pipe that can last longer than the ‘pipe within a pipe’ under the CIPP method.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT SEWER REPLACEMENT COMPANY

When it comes time to replace your sewer system, you want to make sure you choose the right sewer replacement company for the job. Whether you own a home or business, replacing your sewer lines is a large investment and you want to make sure you are getting a quality sewer system that will last you for decades to come. Before hiring just on price, take the time to find a company that has experience, stands behind their work and offers the most reliable sewer replacement technology that will save you money not only now, but in the long run.

Check the Sewer Replacement Company’s Credentials

The first step in choosing a sewer replacement company is to find a company that is properly licensed and insured who also has extensive experience and an excellent reputation. Check with the local city, county and state licensing agencies to make sure the company you are considering hiring has the proper licenses for a sewer contractor

Are they a Registered Side Sewer Contractor? In Seattle, to work on side sewer that are in the public right-of-way, you must be a Registered Side Sewer Contractor or RSSC. If a company is a RSSC, they have successfully completed an exam on public side sewer repair and have the proper city and state contractors licenses.

Are they accredited with the Better Business Bureau? Many complaints of poor work or service by businesses are filed with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Make sure the company you are hiring is accredited with the BBB and in good standing

Do they stand behind they work? Ask any company you are considering hiring for a sewer replacement what type of guarantee they offer on their work. They should stand behind the quality of their work and offer some kind of guarantee.

PIPE BURSTING: WHEN TO CHOOSE TRENCHLESS SEWER REPLACEMENT

With older technology, repairing a broken or punctured sewer line meant a week of excavation, laying new pipe and repairing the damage left by the dig. New trenchless sewer replacement technology, known as pipe bursting, makes it possible to place new higher-quality pipes without the messy excavation.

Minimize digging – With only two small access holes required, trenchless sewer replacement saves you from a week or more of dealing with equipment and mess on your property. This reduced disruption is especially helpful for replacing pipes under paved or landscaped surfaces, under bodies of water, in Delaware’s environmentally sensitive areas such as near estuaries and in contaminated soil.

Reduce costs – Replacing pipes with the pipe bursting method typically costs around 40 percent less than conventional excavation and pipe-laying methods. You’ll also avoid the expense of having to clean up the dig site and repair damaged landscaping.

Improve pipe life span – Older sewer lines are made of cast iron, concrete, clay or PVC pipes, all of which are prone to breakage and punctures. With trenchless sewer replacement, the pipe used is seamless HDPE, or high density polyethylene. It’s stronger than traditional pipe material and can function problem-free for up to 50 years.

Best in areas with few underground utilities lines – As the bursting head passes through the old pipe, it uses physical force to break the pipe apart. Utility pipes or wires very near the sewer line may be damaged by pieces of old sewer pipe. That means this technology is only appropriate in areas that are relatively clear of utility lines.

Is Trenchless Pipe Repair Always the Best Solution?

Yes, going trenchless is the best choice

Normally, offering such a blanket answer might seem foolish. But we’ve been in the business for a long time and know the benefits of choosing trenchless technology for pipe repair. The alternative to trenchless is the old-fashioned method of digging up the ground to reach the buried sewer or water line to fix or replace it. Trenchless offers so many advantages compared to the old techniques that there’s little question which one is the best

For example:

Trenchless pipe repair takes less time. Using excavation methods can require a day, or sometimes days, to complete. Trenchless repairs can usually be completed in a few hours when you hire the right people.

Trenchless pipe repair is more cost-effective. It’s faster and less labor-intensive, with much smaller crews required to do the work.

Trenchless pipe repair is far less disruptive to a home, business, or facility. There’s no need to tear up a whole parking lot, lawn, or another part of the property just to access the broken pipe. Many trenchless jobs can be done without any digging at all. Those that do require digging only need one or two small pits excavated.

Trenchless doesn’t mean only one technique

There are choices involved when it comes to trenchless repair services. Most of them you can leave up to the professionals handling the job. Before starting the repairs, the trenchless experts will inspect the pipe to find out the extent and type of damage so they’ll know the best way to fix it. These inspections are also part of trenchless technology: push-cams inserted into the pipeline which send back images to monitors where technicians can observe the pipe interior. Using these push-cams eliminates an enormous amount of guesswork and saves time—the technicians know exactly what type of work they need to do, where to do it, and how to do it.

Once the inspections are complete, the technicians will decide on whether the best way to fix the pipe is pipelining or pipe bursting. Pipelining fixes a leaking or decaying pipe from the inside by sliding a liner into the pipe and setting it in place. Pipe bursting involves slipping a new pipe into the old one, then expanding it to shatter the old pipe and replace it.

Partial Truck Loading Services Are A Great Shipping Choice For Smaller Companies

Tips for Choosing the best Load Board

As an owner-operator, you know you need to find loads to haul. Your business is based on running as many loaded miles as you can in order to maximize your profits and mileage. One great way to find loads is through online freight matching services, also known as load boards. These websites can save you a lot of time hunting down work, so you can spend your time earning money.

Low cost

Make sure you find a freight matching service that fits within your budget. A good load board will pay for itself after a few loads.

User-friendly interface

Is the load board user-friendly? Look for an intuitive interface, so you don’t waste time searching for loads, posting your truck or using other value-added features.

Free trial

Look for a load board that offers a free trial, so you can test it to see if it suits your needs. Be weary of a load board that does not offer a free trial.

Mobile apps

When you’re on the go, you need a freight match service that offers the same access on your phone or tablet as what you can see on your computer.

Ways to Find the Loads that are Right for You and Your Trucking Business

Anyone can go to a load board and find a load, but how do you find the loads that are right for you and your trucking business? And what actions can you take so that you aren’t always worried about finding the next load?

Decide who you want to work with.

Before you do anything, figure out who you want to be in business with. Figuring out what kind of customers you want to focus on will help you find them. It also means you can better narrow in on your business goals.

Use a good load board.

A good load board is the best tool you can have at your disposal. Use one that provides enough flexibility to support your unique business needs. Make sure it has plenty of volume so you have the freedom to work with who you want, when you want, with the ability to move what you want. (Truckstop.com’s Load Board has hundreds of thousands of loads to choose from!) It should offer the features you need to make the right decisions for your business. Look for options like sorting by rate, origin, and broker rating which will help you find the loads that work best for you. The best load boards will offer tons of features like the ability to create multiple stops so you can plan ahead or the ability to book loads instantly (no negotiations required), as well as heat maps so you know where the best-paying loads are.

Focus on broker relationships.

It might be hard to hear it, but focusing on having good relationships with brokers can help your wallet later down the road. If it’s a lane you like to run because it gets you close to home or pays well, make sure the broker knows that, then provide the best service you can so they want to go to you in the future. If you’re reliable, provide excellent customer service, and they know you’re interested, they will call you directly instead of posting a load to the board, and that saves both of you time and resources. Brokers also have the ability to add you to their preferred carrier list on Truckstop.com, offering you access to exclusive Book It Now loads that save you time and get you paid quickly.

Search for more than one type of trailer.

Including more than one trailer type will produce better search results. If you focus too closely on one kind of trailer, you may miss loads that can go on various types of trailers. If you have a reefer, you can also run it as a dry van. If you’re only looking for full truckloads, you’re missing less-than-load (LTL) options. This obviously doesn’t work for everything (you can’t haul ice cream on a flatbed), but consider giving it a try when you’re in a pinch. You rely on your instincts every day, so go into situations knowing there is always a way to make it work for you.

Moving Loading Services

Loading seems simple, but it’s essential to having a good moving experience. For starters, tightly loading the truck helps ensure less shifting during transit, which means fewer scratches or dings. Proper loading also ensures that you’ll only need to use as much of the truck as estimated.

How it works

If you pack your own stuff, you want to have everything ready to go when the truck arives so you have plenty of time. With a professional move, a two to five man crew will load your things on moving day depending on the size of your residence and the amount of items you are moving.

Pricing

Pricing depends on the type and amount of stuff that needs to be loaded.

How to Choose the Right Crane and Reduce Risk When Buying a Used One

With advancements in technology, lifting cranes have become a lot more common. Almost all construction and demolition projects, as well as transport or shipping of heavy materials, require powerful lifting cranes. However, the success of your project depends on choosing the right one. Doing so will also prevent potential accidents and damages, saving your time, money, and improving your reputation as a safe workplace

Check the Load Weight to Be Lifted.

One of the first things you need to consider is the weight of the load to be lifted or moved using the crane. Naturally, you need a crane with a suitable lifting capacity to move the load. If you use a high-capacity crane for a small load, you will most likely end up wasting time, labor, and money. On the other hand, a low-capacity crane can lead to fatal accidents and cause damage to the load.

Know the Lift Height.

The height of the lifting load is as critical as the load capacity of the crane. The length of the crane’s boom will depend on how high the loading material needs to go. If the construction is vertical, you will need a lift with a longer boom length

Find the Moving Distance (Horizontal).

Just like the vertical distance, the crane also will need to travel some horizontal distance to pick up the load. If you need the crane to transport the equipment from one spot to the other, you will need to get a mobile crane with wheels. If there is a fixed path of movement, you can use a crane with rails.

Evaluate the On-Site Terrain.

All types of cranes require a support structure to hold them firmly to the ground. It is the most crucial element that stabilizes the crane and the load. So you will need to choose a suitable crane depending on the terrain.

Choosing the Right Forklift for Your Business

Choosing the right forklift is important for your business. It affects everything from operation costs, productivity, employee morale and stock management.

Environment

Your business environment will influence the type of forklift, tyre selection and fuel type

Load Size / Capacity

It would be a big mistake to choose a forklift with a maximum lift capacity that is below your requirements

The type of load also matters as there are specific forklift attachments that can enhance a standard forklift and help you move the load more efficiently. There are many types of attachments available: appliance clamps, carton clamps, paper roll clamps, etc.

Fuel type

There are three types of fuel options – electric, gas or diesel