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  • Is There an Ideal Time of Year to Get A Pest Inspection Done?

    Is There an Ideal Time of Year to Get A Pest Inspection Done?

    This really depends on the circumstances, if you have found active pests on your property in which case you would need to call a pest controller out immediately regardless of what time of year it was.If you have a regular pest control services you likely have the benefit of continuous protection and do not have the need to treat for any pests during the seasons when theyare typically most active.

    Today we’re speaking with Danny from Pest-Ex Pest Control who has been providing pest control services for more than 10 years right across South East Queensland.

    Based on many years of experience in completing thousands of pest control treatments you become familiar with seasonal pest patterns and trends, so we typically see an increase in pest activity when temperatures and humidity start to rise. Depending on where in Australia you live June through to August are cooler and pests will lay dormant over these months and be less active.

    So, while we cannot say there is an ideal time of year to conduct a pest inspection there is huge value in scheduling standard pest control treatment services throughout the year as part of a prevention and management plan.

    Protection throughout the Year Involves 3 Stages of Treatments

    Pest control treatments work in 3 stages and when they are implemented at certain times of the year it results in effective and long-lasting pest control results.

    Stage 1 -Protection during Peak Pest Season

    This is the most important stage for treatment to take place when pests are most active over the warmest months. The colony can be directly treated, and it is the fastest method of control of current and new infestations.

    This treatment is done during a pest control service and involves an internal perimeter spray treatment covering kitchens, bathrooms and skirting boards. This spray treatment is a fine spray containing a product called cislin 25 and has an active ingredient called deltamethrin, this treatment will eliminate 50 – 80% of pests in as little as 24 hours.

    This perimeter spray will eliminate pests in the house and be effective over the peak pest season but only lasts 2-4 months, so other control measures need to be put in place to keep pests out all year round.

    Stage 2- Cavity Protection Throughout the year

    This stage offers control of any new pests entering the home throughout the year and involves roof void and wall cavity dusting. The treatment concentrates on concealed and hard to reach areas of your home. It is done during a pest control service and a fine dusting application is applied using a dusting machine permeating the wall cavity, weep holes and roof void. This product lasts up to 12 months and treats any new pest that enters the home through the treated areas.

    Stage 3- Internal Protection Throughout the year

    This stage offers control of any new pests entering the home throughout the year and treatment involves a baiting gel technique that is applied in cupboards kitchens, under sinks and in any cracks throughout the house. This gel bait is effective for 12 months and provides control of pests before they are allowed to multiply throughout the year.

    Combing these 3 stages of pest control provides year-round pest control and when implemented at the right time of year there really is no need to call a pest control service for emergency treatments.

  • Clever ways for outdoor décor

    Clever ways for outdoor décor

    When decorating their homes, many people tend to leave the outdoors area for last, often forgetting about the importance it has on the whole image of the house. Think of it as your house’s business card, as it is the first thing people see when they come to visit. From the plants to furniture and interesting front door signs like the ones at https://www.signomatic.com.au/, everything needs to be in harmony with the interior of your house, to build a cohesive aesthetic.

    Décor experts say that your garden should be well-thought, but should not look like it’s been too groomed, to avoid losing the “home-sweet-home” feeling. Here are some things to keep in mind when planning the outdoors area:

    Theme

    The first thing to think about when starting to decorate is to pick a theme, to avoid making the space look too busy and to make sure every small piece of décor fits the area. When choosing a theme, pick one that suits your house best. It doesn’t have to be the typical Scandinavian or Bohemian look. Let your ideas come and play, to make your back yard or porch match your or your family’s personality. What you can do to make sure you don’t go into a décor-purchase frenzy is to establish a color scheme that you want to stick with. Some of the color schemes picked by top decorators when working with the outdoors are:

    • white + slate blue + cream
    • brown + olive + off white
    • light gray + copper + beige
    • neutrals + a bright color like yellow, orange or red
    • bold color combinations, for example pink + yellow + green
    • pastels

    Furniture

    When choosing the outdoor furniture, you have to think of something that will play well with the weather. Don’t choose too many textiles, when living in a rainy area, as you will have to move them in and out of the house when the rain gets heavy. If you are on a budget, try to stick to the essentials, like a coffee table, an outdoor sofa and some chairs and focus on small décor pieces to give a personal touch to the area.

    You can find lots of ideas online to DIY your back-yard furniture, like sofas and tables made out of pallets and crates or even repurposed indoor furniture. If you have a bit more to splurge and if the space allows, add a hammock or a swing bench, or even a dining area, for those summer barbecues with your friends. To give a twist to your dining area, choose a simple table and add some colored chairs and a big umbrella with some string lights attached. Add some patterned pillows on the sofa and you are good to move on to the next category.

    Plants

    What would a back-yard be without plants? If you have a large back-yard, design a whole area for flowers and trees and try to combine plants, to have a year-round bloomed garden. Plants like cornus, that have colorful stems in the winter are a good choice, to begin with, and in spring and summer add seasonal flowers, like daffodils and tulips. When choosing trees, keep in mind the size, as some of them can grow as large as your house and keep the light from going through the windows. If you have a smaller yard, pot plants work very well, as you can play with them and move them around to your desire. Another great idea is to build an herb garden, with plants like rosemary, basil, parsley, chives and cilantro, that you can grow in pots and use to add a fresh touch to your cooking. If you feel a little more daring, look online for fairy-garden tutorials, that you can build from old ceramic pots, succulents or tiny plants and small décor pieces, to add a whimsical touch to your back yard.

    Lights

    Lights are a nice touch to add warmth to your garden and there is so much you can do with some string lights, an old chandelier or some Chinese lanterns. There are so many ideas that you can choose from, like spray-painting an old chandelier that you can find at a yard sale or that you already have laying around in storage, to create a statement piece that you can hang above your porch, or picking up various light strings and hang them or tie them around trees and even DIY torches from old repurposed bottles. Another thing you can use are solar-charging light, to protect the environment and avoid the stress of buying batteries or tripping over cords. From string lights to torches, you can find a large variety of options at your local depot.

    Others

    Now that you have your basics covered up, you can focus on the small details that can make your back-yard one of a kind and the possibilities are infinite:

    1. Barbecue area: Build or buy a barbecue to surprise your friends with some gilled goods on those summer nights when you get together.
    2. Personalized doormat and house number: Your front door should be receiving the same attention, so add a DIY doormat, that you can make with a stencil and some spray paint or search your local store for an interesting one
    3. House number: Speaking about your front door, a nice touch would also be a personalized house number, but keep in mind to stick with a relatively simple font, as the fancier ones can be sometimes hard to read and you don’t want your mail to get lost on the way.
    4. Birdhouse: If you want to attract some fairytale friends, hang a bird house or a bird feeder in your tree or on the side of your porch and get ready to welcome the new neighbors. Keep the feeder filled at all time and leave the birdhouse decorating to their hands.
    5. Kid’s corner: Don’t forget about the little ones and try to fit in an area where they can play, like a sandbox or a tent made out of repurposed sheets and scarves.
  • How to Choose the Best Window Boxes and Planters

    How to Choose the Best Window Boxes and Planters

    Window flower boxes are trays lining the bottom of flowers or window boxes and planters before potting plants with soil inside.

    Coming along as a quick solution for  houses without gardens, window boxes and planters provide any passionate gardener a chance to show off their talent and passion.

    For a better overview of how to choose the best window flower boxes, keep reading!

    The design of your window flower boxes are very important

    Understanding what your house needs is very important, which determines the result of your effort to decorate your house with flowers.

    Here is in-depth information on 3 main ways to organize your flower boxes according to the design of windows.

    Small separate window flower boxes.

    Small boxes of flowers arranged on a classic big window. Source.  

    Small separate flower boxes would be a perfect decoration for windows with narrow gaps in between.

    Since the flowers would be placed in small planters, a combination between 2 or 3 types of plants is advised to utilize the effect of the flowers.

    Remember not to make the design too busy, or else, it would backfire and your house will messy and too vibrant.

    Big long window flower boxes

    One long big flower box on a classic big balcony. Source.

    This specific type of flower displayed is quite famous in American movies, in which a house with a big wide balcony is the main setting.

    Big long window flower boxes would make the house warmer as well as more nature-friendly.

    It would be very pleasing to the eye, especially when there is a good color combination between the flower boxes wall, the window and the curtains.

    Design the boxes as though they are one large window box in which the design continues from one box to another if many huge window flower boxes are not preferred.

    Big separate window flower boxes

    Big separate flower boxes on several identical windows. Source.

    Big separate window flower boxes would match big windows with considerable gaps in between.

    The boxes should be arranged separately and identically to each other so as to achieve harmonization.

    Make sure the flower box design will go well with the window design.

    And a quick note:

    Tall plants should be in the back, medium plants in the middle and cascading plants in the front.

    Understand well box and planters material for easier choosing

    Here is a sum up of 3 most common material for your window flower boxes.

    Wood

    Since wooden flower boxes can be painted and customized to any sizes and shapes, they are applicable for any architectural styles.

    In spite of their beauty, they are prone to rot and has a shorter lifespan than boxes of other materials.

    Cypress, cedar, redwood, and teak are highly recommended materials for this type of window flower box.

    A metal or plastic liner placed inside the box can also prevent rot and water damage.

    Metal

    Metal window flower boxes will not rot and they are not subject to insect damage.

    They are also very strong and durable, fitting the design of any modern houses.

    However, rusting can be a problem and rust proof and lightweight window boxes made of aluminum or copper can be very expensive.

    PVC

    PVC window boxes and planters are becoming more and more popular for their decent features.

    They are paintable and customizable with secure installation and pre-manufactured and custom sizes up to 16 feet long.

    With lifetime guarantee of rot-free and insect-resistant, this specific type of window flower box and planter does not warp or crack during winter freezes.

    They also provide with self-watering options for easy maintenance in case you are on  vacations.

    In a word, PVC window boxes and planters are a comparatively safe choice to go for when shopping for window flower boxes and planters.

    In summary

    That is our detailed two-step guidance on how to choose the best window box and planter for your beloved house.

    Hope that it would be useful on your gardening journey.

    Thanks for your reading and we will see you in our next topic.

     

  • How to clean a water pump (The definitive Guide)

    How to clean a water pump (The definitive Guide)

    Water pumps are essential tools for providing water supply both in residential and commercial settings. Besides supplying water, a water pump can be used to remove excess water in certain areas. Just like any other machine, proper maintenance is the key to keeping a water pump in good working order. Cleaning your pump is one critical maintenance practice you can’t ignore if you care about its welfare.

    Cleaning removes any residuals, debris or any dirt clogged in the pump. If you notice any abnormal performance of your pump, don’t rush to call a plumber, cleaning may get everything in order. So, how do you go about it? Read on to learn how to clean a water pump.

    • Requirements

    Ensure you have the following before you get started;

    • The water pump itself
    • Screwdriver
    • Pliers
    • A piece of washing material
    • Plenty of water
    • Steel wool

    • Procedure

    • 1. Disassembling the pump

    Remove the pump cover. This is the part that protects the impeller and internal components of the pump. Depending on your pump model, the cover may have screws hence the need for a screwdriver or other protective measures.

    Removing the cover exposes the impeller. To get it out, you need to remove the protective cap first using the pliers. Take down all the components of the impeller which include the blade, fastener, and a rotating metal bar.

    It is advisable to take pictures of how everything is held together before taking the pieces out. It will help you to fit everything back together once you are done with the cleaning. You should note the direction the impeller is facing before removing it because it is positioned that way to facilitate the flow of water.

    • 2. Washing All the Parts

    With everything laid out before you, clean them thoroughly while taking note of any debris or materials that could be clogged in the parts. A piece of washing material and water are enough to get the job done.

    Use the steel wool to polish the impeller rotating metal bar to facilitate smooth running. If your pump is for supplying clean drinking water, sanitize the pump. Avoid using soap because it can leave a residue which can affect the taste and color of the water afterwards.

    • 3. Putting back everything together

    When you are satisfied with the level of cleanliness of all the parts, start to assemble them back together. Start with the impeller. Put all its components (i.e. the blade, fastener, and metal bar) back and ensure they are tightly held to prevent them from coming loose during operation leading to damage.

    Refer to the pictures you took earlier to ensure everything is well-positioned before closing the cap fastening it strongly. Put back the covering and ensure it locks into place. If you have the model that requires screws to hold the cover, ensure they are all placed in their respective positions and are well tightened.

    • 4. Time to Test Your Pump

    Did you mess with anything during the cleaning process? Its time to tell this by testing the pump. Immerse the pump in a bucket of water and attach a hose. The hose is used to ascertain the water is flowing in the right direction.

    A flow of water in the wrong direction indicates the impeller was not correctly positioned. You will be required to disassemble the unit again and reverse the blade. However, if everything seems to work fine, you are good to go. Congratulations, you have just managed to clean your water.

     If the issue persists, you could refer to a guide on plumbing problems and solutions to fix them from HomeWarrantyReviews, to seek further help. Or, you could consider hiring a professional plumber to resolve the plumbing issue at the earliest.

    Conclusion

    How to clean a water pump is all that simple. No complicated procedures or tools are required to get the job done. All you need is patience and good observation skills. You will need to clean your pump regularly to avoid accumulation of dirt which can make hard to clean.

    If you don’t use the pump often, clean it immediately after use to ensure it remains in great working condition. Cleaning your water pump is a simple maintenance practice but can get your pump in service for a long time. Don’t wait until your water pump clogs or fails due to dirt – do the cleaning now by following the above simple steps.

  • Great Gifts to Say “Welcome to the Neighborhood”

    Great Gifts to Say “Welcome to the Neighborhood”

    Approximately 35.5 million people in the U.S. move each year. As a result, it’s not unlikely for you to know someone who has recently moved into the neighborhood.

    Do you want to purchase the perfect housewarming gift? If so, you may need some ideas. Keep reading for some great gifts that help you say “welcome to the neighborhood” to anyone who recently moved into the area.

    A Gift Card for Food

    If you were trying to get settled into a brand-new home, the last thing you want to have to think about is cooking for everyone in the house. You can help save your new neighbor a bit of hassle by gifting them a meal.

    Choose a gift card to a local restaurant, particularly a place that delivers. Keep in mind, pizza is almost always a great option. You can save a lot with Papa John coupon code if you plan to give to many. Your neighbors would surely be happy to receive one.

    A Pretty Frame

    Even if you don’t know the type of décor your new neighbor likes, you can’t go wrong with a pretty frame. This is a great gift for men and women alike, as everyone enjoys hanging up pictures of their family and friends in their home.

    Purchasing artwork for someone you don’t yet know well can be risky, but if you like to make people happy with art, you may urge them to try Instapainting by giving them a gift card – nothing like custom artwork to make their new place feel like home.

    Freshly Baked Treats

    If you think about it, there’s no situation that isn’t going to get better when baked goods are involved. You can go to the local bakery and purchase a box of these treats, or you can make a batch of something sweet at home and take them to your new neighbors.

    You can feel confident that if sugar and butter are involved, it’s a nice gift that’s going to be appreciated.

    Fresh Flowers

    Are you searching for a way to brighten up your neighbors’ new space? If so, purchase some beautiful and colorful blooms. Make sure to pick a coordinating vase that the person can use even after the flowers are gone.

    Fresh flowers can help to reduce stress related to moving, and even provide an instant feeling of having the space put together. Without flowers, the space may seem somewhat empty.

    Quality Storage Containers for Their Counter

    Getting organized is hard. But when someone is moving into a new space, it’s the perfect time to get things in order.

    You can help out your new neighbors with this otherwise tedious task by gifting them a set of high-quality storage containers for various types of food, that they can put in their cabinets or pantry.

    Not only will these types of storage containers add an appealing and chic look to the space, they are also practical and long-lasting. You don’t even have to worry if the new neighbor has a set already – you can never have too much storage.

    A Warm and Cozy Blanket

    It doesn’t matter where you live or what the climate is – everyone loves a warm and cozy blanket. Choosing a blanket that is made of cotton, fleece, wool or some type of polyester blend provides superior softness and is a reasonably priced gift.

    If you want something extremely nice, then go ahead and splurge on a blanket that is made out of cashmere, faux fur, or even mohair. If you aren’t sure what the color scheme is of their home, then choose a neutral color.

    Choosing a “welcome” gift for your new neighbors isn’t as difficult as it may seem. Use the ideas here to find something that is perfect and that conveys the message “welcome to the neighborhood.”

  • The Most Popular Brands of Planters

    The Most Popular Brands of Planters

    Our online store has chosen only the best and most popular companies that create unique models of flower planters, pots and other wonderful items of flower boxes. Here you can choose the most stunning designs, colors, shapes and modern additions for your flowers for indoors and for outdoors. Each pot is an exclusive model that has no analogues. We appreciate our customers, so we offer pleasant discounts so that they could purchase excellent pots at affordable prices. On our site, you can even find LECHUZA self-watering planters – this is a special type of flower container with an independent watering system.

    You can choose a specific brand in our search filter – it will simplify your selection and search for an excellent flower pot. All companies offer catalogs with the latest models of wonderful flower planters made from various materials, including clay, concrete, plastic, fiberstone, cement, wood or polystone. In our store, you can find a suitable garden flower container in the form of an antique vase or statue. Indoors flowers can be in high pots or in spherical flower boxes. In our assortment, there are different volumes – from very small for ornamental plants to jumbo size. This size most often is chosen for an outside area or for decorating a patio zone. You can find not only LECHUZA planters here, but also delightful designs from UK brands and other companies from around the world: Nostra Fiori, Cadix, Fleur Ami, Capital Garden, Pot Universe and others.

    A flower pot should not only be beautiful and complement your interior or exterior – it must be safe and correct for your plant or flower. Flower pots are an element of the decor, which can highlight the beauty of your plants, support and complement the basic colors of the room and place the necessary accents in size and shape. In our catalog there are also many beautiful and useful ornamental flowerpots. The only drawback of such pots is that they accumulate water flowing from the inner part of the pot. But this disadvantage can be turned into a great advantage, if you use this thing to humidify the air in the room in winter.

    You need to take into account several selection criteria in order for your plant to be beautiful and healthy:

    • The flower pot should match the interior design. For a large flower, choose a dim pot so that it does not overshadow the beauty of the flower. An unusual and unique planter will be a good choice for a simple and nondescript plant.
    • The round shape of the flower pot is ideal, as it is very convenient for planting. But the edges here should not be bent inward. Choose the diameter of the pot in accordance with the size of the crown: the wider the crown of the flower, the wider would be the pot.
    • The flower pot should have a saucer so that water does not drip onto the floor, as well as a large drainage hole (to drain excess water).
    • The flower pot should have necessary size that drainage and a large amount of substrate or soil could fit in it for good root development.
    • The color of the pot itself should not be brighter than the color of the plant, then the flower or composition will look beautiful and harmonious.

    The design of modern flower pots in our range is very unusual and varied. All companies use modern materials and technologies to make one model brighter and better than the previous one. Each model of the flower pot has different color variations and a description of the features. We choose only the best-quality items at an affordable price, so that your interior or exterior design would be wonderful, and your flowers and plants would be healthy.

  • The 3 Most Important Steps to Succeeding in Real Estate

    The 3 Most Important Steps to Succeeding in Real Estate

    Almost anyone can become a real estate agent, but can anyone make it as a real estate agent? The stats on the real estate industry shows that not everyone will, but anyone with the determination and a bit of good planning can become a successful real estate agent.

    What does it mean to be a successful real estate agent? Only you can set your benchmarks for success. For some, it will mean just paying your bills and saving some money for your retirement. For others, it could mean earning over $100,000 a year. Others may just want to supplement their household income by working part-time. It’s all possible in real estate, but it’s important to be realistic about your timeline.

    Step 1: Get Your Real Estate License

    Before you can think about trying to make it as a real estate agent, first you need to find out how to become a real estate agent in NY and start practicing. The good news: this is the easy part.

    You can start by signing up for online real estate license courses. These are readily available from real estate license schools like RealEstateU, and the best part is that they’re very affordable. Compared to going back to college, earning your real estate license takes a lot less time and money.

    Your real estate license school can also guide you through the process of finding a broker and passing your state real estate license exam.

    Step 2: Be Prepared to Build Your Business

    No business is profitable right out the gate, and that’s exactly what you’re doing. You’re starting your own business, and the business is you.

    It takes time to build relationships, create your marketing materials, build your website, find leads, and make connections. Even once you start working with clients, it can take you months to finalize your first sale. And you don’t want to rush; repeat business and word-of-mouth are your best friends. It might take 60 to 90 days to close your first deal.

    Think about what you’re going to do in the meantime. You could work part-time or you could work in another real estate-related career.

    Step 3: Get Help

    One of the most common reasons people don’t make it as a real estate agent is they believe that they don’t need help. They think they can learn it all on their own and make it all on their own.

    Maybe you can, but a little bit of help can go a long way.

    Who’s out there to help you? Your broker can be an excellent resource. Finding a broker that takes the lowest percent of your commission may not be very helpful if you aren’t making sales. A good broker is one that offers additional training to help you become a better real estate agent.

    Working in a brokerage office can also give you access to new networks. Babysitting an open house for a more experienced agent is a classic way to start meeting new leads face-to-face and building your potential client list. Being a real estate agent is all about building relationships.

    You need a license, you need a plan, and you need to take help wherever you can find it. That’s the secret to making it as a real estate agent.

  • What Materials You Should Avoid When Renovating the Interior of Your House?

    What Materials You Should Avoid When Renovating the Interior of Your House?

    Your house is a safe haven, so you need to take special care while choosing the materials to be used in its renovation. As a homeowner, you should make sure you keep the blacklisted building materials as far away from your home as possible. These harmful materials can be both natural or synthetic. Therefore, you must not think that it is only synthetic materials that cause trouble.

    Thanks to the Internet, we now have a lot of information available regarding the type of materials to be used in renovations. You can learn about other homeowners’ renovating experiences online and you can even create your own blog to share yours. It is always good to learn from other people’s mistakes, rather than your own ones, so here is a list of materials you need to avoid when renovating your home interior.

    1. Lead

    Although its use is now banned, things were not that strict from the beginning. Lead is a metal frequently used in roofing material, paint and plumbing. Exposure to lead fumes can cause calcium to cross the blood-brain barrier and affect your nervous system. Special care needs to be taken while renovating an old house as the construction industry heavily relied on lead-based products a few decades ago.

    2. Wood Treatments

    Various chemical compounds are applied to wood to increase its life and strength. Creosotes are widely used as treatment and they come in different forms. These are based on oil, water, coal, and tar. The coal-tar creosotes are among the most dangerous ones. In order to preserve wood from insects, arsenic is added to it. This material is also considered to be harmful and can cause abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea.

    3. Asbestos

    This material was the most popular building material in the 90s. It was later discovered that using asbestos in construction can cause lung cancer. It is also deemed as a strong respiratory irritant as it was used in pipe covers and flooring.

     

    4. Fiber Glass

    It is used as an insulator because it is good with handling the heat. Another use of fiberglass is in roofing. Although once installed, fiberglass helps maintain the temperature, but its other drawbacks are seen by construction workers who cut and trim it into pieces. It disperses itself into the atmosphere in the form of small particles that are inhaled. People with asthma have reported irritation because of the particles.

    5. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

    VOCs can either occur naturally or be man-made. These chemicals have a low boiling point which often results in their accumulation in the atmosphere. These compounds are found in paints, plastics, synthetic fibers, and protective coatings. A common VOC is formaldehyde which evaporates at a mere temperature of -19°C/-2°F/254 K. These compounds cause dizziness, eye irritation, and major kidney damages.

     

    6. Cadmium

    This metal has been used in the construction industry because of its anti-corrosion tendencies. It is malleable and can easily be transformed into any shape at relatively low temperatures. Cadmium is used along with other metals as it helps impart strength and color in them. The fumes from cadmium are dangerous as the particles are even finer than those of fiberglass. It can cause fluid accumulation in the lungs and inflammation of lung tissues leading to death. Exposure of cadmium is also linked with cancer.

    7. Flame Retardants

    These materials are incorporated into the materials during manufacturing to prevent them from catching fire. These retardants for a thin protective layer over the materials and stop the spread of flames. Upon heating, these materials degenerate and turn into toxic substances that damage lungs if inhaled.

    Final Words

    When renovation your house avoid the above-mentioned materials and make sure:

    • You don’t let kids near the renovation site.
    • Seclude the part where construction is undergoing.
    • Everything is cleaned well after the work is done.

    This way you can get the best results for the new look of your home and your family.

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