Friday, March 24, 2023

How the Input of a Landscape Gardener Can Dramatically Change Your Garden

In Britain we are quite lucky in that we often have some outside space with our homes. Although the weather isn't always amenable to sitting in it all year round, we still look at it from the inside on many occasions, every single day.

It is surprising then that we don't make more of our gardens, not only for how they look but also how they are used.

Most people pop down to the garden centre when the weather picks up to get some plants etc. We tend to keep our lawns mowed and weeds removed, but we really don't use our gardens to their full potential. When we think about how much we spend on doing our houses up, our gardens tend to come a poor second. This is even more surprising considering many more people see the outside of our houses than the inside!

Time, money, motivation and ability all play their part in how our gardens look. Clearly someone who is working full time, has children and other responsibilities isn't going to be able to dedicate as much time to their garden as an active, retired couple who are interested in gardening. This is often very evident when taking a look at people's gardens.

So what is the solution? Yes we could carry on pottering about, keeping our gardens looking presentable and weed free but what else could we do?

The answer is a landscape gardener. Although you might think that is something you can't afford, add up all the wasted plants you have bought over the years because they weren't right for your particular type of soil or grass. Think of how much time and effort you have put into your garden, only for it to look distinctly average.

A landscape gardener will be able to change your garden in a way that suits you and your budget. No matter how big or small, the space will be utilised far more effectively than the average person could imagine. So if you like sitting out in the garden in all weathers a landscape gardener can make you a zone to do so, perhaps incorporating a gazebo and heater to allow you to do so. Maybe you need to have a space for the children and a separate space for you, a landscape gardener will work out a way for you to do this. Your flowers will last as they will be planted in a suitable area, you could get more privacy with the use of strategically placed plants, the options are endless.





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Friday, February 24, 2023

Better Car Without Overpaying

Buying a car is a major purchase and can be a daunting task, but to convert that daunting task to an easy task you should learn some essential car buying tips. Deciding on what you exactly want and what you are willing to pay ahead of time will save you more money and make you avoid a lot of hassle and common pitfalls. Follow the 10 step strategy to get a better car deal with the most appropriate price:

Check your budget: Setting a budget is the first crucial step. A budget will let you choose only the cars that you can afford, so stick to your budget and choose only the cars that you can afford.

Choose the right time: At certain times of the year there will be a huge car inventory at car dealerships. At those times you can find competitive prices, more incentives and better deals. Best time could be the beginning of the year and from July to October. So it is much better to look for the most appropriate time when you buy a car.

Research the prices: If you want to save as much money as you can when buying a car, research car prices. By now, you are limited to the cars that fall into your budget scale, try to research the prices of those cars by visiting online websites such as Edmunds.com, Kelly Blue Book and NADA to research the prices of those cars. The most important thing is collecting as many price quotes as you can so you can extract an average price for each car you are interested in. Bear in mind that cars have many different price, but the invoice price is the most important thing to know when starting the process of negotiation.

Make two lists: New and used cars have advantages and disadvantages. For example, new cars are stocked with new features, but as soon as you buy it, there will be a depreciation in price as much as 11% to 15%. On the other hand, used cars are considered a field for best deals with good prices, according to their conditions, but they may cost you more if you finance them and may cost you much more for the maintenance. So consider making two lists each one contains the collection of cars you are interested in buying along with their respective average prices.

Choose car requirements and model: Now that you have two lists and a collection of cars, try to organize each list in terms of requirements and model. For example, which aspects you need the most: Do you need a towing package with the car? Do you need a big car for your family? Do you want a fuel-efficient car?

Consider payment options: Obviously there are two ways of paying, either you pay in cash or you finance the car. If you finance the car, you will pay a down payment, then you pay a monthly payment until you finish the total price of the car. If you afford to pay in cash that is great, but many people choose the financing option. If you are going to finance, try to make the down payment as high as you can. Some people choose a financial plan at dealerships, but it is not recommended because you can find better finance options with a good interest rate at banks, Credit Unions or online by visiting websites such as E-loan and Lending Tree.

Consider insurance premiums and warranty: Insurance is a major factor in the overall price of the car. Bear in mind that if you buy a sport car or popular car, the insurance premiums will be higher than the conventional cars. Warranty is something that will guarantee maintenance for your car if something wrong was ever happened. Whether you buy new or used car, make sure that it has the manufacturer warranty, so you do not have to pay extra money for the extended warranty.

Inspect and test drive the car: You must inspect and test drive the car before you buy it. If you are buying a used car, inspect the car by a trusted mechanic to disclose any potential problems the car may have. Furthermore, have a vehicle history report to detect any major problems the car may have to check whether it has salvaged, stolen or has been involved in an accident. When you test drive the car, take enough time on it and focus on the driving experience and whether it will suit you in the future or not. If you do not feel good, leave it and try another car. Do not be impulsive instead, be calm and focused and do not let the dealer or the salesperson sway you to another choice. You did your homework, and you must stick to it to get the best deal.

Negotiate the price: Depending on your research and the two lists you have in hand, you can negotiate with confidence. Now you have price quotes and loan rates to help you with negotiation. If the car you are going to buy is new, make sure that you know the "invoice price" so you will be in a better position when you negotiate. On the other hand, if the car is used, make sure that you know the recent resale price for that car.

Rethink before you sign: Finally, if you have made up your mind and picked a car to buy, rethink before you sign. Make sure you do not sign "as is" statement until you have thoroughly inspected the car and checked its performance and comfort level. Read the fine print carefully and do not sign until you know all the details in the contract. Do not let the dealer or the person who sells you any car make you sign quickly instead, take your time to read each clause in the contract better yet, take an attorney with you to finalize the paperwork for you.

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Friday, December 23, 2022

CAR OPTIMIZATION

Before we start, let's define the term 'super exotic sports cars'. Sports cars, by definition are borderline racing cars; boasting powerful performance and sleek looks. Their prestige makes them expensive, and thus the domain of a select few. With reference to sports cars, the term "exotic" refers to vehicles produced in very limited numbers. This of course increases their exclusivity and by virtue of this, their value. Exotic sports cars will, in all likelihood, be built by smaller manufacturers or perhaps the super high-end vehicles will be created by some of the better-known car companies outside of the United States, as exclusive models.

Many exotic sports cars are the stuff of legend. The world's fastest car, the McLaren F1, for instance is a well-known exotic. Although only around one hundred F1s were produced and the manufacturer is not a household name (outside of the Grand Prix circuits of course), the McLarens are coveted sports cars. All exotic sports cars are highly sought after and, as status symbols, are second to none in the sports car world.

But, assuming that you can afford it, is an exotic sports car for you?

It is easy to be seduced by the allure of owning an exotic sports car. Owning one can be very tempting. Amongst the purists, the cars themselves are often considered the pinnacle of design. Any enthusiast who has the means will tell you that when an opportunity to invest in an exotic sports car presents itself, resistance can be very difficult.

One should try and be objective about the proposition though.

Before making such a major commitment, there are three factors you should consider.

Exotic Sports Cars Are Very Expense

The cost of owning such a prestigious car, does not end when you part with the initial payment. Even if one can afford the initial asking price of an exotic (and not many can), one needs to be aware of the likely ongoing running expenses , which can be significant. The maintenance and repair of an exotic car is certain to be expensive compared to non-exotic vehicles and a buyer should attempt to discover what kind of costs he or she is likely to experience in order to keep the car in running order. There can be no cost cutting on parts for these high end vehicles.

Parts for prestige cars are likely to be in short supply, if they are available at all. The likelihood that the owners of exotic sports cars will need to have some parts custom made during their ownership of the vehicle is quite high. And the cost will be significant. This is especially true of older exotics, many of which will have been orphaned when their original manufacturer stopped making cars. Not only will this prove extremely expensive, one can also expect it to be time consuming as well. And, as time passes, the necessary investment will only become greater.

Your usual mechanic cannot be expected to be able to repair exotic sports cars. You will need specialised mechanics with specialised tools to be able to ensure that appropriate and professional repairs are carried out. Not only will such individuals be, in all probability much more expensive than your usual mechanics, you would be very fortunate if you found one in your town. You should expect to have to do a lot of traveling in order to find suitable mechanical help.



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Wednesday, December 7, 2022

Water Damaged Indoor Environments

It seems as though, as with the subject of mold, that water damages have become controversial and complicated. Maybe one person heard this and another that; this company is saying do this, while another says do that; or some people feel they've gotten sick during a water damage, while others don't. Either way, most people have either experienced a water damage or known someone who has, but few understand its affects on the Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) and their health. I hope that this page might help you understand a little more about the indoor environment of a water damage.


Wikipedia Encyclopedia defines water damage as, "a large number of possible losses caused by water intruding where it will enable attack of a material or system by destructive processes such as rotting of wood, growth, rusting of steel, de-laminating of materials such as plywood , and many, many others.


"The damage may be imperceptibly slow and minor such as water spots that could eventually mar a surface, or it may be instantaneous and catastrophic such as flooding. However fast it occurs, water damage is a very major contributor to loss of property."


Water damage can be caused by a number of sources, such as leaking plumbing, sewage back-ups, vandalism, hail damage, clogged guttering, natural disasters, hydrostatic pressure, leaking or congested crawl spaces and attics, and many others. Whatever the cause, prompt, thorough attention should be given to the situation in order to protect everyone's health, the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), and the building components from compromising degradation. The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC) in its Standard & Reference Guide for Professional Water Damage Restoration (hereafter referred to as the S500), states several times how "it is important to begin mitigation procedures as soon as safely possible following the initial loss, as the quality of the water is likely to deteriorate over time.As the quality of water deteriorates, the greater damage to the structure and contents, along with increased environmental hazards, are likely to develop."


The IICRC S500 goes on to say, "If increased water activity and/or ERH (Equilibrium Relative Humidity) (from high relative humidity, leaks or floods) is allowed to exist for more than 24 hours, the high moisture condition changes the normal stable ecology of either a part of the indoor environment (a micro-environment such as carpet or wallboard) or of the entire building."


So, "What are some of the changes taking place in a water damaged environment?"


1. chemical and microbiological off-gasing

2. mold and bacteria amplification

3. in some cases, virus transmission

4. parasitic infestations

5. and much more


"Where do these things come from?" Indoor and outdoor environments naturally harbor, in varying degrees, microscopic life forms, termed "microbes". Microbes is a term used in short for microorganisms. Microbes are tiny, one-celled organisms, bacteria, fungi (such as mold), and viruses. Being found in all living things, they are ubiquitous, that is to say they are existing or being able to be found anywhere, especially at the same time. When exposed to excessive moisture for a prolonged period of time microbes will begin to flourish into a population, or ecology, that is not natural and may cause harm.


The off-gasing that takes place comes from the microbes, cleaning agents and the building components, such as pesticides and other biocides used on water damages, plastic, paints, synthetic fibers, and many more. This off-gasing and chemical distribution has been contributed to a number of health effects in sensitized people. Some examples of these health effects include, but are not necessarily limited to migraine headaches, excessive fatigue, neuro-cognitive symptoms ("brain fog" or memory loss), muscle pain (fibromyalgia), joint paint (rheumatoid arthritis), burning, tingling or numbness in peripheral nerves (parasthesias), and even gastrointestinal symptoms.


Because of the seriousness associated with health effects and water damage, the IICRC felt it necessary to categorize water damages based on the cleanliness of the water, to help remediators, restorers, home owners, and all other materially interested parties make decisions on what action would be appropriate to first provide for the health and safety of everyone involved, and, secondly, how to restore the home to its pre-loss condition. The three categories of a water damage are:


1. Category 1, refers to "water originating from a source that does not pose substantial harm to humans. Also referred to as 'clean water'.";

2. Category 2, refers to "water containing a significant degree of chemical, biological and/or physical contamination and having the potential to cause discomfort or sickness if consumed by or exposed to humans. Also referred to as 'gray water'."; and,

3. Category 3, refers to "grossly unsanitary water, containing pathogenic agents, arising from sewage or other contaminated water sources and having the likelihood of causing discomfort or sickness if consumed by or exposed to humans. This category includes all forms of seawater, ground surface water and rising water from rivers or streams. Also referred to as 'black water'."


I had someone ask me once, "I had a water damage company come to my home and tell me that I had a Category 3 water damage. Does that mean they found hidden mold?" Remember that the Category of water is referring to the cleanliness of the water not the presence or absence of mold. The S500 states that when "suspect or visible mold growth is present" whomever is inspecting the home to determine the scope of work, or protocol, should refer to the IICRC S520, Standard & Reference Guide for Professional Mold Remediation. This is termed a "Specialty Situation" rather than a Category.


"Well, then how do I know what the Category of water is, and whether or not I really need to get all of this demolition and reconstruction done that my contractor is telling me I need?" An inspection, testing and consultation from a Council-certified Indoor Environmental Consultant (CIEC) can provide you some laboratory work and description of the conditions in your home or office. SOLUTIONS Indoor Environmental Consulting can perform tests such as the PCR - Environmental EPA Relative Moldiness Index (ERMI), as well as Endotoxin testing, sewage contamination in buildings testing, and microbial Volatile Organic Compound (mVOC) screening, along with thermography and moisture content measurements of building materials (such as drywall, plaster, wood, etc.), and psychrometric measurements (such as temperature, relative and specific humidities, dew point, and thirst) all to help diagnose the condition of your water damaged environment and provide you with a recommendation of care, or protocol.


The good news is that you can do things to help avoid water damage in your home or office with routine maintenance. Here area few suggestions:


1. Routinely check and secure water supply lines, such as those under sinks, around toilets, tubs and showers, the dishwasher, washing machine, water heater, and refrigerator.

2. Make sure to test your sump pump before the start of each wet season to make sure that it is functioning properly.

3. Battery-operated back-up sump pumps and/or a generator can also be used to protect against power failure or failure of the primary pump.

4. Check your water heater for signs of rust or moisture.

5. Have your HVAC system serviced by a qualified contractor, making sure they include in their inspection and cleaning the condensation pan drain line (keep it free of obstruction).

6. Make sure that your Heating, Ventilation, and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) system's filter stays clean and use a filter with a MERV 6 rating or greater. This helps to cut down on the particulates flowing through your HVAC system; thereby reducing the likelihood that this system will be a source of poor indoor air quality.

7. Consider installing a water alarm. These systems can be set up as individual appliance systems or whole house systems. Some systems can be set up to sound an alarm when moisture is sensed, others can shut off the water to the building when leak is detected.


But if you have the unfortunate experience of having a water damage in your home or office, make sure to process the damage quickly and completely. Water damaged environments can be impacted by mold and other microbes (like bacteria), in some cases, as quickly as 24 - 72 hours. That doesn't necessarily mean you will see mold growth that soon, but the IAQ could be compromised by mold or bacterial activity, so can the cleanliness of the water.


The S500 says of Category 1 and 2 water damages that "water contact with structural surfaces and content materials may deteriorate in cleanliness as it dissolves or mixes with soils and other contaminants, and as time elapses."


"How do you find a qualified Water-damage Restoration Technician (WRT)?" I am familiar with two organizations that can help you find WRT as they certify them. The first is the Restoration Industry Association (RIA). You can search by certificant or member on their website. The second is the Institution of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC). They list firms that are certified through their training and certification programs. You will also find references to other professionals that they certify such as fire restoration technicians and carpet cleaners.


There are times and places where you may find yourself in a position where there isn't a WRT available to help you remedy, or re-mediate, the water damage problem in your home or office. SOLUTIONS Indoor Environmental Consulting offers moisture mapping, monitoring, and project management services to help those in need of a WRT on remediation/restoration projects. We do not re-mediate or restore the building, but we can work with your contractor on-site and manage the remediation/restoration process with you. If you feel like there is no one close enough to your area to manage the re-mediators on your water damage contact us and we'll be happy to assist you.


The founder of SOLUTIONS Indoor Environmental Consulting, Jason Yost, has been in the cleaning, restoration, remediation, and indoor air quality industries for over sixteen years, doing everything from carpet cleaning, installation and repairs; water and fire damage inspection, consultation, and restoration; microbial inspection, consultation, and remediation; crime scene remediation and restoration; as well as been an educator to private and public groups through various business network groups, classrooms, seminars, and news programs.


Jason currently holds four of the most prestigious board-awards in the industry, awarded by the American Indoor Air Quality Council:


Council-certified Indoor Environmental Consultant


Council-certified Indoor Environmentalist


Council-certified Microbial Remediation Supervisor


Council-certified Microbial Re-mediator



 

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How the Input of a Landscape Gardener Can Dramatically Change Your Garden

In Britain we are quite lucky in that we often have some outside space with our homes. Although the weather isn't always amenable to sit...