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Archive for 2013

Saturday, April 27th, 2013

A worn, torn, sad, saggy couch can be the embarrassment of any homeowner. If your couch or other furniture pieces have reached the point of embarrassment that even covers cannot hide, consider reupholstering your furniture. It is important to research the average furniture upholstery cost prior to making your finial decision about your furniture.

Do-It-Yourself Upholstery Cost

This cost can greatly vary depending on the supplies you already have at home. Sewing machines, thread, padding, replacement springs, etc. aside, the fabric price itself can vary as well.

You really want a fabric designed for upholstery or you risk tears and fast wearing. Cheap upholstery fabric tends to start around $5 per yard, while high end fabrics can be at least $180. Expect to pay $15-$30 per yard for a nice, durable upholstery fabric. Most couches use 18-20 yards of fabric, so multiply the price of your fabric per yard by 18-20 and you will have a rough estimate of your furniture upholstery cost.

Professional Upholstery Cost

For professional upholstery, the fabric prices remain the same, but now you must add in labor. You really must call local furniture upholstery shops to compare this price as it may vary by area. However, an average price is $1,500 to $2,000. The upholsterer will usually provide an estimate, but keep in mind that if additional repairs are needed that cannot be seen with the old fabric on, this may increase your cost. Also, if you do not have a method of transportation for your furniture, you will have the delivery charge to deal with.

Need More Help?

If you are concerned about ruining your furniture by trying to reupholster it yourself, call in the pros. TalkLocal can find furniture upholstery professionals in your area that are highly qualified. Our service is completely free, and the professionals you speak to can give you a more accurate price for your specific pieces.

Posted in Furniture Upholstery | No Comments »

Paint Removal From Wood

Saturday, April 27th, 2013

That robin’s egg blue dresser was probably beautiful once upon a time, but now it is peeling and drastically in need of a change. When you want to keep your furniture but aren’t satisfied with the look, you can solve your problem by learning techniques for paint removal from wood, and get your home looking beautiful again.

Tips For Do-It-Yourself Paint Removal From Wood:

– Know what you’re working with. Scrape some of the paint off to see how much you’re dealing with and try to figure out how many layers there are. If you’re working with really old furniture, you might find there is lead paint on the piece, so you need to follow proper safety precautions when working with paint.

– There are different methods for removing paint from wood, but the easiest is using a chemical stripper. This is a caustic, alkali chemical that is low in volatile organic compounds. Despite the safety of the product, you want to make sure your work area is well-ventilated.

– If you find that you don’t have a lot of paint on the product, or that it is a water-based paint, you may be able to use soap and water with a scrubbing brush to remove it. If you choose this technique, make sure you have multiple scrubbing brushes as well as old rags and fresh water to keep washing away the paint.

– You could also use a heat gun instead of a chemical stripper. This will heat the paint from the bottom up using infrared heat, making it very easy to scrape the paint away with no chemical fumes involved.

– Try to avoid using sandpaper. It is not very effective in paint removal from wood and it will tear at the original varnish.

– There are also paint solvents you could use in a well-ventilated area with gloves and a mask for safety.

When All Else Fails

If you find none of these techniques are working, or you need more assistance perfecting your refurnishing, we can connect you with the appropriate professionals in your area. TalkLocal takes the work out of the search and does the tough part for you. After all, you should be focusing on stain colors and drawer handles instead of tracking down the right handyman.

Tags: paint removal, paint removal from wood, painting
Posted in Handyman | No Comments »

House Flipping For Beginners

Saturday, April 27th, 2013

We all love those home renovation shows, with people taking houses and turning them from boring and broken to beautiful and brilliant. If you feel confident that you could do that, and want to make a few bucks while you are at it, check out these tips on house flipping for beginners.

The Business Side Of Flipping Houses

– Do not let yourself get emotionally invested in the house you are flipping. House flipping is a risky way to make money, but it can be incredibly successful if you do it well. Having an emotional attachment to the house you are flipping gets in the way of that. You may be gun-shy about selling the home, or might ask for an unrealistic price as a result.

– Know what you want and go for it. Shopping around is good when you need a home, but not so much when you are flipping. It is a drain on your time — and time is money.

Equity

– Equity means the difference between the unpaid balance on the mortgage and the actual worth of the house.

– A word of advice on house flipping for beginners — You need to get used to doing the math. You need to be able to accurately judge how much equity there is in this project, including the work you will put into the home. No equity means no potential for a successful flip.

– Depending on the seller, you may be able to make equity easily. If the house is worth $150,000, but the seller is desperate, you may be able to buy for $130,000 and make $20,000 equity right off the bat.

Selling

– Buy low and sell high. Remember, you are trying to make money, not build your home; you do not need to settle and you definitely do not want to splurge.

– You can add some nice upgrades to the home on your own if the difference ends up in your favor. Making simple repairs and updates can add a nice sum to your resale value.

– You want to make sure you sell before the first mortgage payment is due to save even more money on this project. That usually means you have about 45 days. If this is not possible, you could still sell afterwards, but you would lose some equity.

Get A Hold Of Local Real Estate Professionals Now

If you have more questions about the process of buying or selling a house, or if you need assistance with a repair or renovation, TalkLocal can connect you with the local professionals who can help you at a budget of your choosing.

Tags: house flipping, real estate
Posted in Real Estate | No Comments »

Food Burning In A Toaster Oven

Friday, April 26th, 2013

A compact, countertop toaster oven can be a convenient addition to any kitchen. From melting a little cheese to warming a small meal, a toaster oven can save time and energy compared to a regular oven. As with many electrical appliances, shorts and errors can occur, which can lead to food burning in a toaster oven. Here are a few reasons for food burning in a toaster oven:

1. Temperature setting does not translate. If you are operating on a recipe for a regular oven or microwave, you may be cooking at a temperature that is too high for the oven. Toaster ovens are much more efficient than a regular oven and will heat up quicker than a regular one. This means that any heat lost will be quickly replaced and you may be able to cook your food at a lower temperature.

2. Time setting does not translate. As with the temperature, if the recipe you are using is set for an oven or microwave, you may need to cook the food for a shorter period of time. Particularly if translating from a microwave time setting, some toaster ovens need less cooking time. Convection toaster ovens are very efficient and may cook more quickly than a less efficient microwave oven.

3. Malfunction in the thermostat. This can be particularly dangerous. The thermostat controls the temperature and ensures it only reaches as high as the knob setting. If the thermostat malfunctions, the temperature can be unregulated and soar past the intended setting. This can not only cause your food to burn quickly, but can also damage the machine or cause a fire.

Need More Help?

If you have adjusted cooking times and temperatures and are still finding food burning in a toaster oven, you may need to call in an appliance repair professional. Seva Call can put you in touch with a local professional quickly. Our service is free and we will only connect you with qualified individuals in your area.

Posted in Appliances Repair | No Comments »

Antivirus Software For Mac

Friday, April 26th, 2013

Macs are notoriously safe, so getting viruses is not a common problem. Macs have a high tolerance and good security against viruses, cookies, Trojans, etc. But even if you do get a virus there is no need to panic. The Internet poses various threats to a computer but there is a way to get rid of and prevent future risks. The following is a brief summary of the best antivirus software for mac computers.

The antivirus software you choose for your Mac really depends on what you’re looking for. For instance, Norton provides broad-spectrum security at a low price, but it is only available for Lion operating systems. McAfee is available to all of the major Mac operating systems, but it is also the most expensive software.

Get Professional Advice

If you have more questions about the best antivirus software for Mac, you could consult a computer technician. A professional would have a deeper knowledge of the various antivirus software available for Macs, and could better help you decide which is best for you. TalkLocal will connect you with up to three computer technicians in your area in just minutes, for free!

Posted in Computer Repair | No Comments »

How To Repair Tree Bark

Friday, April 26th, 2013

If Mother Nature, or a woodland creature, or a meddlesome teenager damages the bark of a tree in your yard, then the tree’s phloem layer, behind the bark of the tree will become damaged as well. When the phloem is damaged, the tree is unable to provide water and nutrients to it’s roots, branches, and leaves. If the phloem layer is left damaged and unprepared for too long the tree will die. This article will help you learn how to repair tree bark, which will enable the phloem layer to heal.

How To Repair Tree Bark

You will need: a knife, some soap, a sponge, a bucket, measuring tape, and a garden hose.

1. Take your knife and cut off the rough edges of the damaged part of the bark.

2. In your bucket, mix a solution that is 2/3 water and 1/3 soap.

3. Use you sponge to clean the damaged area that you cleared with the soapy solution.

4. Use your hose to rinse the damaged area.

5. Find a healthy branch on the tree that is about two inches wide.

6. Use your measuring tape and your knife to cut a piece of the branch that is three inches longer than the damaged area.

7. Cut one side of the branch, so that it is flat.

8. Trim the ends of the branch, so that they are slanted.

9. Use your knife to cut flaps in the trunk, that start at the edges of the damaged area, but are longer than it. Make sure not to cut in between the flaps.

10. Place the branch inside the flaps, ensuring that it will be held in place by the flaps.

Keep Your Trees Healthy

If the bark does not begin to heal, or you decide you do not want to repair it yourself, you can contact a tree service professional. With the help of TalkLocal, you can be on the phone in minutes with up to three, high-quality tree service professionals in your area that are available when you are.

Posted in Tree Removal | No Comments »

Which Way to Put Air Filter In Air Conditioner?

Friday, April 26th, 2013

Changing the air filter in your home air conditioning system is a simple and inexpensive task that you can do to help maintain your cooling system. Particles such as dirt, dust, hair, and fumes can be harmful for your health, making changing the air filter that much more important. Though changing the air filter is a fairly simple task, there are areas where people may get tripped up on.

Which Way to Put Air Filter In Air Conditioner?

It is important to know how often to replace air filters and how to install them. Understanding which way to put an air filter in an air conditioner can be tricky if you haven’t done it before. In general, most air filters have one side with a metal screen, which is supposed to be facing the unit. Most manufacturers also put an arrow on one of the sides of the filters to assist you with this. An easy way to check is to check the previous air filter that you are replacing and see which direction the arrow is.

When Should I Replace An Air Filter?

Filters come in different degrees of efficiencies, ranging from standard to highly efficient. The highly efficient filters can trap even tiny particles such as pollen, mold, dust, and other irritants. The only disadvantage is that these also need to be replaced more frequently – as often as once every 30 days. Less efficient filters can still grab a hold of dirt and other medium-sized particles, and these typically should be replaced every 60-90 days.

If you would like to have professional help installing an air filter, consider using TalkLocal to find a heating and air conditioning company for you. TalkLocal is a free service that will connect you with top-quality, HVAC companies in your neighborhood within minutes. Just enter in your specific problem, location, and availability, and up to three companies will call YOU directly, saving you the time and stress of finding one yourself.

Posted in Heating and Cooling | No Comments »

Install Microsoft Word On Chromebook

Friday, April 26th, 2013

One of the major drawbacks for a hot new piece of technology is that users cannot install Microsoft Word on Chromebook. Chromebook uses ChromeOS for an operating system. ChromeOS is Linux-based — Chromebook does not use Windows. And, since both Word and Windows are Microsoft products, it is not a surprise that Word only runs on Windows.

Just because users can’t install Microsoft Word on Chromebook, does not mean that they are locked out forever from utilizing Word documents. There are a number of ways Chromebook users can go about handling Word documents, even without having the actual program. The same goes for files generated in Excel and PowerPoint. These are important file types, and having access to them is essentially a must.

Download Microsoft Office Web App

One of the most attractive options available to Chromebook users is downloading the Microsoft Office web app. This Chrome app was generated by Microsoft themselves and gives Chromebook users the chance to go online and use Microsoft Office programs directly, including Microsoft Word.

This even includes SkyDrive, a Cloud storage system developed by Microsoft. While Chromebook users can’t install Word on Chromebook, they can still use Word, making this app a must-have.

Google Docs

You might be familiar with Google Docs, a service that is currently offered by Google for free. Chromebook users can use Google Docs to open and edit all of the popular file types of Microsoft Office. This includes Microsoft Word documents. This is a solid solution, because Chromebook and Google Docs are both developed by Google, so they integrate with each other seamlessly.

InstallFree Nexus

Similar to the Microsoft Office app, this app allows Chromebook users to utilize all of the Microsoft programs. InstallFree Nexus serves up the programs to the user and makes them feel like they’re working on Windows.

Consult The Experts

Anytime you have questions or issues with your Chromebook, there are experts who can help — you just need to find them. TalkLocal does that for you and in a hurry. We connect you to the professionals in your area, for free!

Posted in Computer Repair | 6 Comments »

Can You Give A Dog Pain Medicine?

Thursday, April 25th, 2013

You find that your dog is in pain — and your first instinct would be to relieve the pain in the way you know how to do, by giving it human pain medicine — such as an aspirin pill. But by doing this you are making a serious mistake. Dog anatomy and biological traits are different from that of humans’, and human medicine may actually do more harm than good. Learn why the answer to “Can you give a dog pain medicine?” usually can’t be found in your medicine cabinet. Get the highest rated Dog Pain Relievers shipped overnight from Amazon starting at $5.68.

Why Your Pain Medicine Is Bad For Dogs

Ask yourself why you take an aspirin pill in the first place. You are in pain, yes — but you generally have an idea of the source of the pain and would have gone to request a professional’s help if the problem is serious (that is, something that will not go away unless it is treated) but in many cases you do not know the dog’s source of pain.

So by giving it baby aspirin, even it if works, you are just “masking” the problem — you did not actually treat the source of the pain, which is why you should take your dog to a professional for treatment. If left too long, your dog’s pain may become a life-threatening condition.

A chemical found in some aspirins called “acetaminophen” is known to be fatal to dogs and cats alike. This is because of the possible side effects, such as ulceration. Dogs and cats are said to be more sensitive to these side effects than humans, making this chemical potentially fatal to them.

If your dog is pregnant, you should avoid giving it any medication unapproved by professionals. The wrong drugs can cause serious birth defects. If your dog is currently taking other medicines as well, consult a professional, because additional drugs can negatively interact with the other drugs present in the dog’s body.

Before going to a veterinarian it is recommended that you take notes of your dog’s behavior throughout times of the day, the environment in which your dog lives, and your dog’s diet. This information can help the vet identify the issue more quickly, as changes in certain behavior can indicate specific conditions.

Additional Help

Can you give a dog pain medicine? Yes, here’s what kind of medicine you can give them if they’re in pain. Check out these top 10 pain medicines for dogs. Get the highest rated Dog Pain Relievers shipped overnight from Amazon starting at $5.68

If you think your dog is in pain, or has any serious health problems, find a veterinarian right away. Although dog pain relievers are a good short-term solution to keep your pet comfortable while waiting to visit the vet, they are not a long-term solution. Seek out a veterinarian so that they can prescribe medicine, if necessary, to treat your dog’s health issues. TalkLocal can help you find a veterinarian in your area. We will connect you with up to three veterinarians in a matter of minutes, for free!

The owner of this website is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon properties including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com.

Tags: dog, dog aspirin, dog pain medicine, hurt dog, pain medicine for pets, sick dog
Posted in Veterinarians | No Comments »

How To Prevent Power Surges

Thursday, April 25th, 2013

Power surges are somewhat common and can be incredibly destructive to the electronics around your house. Knowing how to prevent power surges can put your mind at ease, assuring you that the electronics that you plug in will not suddenly be fried by this invisible hazard.

What Is A Power Surge?

As the name indicates, a power surge is a surge of voltage that goes above the 120 volts of power that all American homes distribute via electrical outlets. These surges can come in one great big surge, or a number of small surges over time. Both can be destructive to electronics in your home, as the surge in voltage generates heat capable of damaging electronic components.

Power surges can come from a number of sources, but the most common is from lightning strikes. The following are some tips on how to prevent power surges.

Use A Surge Protector

Power surges present such dire consequences that the market has been flooded with products that protect you from them. Most surge protectors feature a number of outlets, so you can plug multiple electronics in at the same time. This comes in handy with computers, where many components need to be plugged in at one time.

When a surge in voltage strikes, the surge protector handles it internally and does not allow the unusually high amount of voltage to make its way into your electronic components.

When buying a surge protector, look for one from a reputable manufacturer that also offers a warranty. If you buy the cheapest one you can find, it might not be effective.

Unplug Your Electronics

It is simple: Your electronic device can’t be hit with a power surge if it is not plugged in. When you are not using a certain appliance or electronic, simply unplug it. Not only will you eliminate all likelihood of a power surge, but you can also conserve energy and save on your monthly bill.

Examine Your Home’s Wiring

Older homes can have issues in their wiring. For instance, an overloaded circuit can often leave you more prone to power surges. If you suspect your home might suffer from inadequate wiring, contact an electrician to troubleshoot the issue. These professionals know very well how to prevent power surges.

Contact A Local Electrician

When it comes time to contact a professional, skip the lengthy search and turn to TalkLocal. We bring the professionals to you in a matter of minutes, saving you time and energy.

Posted in Electricians | No Comments »

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