When You Need Commercial Water Extraction

Thursday, March 6th, 2014

When You Need Commercial Water Extraction - Carpet Cleaners

From burst pipes to excessive rains, flooding can cause damage to your home and belongings. Although water damage usually happens when you’re not expecting it, your response is crucial. To reduce water damage, it is necessary for the water to be removed immediately.

When you experience a flooding emergency, you will need commercial water extraction quickly from trained technicians with the proper equipment to remove the water from your flooded home.

What You Can Do

While it is best to leave the actual water removal to experts, there are some things homeowners can do to reduce potential damage due to flooding:

– Shut off the water source, if possible.

– Shut down the main power supply to your home. If there are small electrical gadgets in the flooded rooms, see if you can safely remove them.

– If there is sewage damage, don’t use fans or your heating/air conditioning unit, because contamination may spread around your home.

– Never use your home vacuum or wet/dry vacuum to extract the water.

– Do not walk on wet carpets.

– Keep drapes and furniture skirts up and safe from coming into contact with flooded floors.

– Take away all small furnishings from wet carpets.

– Put aluminum foil beneath the legs of furniture to prevent stains on the carpet. Remove any item from the wet carpet that may stain it.

– Make sure to wash your hands after you handled a water-damaged carpet or any object.

What to Expect from Pros

When you call for commercial water extraction, the contractor will bring heavy-duty equipment to remove freestanding water in your home. Afterwards, water will be extracted from your upholstery, carpets, and carpet padding. In some instances, it may be necessary to remove the carpet, padding, or both to allow proper drying.

They will also use industry-grade equipment for drying and dehumidifying all affected areas in your home thoroughly, restoring your home’s normal humidity levels. A special device may also be used to detect any hidden pools of water that remain. All commercial water extraction procedures and techniques are performed to help reduce potential secondary damage as well as microbial growth.

The crew will perform daily monitoring of the drying process, adjusting the equipment when necessary. Once the affected areas and belongings are completely dry, they will restore your rooms and furniture back into place. The commercial water extraction firm may also be able to help with the filing of your insurance claim.

Need Commercial Water Extraction Now?

Don’t waste time. Find expert help quickly with TalkLocal, your quick link to local service professionals. Speak to up to three reliable professionals within minutes!

Miniature Garden Plants

Thursday, March 6th, 2014

Miniature Garden Plants - Landscapers

Planning and designing the perfect garden is seldom an easy task. Numerous aesthetic requirements and plant characteristics should be taken into consideration. In some cases, less is more, especially if you have a small outdoor area. Miniature garden plants are an amazing alternative at hand, proving that rare essences are usually kept in tiny bottles.

How to Choose the Right Miniature Garden Plants

Miniature garden plants are not hard to find. As a matter of fact, there are hundreds of varieties that may enchant your eyes. The question is this: would they manage to flourish in your garden? Do you have what it takes to cultivate and accentuate their beauty? Before making a final call, pay attention to the following important factors:

1)    The compatibility between your climate and your favorite miniature garden plants (some can withstand extreme temperatures and some cannot)

2)    Your own demands (how often would you like these plants to blossom, what colors and fragrances you like, what kind of plant combos you’d like to create, and so on)

3)    Feeding requirements

4)    The type of soil that you have

5)    The time that you plan to invest in this project (some varieties are extremely pretentious and require extra care)

Contemplating Some of the Most Attractive Alternatives

Ornamental strawberry, Baby tears, Cranesbill Wooly thyme, Brass Buttons, Primroses, and rosemary are only some of the most popular options at hand. You can cultivate all these assortments and more, based on how much space you have and what kind of color combinations you would like to obtain.

Ask an Expert

With so many attractive options at hand, choosing the best miniature garden plants can be quite confusing. To make a smart decision in a timely fashion, consult a talented local landscaper. Find the best one with Seva Call, your best connection to the most reputable, local professionals.

Trash Burning Health Risks

Wednesday, March 5th, 2014

Trash Burning Health Risks - Garbage Removal

Cities versus Villages or Home Communities

Waste is incinerated on a regular basis in big cities and near villages. This is the best way of getting rid of dangerous chemical substances. In cities, the remaining toxins are projected into the atmosphere and they are then diluted, preventing people from inhaling them. In villages or smaller communities however, the smoke full of toxins is not projected high into the atmosphere and, consequently, there are certain trash burning health risks that we all take during the process.

Some of the Acute Trash Burning Health Risks

Non-specific symptoms that most of us can have as a result of being in the vicinity of a trash burning facility are:

– nausea

– burning eyes

– headaches

Who Should Pay Special Attention

People suffering from asthma, emphysema, or other respiratory conditions are especially concerned when it comes to the health risks of trash burning.

Some of the Chronic Trash Burning Health Risks

If you are being constantly exposed to trash burning smoke, you should know that your health is at risk. The parts of your body that can be affected because of a long-time exposure to the trash burning smoke are the following:

– your lungs

– your nervous system

– your liver and

– your kidneys

The effects on these parts of your body are not immediately visible, but may turn into chronic diseases after a number of years. Let’s give only two examples of the dangerous substances you are exposed to. Formaldehyde and paraffin can be found in cardboard, for instance. When they come in contact with your body they can cause irritation. Moreover, paraffin can be contaminated with other substances, potentially carcinogenic.

What Measures You Can Take in Your Community

1. Burn the trash as far as possible from the community.

2. Make sure the process is the shortest possible.

3. Remove all the objects that contain chlorine, such as napkins, cardboard, office paper, and plastics.

Need Assistance?

Seva Call can connect you garbage removal professionals to get rid of your trash right away. Come to us to be connected with up to three professionals when you need them most.

Clean Windows Vinegar

Wednesday, March 5th, 2014

Clean Windows Vinegar - Maid Services

People who want to keep their houses clean often invest a lot of money in expensive cleaning products. Only a few of them are actually aware of the fact that the traditional cleaning methods used by our grandmothers are actually very effective and cost-efficient. Can you clean windows with vinegar? Let’s find out.

Vinegar, the Universal Cleaning Product

Most homeowners keep at least one bottle of vinegar in their kitchens. This indispensable product can give an excellent taste to any kind of salad, but it can also help you clean numerous things around the house, including your carpets, your glass surfaces, and your windows. Yes, vinegar is a highly appreciated, universal cleaning agent for a number of reasons.

– It is cheap and easy to use.

– It is natural and doesn’t pose any health risks.

– It cleans various types of surfaces without damaging them in any way.

How to Clean Windows with Vinegar in a Few Simple Steps

You can clean even the dirtiest windows with a small amount of vinegar and a few old newspapers (or a clean cloth) in a few easy steps:

1)    Prep the area for cleaning: use a clean, lint-free cloth to wipe off stubborn dust particles.

2)    Fill a spray bottle with a mix of vinegar and clean water.

3)    Spray this mix on the window that you’re planning to clean.

4)    Distribute the mix evenly on the entire surface by rubbing the window with old newspapers or with a lint-free cloth (different than the one used to remove dirt and dust accumulations).

5)    To prevent streaking, make sure you dry the entire surface in a timely manner, by rubbing it with a clean microfiber cloth.

Find a Cleaning Expert near You

You can definitely clean windows vinegar. Don’t have the time or the patience required to apply this cleaning method? In this case, just find the most competent provider of premium maid services. Identify skilled local experts with Seva Call, a free service designed to simplify your daily life.

Main Water Line Maintenance

Wednesday, March 5th, 2014

Main Water Line Maintenance - Handyman

Repairing a main water line can be quite expensive. However, when water mains break, it is critical to have it fixed immediately since it can cause flooding in homes and damage to streets. Any repairs to a main water line call for a professional plumber, since this job requires specialized training.

It’s in your best interest as a homeowner to pay attention to this important part of your plumbing system. Read on to learn how to make sure your water main is in good condition.

Old Plumbing

If your home has an old plumbing system or main water line, it will require more frequent servicing than newer systems. Even if the system is working fine now, it’s only prudent to have the main line professionally checked and serviced annually to try to find problems like leaks or any weakness before they get worse.

Consider replacing an old water main ahead of any potential problem. Consult with a reputable plumber for help in determining if replacement is the best option or a maintenance plan is more suitable.

Check Water Usage

Monitor your home’s water usage to see if there has been a sudden increase in the volume of water consumed. An unexplained spike usually indicates a leak in your system. It can be hard to detect a main water line leak since the pipes are located underground. In addition, the damage may be unnoticeable if the leak is just small.

Monitoring how your household uses water is a practical way to spot the possibility of a leak in your water mains. Catching this early can help prevent not only bigger leaks but also costly water damage to any areas of your house that could be affected.

Inspect Your Yard

If your main water line has a large leak, you can expect puddles of water to form on your yard because of water coming up through the ground. If you notice unusual puddles on your property, contact a local plumber right away to repair the leak.

Stop or Prevent a Leak

Whether you want to prevent a leak or stop one immediately, you need to get in touch with a qualified plumber as soon as possible. Seva Call understands the urgency of your situation. Give us a call and we’ll connect you quickly with local, pre-screened plumbers who can respond to you right now.

Home Theater Wall Wiring

Wednesday, March 5th, 2014

Home Theater Wall Wiring - Electricians

If you’ve decided to install a home theater in your basement or in another room in your house, you’re probably looking forward to the moment when you can sit back and relax, watching your first home cinema movie. But until then, you need to take care of many other details, including the home theater wall wiring.

The messy tangle of video and audio cables can be avoided by hiding the wiring in the walls. This way you don’t have to worry about stumbling on them or about wiping the dust they collect if left on the floor. Moreover, you will significantly improve the appearance of your room.

If you’re a DIY’er, and if the walls of your house are constructed in such a way as to allow you to insert cables behind them, you can embark on this project by yourself. Remember that it is not advisable to try to hide the wires in the wall unless you have drywall. If your walls are made of brick or concrete, it’s highly recommended to entrust this job to an expert.

To ensure the success of your project, read and carefully follow manufacturer’s instructions at all times during installation. Also, make sure you take all the necessary safety precautions.

What Are the Main Steps of Home Theater Wall Wiring?

1. Turn the power off in the part of the house where you are going to drill or cut holes into the walls.

2. Measure the distance between the outlet and your home theater components, and make sure your cables are long enough. Use in-wall cables, which are specially designed for this type of project.

3. Set the location for the jacks by using a stud finder to trace wall stud location.

4. Install wall boxes.

5. Insert the cables.

6. Install your jacks in the wall.

Need Assistance?

Seva Call can put you in touch with an experienced local electrician who can install your home theater on your schedule.

Hedgehog Gutter Guard

Wednesday, March 5th, 2014

Hedgehog Gutter Guard - Roofers

The Hedgehog gutter guard is a filter that is designed entirely as a brush and it is placed inside the roof gutter to prevent the buildup of debris such as leaves, twigs, and moss, which typically causes costly obstructions. It is built with a core made of stainless steel wire that is interwoven with plastic bristles that are UV-resistant. The concept behind the Hedgehog gutter guard is to keep broad leaves and other large items from getting into the roof’s rainwater system.

Installation

Installing the Hedgehog gutter guard is quite easy. All you need is a ladder to reach the gutter and a pair of snips for cutting the cable.

1. First, clear the gutter of any debris, and then simply push the brush down inside the gutter with the bristles extending above the roof tiles.

2. The brush has a tile nose to secure it to the gutter.

3. If you’re unable to use this because you have a flat roof or low-hanging gutter, you can purchase special plastic clips to secure the brush.

Advantages

The Hedgehog gutter guard is a great alternative to the usual gutter mesh. Some of its good points include:

– Very easy to install and fit

– Also easy to remove, if necessary

– Will not crumple or disintegrate into the gutter like a traditional gutter mesh

– Cheaper and simpler system than other products

Disadvantages

As with any product, the Hedgehog gutter guard does have some downsides, including:

– Possible impact to aesthetics of your home since it might be visible from the ground.

– Does not completely keep out small debris such as fine moss or pine needles

– It’s not suited to a large higher capacity gutter only half round or square-line gutters

Maximize Results

Like any other gutter guards, this product still requires some maintenance. Don’t just install it and forget about it. It’s designed to help make gutter cleaning easier and not to completely eliminate the task for homeowners.

It would also work best if moss is first removed from the gutter prior to installation. It’s also a good idea to trim back any overhanging branches from nearby trees.

Get the Help of a Pro

If you need help with installing the Hedgehog gutter guard or with any roof maintenance job, Seva Call can connect you immediately with professional roofers in your area. Contact us now!

The Appeal of Tailored Women’s Clothing

Tuesday, March 4th, 2014

The Appeal of Tailored Women’s Clothing - Tailors

Ordering anything custom made is always more expensive and time-consuming, especially when it comes to tailored women’s clothing which requires the use of unique patterns. When considering whether or not to commission custom tailoring services, one of the primary questions to ask yourself is whether you really need it.

Reasons for Choosing Custom

One of the most common reasons for wanting tailored women’s clothing is the fact that ready-to-wear garments usually don’t have a good, proper fit. Now, if you have a generally proportionate body, then you can get away with most ready-to-wear clothing. On the other hand, if you find it hard to get a good fit from off-the-rack clothes, then tailored women’s clothing is the ideal solution.

Another reason why hiring a tailor to create a custom dress, shirt, or suit for you is owning something with a more unique style or design than what’s available in mass market clothing. You can choose any look you want for your custom garment and you can put as much of your personality into it as you want. For some ladies, however, the appeal of tailored women’s clothing is simply being able to wear finely-crafted garments.

What is involved in Custom Tailoring for Women?

When you commission a custom-made garment, the unique pattern of your body will be drafted. Specific body features will be considered as well your own fashion taste and personal style. Fittings are always necessary, and the number of fittings will depend on your tailor’s skill and the potential difficulty of fitting your body.

A traditional flat pattern draft is normally done for boyish builds. More curvaceous figures are harder to draft. Making a pattern for women customers and fitting them is in fact harder than doing the same for men customers.

Need an Expert Tailor for a Custom Garment?

If you’re planning to order tailored women’s clothing, it’s a good idea to get started on it as soon as possible since custom clothing takes time to finish. Seva Call is always ready to assist in finding the best local service providers. Give us a call and we’ll connect you to local expert tailors in minutes.

Tips for Easy Mailbox Post Replacement

Tuesday, March 4th, 2014

Tips for Easy Mailbox Post Replacement - Handyman

Anything from severe winter weather to an out-of-control car or a group of vandals can cause damage to your mailbox post. Regardless of the cause, you will have to replace the damaged mailbox post at your own expense since the US postal service is not responsible for fixing it. Mailbox post replacement can be a real hassle, especially if you live where there is a high level of snow and it’s common for snowplows to knock down mailbox posts.

However, with some spare time and a few tools and materials, replacing a damaged mailbox post can actually be a doable task for the average homeowner. Here are a few helpful tips to install a mailbox post replacement.

Taking Out the Old Post

The hardest part of this task is to remove the existing mailbox post that has been damaged. The post may already be loose, in which case, give it a good wiggle to pry it loose. Dig some of the earth surrounding the post so you can pull out it easily. However, if the post is still quite secured by the concrete, break the concrete off with a shovel.

Dig to expose all the cement until you can lift the mailbox post to remove it. This is a physically demanding job, so please work with caution. If it proves to be too difficult to pry out the old post, just cut it off at ground level and then install the new mailbox post right next to the old location.

Putting In the New Post

When you’re ready to put in the new post, make sure the height of the post after installation would meet the local postal office requirements. If you chose to use treated wood for your mailbox post replacement, dig two inches deeper and put gravel or small rocks at the bottom up to a few inches up the hole. This will facilitate drainage and prevent rotting at the bottom of the wooden post.

Next, position a wooden stake on each side of the post some three feet away. Cut two strings and tie one end of each piece to the post and the other end to each stake. Use a level tool to ensure that the post is perfectly straight.

Then, mix the concrete and pour into the hole. Leave about 5 inches at the top. Later, you will fill this space with dirt. Let the concrete completely dry. Once it’s already dry, remove the supporting stakes and strings. Fill the top of the hole with dirt.

Finally, attach your mailbox according to the instructions in the installation manual.

Need Professional Assistance?

Seva Call can help you get in touch with a quality handyman in your area. Give us a call before you waste hours searching for the right professional, and we’ll connect you to reliable pros in minutes.

Repair Frozen Water Pipes

Tuesday, March 4th, 2014

Repair Frozen Water Pipes - Plumbers

One common plumbing problem that you might have to deal with during cold winter days is frozen water pipes. Because freezing pipes may cause bigger problems, such as burst pipes, you need to know what to do, and address the issue right away. Property damage caused by water, including bursting pipes, is very common. Just like with most other problems, prevention is the best solution, but if it’s too late, you can at least try to reduce the damage and spend less money on repairs.

Why Do Frozen Water Pipes Burst?

Basically, frozen water increases its volume, which exerts a lot of pressure on the pipes. This may create cracks on a pipe, either at joints, which are more susceptible to bursting, or along the water pipe.

How to Repair Frozen Water Pipes

You can tell when a water pipe is freezing if it’s visible because you recognize the frost coating on its surface or you may see a bulge on its length as a result of water expanding its volume. Unfortunately, not all pipes are in a place you can see them. Some are in the walls, others in the floor, or underground. If at some point you notice that your water pressure has decreased, it might be because the pipes have frozen.

The first thing to do in case your pipes have frozen is to turn the water supply off before you start thawing a pipe to prevent flooding. However, it best to be prepared, and have a mop and towels at hand. If water starts spilling out after thawing the pipe, you can act quickly, before it does any damage. You can use a hair dryer, a heater, or a heat lamp to thaw your frozen pipe. Another way to solve the problem of a freezing water pipe is to wrap it with heat tape, which will thaw the pipe, protecting if from further freezing.

Need a Plumber?

If you’re having trouble with your water pipes, Seva Call can connect you with dependable plumbers in your local area to solve the matter quickly and effectively.