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  • What do we know about plumbing?

    What do we know about plumbing?

    When we hear the word plumbing, we automatically think of the plumber or plumber who is in charge of repairing a sink, uncovering toilets or Drain Rescue but is it limited to that?

    Projects of great magnitude are being developed, where different areas of construction are involved; either masonry, reinforcers, painters, electricity, air conditioning, plumbing, etc. The plumbing or plumbing in our country is strictly regulated by the Technical Board of Engineering and Architecture (JTIA) and it is this, who defines the people who can practice this profession.

    The field of plumbing is very broad, we can see professionals who build, those in charge of maintaining and those in charge of making designs. According to JTIA, the plumber installer and plumber are responsible (under the supervision of another professional with more experience in the area) responsible for developing the construction of plumbing systems.

    The master plumber has the ability to perform construction, supervision, and design of plumbing systems; Engineering technicians with specialization in sanitation and the environment, are professionals with the capacity to “build, inspect and repair, under their responsibility, sanitary works up to $ 250,000 and design single-family residences”, in the same way it is explained that by their studies, Graduates in Mechanical, Mechanical, Mechanical, and Electromechanical Engineering, “whose curricula among other things contain basic and professional subjects that lead to the acquisition of necessary skills for the design, installation, control, consumption and evacuation of compressible and incomprehensible fluids.

    Currently in the school of Arts and Crafts has 18 students in sixth year and 12 students in V, there is no enrollment for the fourth year, and this is one of the schools (if not the only one) that manages to graduate industrial experts in plumbing, with the ability to acquire a license as such and become skilled labor. This is one of the biggest concerns in the field of construction, the shortage of skilled labor.

    The market requires us to be able to face the challenges that globalization presents us and being our country one of the pioneers in construction, it is necessary to train our students and staff in specific areas. Proof of this is that the Panamanian Chamber of Construction (CAPAC) annually provides seminars on plumbing to its members, informing them of the advances that are achieved in this field and exposing their point of view on plumbing in construction.

    It is known that some private companies focused on construction invest time and money in providing seminars and plumbing workshops to their employees, so they have a general vision of plumbing.

    It is important to provide our students with the necessary training so that when they arrive at the workplace, they feel confident knowing that what they are executing is the right thing, be it at the level of a plumber installer or an engineer dedicated to plumbing, and we must give them the tools necessary for them to develop their entire intellect.

    Now we know that plumbing is not just being under a sink or changing a toilet, now we know that plumbing is much more than a “dirty” job, now we have an idea that behind every shot, of every project, there is a professional who invested hours in developing it, just as we must see that the qualified plumbing workforce is small.

  • 10 TIPS FOR A CHANGE OF HOUSE WITHOUT PROBLEMS

    10 TIPS FOR A CHANGE OF HOUSE WITHOUT PROBLEMS

    When you get into the new home, the expectations of starting a new life in a new field can fill the family that wants to settle with impatience. However, after helping hundreds of clients settle into a new home, we can tell you that these are the 10 tips for a move that will make you avoid later headaches.

    1. BE THE FIRST TO ARRIVE

    When you move from home always use a moving company, In Canada Hudson Movers are one of the oldest and best-moving services. You should arrive before the moving company. That way you make sure you have already inspected the house, the services available, the best access to unload the moving truck, etc. Take the opportunity to inspect the house and look for water leaks or openings that do not close well. An easy way to check if there is a broken pipe is to close all the taps, make a first reading of the water meter. There should not be variations. Locate the fuse box and verify or label which circuit corresponds to each key, you may need it in case of emergency.

     

    1. MAKE OR ORDER SUPER CLEANSING

    There are people who leave the house very clean, but others do not. In any case, it is likely that you want to clean it to feel more secure. You can commission the real estate company to get you a cleaning service.

    The kitchen is the best place to start, not only because when people change their homes, they usually leave things there because there are usually unpleasant smells. It is the place that you will spend the most time with your family: better that it be a comfortable and pleasant space. Clean the refrigerator by removing all accessories and using anti-grease products. You may also need to clean the oven with a special cold or hot product. Check shelves and kitchen cabinets to make sure there are no insects and are impeccable to store supplies.

     

    1. SECURITY, ABOVE ALL

    Change the locks on all exterior doors to make sure you and your family are the only people who have access to your new home. Install smoke detectors in each room. Place a fire extinguisher on each floor. Buy a first aid kit. Consider installing an anti-theft alarm or a security monitoring service. Ask the neighbors if they have or if the thefts are frequent.

    If there are babies or young children in the family, identify the possible dangers such as steep steps, visible outlets, dangerous cupboards or doors that are very easy to open. Install the necessary protectors or block those accesses.

     

    1. WAIT TO PAINT THE WALLS

    If you have a short time before the removal truck arrives, do not paint the walls. Not only because the smell can be toxic or bother for several days but because when your things are installed you will have a better perception of what colors should be used. Wait to have a global view of your home before embarking on decorating jobs.

    1. DISMANTLE ONLY WHAT IS NECESSARY

    When the moving truck arrives, you will surely have followed our advice and labeled all the boxes, including personal hygiene items and clothing. Unpack only what you need that day. Leave the rest for tomorrow, nobody requires you to install immediately. As it took time to pack the home you left behind, you also need some time to settle into the new one. Find only the things you need for the next hours: personal hygiene, change of clothes, sheets, and towels.

  • Can a Roof Be Repaired Instead of Replaced? — Top 5 Tips to Do So

    Can a Roof Be Repaired Instead of Replaced? — Top 5 Tips to Do So

    Walls alone can never make a complete house without a sound roof over them. So, roof is the most important part of the structure which converts the walls into a house. It infers that the roof of a house must be strong and solid enough to last for at least fifty years to come.

    Yet, it happens at times that roofs do suffer from damages like leakage and breakage due to certain factors regarding the severity and extremity of weather and climate. The leakage can spoil a roof years before the actual time the entire roof should be replaced. The reasons behind the leakage may be localized damage such as missing shingles or shakes, cracked shingles or a blistered or cracked area if the roof is flat. You may repair a damaged roof yourself or may consult with some professionals like roofers downriver mi, etc. for an up-to-the-mark work.

     

    We have worked out the following route to give you the top five tips to get your damaged roof properly repaired by yourself.

     

    • Check your roof above the water marks on the ceiling.

     

    The hardest problem regarding the repair work is to trace out the actual spot of leakage on the roof. Once the leakage is traced, it is quite easy to repair the roof by following the tips given below. In order to trace the leakage-spot on your roof, follow the water marks on the ceiling and then try to trace down the real spot of leakage inside the house. In case you have an attic, take your flashlight over there and look for water spots or mold. If you find the location of any evidence, inspect the corresponding spot on the exterior of your house.

    In case of a slanting roof, always inspect the areas a bit higher than where there is an interior evidence of the leakage. Owing to the gravity, water travels down the point of leakage on the roof.

    Further still, if you are unable to locate a leakage, run a hose for a couple of minutes along various areas of the roof. Appoint a person inside to inform you the moment the water spots itself out.

     

    • Inspect the widespread wear and tear

     

    You must evaluate the overall condition of your roof by looking for the curled or missing shingles at the leakage-site. You must be very much vigilant about the missing shingles, wide gaps, huge vents and other signs of widespread wear and tear.

    Easy fixes include repairing one or two broken shingles and resealing minor gaps if any. However, a widespread rot or mold on your roof boards or trusses may require a professional roofer to fix the major structural issues.

     

    • Straighten the curled shingles or reattach them

     

    Usually, the corners of asphalt shingles begin to curl over the years. You should smooth out the curled edges of the damaged shingles and apply a dab of roof sealant under the raised corners with the help of a caulking gun. Then you should press the shingle down and cover the shingle’s edges with the roof cement by using a trowel.

    Here, you must be careful to soften a curled shingle with a blow dryer instead of using a heat torch or any other heat source. Otherwise, you will destroy the shingle altogether.

     

    • Get a clean crack repaired with a roof sealant

     

    A shingle with a clean tear never needs be replaced. Instead, you may repair it by applying a thick bead of roof sealant over the crack with the help of a caulking gun. After you press the shingle down, another bead of the sealant over the crack will do the magic. Spread the top bead over both the edges of the crack by using a putty knife.

    Sprinkle a small amount of asphalt granules, scattered around, over the sealant to disguise your repair. It will readily match its color with that of the shingle.

     

    • Replace the totally broken or missing shingle

     

    Immediately manage a matching replacement if you find any of your shingles badly broken or missing. Use a pry bar to lift the edges of the shingle above the broken one very carefully. You may remove the nails at the four corners of the broken shingle by using a hammer. Slide the broken shingle out and remove any leftover cement by scraping the area beneath. The back corners of the new shingle should be rounded with the help of a sharp utility knife to make it easier to install. Also, drive carefully 3.2 cm galvanized roofing nails into the new shingle’s corners after sliding it into the right place.

    In the end you should use a trowel to apply the roof cement over the edges of the new shingle and the nail heads.  

     

     

     

     

  • What is a sleigh bed frame?

    What is a sleigh bed frame?

    Unique. Classic. A true beauty.

    Most bedrooms have standard bed frames plus regular bedroom furniture that makes your bedroom space livable. For our mattresses, canopy, footboard, and headboard, we need support, and that is why bed frames are important. They have to be strong enough to hold all these, especially the mattress so it doesn’t move around when we sleep on it or start to sag in the middle. The regular bed frame designs we all know, are what we find in most bedrooms, hotels or guestrooms.

    They would most likely be rectangular in shape. Then once in a while, we come across a design that is unique and specially designed for just the person. When we think about sleigh or sled, the first thing that comes to mind is snow, gliding through it more often than not, downhill while the wind whips our faces and we scream in delight. Afterward, it’s hot chocolate in front of a fireplace. Another thought it brings to mind is Christmas. We can just hear santa’s bells ringing as the reindeers pull his sleigh or sled through the sky with presents for those who have nice to other people all year.

    Our beds happen to be the focal point in our bedrooms and there are different kinds of beds out there; we have, Trundle, Cabin, Divan, Canopy, Sleigh, Platform, Loft, Feather, Water, Bunk. Let’s focus on what a sleigh bed is.

    Well, a sleigh bed is a style of bed with a curved or scrolled foot. Instead of a regular straight foot, it curves outward away from the bed like a ship’s bow plus the headboard is also curved or scrolled making it look like a sleigh or sled. The outcome is a uniquely designed bed frame that looks like a sleigh or sled. It can come in a single bed or double bed.

    This bed frame is made most often with wood and can be quite heavy due to the amount of wood used to make the curved or scrolled foot and headboard design. Other materials can be used to make a sleigh or sled bed, they are iron, steel, aluminum. These other materials can be used to make the sleigh bed, but metal is prone to warping so the most common and popular is wood.

    It is a result of the American empire which is a French-inspired neoclassical style of American furniture and decoration. It became popular in the 1820’s. The sleigh or sled bed piece of furniture draws its inspiration from the styles of the Roman and Greek periods. Those periods featured furniture made from heavy wood which could be vanished and was very common with the Greeks.

    The option of a canopy or drapes to match over the bed which gives so privacy or just block out the sun from your face when it is rising depends on individual taste and style. Some people would prefer a more visible design from the late 19th century American Empire which spots a large headboard design that goes as high as two-three feet over the frame resembling a cupboard.

    Most sleigh or sled bed frames look feminine in design but are still quite heavy in structure. They might have clean straight lines which give the illusion of lightness while still maintaining the defining characteristics of the design, but this is not quite the case as most sleigh or sled beds have a pretty heavy structure.

    The choice of which room to place this bed frame depends on each individual. Although most sleigh beds are found in master bedrooms, you could trill your guest and place it in your guestroom and also in your kids’ room. For kids’ rooms, try turning it up a notch by painting it in some bright colors that children love. perhaps pink, purple, yellow for girls and blue or green for boys.

    There is also the question of if this sleigh or sled bed style would fit in contemporary designs as it comes across as a rustic, earthy design? The answer is yes. The sleigh or sled bed is a versatile design which blends in with any modern design of your choice. This contemporary bed frame has a great classic design that is comfortable to sleep in and very cozy. They are designed with ample space underneath the bed which can be used to store blankets, throws, beddings, linens, and even extra pillows. If the storage space underneath the bed is not in use, it can be used to store your luggage.

    Although most people would opt for the storage space underneath to have a couple of drawers they could use, there is also the option of the drawers having wheels so they could get to clean under the bed as often as they want to, also make it easier to pull out and push in the drawers.  

    Moving over to mattresses for a sleigh or sled bed, well any mattress size works for this bed frame, it all boils down to individual choice and the bed frame size. Do you want a queen, king, full, twin? Get any mattress size you want; the sleigh bed frame can be made in any of these sizes to suit your taste plus the bed slats underneath the mattress are very strong and will hold up your bed from sagging.

    We know the need to stick with the comfortable and familiar, so most people decide on the standard bed frame for their bedrooms. Well, now you have the choice of a bed frame that will stand out in your home when seen by others. It gives your bedroom as kind of artistic feel, it takes you back to the times of castles, warriors and fair maidens. The bed gives you a sense of being held in its frame as the footboard is scrolled towards you. There is without a doubt the sleigh bed is a unique and beautiful design which brings comfort and elegance to your bedrooms.

  • Save Some Money (and the Earth) with These 6 Second-Hand-Chic Ideas

    Save Some Money (and the Earth) with These 6 Second-Hand-Chic Ideas

    You want your home, office, and even your car to reflect who you are and what you value. It’s also nice to be able to set an example for others while you’re at it. We also don’t want to sacrifice the beauty and comfort of our well-planned homes in the process of making a difference in the world. Luckily, we don’t have to.

    If you’ve wanted to green up your shopping process and keep a little more green in your bank account, there are some great ways to become a believer in the power of smart thrifting, second-hand shopping, and reusing and revamping freebies. If you’re new to the world of antiques and vintage furniture, then try some of these fun ideas that will make a splash in your home design, but not your budget.

    We’ve come up with some of our favorite tricks to incorporate some vintage pieces into your fresh and innovative space.

    1. Tile That Table!

    One thing you’ll notice while shopping for pre-loved furniture is that the original owner’s love often shows. This means that tabletops may be scratched, gouged, or even stained. Don’t let this deter you from falling in love with the perfect able. Instead of walking away, make it your own.

    Coffee tables, dining tables, side tables, and even dresser tops can all be brightened and updated with a tile top. Here’s how:

    • Add molding or quarter-round border
    • Then add a fixative inside the border
    • Then place tiles evenly with a tile spacer
    • Let them dry
    • Grout, wipe down, and enjoy!

    2. Paint, Paint, and More Paint

    When it comes to interior design, color has a huge impact on the space, from how it affects our thoughts, to how it can lighten our moods. Don’t be afraid to paint your new furniture or pieces to better fit your intention or mood of your room.

    To properly paint a piece of furniture:

    • Wear a dust mask and gloves
    • Sand down the entire surface
    • Prime the piece
    • Use latex or oil-based paint and a paint brush
    • Apply several coats and make sure they’re fully dry before starting your next
    • Apply a clear or topcoat for added longevity

    3. Hygge Pillows from Granny Sweaters

    We love, love, love the colors and textures of hygge. You can embrace it too with what we like to call “granny pillows.” Next time you’re near your local thrift store, stop in and find a few neutral sweaters.

    • Remove your pillow from its case.
    • Use the case as a pattern or guide.
    • Flip the sweater inside out and trace the size of the original case with a marker.
    • Sew the sweater to the same size, leaving a gap for the pillow to squeeze in.
    • Sew the gap closed and snuggle up

    4. Frame Something Fresh

    It’s amazing how many vintage frames you can find at second-hand shops. Pick a few up and create your own art to display or try a pressed flower composition.

    To create a pressed flower composition:

    • Go flower picking or buy some fun flowers. Smaller, daintier flowers are often better.
    • Cut the stems at an angle.
    • Arrange the flowers on an acid-free paper.
    • Put the arrangement in between two pieces of paper, then into book or press.
    • Let them dry for a month or so, then frame and display.

    5. Shine Light a Little Light on Vintage Mirrors

    Mirrors don’t just add light and space to a room, they can give you the perfect metallic touch! Pick up a bunch of mirrors and create a gallery wall that will stop guests in their tracks.

     

    • Center the largest mirror above a piece of furniture.
    • Arrange the other mirrors about 4-5-inches apart from the first one.
    • Don’t be afraid to play with different shapes, metal-tones, and styles.

     

    6. Baskets You Won’t Want to Toss

    As far as I’m concerned, you can never have enough fun and interesting baskets in your decor. You can find baskets in almost every second-hand shop. It’s almost absurd how much people pay for new baskets at home decor stores.

    To breathe new life into old baskets or to create a more dramatic effect try:

    • Paint several baskets with a matching geometric pattern
    • Create a gallery wall with a basket display
    • Try making one into a fun a rustic lamp shade
    • Use a basket as a pot for your houseplant

    As you replace your furniture with some fresh faces, don’t let your second-hand pieces go to waste. Try selling your furniture online or using an app. If you find you have a talent for curating and redesigning second-hand pieces, open an online furniture boutique. Register a retro or hip domain name to showcase your creations. Create your own style and inform your customers of the power of going green, then get to selling.

    When it comes to finding the perfect thrift store or antique finds, be creative and have some fun. Don’t be afraid to experiment with your style. You’ll be surprised how many neat ideas you can come up with when you don’t buy new.

  • Moving 101: Highly Regulated Items

    Moving 101: Highly Regulated Items

    We have a list of items you can expect to be denied moving services for here, but this article covers an area a little grayer than those. Many of these items will be cleared to be moved, but the movers themselves may refuse a piece based on any number of issues with it. Let’s take a look.

    Food

    Food is probably the number one denied item. While it’s easy to pack away dried goods like spaghetti or rice, items such as jars, and canned goods may be refused at the last moment. This is especially true if the truck will be traveling through extreme heat or cold. These items just don’t handle the stress well, and there’s little point in shipping food items that may not make it to the destination.

    You can probably count on your dried goods with a long shelf life making it through the moving company’s inspection. Some other food products may be a bit questionable.

    Outdoor Furniture and Living Appliances

    Loungers, pool supplies, and fire pits may be wonderful investments when you buy them, but they often find their way to the curb when it’s time to move. Why is that? Most of these items are; there’s no polite way to say it, dirty. They’ve stayed outside since they came home from the store, and time has done a number on them. While it’s possible to save some of the outdoor furniture that has removable pads, this stuff is usually higher on the disposable list than it is on the “take” list.

    The only way you’ll get these items on the truck is by cleaning them thoroughly and making certain that they’re 100 percent dry by the time the movers get there. We strongly recommend using a pressure cleaner on items that can handle the stress of such strong water. We also recommend placing these items under cover, preferably in a shed or a garage, if you’re really intent on keeping them with you throughout the move. This will help to ensure that these items fully dry out and that they can be taken with the shipment–without cause for concern for the rest of your belongings.

    Homemade Items

    From trebuchets to tea sets, it’s difficult to take homemade items with exceptional value. Why is that? Oftentimes, it is because there is no way to verify the value of the items. In the event of damage or a loss, the company is required to submit certain information to its insurance center. This means that the mover must find a way to confirm the value of the item that is damaged or is a total loss.

    And that’s where things get tricky. Unless the client has a list of receipts from building or crafting the item, it is difficult to appraise. This makes some moving companies say no to homemade items, but other moving companies may be willing to take the risk if the value of the item isn’t considered to be exceptionally high.

    Outdoor Equipment

    This covers items such as mowers, weed eaters, saws, and other things that may have bio-organic contamination all over them. If these items are clean and lacking any sort of fuel, it’s likely that they will be packed without a blink. But a heavily used lawnmower with a questionable film of oil dripping out of it may be left behind.

    Animal Pens

    If you house outdoor rabbits or chicken coops, you can almost be certain that these will be staying behind. This is not due to some form of insult, but simply to the fact that there is no way to guarantee the cleanliness of a pen once it has been used.

    This post is promoted by lawrencemoves.com. Unsure if your belongings are safe to carry along? We’re happy to help you with that. Give us a call anytime for further information. Rated one of the top 3 moving companies in Roanoke, VA.

  • How to Make sure Your Rain Gutter Has Been Installed Properly

    How to Make sure Your Rain Gutter Has Been Installed Properly

    Guttering plays a key role in keeping your home safe from potential water damage by diverting rain away for the fabric of your home. This means of course that it’s vital to regularly clean your rain gutters of debris, and also inspect them to make sure everything is in good working order. Over time you can expect them to wear out and need replacing, a job which can either be completed by an expert gutter installation contractor, or if you are particularly handy with DIY projects, taken on by yourself.

    Either way, it’s vital that rain guttering is properly installed or you risk leaks which could lead to damp (or worse) seeping into your home. Here we present some simple tips on how to properly install a rain gutter, so you can be sure from the start that it is going to do the job it is designed for without needing to be replaced or repaired prematurely.

    Tip 1 – Get the measurements right

    Before removing any existing guttering get the exact measurements of the entire length needed, and also note data on the downspouts – both their number and locations.

    Tip 2 – Cut the gutters to size carefully

    Unless you buy pre-cut gutters of the perfect size you will need to cut down a larger piece to the required length. This can be done with a hacksaw, while on the ground in a stable place. Sections which overlap should have the inner section pointing towards the ground to avoid seam seepage.

    Tip 3 – Securely connect the downspouts

    Having created a suitably sized hole in the guttering it should be simple to connect the two things with an end cap. Using a silicone sealant will provide further stability to this joint.

    Tip 4 – Use the correct brackets and screws

    You may need to source specialist items like fascia brackets, lag screws and pop rivets.  Check the guide you are using carefully so you are prepared and not tempted to substitute for the wrong things.

    Tip 5 – Be extra careful to properly seal the gutter seams

    The seams (areas where the gutters connect to each other) are vulnerable to leaks if not sealed thoroughly, and that could be a really troublesome issue down the line. Make sure the gutters are dry before you get out your caulking gun though, or the sealant won’t work properly.

    If you’re not particularly handy around the house then hiring someone to do it for you can be well worth it, after all you don’t want to mess it up! A reliable company for hire is City Seamless Gutters.

    Some general tips to help make your installation worthwhile

    • If you don’t choose the seamless type don’t overdo the number of seams you have in the finished guttering. This helps reduce the chances of leaks in the near future.
    • Get the gutter pitch right. They should have a bit of a pitch so the water doesn’t collect and eventually weaken the gutter.
    • Leave enough space between hangers. This should be anything up to three feet, anything else risks the guttering drooping and possibly coming free at some point.

    Even if you pay a company to install your rain guttering it’s good to be aware of these points so you can check everything is being done as it should be.

  • Adapting Your Home for Mobility Access

    Adapting Your Home for Mobility Access

    Several of us decide to adapt our homes to make them more comfortable. This can especially benefit the elderly and people with mobility difficulties.

    Specialists like Mobility Solutions have made indoor mobility easier for many. Modifying a property can further enhance this advantage.

    That’s why we have listed the key points to consider for this project.

    Indoor Mobility

    Indoor mobility is essential for everyone. To better navigate your home, you may want to consider the fundamentals first.

    Doors are often a good place to start. If you use a wheelchair or scooter, why not widen your door frames?  

    That way, you’ll be able to pass through them more easily when using your mobility device. You can improve the usability of doors by switching the direction in which they open.

    If you own a house, you may want to install a stairlift or banister rail. This could make it far easier to move between floors.

    Both Either of these modifications could revolutionise mobility access within your property.

    Safety Features

    We all deserve access to the same opportunities. This includes protection, which everybody is entitled to. Daily activities should be safe for everyone. Especially those that take place in the home.

    Technology has the power to make everyday tasks – like answering the door – simple and safe. With the right tools, you can monitor and manage who enters your abode.

    Devices like a video-entry intercom, for example, enable home owners to view who is waiting outside.  

    In addition, a key safe gives access to carers, family, and friends – and may save you from having to answer the door. For optimum safety, you can buy a police-approved version of this gadget.

    Certain equipment can heighten home security for everyone. Even better, it could improve how someone with a disability gets around indoors.

    Washing Facilities

    For most of us, washing is a vital everyday task. And, specific facilities can make it easier for us to complete.

    Battery-powered bath lifts exemplify this. These devices hold a person’s weight as they enter and exit the tub. Those with a side opening, likewise, eliminate the chore of having to climb over the side.

    Hands-free toilets, on the other hand, provide washing and drying functions while the user is seated. This could help to make bathroom visits less stressful.

    Using technology, people can create a home that is better suited to their needs and preferences.

    Adapting your home needn’t be a difficult task. All you need to do is identify the ideal equipment and ideas. And then, you’ll be able to transform your property into a comfortable, safe and practical space. With these tips, you could achieve this goal.

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