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Archive for 2013

Sunday, June 2nd, 2013

Remodeling a basement is a chance to let your taste speak for itself. You can turn that room into anything you want it to be. Maybe you want to relax, or maybe you want a work station. Maybe you are even adding on to the family and need a new bedroom or playroom. No matter what your ideas for remodeling a basement are, to achieve the ultimate convenience, you’ll need a bathroom.

When toying with ideas for remodeling a basement bathroom, consider these tips:

– Water can be messy. Make sure there aren’t already leaks or issues with piping before you get started. Double-checking that now can save you a world of trouble later. Check the outside walls for moisture, check the downspouts to make sure they aren’t clogged, and examine for any signs of possible flooding. Basements and bathrooms are both already the most common sites for mold growth. Insuring there is little to no extra water will help avoid increasing that risk.

– Piping can be tough. Generally, it is easier to add a bathroom where there already is a bathroom. If it’s at all possible for your basement bathroom to go beneath an existing bathroom, your piping and water work will be significantly easier. However, in some cases, this is just not possible. If not, make sure that you know how much of which supplies you need so you don’t have to leave the pipes unconnected.

– Lighting in bathrooms is a big deal. If there’s one room of the house you’d prefer to be well-lit, it’s probably the bathroom. Since basements don’t typically have windows, you want to consider what kind of lighting scheme you need in your basement bathroom to illuminate the room in case there are days when you need to follow your entire hygiene routine there.

You Will Most Likely Need Some Help

Once you have decided exactly what you want in your basement bathroom, you’ll need to plan out the specifics of water, sewage, etc. This process should also involve contacting all of the necessary professionals to help on the project. Instead of spending hours doing so, just log on to TalkLocal and get it taken care of in minutes.

Our exciting new service instantly connects you with local professionals who are able to help. It’s easy and free.

Posted in Plumbers | No Comments »

5 Quick Tips For Eating Healthy At College

Sunday, June 2nd, 2013

Written by Jaime Fawcett

Seva Man loves the summer because that means he gets to make friends with all of the new and totally awesome college interns in the office. And what did the interns miss most while they were at school…

“Food!” Seva Man says. “Eating healthy at college is surprisingly difficult for our college-goers. Many of them are happy to be home or on their own just so they can eat better.”

And so, this summer, Seva Man is here to help our interns with 5 quick tips on eating healthy at college before they head back to school in a few, unfortunately short, months.

1. Find A Routine

Your schedule will be hectic and will likely vary day to day, but try to find a set time to sit down and have a snack. Your body will get acclimated to the routine and will know when to expect food and when not to. It will help keep your stomach from growling in lecture.

2. Sneak Snacks Into Class

You’ll probably find small prepackaged snacks in your school’s convenience store. Tiny 100 calorie packs are perfect for sneaking into class. To be even more healthy, bring a small container of nuts, a bag of dried fruit, or an apple. Besides, nobody really pays attention to those “No Food or Drink Allowed” signs, right?

3. Manipulate The Meal Plan

Take a good look at the meal plan and dining locations on campus and find out which ones have the healthiest options. Ask for nutrition facts if your school has them. To keep costs down, buy a smaller plan and then supplement meals with healthier homemade meals or side dishes.

4. Invest In A Rice Cooker

Rice is a great bulk food to have on hand. Its healthier than most other grains, so it’s a good source of filling carbohydrates. Plus, you can mix in a variety of lean meats, cooked or raw veggies, and sauces to have a different meal every day. Rice cookers are as cheap as $30, a solid investment that will cook your rice to perfection in minutes.

5. Seek Out Help

Your school’s health or athletic services probably have a nutritionist on campus available to all students. Don’t be afraid to make an appointment. They can help you learn just how many calories and what kinds of nutrients your body needs. They’ll also help give you the best tips for eating on campus or where to buy food off campus with a tight budget.

Posted in Seva Call | No Comments »

Are LED Light Bulbs Bad For Your Eyes?

Sunday, June 2nd, 2013

Light Emitting Diodes, commonly called LED light bulbs, are a newer product on the shelves that offer a lot of exciting upgrades from traditional light bulbs. They are brighter than older bulbs, typically run on less than half the power, and tend to have a bluer color, making objects more visible. It’s no wonder why many car manufacturers use them in the headlights of their vehicles.

However, because they are new, they produce a lot of questions. One of these questions is very important, as it directly relates to your health and safety: Are LED light bulbs bad for your eyes? Let’s look at some information about LED bulbs to answer this question.

Are LED Lights Bad For Your Eyes?

– LED bulbs are much brighter than other bulbs. The light from an LED bulb is more concentrated than in incandescent or halogen bulbs, thus causing brightness to intensify. Brighter lights do tend to be more painful when they make contact with your eyes.

– LED lights most commonly come in a shade of blue. The eye naturally struggles to focus on blue lights, typically putting a halo around the light instead. Since blue is difficult for your retinas to handle, it produces more of a glare and causes slight fatigue and eyestrain.

– Different brands of LED bulbs produce different light flow. If one brand is too bright, another brand may not be.

– The question “are LED light bulbs bad for your eyes,” came up when the bulbs first hit the market and consumers reported eye troubles. That said, the number of consumers that reported issues was not high enough to justify a recall, and many researchers have said this is a string of unrelated, but similar, individual reactions to a change.

– Although these bulbs are brighter, they typically do not reach the brightness necessary to cause serious damage.

See What An Auto Mechanic Thinks

If you do think LED bulbs are too bright for your eyes, you could try changing the shade or cover for the bulb to something a bit more opaque or even darker. This would still provide the benefits of the brighter, power-saving light bulb without the high intensity. If you need more assistance, we can help you find a professional to answer all of your questions. At TalkLocal, we take the work out of the search for you.

Posted in Auto Repair | No Comments »

How To Install A Garden Fountain

Saturday, June 1st, 2013

The bubbling sounds of a garden fountain, along with its classic look and natural beauty, really make your lawn, garden, or patio stand out from the backyards of your neighbors. Even just a small garden fountain can dramatically change your home’s look. Learning how to install a garden fountain isn’t really difficult, and as long as you’ve got a friend to help, you’ll end up with a great looking addition to your garden in no time.

How To Install A Garden Fountain

1. Pick the fountain’s location. Make sure it is somewhere that can support the fountain and isn’t likely to flood if it rains.

2. Level the location. Make it about three inches lower than the rest of the land around it, and make this spot about three inches wider than the actual base of the fountain on all sides. Make sure you use a rake to remove any dirt or rocks.

3. Use stone dust and small rocks — about five times more dust than rocks — to create a mixture to cover the dirt in this spot. Use a ground tamp to secure it.

4. Measure the area with a level. If it isn’t level, add dirt, then cover that with stone dust. Tamp it and measure again. Repeat until level.

5. Have a friend help you place the fountain’s base in the middle of the dirt. It will be heavy! Measure it to make sure it’s level and add dirt if you need to.

6. Put the pump in the fountain base. Run the cord out of the drain hole.

7. Put the drain plug in the drain hole.

8. Seal the drain plug. Silicone sealant works best.

9. Make sure the solar power supply is out of the way, but can easily receive sunlight. Bury the cord. Burying it about six inches below is best.

10. Have your friend hold the fountain top while you thread the water tube up through the bottom. Stop when it reaches the top part of the fountain hole. Set the fountain into place, fill it with water, and start the pump.

Too Much To Remember?

There you go! Now you have a beautiful fountain in the midst of your garden to enjoy while you sit outside, taking in nature. If you have more questions or would prefer to have your fountain professionally installed, TalkLocal can connect you with companies or professionals that can help.

Posted in Landscapers | No Comments »

Connecting Laptop To TV Wirelessly With Windows 7

Saturday, June 1st, 2013

If you enjoy streaming movies, TV shows, or even sports on your laptop, you know that the smaller screen is one of the trade-offs for online streaming. But this is quickly changing. Now you can have a big screen laptop without all the wires and cables. Laptops with WiDi, or Intel Wireless Display, can connect to a receiver connected to your TV.

Connecting Laptop To TV Wirelessly With Windows 7

With Intel WiDi:

1) Plug the receiver of your wireless detection device into an outlet. Connect the HDMI cable attached to the receiver into your TV. Make sure the TV input is set to HDMI.

2) If your laptop has built-in WiDi, press the WiDi button.

3) If you do not have a WiDi button, open Start and search for “Intel Wireless Display.” Select your receiver and connect.

Connecting Laptop To TV Wirelessly With Standalone Wireless Adapter

If you do not have built in WiDi, you can purchase standalone adapters, which will allow you to wirelessly transmit the display signal to the TV:

1) Plug the receiver of your wireless adapter into an outlet, and connect the HDMI cable to your TV. Set the input on your TV to HDMI.

2) Plug the transmitter device into your laptop.

3) Click Start and search “Connect to an External Display.” Select your wireless adapter from the drop down menu.

Need Professional Help?

If you are having issues with connecting your laptop to your TV wirelessly with Windows 7, use TalkLocal. We will quickly connect you with high-quality, local IT technicians who will be ready to help you when you need it most. And best of all — our service is free!

Posted in Computer Repair | No Comments »

Do I Need Active Release Chiropractic Therapy Or Deep Tissue Massage?

Saturday, June 1st, 2013

Those who suffer from pain will look for any method to relieve it, but which method is right for your pain? If you are experiencing muscular or joint pain, here is one central question to ponder: Do I need active release chiropractic therapy or deep tissue massage?

The following facts about each may help you make your decision, but ultimately, a professional will be able to best determine which treatment fits your situation.

Deep Tissue Massage

– As the name implies, it focuses on deep, muscular tissue.

– Works through the kneading and applying of pressure to the soft tissue over a period of time to relax the offending muscle.

– Has been shown to relieve headaches, stress, tension, while increasing flexibility and circulation.

– Side effects include nausea, headache, and soreness similar to the sore feeling after a workout.

– While many experience positive results after treatment, some only experience temporary relief from symptoms and need continuous treatments.

Active Release Treatment

– Focuses on connective tissue that may have been damaged due to injury, over-working, or repetitive movements.

– Works through the stretching, manipulation, and tension of the soft tissue.

– Has been shown to relieve headaches caused by shortened, taught muscles, to relieve TMJ, sciatica, and reoccurring sprains and strains. Has also been shown to successfully treat carpal tunnel and other peripheral nerve entrapment disorders.

– May cause pain or discomfort during the first few treatments, but pain will subside shortly after treatment.

– As long as adjustments to the patient’s lifestyle after treatment are followed, it is very unlikely that symptoms will reoccur.

Get A Professional’s Advice

While both methods of treatment have been shown to help similar ailments, only a professional can determine which one will be best for you. To find one, check our TalkLocal’s free service. We will connect you with a qualified chiropractic professional in minutes who will know the answer to your crucial question: Do I need active release chiropractic therapy or deep tissue massage?

Posted in Chiropractors | No Comments »

Ideas For Remodeling A Basement: Lighting

Saturday, June 1st, 2013

Finishing your basement is a dream come true for some homeowners. You’ll finally have your man cave, crafting room, or your movie suite. Then comes the realization that, while fixing up the lighting, you have no idea what to change.

Some ideas for remodeling a basement include different lighting effects that may prove to bring a unique touch to the room. Here are some examples.

Typical overhead lighting: Depending on how large your basement is, if you’re looking for overhead lighting that can illuminate the whole room, you’ll probably need florescent lighting. Florescent lighting is usually brighter than regular lighting, lasts longer, and saves about a third of the energy. These can also be installed throughout the ceiling of your basement to make the whole room light up according to your needs.

Stand-alone floor lamps: Especially if you’re looking to have a workstation or a movie room in your basement, investing in multiple stand-alone floor lamps can offer a unique and stylized lighting scheme for your basement. You can wire the electrical outlets to control the lamps with a single on/off switch or leave them all operating individually. This can provide extra light near your work station or the proper mood lighting for a movie.

Decorative hanging lights: These add another level of aesthetic value to your basement. You can pick a color scheme and then pick some decorative hanging lights to match. Whether you are interested in the Chinese hanging lanterns that offer a soft glow with a beautiful look, ceramic light fixtures with color schemes and patterns, or even something as simple as Christmas lights hanging around the ceiling, picking out decorative hanging lights can add more or less lighting as you see fit.

Always Be Cautious When Working With Electricity

You can always bounce your ideas for remodeling a basement off of a professional electrician to see if they are feasible. Once you figure out how you want to light your basement, you may need a professional to help you do it. TalkLocal can connect you with the local electricians that can get your basement lighting set up the way you want it.

Posted in Electricians | No Comments »

Closed In Porch Designs

Friday, May 31st, 2013

As the weather warms, many of us want to be able to enjoy the outdoors. After the long months of being cooped up for the winter, we tend to forget the side effects that come with warmer weather: sweltering sun, insect bites, wind, and rainstorms.

Wouldn’t it be great if there were a way to enjoy the warmth, wildlife, and fresh air without experiencing all of those side effects of summer, while simultaneously adding curb appeal?

A closed in porch is one viable solution. Depending on your climate and personal preferences, here are some ideas for closed in porch designs.

Closed In Porch Designs

– If you live in an area that experiences cold winters, you may consider a mostly glass enclosed porch. Leave some panels with screens that can be replaced with glass in the winter time. This way, you can enjoy the sunlight and winter wildlife from the warm comfort of your porch. In the summer, remove the selected glass panels with screens and enjoy the warm breeze.

– If you live in a mostly warm climate and enjoy an old-fashioned look, consider installing full-length shutters. These are popular in places such as Louisiana. When opened, they allow for the warm breeze and sunlight to shine through, creating a feeling of southern hospitality. They can be closed to shut out blowing rain.

– Consider using refurbished or Bamboo blinds and curtains. These are a great way to not only protect the environment but also add features to your porch that will blend with the outside flora and fauna. It will help create a more “outdoors inside” feel.

– If you are simply looking for an economical way enjoy the outdoors in decent weather, without worrying about insects, consider installing screens or mosquito netting around the porch.

Closed In Porches Can Be A Great Addition To Your Landscape

A professional handyman can help you determine which closed in porch designs will be best for your home and budget. TalkLocal can help you find one in your area for absolutely no charge. Our service is fast, and we will only locate qualified individuals for you.

Tags: closed in porch, porch, screen porch
Posted in Handyman | No Comments »

Ideas For Remodeling A Basement: HVAC

Friday, May 31st, 2013

Whether it’s going to be a man cave, craft room, movie theater, play room, or any other of the limitless possibilities for remodeling a basement, you want your finished basement to feel comfortable year round. Installing an HVAC, or a Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning unit, is one of the ideas for remodeling a basement becoming more and more popular because of the benefits it offers.

Some fun facts about ideas for remodeling a basement that include an HVAC unit:

– HVAC systems traditionally combine a furnace or another type of air conditioning unit with a duct or pipe system for distributing the output. This is all controlled by a thermostat, which allows consumers to set the temperature at which they want the room.

– There are some rules and regulations to follow when installing an HVAC unit in your basement. There is an organization called the ACCA (The Air Conditioning Contractors of America) that sets these rules and regulations to insure that everything is done properly and safely. Don’t worry, though — The ACCA publishes manuals to help you figure out what size HVAC unit you need and what regulations you need to follow.

– There are four typical types of HVAC units: split systems, hybrid heat split systems, duct-free split systems and packaged systems.

> Split system: Is the most popular type of HVAC unit. With this, the machinery is both inside and outside of your home.

> Hybrid heat split system: Tends to be more energy efficient than its split system counterpart. It includes a heat pump, allowing for electric heat in addition to gas heat.

> Duct-free split system: If you can’t use a conventional duct system, you’re going to be looking for one of these. This is perfect for places where a duct system is not installed.

> Packaged system: Best for places without the space for another type of HVAC system.

Getting Help With HVAC Systems

Picking the HVAC unit for your home and basement is essential to living comfortably all year. When dealing with heating and cooling, it is important to utilize the services of only qualified professionals. If you don’t know where to start when it comes to finding one in your area, turn to TalkLocal. We will track them down for you in lightning-fast time.

Posted in Heating and Cooling | No Comments »

Best Laptop Brands 2012

Friday, May 31st, 2013

In 2012, technology tied in with laptop computers continued to evolve. Laptops got smaller, thinner, and brighter, all while computing power increased.

Some manufacturers managed to stay up with the times, producing some of the most useful laptops on the markets. Others fell behind. Here, we will investigate the best laptop brands 2012.

Apple

This might not be a huge surprise to users, as Apple has slowly transformed into the standard for laptops and other high-tech gadgets. Touting products like the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, everything from the design of their laptops to the technical support that services them have been rated highly by users and the media.

The MacBook Air was particularly a huge seller with it’s ultra-thin design that featured a screen which displayed eye-popping graphics. This helped carry Apple to be at the top of the best laptop brands of 2012.

Hewlett Packard

While we’re on the topic of trusted brands in laptops, let’s not forget HP, which had another stellar year as one of the best laptop brands of 2012. Like Apple, the company has been around for a long time, and users are starting to realize they can trust HP products. The company did not dash the hopes of their users as they scored well by critics.

Many users might argue that Apple is the superior laptop for multimedia use, but this was not the case in 2012. Riding high with the help of its Beats Audio technology, HP became the top laptop for multimedia. The company’s HP Pavilion Series was also a hot seller in 2012.

Lenovo

For the last two years now, Lenovo has inched its way to the top of the laptop industry, just under Apple. This is not a surprise to Lenovo users, who have noticed that the company offers plenty of innovation, but keeps their products at a very affordable price. For every Apple product, there is a Lenovo product to match, including its ThinkPad X1 Carbon to counteract Apple’s MacBook Air.

Choosing The Right Laptop

If you are trying to decide which type of laptop you want, or if you need it repaired, make TalkLocal your first stop. We are able to connect you with service professionals in your area that can help with such issues. Try out our free, easy service.

Posted in Computer Repair | No Comments »

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