2013 Archives - 96/166 - Talk Local Blog

Archive for 2013

Wednesday, May 22nd, 2013

When you experience lower back pain, whether due to normal stiffness over time, or you have a specific injury, having a lower back massage can alleviate a lot of the pain and discomfort. Lower back massages are the go-to for the all-too-common lower back issues. No more Ibuprofen or Tylenol; check out the benefits of massage for lower back pain for once!

How Does Massage For Lower Back Pain Work?

Massages are aimed at loosening up the muscles and tissue in specific areas of the body. For lower back pain, the massage is geared towards loosening the surrounding muscles of the lower back in order to take the pressure off of your strained muscles. A 10-week intervention program of massage for lower back pain has proven results to almost completely eliminate the pain from your back. That is definitely something to check out!

The Benefits Of Massage For Lower Back Pain

Not only will the lower back messages decrease your pain, it will also improve your range of motion. You will be back to functioning like your old self with better ease of movement. In addition, having a massage relaxes your mind from a stressful day and can be used as a meditation exercise. Not only will you feel a sense of relief throughout your back, the muscles in your back will then cause other parts of your body to become loosened and will experience pain reduction.

Getting a massage for lower back pain can extend to your overall mental health, and even to other areas of your body. Overall, you will feel looser, healthier, and much more relieved!

Find Yourself A Massage Therapist

To get more information about the best massage therapists near you, check out TalkLocal. You will be connected directly high-quality massage therapists right in your neighborhood. It is quick, easy, and free to use. Check it out!

Posted in Massage Therapy | 2 Comments »

Auto Key Won’t Turn In Ignition

Tuesday, May 21st, 2013

One of the most frustrating things during the morning rush is finally getting in your car only to find that your auto key won’t turn in ignition. While this problem is usually rare, don’t panic. In most cases, the problem is really minor and you’ll first want to do some basic troubleshooting before trying to call a professional.

Do You Have The Right Key?

While this may seem obvious, but this can be quite common for people who own more than one car. It happens sometimes when you’re in a rush or running behind schedule, so make sure you’re using the correct key. You may also want to take the time to check that your key isn’t damaged or bent, as your key needs to be firmly seated all the way in the ignition before it can turn. Try using a spare key and see whether it makes a difference.

Is Your Car In The Right Gear?

Depending on your vehicle and its transmission, your vehicle usually needs to be in either Neutral (for manuals) or Park (for automatics) before it can start. Be sure that you are in the correct gear before starting your car.

Is Your Steering Wheel Properly Aligned?

Oftentimes, vehicles need to have the ignition and the steering column in a precise position before being able to start the car. In order to do this, you’ll first want to insert your key and begin to apply turning pressure on the key. Shift the steering wheel back and forth until you find the “free spot” where your key can turn in the ignition. You may need to apply considerable pressure or give your steering wheel a good yank before it actually moves.

Is Your Car Still Not Starting?

If none of the above tips helped to solve your ignition problem, you may want to contact an auto repair professional to take a look at your ignition and give you a personalized assessment. Save yourself the hassle of searching and use TalkLocal, so that you can talk to high-quality, local mechanics in just minutes!

Posted in Auto Repair | No Comments »

Support the Victims Of the Oklahoma Tornado

Tuesday, May 21st, 2013

The tornado that ripped through an Oklahoma City suburb is long gone, but the damage remains. The citizens of Moore, Oklahoma must now begin the arduous task of rebuilding their homes and their lives in the wake of this disaster. With an official 24 dead, and more than 200 injured, many people have been left in shock.

What Moore-area officials are now focused on is rebuilding. As many as 38,000 people remain without power, and countless others have been displaced, due to the tornado’s destruction of their homes. If you would like to make a donation to help the people of Moore, Oklahoma and the surrounding area, here are some ways you can help:

Support the Victims of the Oklahoma Tornado

The Salvation Army is organizing mobile kitchens large enough to feed up to 2,500 people per day.

The Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund is also taking donations to provide shelter for those families displaced by the tornado’s destruction.

We thank you for your support, and join you in sending our thoughts and prayers to the people of Moore, Oklahoma.

– The Seva Call Team

Posted in Seva Call | No Comments »

How To Remove Shrubs

Tuesday, May 21st, 2013

Just because you plant a shrub and it takes root, doesn’t mean that you cannot move it around within your landscape or remove it altogether. When a shrub is no longer healthy, or simply does not mesh with your landscape, it might be high time to get rid of it.

If you do not know how to remove shrubs, you will likely end up with tired arms and an achy back. Once the roots take hold, a shrub is not going anywhere without a fight.

How To Remove Shrubs

1. Trim the shrub back as best as you can. It is not easy trying to handle a shrub with long, out-of-control branches. Prune the shrub the best you can so you don’t have to deal with something so bulky.

2. Start by digging in the area around the shrub. If you immediately dig in your shovel at the base of the shrub, you will be slowed up by thick, stubborn roots. Plus, if you break those roots, you will damage the shrub and you will not be able to replant it.

3. Dig around the base of the plant with a roughly two-foot radius from where the shrub enters the ground. Once you dig down, start working your way in toward the shrub.

4. Even if you plan on replanting the shrub, you can still clip away the smaller roots to make it easier to dig. You will want to try to preserve the larger roots if possible. To do this, dig around these main roots, clearing the soil away to expose them.

5. As you dig and clear dirt away, continually wiggle the shrub in an effort to jar it loose. This certainly will not be a quick and easy process. If the shrub has been there for a long time, or is especially big, the roots will have a firm hold on the soil.

6. Once you are able to remove the shrub completely, make sure to go back and take out any roots that remain in the soil. This ensures that you won’t face unwanted growth in the future.

Call In The Guys That Know How To Remove Shrubs

There is a real science to removing shrubs, and most landscapers have it down cold. If you require the services of a professional landscaper, TalkLocal can help you find one in your area fast. Try out our service and see how effective it truly is.

Posted in Landscapers | No Comments »

Types Of Car Window Tint Film

Tuesday, May 21st, 2013

Window tint is a multi-purpose tool these days. While window tinting is often seen as a sleek-looking addition to a vehicle, it can also be used on homes, office buildings, and other work spaces. Tinting windows can ensure an added layer of privacy in addition to regulating the amount of sun and light that enters a window.

As far as automobiles go, there are several types of car window tint film available on the market. Window tint film contains polyester — the thicker the polyester, the darker the tint of the window. However, different features have been added to film over the years to produce these different types of car window tint film.

Dyed Film

Dyed film is probably the most common of the different types of car window tint film. A dye is added to the film to absorb heat and reduce visibility. When sunlight hits the window, most of the heat is absorbed by the dye. The heat that gets through, reaches the window but evaporates before entering the vehicle.

Metalized Film

These car window tint films use a very thin layer of metal to both reflect light away while absorbing both heat and radiation. A wide variety of metals (25 different types) can be used in metalized films. The metal is layered incredibly thin.

Hybrid Film

These films combine the best of both dyed and metalized films. They bring together both the absorbing powers of dyed films and the reflecting powers of metalized films. Because most of the sunlight is reflected instead of absorbed, the tint can be a lot lighter than traditional, dyed films.

Ceramic Film

You might not have heard of ceramic window tint films yet, as they are somewhat of a breakthrough innovation in the industry. Ceramic films incorporate ceramic tints that not only tint windows, but also strengthen them.

Where Can I Get My Windows Tinted?

All of these different types of car window tint film are effective, so it boils down to personal preference. When you know what type of tint job you want, visit TalkLocal to find a technician that can help.

Posted in Auto Glass Repair | No Comments »

Key Broke Off Inside The Lock

Tuesday, May 21st, 2013

When you are in a hurry and are not careful with your lock and key, you might find yourself with a big problem. Sometimes you can bend your key or scratch it, but other times you can cause some serious damage — like when the key breaks before you completely remove it. Knowing what to do if your key broke off inside the lock ahead of time can save you a lot of trouble if it happens.

If Your Key Broke Off Inside The Lock, try following these steps (note, this will not work if you have a skeleton key):

1. You will need to get a thin-bladed piece of metal, preferably serrated metal. For example, a broken coping saw blade or jig saw blade would work well.

2. If it is possible for you to remove the lock from the door, do so. If it is not possible or not easy for you to remove the lock from the door, do not worry.

3. Figure out how the key is positioned. You need to know this so you can work from the side with the teeth. The smooth side won’t help you here.

4. Spray the keyhole with some sort of lubricant, such as graphite powder. Do not drown the keyhole, but make sure it is evenly coated to ensure a smooth transition.

5. Match the blade and key tooth-to-tooth and slide your blade into the keyhole.

6. Keep pushing, slowly but smoothly, until the blade’s teeth grab the key’s teeth.

7. Pull the blade out very slowly, making sure it remains connected with the key. This should pull the broken key piece out.

These steps will work for most typical locks, but some lock and key sets will be more difficult. For example, deadbolts will be harder to wriggle through because they are designed to be sturdier.

Connect With A Locksmith

If this does not work, you may need to consider getting some professional assistance. TalkLocal can connect you with local locksmiths that can get your broken key out and fix your lock. The search process is quick and easy.

Posted in Locksmiths | No Comments »

Laptop Screen Won’t Turn On

Tuesday, May 21st, 2013

Few things are scarier than your laptop screen going (and staying) dark when you need to get to your finals paper, thesis, or an important e-mail. Whether you are using a PC or a Mac, Windows, Linux, or something else entirely, if your laptop screen won’t turn on, you need a fast and effective solution.

Determine the Cause

You will want to determine if the problem is with the screen, or the whole laptop. Is the power light on? Can you hear the hard drive or the fan? If so, you can trust that the laptop is still functioning. If not, the problem may be as simple as the power adapter. Biting pets, swivel chairs, and power surges can take out even the most reliable adapters. Trying another power adapter may just do the trick. Keep in mind that if the laptop isn’t turning on at all, that’s a more serious problem that could be related to the motherboard or the hard drive itself. Sorry, but you’ll need to call tech support or take it in for that.

Recycle the Power Source

If the laptop screen won’t turn on despite receiving power, you may need to do what’s called recycling the power source. This involves unplugging the laptop and removing the battery completely. You may need a screwdriver for this. When the battery is out, reattach the power adapter and turn the laptop on, holding the power button down for a good 10 to 12 seconds.

Hard Restart

Mac users may have success performing what’s called a hard restart. This involves pressing and holding the power button until the computer shuts down on its own. Wait 20 seconds, then press the power button once to restart. If this does not solve the issue, your next step is calling the good people at Applecare.

If all seems to be in order but your laptop screen won’t turn on, you may simply want to attach an external monitor for the time being. This will reduce the portability of your laptop significantly, but it will also give you some much-needed functionality, and allow you access to your files.

Get help

This could be considered a computer emergency, which requires the swift help from a computer repair professional. TalkLocal can track down a local professional in a matter of minutes and get you on the phone with them. Thousands of people have used our free service. Try for yourself.

Posted in Computer Repair | No Comments »

Building A Chain Link Fence

Monday, May 20th, 2013

Chain link fences seem to be as practical as they are cost-efficient. Like driveway gates, many people utilize these types of fences in their yards to keep unwanted visitors away and to stop their children or pets from wandering off. Building a chain link fence in your yard will take plenty of time, effort, tools, and supplies, but it is certainly a do-it-yourself project worth taking on if you are concerned with saving a few bucks.

Building A Chain Link Fence

1. Before you even break ground, you’ll want to examine your property line and make sure that you are not infringing on someone else’s territory. If you constructed your fence and your neighbor had an issue with it, you might be forced to take the whole thing down. Also, you’ll want to make sure that building a chain link fence complies with property codes for your area. You always want to comply with local statutes when altering or renovating your property.

2. Plan out the areas where your chain link fence will run. This takes careful measurement and the right tools to ensure that the fence is straight. You can either mark the fence line with spray paint on the grass or else outline it with string tied to wooden stakes.

3. The posts are the first element of the fence to go in. Dig each hole with a post hole digger. These holes must be separated by equal distance. Also, the post hole should be deep — approximately 1-2 feet. Once the posts are dropped into the holes, fill in the holes with cement to stabilize the posts.

4. Most common chain link fence kits come with pipe fittings and tension bands. Install this hardware on the poles before bringing out the chain mesh.

5. Run the chain mesh from post to post, making sure it stays tight the entire way. Through careful planning, you should have purchased just the right amount of chain meshing for your fence.

6. Most chain link fences include a gate. Gate kits are commonly available with all chain link fence supplies and make installing a gate amazingly simple.

Too Much For You?

It takes a lot of energy and know-how to build a chain link fence that looks good and serves its purpose. There are always local professionals available to help when you are in a jam. You don’t have to search hard for them, either. Just use TalkLocal‘s nifty service and you’ll be talking with someone that can help in a mere 90 seconds.

Tags: chain link fence, fencing
Posted in Handyman | No Comments »

Ventilation Systems Designed For Efficient Heating and Cooling

Monday, May 20th, 2013

One of the best ways to save money is actually to be green. Many homeowners use quite a bit of energy when heating and cooling their homes, ultimately realizing such inefficiencies in their monthly energy bills. As such, picking and investing in ventilation systems designed for efficient heating and cooling can save you both time and money. Read on for tips on how to choose the right ventilation system for your home.

Size Does Matter

One of the most important factors to consider is the size of the ventilation system. Most ventilation systems serve three major purposes: cooling, heating, and dehumidification. When cooling, air conditioning systems will usually stop cooling after reaching a certain temperature threshold. However, if the ventilation system is too large, the air conditioner will stop cooling before all of the humidity is removed, causing the air to feel heavy and clammy, ultimately wasting energy and money. Make sure that whoever is installing your ventilation system is using an approved computer program designed to calculate the proper sizing of your unit.

Location

Choosing the correct location of the ventilation is also incredibly important to having an efficient heating and cooling system. Your ventilation system should ideally be located inside the home and in air-conditioned space, since its primary job is to circulate and condition the air in your home. If your air handler is located outside or in the garage, it not only will have to work harder to condition the air to the proper temperature, but also may be exposed to dirt and other air pollutants, leading to poorer air quality.

Windows and Weatherproofing

While you definitely want to consider the efficiency of your HVAC system, you must also think about your home as well. Make sure that your windows are high-quality, multi-paned windows that have proper weather stripping. Your front door, garage doors, and any other entrances to your home should also have the proper insulation and caulking so that you have a tight building envelope. This will ensure that your home will remain as efficient as possible and save you money!

Talk To A Professional

There are many other factors that you may want to consider, such as the maintenance of your HVAC system and home insulation. You should talk with a HVAC specialist if you’re considering replacing or installing a new HVAC system. TalkLocal can connect you with a highly-rated HVAC specialist in your area in just minutes!

Posted in Heating and Cooling | No Comments »

Cost Of A New Refrigerator

Monday, May 20th, 2013

When you are shopping for a new refrigerator, you likely want to get the best deal possible. There are numerous refrigerator brands and styles on the market, and determining which one is the best value for your money can be hard. Some of the things that determine the cost of a new refrigerator are the features. Here are some of the most common features found on refrigerators.

Water and Ice Dispensers

Water and ice dispensers are one of the most popular features that many refrigerator shoppers choose. These features are extremely convenient because they let you get ice and water quickly, without even opening the freezer door. Most ice dispensers also have several options such as offering crushed or cubed ice. The water dispensers may have filters or other convenient features, too. Refrigerators that have built-in ice dispensers and water dispensers tend to cost between $100 and $200 more than a refrigerator that does not have these features.

Automatic Defrost

This feature is standard on most new refrigerators, and is important for regular maintenance. Still, some are made without it. If you are looking to reduce the cost of a new refrigerator, you may want to look for one that does not have automatic defrost. This feature can also cost more on your electric bill because it uses more energy to operate. Although this feature is not necessary, it is extremely convenient and can help save you time and money on repairs if your refrigerator freezes up. The cost of this feature is usually between $50 and $100.

Shelves and Trays

Many shoppers look for removable and flexible shelves and trays inside the refrigerator. The more shelves and trays the fridge has, the more expensive it will be. Sometimes these shelves and trays are removable and can even be interchanged to make more room or help you organize your refrigerator. This feature is very convenient but not really necessary. The cost of these types of shelves and trays can cost as much as $300 more than those found in a standard refrigerator.

Many of these features do raise the cost of a new refrigerator, but are also very convenient. When shopping for your new fridge, decide which features you want and if they are worth paying the extra money for. Remember, it is only worth the money if you are actually going to use the feature or need it.

When Your Refrigerator Acts Up…

Few things are more frustrating than when important household appliances act up. In that event, you will need to get ahold of a repair person quickly. TalkLocal can help you connect with one immediately. Try out our free service.

Posted in Appliances Repair | No Comments »

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