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Details On Good Home Builder

What are the best things to consider while constructing new home

Answering from a Middle Class point of view. All points made below are from my own experience.

Disclaimer

(Negative shade) : You will see a lot of dandha in every nook and corners (mainly in materials purchase) while building the house.

(Positive shade) : You generate a lot of job to many people and thus by many ways you add to the development of country.

So things you need to know to save money and build a quality house are as follows:

Always go for labour contract than material contract (Unless you are really busy or if your site is far away from the construction building). You can save 15–25% of your budget by doing this.

PLANNING PHASE

If labour contract then be ready with the contacts of builder, carpenter, plumber, electrician, painter. If you get some good reference then good, otherwise plan a trip to their older and on-going projects for the sake of understanding the genuinity and construction quality.

Have a plan, do multiple revisions by speaking to family members on their needs, visiting some good homes, or now a days lot of good building are showcased online (you find many good houses in YouTube channels like eBangaloreProperty and many)

Get the plan done by related engineers . Talk to them as they can provide expert opinions on basic vastu and they can redesign to have more space with less walls, also beam and pillar positions can be discussed. (Planning is must for loan approval). Get it approved from local administration body (like BBMP)

Get 2D and 3D plan for the plan (When you visualize your home, believe me you will get a better clarity). If you have time, you can do it by yourself on websites like Free 3D Home Planner | Design a House Online: Planner5D and many such websites.

(Take more time in this step) Your most of the budget goes on Steel, Cement, stones, wood and bricks so plan your vendor pre-hand. You can visit MART –  Manufacturers Suppliers Exporters Directory, Exporter Manufacturer , I really found some good sellers there, you will also get some basic idea on prices of all the materials over there. You can save a lot but doing proper research and bargaining here.

If you are planning for borewell then nothing to worry about water, otherwise make a deal with water supplier (water tanker or lender) pre-hand.

Have a rough estimation in hand, allocate budget. Something like:

Labour cost would be around 1/5th the budget

Kitchen with modular style would be 1.5-2L

Plumbing 1–2L

Painting 1–2L

Flooring 3–4L (Use vetrified tiles for flooring over marble/ granite)

Wood (doors and windows) ~3L (Aluminium windows are preferred as they are cheaper, better and save space)

Gates/ Steel Grill -1L INR

Go for Materials like M-Sand for construction, P-Sand for plastering and hollow block bricks which are better and cheaper.

Steel can be of any company as long as it bears ISI sign. Same goes with cement too. Mostly the well known companies are costly just because they spend on advertising it. Use 53grade cement for pillar and slab while 43 grade/PPC for wall construction.

CONSTRUCTION PHASE

Try visiting the site atleast once a day.

Setup camera on the site by renting out construction site cameras (they are costly but you will be relieved to see proper amount of bricks being unloaded, can monitor people working, also keeps place secure) or setup a temporary shed and hire a watchman. If you are staying closer or planning to move near the site then you can avoid camera and watchman.

Curing cement wall is a very important process, if you are doing it then do it atleast twice a day and be generous in watering the walls, as it is must in order to prevent cracks on the wall.

Always buy cement in bulk(wholesale) as they are 15–20 cheaper.

Do lot of research before purchasing bath fittings, electric wires etc. I found some deals cheaper than online (amazon / flipkart) prices.

Go for ready made doors as they are cheap and durable.

First Time Building a Custom Home?

As an industry-leading custom “on your lot” home builder, it’s important to understand everything that goes into the custom home building process. Because we custom build each home “one at a time”, you can be assured that you will receive personalized attention throughout the process.

offer a stress-free way to build custom on your land.

have worked with first-time homebuyers those who are building their first home, families of all shapes and sizes, people who have lived in more houses than they can count, and everything in between. As an “on your lot” builder, we go above and beyond in every case and bring the same level of knowledge, expertise, care and devotion to each and every home we build

When we team with you to build a custom home, we take the stress out of the process by walking with you during each step. We are tirelessly devoted to getting the home right, each and every time. We have a 500-point proprietary inspection list that is completed on every home. Each point correlates to a single item in your home that will be thoroughly reviewed and compared against our construction standards to make sure every home is completed with our high standards so that nothing falls through the cracks.

work with you to find your dream home by looking through our floorplans (or reviewing a plan you already have), discussing the lot that the home will be built on and understanding your needs for the home. We have floorplans ranging from $115,000 – $400,000. This all starts with a one-on-one consultation with one of our building experts.

During the meeting, after we’ve settled on a floorplan, we’ll discuss the changes you want to make. This is where the “custom” part of the process comes into play. After all, it’s your dream home.

How to Negotiate the Best Deal with a Builder

If you’re in the market to buy a home, but aren’t sold on the idea of living in someone else’s, then a new build home might be the right choice for you. But before you sign on the dotted line, you should know that purchasing a new construction home has both its pros and cons, especially when it comes to negotiating the best deal.

When buying a new home from a builder, it can be tough to get them to budge on price. Builders are hyper-aware of their bottom line—after all, they are in it to make a profit. You’ll find that most builders are very resistant to lowering the price, and will often refuse to negotiate on the base price except in certain circumstances (more on that later). Even still, there are a few ways you can make the deal a little sweeter for you.

Know the Builder’s Incentives‍

Just as you would if you were buying an existing home, it’s important you understand the seller’s motivation. The same goes with builders. The largest incentive a builder has is to make a profit. To do that, they need to maximize the price point of their properties, which is why they’re often reluctant to reduce the price.

Shop Around for Financing

When you’re looking to finance the purchase of your new build home, you may be tempted to work with the builder’s preferred lender. Production builders typically have a preferred lender they like to work with or they may even have their own mortgage company. To incentivize you to work with them, they’ll often offer incentives to buyers. In other words, they try to make it more expensive for you to not use them.

Although it may seem like a no-brainer to use the preferred lender, take a closer look at the terms they’re offering. Preferred lenders will often offer a credit at closing, but they don’t always offer the best mortgage rates or terms. And as a buyer, it’s in your best interest to shop around for better rates with lower origination costs. Origination costs are the costs you’ll pay for obtaining a loan. Typically, banks will charge 1-2%, but if you work with the builder’s preferred lender, you’ll likely get a discount on these costs.

Building a Home? How Do You Even Begin?

For many house hunters, purchasing an existing home is a fine option. And in most markets, there are plenty of options to choose from, so you’re bound to find one or two that fit your needs quite well. But what if you have something really specific in mind? Or, what if you’re just not finding anything in the local market that fits the bill? Well, it just may end up being the case that you’ll need to build your own home.

Make a Home Building List

To start with, you’ll want to make a list of your goals. Where do you want your home to be built? Which design features are must-haves, and which are optional, should your budget allow for them? By separating needs from wants and prioritizing the most important aspects of your new home, you’ll gain clarity, and you’ll be better able to explain your needs to your architect

Buy Some Land

To build a home, you’ll first need a place to put it. Check out local real estate listings for desirable lots that suit your needs. If you live in an urban area where available land is hard to find, you may be able to purchase a dilapidated home that happens to occupy a suitable lot.

Plan Your Home’s Layout

For now, go wild. Get out some drafting paper or a 3D Drawing program like SketchUp. Design your dream home, from floor plans to exterior finish. You might have to compromise on some of the items on your wish list later, but this exercise will help you define your vision for the ideal home.

Your architect will help you refine your vision into an actionable blueprint. Your builder will supervise the construction of the home, and will handle cost breakdown and deal with any subcontracting issues that may arise. Hiring a builder costs money, but it certainly makes the process of building your own home easier to deal with. If you’re feeling particularly ambitious, you can choose to act as your own builder. You’ll need to manage your costs carefully, and there’s always the risk that you’ll have to deal with unscrupulous contractors.

Routine Maintenance – How To Care For Your New Home

Now that the boxes are unpacked, the pictures are on the wall and the furniture is arranged just the way you want it, it’s time to start thinking about how you will keep your home in tip-top condition.

Just like a car, a home requires regular maintenance to ensure that everything continues functioning just as it should. Those periodic maintenance checks are key to preventing small problems from turning into big disasters.

Don’t make the mistake of assuming that any problems you have with your home will be covered by the warranty from your builder if you haven’t been handling routine maintenance tasks. Most builder warranties apply to workmanship and materials, not to problems that arise because you haven’t been maintaining your home properly.

For example, if your roof begins to leak six months after you move in because it wasn’t built properly, your warranty should cover that. But if you develop a problem because water has backed up in your clogged gutters, the responsibility is yours – not the builder’s.

One way to be sure you know what is your responsibility to maintain and what the builder or manufacturer is responsible for is to read your warranty. No, it’s not exactly exciting reading material, but it could save you a lot of money and headaches in the long run.

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How To Select The Right Colors For Your Laminate Flooring

How To Clean Pet Stains on Laminate Floors

Whether Fido just piddled on the floor or Fluffy has been hitting outside her litter box for some time, it’s possible to get both the stain and the smell of pet urine off of your laminate floors.

Prevention is the best approach

Sometimes you just can’t be there to take your pet out as soon as they need it, or an emergency comes up that keeps you away from your pet longer than planned. These things are inevitable for every pet owner, which is why it’s important to protect your floor.

For dogs: One solution is to buy a rubber-backed entry mat to place in front of the door and inspect it frequently for dampness. If you leave your pets confined while you’re at work, a disposable pet pad will protect your floor while letting your furry friend do their business when they must

For cats: Cat owners should consider putting the litter box on top of a shallow tray that can catch urine. A boot tray works perfectly for this purpose and has the added benefit of reducing litter-tracking, too

How to clean pet stains on laminate

Fresh stains: Even if you’re using one of the preventative steps above you still need to clean pet messes as soon as possible. One of the great things about laminate flooring is that it holds up well against most non-abrasive cleaners, so once you’ve wiped up the mess you can get your floor clean with this homemade floor cleaner. The important thing is to clean the area right away because urine and feces can both etch your floor surface if left untreated.

Older stains: Unfortunately, pet accidents aren’t always obvious. If you’re using a throw rug without a rubber backing in front of your door, for instance, you’ve probably found stained laminate from those times you couldn’t get Fido out the door fast enough. Or if your older cat suddenly finds climbing into the litter box painful he may start peeing next to it instead of inside, but you won’t know until you move the box and find a stained floor.

Cleaning older stains requires a few steps. In addition to cleaning the spot, you also need to eliminate the lingering scent of urine to keep your pet from continuing to soil the area and to prevent the smell from taking over your house. Assuming the laminate hasn’t developed cracks or lost its protective coating, you can treat the area easily with ingredients you’ll find in your kitchen.

Creative Ways to Use Laminate Flooring

Laminate flooring, especially laminate wood flooring, is a popular choice for homeowners. Laminate flooring is easy to install, budget-friendly, and can look just like real hardwood! It also comes in stone-look tiles if you’re looking for alternatives to stone flooring. Think this durable, moisture-resistant flooring is for you?

Play With Color

Combining a couple different colors of laminate wood planks can create a beautiful, interesting effect. Don’t mix it up too much — it’s a good idea to keep the general style and look of the laminate the same so things don’t seem too unnatural.

Go Bold

A clean, modern beach house look can be created with whitewashed laminate. This is a stunning, bold look that can really open up a room! However, it is also more susceptible to showing dirt and dings. A good alternative is just a lighter, blonde shade of laminate. It will still open up your room but not show as much dirt!

Make a Pattern

Create interesting patterns using laminate flooring. This is a great way to create a floor that is unique and eye-catching! Patterns such as herringbone can be a nice way to personalize your space and make it unique without being too drastic.

Create a Statement Piece

While laminate flooring is most often used on the floor, don’t let that limit your creativity! It can also be used to create a statement wall in a room, or even on the ceiling!

Benefits from Using Laminate Wood Flooring

Your flooring is one of the most important aspects of your home. Not only do you want it to look good, but you want it to be functional and easy to keep up with. Your flooring choice should take into consideration several things, one of which is, your lifestyle. It makes sense to install flooring that works with the daily activities that go on in your home and the type of traffic your floors will be enduring. Wood laminate floors have become a popular choice for many homeowners for multiple reasons. If you are looking to put new flooring in your home

Appealing look

Everyone knows that wood floors are a classy look for a home. They can make any home look richer, neater and more attractive than some other types of flooring, like vinyl. They can also look so much like genuine wood floors that someone just looking at it, may never know it is laminate. There are many choices in the laminate wood types that you can find the one that has the look and the quality options you desire

Affordable

One thing that attracts many people to the laminate wood flooring as opposed to genuine wood, is the difference in cost. If you are on a budget that won’t permit genuine wood floors, laminate wood lets you get the look of genuine wood without breaking the bank. Laminate wood can, on average, actually cost about 50% less than real hardwood. This is the perfect solution for those who want both, the look of hardwood, and a budget-friendly flooring choice.

Environmentally friendly

While you still get the look and many of the same benefits that a wood floor gives you, one big difference is the impact on the environment between the two. Laminate wood flooring does not use the natural resources that that natural wood floors obviously has to use. There will not be any fallen trees for the making of your laminate floors, and there is an added bonus in that most laminate wood flooring is made with about 75% of pre-consumer recycled waste, which only adds to the benefits that the laminate has for the environment.

Easy maintenance

Natural wood floors are not spill or moisture friendly. When exposed to any water or moisture, they can warp or crack. Laminate wood is a good choice for families with pets and kids when it comes to easy maintenance and clean up. The laminate’s outer layer is made up of a material that does not allow fluid or moisture to seep into it, so damage can occur. You also will only need to vacuum and sweep for regular maintenance, but no waxing or polishing is required. If a spill occurs, simply wipe it up when it occurs.

COMPOSITE DECKING (HOLLOW)

Composite decking is an outdoor decorative decking that made of wood flour and plastic with a small amount of additives. Seven Trust composite decking is a completely environmentally friendly product that can be recycled. It looks and feels like natural wood, and easy to install with minimal maintenance, so it is gradually replacing the natural wood decking

Seven Trust composite decking will not crack or rot during outdoor use, and has strong weather resistance,it can be used at temperatures of minus 40 degrees to 70 degrees,therefor it can basically be used in most countries or regions around the world.

WPC decking(Wood Plastic Composite Decking) – Hollow Composite Decking is a kind of new eco-friendly landscaping material which is produced under high temperature and pressure from the mixture of HDPE and wood fiber.

Why Choose WPC Decking?

raw materials are mixed at high temperature. This process is not available in general factories. Its advantage is that the uniform distribution of the mixture will be better. The moisture of the raw materials can be removed quite effectively to make the molecular structure more stable and tight. The expansion coefficient of the product during outdoor use will be less than that of similar products, and the aging speed will be reduced accordingly.

HDPE is an important main material of WPC, which directly leads to the advantage of product quality. We use the first grade pe cable leather material. Many factories use PP or secondary material to produce. Under normal natural environment, HDPE has excellent weather resistance. For similar products, PE is resistant to low temperature impact.

Flooring

WPC Decking

WPC is the abbreviations of Wood Plastic Composite. WPC board is a mixture of reclaimed wood, recycle plastic and a small amount of adhesive. WPC decking is now an established alternative to traditional wood decking for gardens & patios. With its superior ECO, lifetime cost & virtually zero maintenance benefits more people are choosing composite decking over natural timber decking.

WPC Wall Panel

WPC wall panels are ideal for any commercial or domestic, new build or refurbishment cladding project as a color-stable alternative to real timber planks. Made from a unique combination of recycled wood and plastic, our highly developed and unique composition combines the traditional appearance of wood with the durability of an engineered composite.

The right exterior wall cladding, whether on a new build or renovation project, can have a dramatic impact on a building’s appearance and can provide both warmth and attractive. When used for external applications, WPC wall cladding is an attractive and economical way to finish the exterior of both new and refurbished buildings and never needs painting, staining or treating, saving you time and money.

WPC Privacy Fence

fences will transform your environment into a beautiful outdoor living area. This practical solution to privacy and protection offers all of the low-maintenance advantages of a durable composite material while avoiding the many disadvantages of traditional wood products. After time most wood fences deteriorate and actually detract from your property’s value. our composite fences make a design statement right from the start and will maintain that attractive new look for many years to come.

PVC Synthetic Boat Decking

synthetic teak boat decking option that provides the elegant look of a teak deck without any of the time-consuming and costly maintenance associated with natural wood teak. Made out of flexible PVC, this material is easy to work with and maintain. It’s the perfect option to upgrade your boat and replace the dingy old carpet.

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Tankless Water Heaters

LIFESPAN OF A WATER HEATER. IS IT TIME TO REPLACE YOURS?

On average, homeowners probably don’t give a second thought about the lifespan of a water heater. That is, until they want to take a nice, warm shower, step inside and chillingly discover that it no longer works.

Depending on the age and condition of your tank, water heater repair may be enough to get it up and running again. However, there may be certain signs that the lifespan of your water heater is approaching its end.

THERE’S NO HOT WATER

Obviously, the main job of a water heater is to deliver hot water on demand

When it can’t, it could be due to:

Corrosion in the dip tube: A pipe that sends cold water to the bottom of the tank where it gets heated.

Overloaded gas valve: This element sends gas to the pilot light and the main burner; it’s also a safety hazard if it isn’t working properly.

Compromised electrical elements: The components that actually heat your water courtesy of electrical resistance.

THERE’S A LEAK SOMEWHERE

Leaks are a sure sign the lifespan of a water heater is coming to its conclusion

These are commonly found in older unmaintained water heaters (around 10-12 years old). If you know there’s a leak but can’t actually find it, it’s usually located:

In the sidewall seam: Repairing a hot water tank sidewall involves removing the problem area, looking for any damage inside and fabricating a new sidewall piece to install back on.

At the welded joints: By nature, the weakest parts of a hot water system are the welded joints. Due to regular usage, leaks will start to emerge from these areas.

Near rusted threads: Over time, the constant exposure to hot and cold water will cause threads to rust.

GAS PILOT NEVER STAYS LIT

The gas pilot is kind of a big deal for your water heater. Without it, the burner inside that tank won’t ignite. In turn, the water inside the tank won’t heat up.

The tip of the thermocouple no longer sits inside (around half an inch) the pilot flame. That gap between the flame and the tip prevents the thermocouple from keeping the pilot valve open.

If the thermocouple is in the right place and the pilot still goes out, there’s something wrong with it.

If you replace the thermocouple and the pilot goes out, it’s the electromagnet that’s not working (requiring a new gas valve).

Are Tankless Water Heaters Worth The Investment?

What are the Pros and Cons of Tankless Water Heaters?

One of the worst starts to your day is trying to get ready for work and getting a cold shower because someone else used all the hot water. It takes a good amount of time for the tank to fill back up, turn on the burner, and heat the water. By then, you’ve already left for the day.

Additionally, the water cools and is re-heated in the tank several times each day while no one is home. This is just wasting energy and running up your utility bills. Some of these issues can be addressed by installing a tankless water heater. Endless hot water and lower energy bills are two reasons homeowners are switching to tankless water heaters.

Tankless water heaters save money in the long run, but initial costs are higher than tank models.

Endless hot water, additional storage space and lower energy bills are just a few reasons homeowners are switching to tankless water heaters.

But those perks may not be enough for some people to offset the extra purchase cost and installation expense. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates gas-fired tankless heaters save an average of $108 in energy costs per year over their traditional tank counterparts, while electric tankless heaters save $44 per year.

Tankless water heaters cost up to three times more than storage heaters — from less than $1,000 for an electric, whole-house model to $3,000 for a gas-powered one, including installation by a qualified plumber.

Helpful Safety Tips To Prevent Carbon Monoxide Leaks

Do you have natural gas or Propane appliances? Did you know current Plumbing code requires CO (Carbon Monoxide) Detectors within 10 feet of all sleeping rooms? These requirements are in place to help notify you in case of a gas leak or emergency.

The Dangers Of Carbon Monoxide

“In addition to fire risks, carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning can also result from improper home heating practices. CO often called “the silent killer,” is a gas you cannot see, taste, or smell. It can be created when fuels do not burn properly. Sources of carbon monoxide in the home can include oil and gas furnaces, gas water heaters, wood and gas fireplaces, gas ranges and ovens, gas or kerosene space heaters, and wood stoves. A person can be poisoned by a small amount of CO over a longer period of time or by a large amount of CO over a shorter amount of time.”

Helpful Safety Precautions You Should Utilize Include:

– If the pilot light of your gas heater goes out, allow five minutes or more for the gas to go away before trying to relight the pilot. Follow manufacturer’s instructions when relighting the pilot. Do not allow gas to accumulate, and light the match before you turn on the gas to the pilot to avoid the risk of flashback.

– If you smell gas in your gas heater, do not light the appliance. Leave the home immediately and call your local fire department or gas company.

– CO alarms and smoke alarms should be installed on every level of the home. See the manufacturer’s instructions for exact placement and location.

– All heaters need space. Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment.

– Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional.

– Purchase and use space heaters that have an automatic shut-off—if they tip over, they shut off.

– Place space heaters on a solid, flat surface. Keep them and their electrical cords away from things that can burn, high traffic areas, and doorways.

– Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.

– Always use the right kind of fuel – specified by the manufacturer, for fuel-burning space heaters.

– Never use your oven to heat your home.

– Burn only dry, seasoned wood in fireplaces and woodstoves. Never burn garbage or use flammable liquids to start a fire.

– Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room. Ashes should be cool before putting them in a metal container. Keep the container a safe distance away from your home

– Install wood burning stoves following manufacturer’s instructions or have a professional do the installation. All fuel-burning equipment should be vented to the outside to avoid CO poisoning.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How does a solar water heater work?

A solar geyser relies on solar power, which is a source of renewable energy, to work. For a solar water heater to work it requires a set of solar collectors to absorb the solar energy. These collectors are then connected to an insulated tank that stores the hot water. When the sun is out, water is heated in the solar collectors which is then pumped or flown automatically through the thermosyphon principle to the storage tank.

Why should I choose a Solar Water Heater? How much can I save if I use one?

As a solar geyser works on solar power, it cancels out the need for electricity. Let’s take for example a solar water heating system that has a 100 litre per day capacity. This solar geyser saves up to 1500 units of electricity in a year. However, this is subject to the amount of hot water that has been generated. But what’s more important is that it can also save around 140 litres of diesel thereby reducing CO2 emissions. A solar water heater is very useful in areas that experience power cuts. As this solar water heating system is designed with a storage unit, it can provide hot water as and when required. A solar water heater is an one time investment and a lifetime of savings because it runs on the principle of renewable energy.

For how long does the water from a solar geyser remain hot?

As the tank in a solar water heater is insulated with high-density injected PUF insulation, it ensures maximum heat retention. PUF with insulation properties is twice as effective as any other insulation material. This guarantees that the water remains relatively hot.

Does a solar geyser heat water during the winter season and on cloudy days?

With solar geyser, you will be able to enjoy warm water even during the colder months or when the sky is cloudy. This is due to the diffused radiation readily available in the atmosphere. During winter season, if there is clear sunlight, the water will be hotter. One way of ensuring hot water and direct sunlight throughout the year is by positioning the solar water heater correctly at the time of installation.

Do I have to change plumbing at my place to install and use solar water heater?

No, since solar water heaters are generally installed on rooftops or open grounds (where direct sunlight is available) you are not required to make any plumbing changes.

Rental Water Heaters

Choosing the Right Water Heater

There are a few decisions you’ll need to make when you replace your hot water heater, including:

Tank or tankless?

Gas or electric?

What size?

Rent or buy?

Water Heater + Water Softener Bundle

Your choice of gas or electric, tankless or conventional rental water heater

water softener rental

Free standard installation, maintenance and repairs

Clean and comfortable

Keep the comfort and the savings flowing round the clock — with a water heater plus water softener bundle.

Looking for a Quality Air Conditioner?

Air conditioner prices can vary depending on your needs and the size of your home, but you can also keep costs down by managing your energy use. There are many ways to save on your energy bill through your central air conditioner. Some factors that impact air conditioning costs include your thermostat setting, replacing old air conditioners, and selecting an energy-efficient air conditioner with a high SEER rating.

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How To Find An Immigration Lawyer

HELPING YOU FIND YOUR WAY HOME

What Is a Green Card?

A green card allows someone who is not a U.S. citizen to have legal permanent residency in the United States. With a green card, you can live and work anywhere in the U.S. and continue the pathway to citizenship. To apply for a permanent residence within the U.S., you must submit Form I-485.

Once you gain legal permanent residence in the United States, you essentially have lifetime legal status in the country. United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) requires you to renew your green card every 10 years. To renew your card, you must file Form I-90.

However, unlike with citizenship, you may lose your legal residency status if you:

Stay outside the United States for over 364 days and you do not have approval

Become a U.S. citizen

Give up your status by choice and fill out the correct forms

Commit a crime or violate immigration law and are ordered removed by an immigration judge

Who Is Eligible for a Green Card?

There are several ways you may apply for a green card. Your eligibility depends on qualifying under the appropriate immigrant category.

You may apply under several categories:

Family and marriage based

Employment based

Green card as a special immigrant

Refugee or asylee status

Human trafficking and crime victims

Victims of abuse

Registry

Other category

It’s a good time to be an immigration lawyer

Bar Association warned of a “dire” shortage of immigration lawyers and insufficient safeguards for clients against unqualified practioners.

Though some progress has been made since the report was published, the shortage hasn’t gotten significantly better

Indeed, U.S. immigration courts are so backlogged that some defendants need to wait nearly two years to get their cases heard.

“A lot of immigration lawyers are solo and small practitioners who have a certain level of capacity. They only have so many hours in a day, and they have a limited ability to ramp up” their businesses to meet the rising demand.

temporary immigration ban rattled legal immigrants and their employers because some green card holders were also denied entry into the U.S. when the executive order first went into effect.

Immigration lawyer

Why is choosing a good immigration lawyer so important?

Since dealing with immigration law and the USCIS with both documented and undocumented immigrants, come to understand that perhaps it’s not the field of law that’s going to make uber-rich. deal with clients from all over the world, both rich and poor. So try our best to be reasonable, but found that people are always looking for ways to get discount legal help.

The truth is, your immigration case is worth an investment. Of course you will be completing a tedious process, which takes time and attention. So simple mistakes can become big ones. Additionally, you are going through a process which will determine your entire future including; where you will be, where you will begin and raise a family, and what type of person you will have the opportunity to become.

Choose someone who focuses their practice on immigration law.

It’s a complicated system of laws that changes literally every day. There are so many avenues of relief for people that we often compare practicing immigration law to a game of chess. Hence ,many different possible moves, leading to our ultimate goal, residency or citizenship.

Choose someone who listens to you.

have had many clients consult with us and tell about their previous experiences with lawyers. These stories include episodes of lawyers yelling at them, not giving them time to explain their stories, and not addressing their fears and concerns. This is YOUR life and want you to feel as comfortable as possible so that you become actively involved in the process of becoming a citizen.

Run away from a lawyer that advises you to lie or act dishonest or against what you think is right. And don’t believe any guarantees.

Immigration forms and testimony are legally binding. When you sign a form, you vouch for everything in that form. Telling an untruth can destroy your credibility on every application you will ever file. It can also get you deported. always tell clients that win with the truth. There is always a way and there is always hope. Don’t fall prey to someone who promises you the world and then leaves you hanging.

ABCs of Immigration

There are Major Immigration Status/ Visa Categories and for the purposes of this paper, the first four will be discussed.

Non-Immigrant Visas– temporary visitors (work, student, visitor, etc.)

Immigrant Visas – lawful permanent residents (green card holders)

Asylees and other special groups – Asylum, refugee, DACA and TPS status holders

Citizens

Undocumented – unlawfully present immigrant

Non-Immigrant Visas

There are several types of non-immigrant visas.  Non-immigrant visas are usually designated by letters.  Below are brief summaries of the most common ones:

B-1/B-2 Visas – Available to Short-term visitors for pleasure or business

Do you have a job that pays well and which you can leave for a few weeks on a vacation?

Do you have close relatives who will be remaining in your home country when you come to the US?

Are you coming for a short visit?

Do you have assets in your home country?

Do you own property in your home country?

Do you have a passport valid for at least six months after your planned departure from the US?

Do you have a set itinerary for your trip to the US?

Do you have a roundtrip plane ticket?

Do you have close community ties in your home country?

Do you have money or proof of support from friends or relatives in the US to show adequate financial arrangements to carry out purpose of trip?

If you are coming for business, is the work you are doing work that would typically be done by an American worker?

If you are coming for business, is the main place where profits are earned outside the US?

If you are coming to the US on business, is your payment going to be made abroad rather than in the US?

If you are coming as a B-2 visitor for pleasure, are you coming for one of the following purposes?

Tourist

Social visits to friends/relatives

Health purposes

Participants in conventions of social organizations

Participants in amateur musical, sports or similar events with no pay

Spouses and children of people in the US armed forces

People accompanying B-1 business visitors

Coming to marry a US citizen but the person plans on departing after the wedding

Coming to marry someone on a non-immigrant visa

Non-spouse partners (regardless of gender) or non-qualifying dependent relatives that accompany a non-immigrant visa holder

Parent seeking to accompany an F-1 student visa holder

Language students in course of short duration when the course of study is under 18 hours per week

If you are coming on a B-1 business visitor visa, are you coming for one of the following purposes?

Engaging in commercial transactions not involving employment (negotiating contracts, litigation, consulting with clients or business associates)

Participating in scientific, educational, professional, religious or business conventions

Religious workers coming to do missionary work in the US, ministers exchanging pulpits but who are paid by their own church abroad, and ministers on evangelical tours

Domestic servants accompanying returning US citizens temporarily assigned to the US or who permanently reside in a foreign country

Domestic servants accompanying non-immigrant visa holders if the applicant has worked for the employer for a year or more

Professional athletes only receiving tournament money

Foreign medical students seeking to take “elective clerkship” without pay

Serving on a board of directors of a US company

Coming to the US to set up a US subsidiary and explore investment opportunities

Installing equipment as part of a contract

Participating in a volunteer service program if religious only

Attending an executive seminar

Observing the conduct of business

Domestic partner of a person on a non-immigrant visa.

General Notes: Usually can get an authorized stay of up to six months as a visitor for pleasure and 90 days as a visitor for business; chances improve if a shorter trip is requested; no USCIS approval required before consulate issues visa; not allowed to work while on a visitor visa; visa must be granted by consular officer except in most cases if the national is from one of more than two dozen countries granted Visa Waiver status allowing such persons to enter the US for up to 90 days. Visa Waiver entrants cannot have their status extended and cannot change to other non-immigrant categories while in the US

Preparing for the Green Card Interview

The last step of the marriage green card process is the interview, which is scheduled by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) if the spouse seeking a green card lives in the United States and by the National Visa Center (NVC) if they live abroad. Although this interview may still be months or later in the future, knowing what to expect will help you feel more confident and prepared when that important day comes.

Whether your interview will take place in the United States or abroad, the interviewing officer’s primary goal will be to determine whether your marriage is authentic — in other words, not based on fraud. Questions can focus on, for example, the history of your relationship, your daily activities as a married couple, and your future plans together.

Below, we’ve prepared a list of the most common questions that are asked during the interview, as well as some useful tips. Make sure to also check out our guide to questions on a green card application.

While you can never be certain about the questions that an interviewing officer will ask, here are some of the most typical questions that couples encounter, grouped by category:

YOUR RELATIONSHIP HISTORY

How did you meet?

Where did some of your first dates take place?

How long did you date before deciding to get married?

What is the story of your marriage proposal?

YOUR WEDDING

What was your wedding like?

Who attended your wedding?

What food was served?

Were there any special rituals performed? If so, what kind?

Did you go anywhere for your honeymoon? If so, where?

YOUR DAILY ROUTINES

What is daily life like for you and your spouse around the house?

How do you start your day?

How often do you text or talk on the phone when you’re apart?

Which of you likes to cook?

Which of you likes to clean?

YOUR KIDS (IF ANY)

How do your kids get to school?

Who are their friends?

What are their favorite foods?

Do they play any sports? If so, what?

YOUR PERSONAL HABITS AND NEEDS

What side of the bed do you sleep on?

What pajamas do you wear?

What medications does your spouse take?

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Ways To Fight ‘Overwhelm’ When You’re Planning A Bathroom Remodeling Project

How Long Does a Bathroom Renovation Take?

How long does a bathroom renovation take? In general, our Sweeten contractors say that the construction period for a bathroom project will average about two to three weeks. Overall, expect the renovation to take between six weeks to three months for the planning, execution, and wrapping up loose ends. If you plan to move plumbing or electrical, be prepared to apply for city permits and board approvals, the biggest culprits for lengthening renovation timelines. Sweeten, a free renovation service matching homeowners with vetted general contractors, breaks down a bath renovation step-by-step.

PRE-CONSTRUCTION PHASE

While the attention is usually on the most visible construction phase, a lot needs to happen before picking up that sledgehammer. Here, the details on each box that needs to be ticked before you break ground on the project.

Close on your property (1-3 months)

While some renovators already own, a significant number of homeowners are in contract or preparing to close on a property when they begin planning a renovation. You should wait until you have closed on the property, with keys in hand, before doing anything. If you’re in a hurry, wait until you’ve at least signed the contract before beginning the design process.

Post your project (1-3 days)

First things first: Post your project to Sweeten and begin soliciting bids. On the Sweeten site, add the details about the space you want to renovate, your inspiration photos (optional but useful for our matchmakers), and any other information that would help in finding your perfect contractor. This guide is a practical read about what information to supply your contractor with so that he or she can provide an accurate bid. You will receive 3-5 matches within three days, and you can check out the contractors’ profiles online. Now’s your chance to take a look at reviews from clients and photos of their past projects to see whether they might be a good fit, and indicate who you’d like to be introduced to.

Schedule site visits and solicit bids (1-3 weeks)

After you’ve previewed the Sweeten contractors’ profiles, decide who you’d like to set up a meeting. An on-site visit is the best way for a contractor to understand the scope of the project, the physical possibilities, and limitations of the space, and for the two of you to see if you hit it off. After you schedule your on-site visit, check out our blog post about how to prepare for the meeting. You should expect a written bid within 5-7 business days after your visit.

Small bathroom renovations: clever design tips

Getting the design right for your small bathroom can mean the difference between a cramped, awkward space and a heavenly, cosy sanctuary where you can breathe a sign of relief at the end of a long day.

Keep it clean

Small spaces are easily cluttered with too much detail. To keep the area looking light and clean, select large format tiles. Using large tiles means clean lines, continuous colour and fewer visible grout lines to break up the space. This immediately gives the illusion of a larger, more luxurious area. Stay away from too much pattern and details that can look busy and crowded when combined.

Consider your bath selection

While we all know and love the feeling of relaxing in a big bathtub after a hard day’s work, when designing, remember to allow for the additional space you need around freestanding bathtub to ensure that it’s comfortable to hop in and also clean around. A small room may not provide the space for the visual appeal a freestanding bath demands. Back to wall bathtubs are much more compact, allow for easy cleaning and, if the space is really tight, can double as a shower.

Walk-in shower

In tight spaces where a bathtub would be impractical, we often recommend tiled floor, walk-in showers coupled with a frameless shower screen to create the illusion of space. Add some luxurious fixtures such as a rain shower to create that sense of opulence and perhaps a wall niche for shampoos.

Custom made cabinetry

In a small bathroom, correctly sized cabinetry is critical to getting the design right. In small spaces we often use compact custom made cabinetry to ensure that we make optimal use of the spaces and add some drawers around the plumbing for extra storage. Medicine cabinets that are recessed inside the wall are a clever space saving tip. When installed, the cabinets look like a flat mirror on the outside but can give you a few centimetres of storage depth inside.

There’s a Small Bathroom Design Revolution and You’ll Love These Rule-breaking Trends

Tired of your small, dark and uninspiring bathroom? Are you ready to finally give it an overhaul? Well, there’s no better time to give your small bathroom a fresh look. Small bathroom design is finally stepping out of the cookie-cutter bathtub, sink cabinet, mirror and toilet combination. The latest small bathroom design ideas are fresh and revolutionary, rethinking what we all expect a bathroom design to look like. Wall-mounted toilets and sinks defy gravity. Cabinet doors are gone. Bold texture and patterns take over a small bathroom space. Get ready to break some rules and open your mind to what your small bathroom should look like with the following nine concepts.

You don’t need as much bathroom storage as you think

The first small bathroom design idea for 2017 is a big one: you really don’t need more storage, just a more minimalist attitude! Think about this one for a minute. Those large vanities with the deep cabinet space under the sink are really an inefficient use of space. Things get lost at the back of the cabinet. And the scale takes up so much real estate in your small bathroom design that your bathroom ends up looking smaller. So how do you solve the issue?

Get rid of clutter and unnecessary items. How many towels, cosmetics and hotel toiletries do you really need?

Replace the clunky bathroom vanity with a floating sink or cabinet or narrow open shelves. You’ll be less tempted to clutter your bathroom when the stuff is on display. And you’ll open a lot more visual space in your bathroom.

Instead of adding storage, add function

Once you clear clutter and replace the oversized bathroom vanity with something more minimalist, think of all the useful things you can do with the space. Like adding an all-in-one washer and dryer. Or creating a vanity space.

Small bathrooms mean you can splurge on finishes

Some of the most expensive items in a bathroom design are the fixtures, tile and finishes. Since you’re working with a smaller space, you need less. It’s time to break out of thinking that a small bathroom isn’t worth the money. It’s time to splurge on making your small bathroom design look like a million bucks!

tips for your next bathroom renovation project

Bathroom renovation costs

How much does a bathroom renovation cost? An average new bathroom suite costs around $10,000 however the total renovation project cost depends on whether you’re opting for DIY and fitting the bathroom suite yourself, whether you’re remodelling the space and moving fittings to different positions and the level of luxury that you want to install.

Once you’ve decided on the suite you’d like to install, the next largest cost tends to be labour. You’re likely to need a builder, a tiler, an electrician and a plumber. Most bathroom fitting companies tend to have all skills in their team. Ensure your contractor is experienced in tiling and plastering as this is where the time (and cost) can surprisingly increase if this piece of work slows down.

Vital measurements

Grab a ruler, pencil and notepad! It’s important to measure your bathroom carefully before you start the bathroom renovation project. Measure the length of each wall, the height of the ceiling and the centre line of each wall. Door and window positioning should also be included. Note on your diagram the exact positioning of the existing plumbing pipes.

Planning the renovation

Firstly, you’ll need to decide which contractors are going to work on the project. Ask friends and neighbours for recommendations as well as checking companies on Checkatrade or RatedPeople and other reputation services.

Choosing bathroom fittings

The first thing to decide is whether you want a traditional or modern design. Typically, you would choose the right type to match the rest of your house. Traditional style bathrooms include roll top baths and Victorian style taps whereas modern style bathrooms have sleek lines and come in many different sizes, making the modern styles more suitable for many homes. Most people opt to modernise their bathroom when renovating.

Top tips for an affordable bathroom renovation

We’re all secretly guilty of judging people on the state of their bathroom and although we don’t usually spend that much time in the bathroom each day, it’s often one of the most important rooms when it comes to deciding if we will make a property purchase or not.

A clean, stylish bathroom is a big selling point for most buyers, who will be relieved at not having to spend their own money on a renovation. And of course, you can enjoy a great looking bathroom while you’re living in your property.

While some homeowners spend thousands refurbishing their bathroom, we believe that you can create an attractive, relaxing space spending just a fraction of that. So, here are our top tips for an affordable bathroom renovation.

Upcycle what’s already there

The colour and style of your bathroom suite can instantly date the room and depending on when it was installed, you may be desperate to remove it and start again. But this can be costly, even when choosing the cheapest fixtures, as you will need to factor in the the cost of a plumber.

Fake your flooring

An affordable alternative to stone floor tiles is tile effect vinyl flooring, which gives exactly the same aesthetic at a fraction of the cost.

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Pros, Cons And Alternative Pain Management

What are the benefits of pain management?

Do you suffer from chronic pain, but still see a primary care physician? If so, you’re not alone; many patients see the same primary care physician for their entire adult lives because they feel very comfortable with them and prefer to receive advice from a doctor they trust.  However, to truly reap all of the benefits of pain management, it is best to see a doctor trained in your specific area of chronic pain.

What is Pain Management?

Pain management is a branch of medicine that applies science to the reduction of pain. It covers a wide spectrum of conditions including neuropathic pain, sciatica, postoperative pain and more. Pain management is a rapidly growing medical specialty that takes a multi-disciplinary approach to treating all kinds of pain.

Pain management effectively helps thousands of people each year and is an area of concentration that primary care physicians, orthopedists, neurologists and other healthcare providers increasingly rely on for their patients.

What is the Goal of Pain Management?

The goal of pain management is to minimize pain when it cannot be completely eliminated. 

With an accurate diagnosis and early intervention, pain management specialists also hope to reduce the severity of pain and improve the quality of life for patients. To achieve these goals, minimally invasive procedures and medications are used.

The main benefits of seeing a pain management specialist include:

  • Extensive experience and training in pain management
  • Access to specialty equipment and treatment options that are highly focused on specific types of chronic pain
  • The ability to prescribe and manage the types of medications that can help suppress chronic pain

What Causes Chronic Pain?

Chronic pain can be caused by many different factors. Often conditions that accompany normal aging may affect bones and joints in ways that cause chronic pain. Other common causes are nerve damage and injuries that fail to heal properly.

Some kinds of chronic pain have numerous causes. Back pain, for example, may be caused by a single factor, or any combination of these factors:

  • Years of poor posture
  • Improper lifting and carrying of heavy objects
  • Being overweight, which puts excess strain on the back and knees
  • A congenital condition such as curvature of the spine
  • Traumatic injury
  • Wearing high heels
  • Sleeping on a poor mattress
  • No obvious physical cause
  • Ordinary aging of the spine (degenerative changes)

Disease can also be the underlying cause of chronic pain. Rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia are well-known culprits, but persistent pain may also be due to such ailments as cancer, multiple sclerosis, stomach ulcers, AIDS, and gallbladder disease.

In many cases, however, the source of chronic pain can be a very complex and even mysterious issue to untangle. Although it may begin with an injury or illness, ongoing pain can develop a psychological dimension after the physical problem has healed. This fact alone makes pinning down a single course of treatment tricky, and it is why health care providers often find they have to try a number of different types of curative steps.

Importance of Controlling Pain

Inadequately managed pain can lead to adverse physical and psychological patient outcomes for individual patients and their families. Continuous, unrelieved pain activates the pituitary-adrenal axis, which can suppress the immune system and result in postsurgical infection and poor wound healing. Sympathetic activation can have negative effects on the cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and renal systems, predisposing patients to adverse events such as cardiac ischemia and ileus. Of particular importance to nursing care, unrelieved pain reduces patient mobility, resulting in complications such as deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolus, and pneumonia. Postsurgical complications related to inadequate pain management negatively affect the patient’s welfare and the hospital performance because of extended lengths of stay and readmissions, both of which increase the cost of care.

Continuous, unrelieved pain also affects the psychological state of the patient and family members. Common psychological responses to pain include anxiety and depression. The inability to escape from pain may create a sense of helplessness and even hopelessness, which may predispose the patient to a more chronic depression. Patients who have experienced inadequate pain management may be reluctant to seek medical care for other health problems. (For more detail, go to the section, “Harmful Effects of Unrelieved Pain,” below.)

The Power Of This Sense Of Self-Confidence Cannot Be Overestimated.

Self-Esteem

Learning to self-manage pain, including tapering opioids, is a therapy that increases people’s ability to cope with pain because it is a shame reducing, empowering experience that fosters self-confidence. In other words, it is a self-esteem building exercise.

Prior to engaging in this learning process, patients tend to see pain as an alarming experience that they need to avoid by taking opioids and as a consequence they tend to feel bad about themselves for having to rely on opioids. They tend to feel sensitive and defensive about their need for opioids, but nevertheless continue their use because pain is so alarming that it seems it must be gotten rid of. This dilemma wears on their sense of who they believe they should be. In other words, the dilemma wears on their self-esteem.

By learning to self-manage pain without opioids, patients come face to face with their pain and learn that they can still live well even if pain is present. In this way, they overcome the sense of alarm that pain can generate and come to see that it doesn’t have to be avoided at all costs. They come to see that they don’t have to pay the price of shame that comes with needing to rely on opioids to get rid of pain. They overcome the fear of pain and come to see that they can live with it. They come to even see that they can live well. This empowering experience allows them to feel good about themselves again. They take back control of their lives.

Learning to self-manage chronic pain, including tapering opioids, is thus a therapy that when done under the guidance of expert healthcare providers in a chronic pain rehabilitation clinic produces improved psychological well-being: acceptance of what is, empowerment, self-confidence, self-esteem, and the ability to successfully self-manage chronic pain.

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Reasons Why Your Vehicle Needs To See A Transmission Repair

TRANSMISSION REPAIR

There are clutches in both automatic and manual transmission cars, and different types of clutches. When shifting gears, the clutch engages and disengages from the flywheel and transfers the torque through the transmission

A four-wheel (4×4) drive vehicle has differential gears, both front and rear axles, and a transfer case attached to the transmission.

If your vehicle has Front-wheel drive, the engine drives the front wheels only. The power is routed through the transmission to the final drive where it is split and sent to the two front wheels through the drive axles

Transmission repair is not something to take lightly. The transmission is connected to key parts of your vehicle and needs to be working properly for your safety. Transmission services include replacing filters and draining fluids to prevent transmission damage.

A transfer case is a part of a four wheel drive system found in four wheel drive and all wheel drive vehicles.

TRANSMISSION REPAIR SERVICES

Typical automatic transmissions have 4-5 forward gear ratios, a Reverse, Park, and Neutral gear. Shifting gears occur automatically once the car is in Drive and there is no need for a clutch pedal or gear shift like there is in a Manual Transmission

When shifting gears, the clutch engages and disengages from the flywheel and transfers the torque through the transmission. Clutches should help your vehicle start and shift gears smoothly

Four-wheel drive vehicles demand maintenance on the transfer case, front differentials, rear differentials, and transmission fluids

The power is routed through the transmission to the final drive where it is split and sent to the two front wheels through the drive axles. The engine, transmission, and additional hardware is all located in the front of the car.

The transmission is connected to key parts of your vehicle and needs to be working properly for your safety. Transmission services include replacing filters and draining fluids to prevent transmission damage.

TRANSMISSION

Shifting gears occur automatically once the car is in Drive and there is no need for a clutch pedal or gear shift like there is in a Manual Transmission. Automatic transmission repair is complicated based on all the components that make it up, and you need to have any automatic transmission issues properly assessed by auto mechanics

The transmission is connected to key parts of your vehicle and needs to be working properly for your safety. Transmission services include replacing filters and draining fluids to prevent transmission damage.

You can have your car’s transmission replaced with a new, rebuilt, remanufactured, repaired or used transmission.

Manual transmissions have been built with anywhere from two to eight gears. Front-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive are the two main configurations for manual transmissions.

Four-wheel drive vehicles demand maintenance on the transfer case, front differentials, rear differentials, and transmission fluids.

Warning Signs You Need Repair

As with any part of your car, early detection can save you money and prevent further, more serious damage to your vehicle. Learn to recognize the warning signs of transmission trouble, and visit an auto repair shop as soon as possible if you experience any of these telltale signals.

Warnings Signs

Refusal to Switch Gears

If your vehicle refuses or struggles to change gears, you’re more than likely facing a problem with your transmission system. Low transmission fluid or the wrong kind of transmission fluid is oftentimes to blame in this situation.

Burning Smell

When you notice a burning smell coming from your car, visit an auto shop right away. This odor is often an indication that your transmission is overheating or the transmission fluid is old and burning.

Neutral Noises

Weird noises coming from your vehicle when your car is in neutral is a sure sign of transmission trouble. At best, the noises might indicate that your car is ready for new transmission oil, or it could also mean that your car requires a costly part replacement due to mechanical wear.

Slipping Gears

Not only is it scary and alarming if your gears impulsively slip in and out of place while your driving, this scenario is also highly dangerous while you’re on the road. If your gears slip, make sure to let your auto repair mechanic take a look.

Dragging Clutch

A dragging clutch fails to disengage the clutch disk from the flywheel in your vehicle when you press the clutch pedal.

Leaking Fluid

Leaking transmission fluid is one of the easiest transmission problems to identify. If you notice a red, sweet-smelling fluid underneath your car in the garage or in a parking lot, let your mechanic know they need to check the transmission fluid level.

Check Engine Light

A lit up check engine light on your dashboard can indicate a variety of car issues – both minor and serious. But make sure a local technician takes a look in case the source of the problem is imperative.

Grinding or Shaking

More common in a car with automatic transmission, a grinding or shaking that occurs when the gears change is often a sure indication that your transmission has a problem.

Humming Sounds

Humming, whining, or clunking noises—none are good sounds to hear in your car. Let a local mechanic take a look.

Unresponsive

If your car doesn’t respond when you attempt to change gears—especially from park to drive—it’s most likely caused by a problem with your transmission.

TRANSMISSION REPAIR SERVICES

understand the terror that comes with the words “transmission repair” and we want you to know that there is hope after all. Whether manual or automatic, heavy duty or low range, the transmission is a vital part at the center of your vehicle’s drivetrain

Your transmission is instrumental in turning the engine’s power into forward movement, so it’s not surprising that problems with this important component can cripple your car.

At its most basic, your car’s clutch allows the engine and gearbox to engage and disengage from each other between gear changes. This means that although the engine’s output shaft is still spinning, there is no load on the gears which may cause them to shift improperly.

Once the next gear is smoothly selected your clutch will re-engage the engine and gearbox, resuming forward momentum. Over time, and especially in improperly operated manual transmission vehicles, the clutch can become worn and less effective at its job

A damaged clutch can allow the engine and gearbox to re-engage mid-gear change, and this can have serious effects on the health of your transmission.

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Finding A Quality Stucco Repairs And Power Washing Tips

Steps for Painting Stucco Homes

Painting your stucco home exterior is an essential part of home maintenance. If you’re into DIY, then you can follow these simple 7 steps to painting stucco. If you are not very familiar with exterior home painting, you may want to call in a professional. They will be knowledgeable in all areas of painting, and may even offer protective services such as waterproofing.

To create a beautiful new home exterior, follow these 7 steps for painting your stucco home.

1. Inspect Your Home For Potential Issues

Before you start painting stucco, you’ll need to inspect it. If it’s been on your home for a while, you may need to do some small repairs. If small patches have come away, or have become damaged, it’s simple to do this yourself. You can buy stucco repair kits that let you fill in these gaps and create a similar finish. If you do this, remember that you should only be doing this with a small area. If there are larger areas that need refinishing, you may need to call in a professional. Once you’ve applied the repairs, leave them 7 to 10 days in order to let it cure fully. This way, it’ll be full ready for painting and won’t come away as you update the color.

2. Pressure Wash Your Walls

The exterior walls can pick up a lot of dirt and grime, even if you are regularly cleaning them. All sorts of things can contribute to it, such as stormy weather and traffic near your home. Because of this, you’re going to need to clean the walls before you can paint them. This will ensure that the paint sticks properly and looks as good as possible. The best way to wash your walls is to pressure wash them. It’s a quick way to clean the walls, and thanks to the powerful spray, you’ll get all the dirt off before washing. You can get a good pressure washer from a hardware store or online, and they’re helpful around the house. It’s well worth investing in one now. To pressure wash your walls, use a low pressure setting and a wide tip. Work from top to bottom to ensure all dirt is directed away from the walls, and it should be done in no time.

3. Remove Mold

Mold can appear on walls within weeks of them being painted. Before you begin painting stucco walls, you’re going to have to ensure there’s no mold left. If you find any, you can treat it with a mold removal solution. Sponge the solution in to ensure it covers the entire area affected, and leave it on for as long as the directions state. Once it’s been removed and the area has dried, you’re ready to paint.

4. Use A Primer First

The best way to get paint to stick to your stucco is to use a good primer. This readies the walls for the finished coat of paint. The paint will stay looking good for longer, meaning you’ll have to spend less time painting it again. Pick a primer that’s designed for your walls. For example, if your stucco is stained, you can buy a stain blocking primer. This will stop the stains bleeding through into the final layer of paint. An exterior waterproof primer is also a great idea, as it will stop damp coming through your walls. It’s a good first defense, so choose your primer carefully. Ensure you paint the entire area with a primer, and give it ample time to dry before you go on to the next layer. This will ensure it’s totally dry and ready to act as an undercoat.

5. Pick A Painting Method

There’s two main techniques for successfully painting stucco; with a roller, or a sprayer.The one you pick will depend on your preferences and the condition of the stucco wall. If the stucco isn’t too rough, then you can use a roller to apply paint. You’ll have to ensure that you’re using a thick nap roller, in order to get into all the crevices in the finish. The rougher the surface is, the thicker nap you’ll need. If you have to use a very thick nap roller, be aware that you may be using more paint in doing so. If the surface is very rough, then a paint sprayer is the way to go. These are available to rent or buy, so you can pick one up quite easily. Sprayers actually offer an easier way to paint as they’re faster and spray evenly, giving you a professional looking finish. When painting stucco, the method you pick will depend on how large the area is that you have to paint, and the time you have to do it in. For larger areas, spraying is better. If you’re just covering a small area, you can easily tackle it with a roller.

6. Check The Weather Before You Paint

Before you start painting stucco walls and homes, check the weather forecast. You want, optimally, a few sunny days for your paint to be applied and dried. This is because water in paint can cause problems later on that you want to avoid. For example, water can cause paint to peel off not long after being applied. If you’re careful, you can avoid these issues and have paint that cures properly.

7. Think About Reaching Higher Areas

If you have a multi level home, you’ll need to reach higher areas in order to paint them properly. Think about how you’re going to do this before you start painting. The best option is a stable ladder that will help you gain access to these areas. If your home is taller, then a ladder won’t do the job. You’ll need to rent scaffolding that will help you safely paint the highest areas of your walls.

Remember, safety first.

Some Things To Consider In The Beginning:

Stucco Issues: Take a look at the existing stucco that is on the house/building and check to see what kind of shape it is in. Are there any patches or cracks that need to be fixed before painting begins?

In most cases a good acrylic caulk (like this one) is the easiest to use and work with but they do make a caulk that has sand added to it for a more professional looking finish that blends a lot better.

More Stucco Issues: Is the stucco peeling off in any places, or are there any areas that need a little TLC? These kind of issues need to be taken care of prior to painting the structure and will make the end result much better. Smaller patches can be fixed using a premixed stucco repair patch material like this and comes in handy for making quick work of SMALL repairs.

How Will You Clean The Surface: Is the stucco that is currently on the house painted or not? It really doesn’t make too much of a difference, both scenarios will require a good pressure washing (2,800 – 3,100 psi) to get rid of all of the loose paint and material that may prevent the paint from sticking to the walls.

Preparing for Paint

Remove dust and dirt from the surface of the stucco. In many cases, this requires only a thorough brushing of the stucco with the stiff bristles of a push broom. If the stucco has a deep texture, however, you might have to use a power washer to get the dirt out of the deepest crevices.

Caulk hairline cracks in the stucco with masonry-compatible caulking. For larger cracks, use a putty knife to remove loose debris first and then fill the cracks with a dry stucco repair product, mixed with water, as directed on the package.

Wait seven to 10 days to allow a stucco repair product to cure before painting. The suggested wait time can be found on the stucco repair product’s instruction label.

Apply painter’s tape around door and window trim.

Smooth Stucco Finishes:

The smooth types of finishes are probably the easiest types of finishes to paint. Repair work is a little tougher to do and make them appear seamless but if you take your time and use the right tools, it should come out pretty good.

Smooth Stucco Wall

Scraping the walls with a large floor scraper will help eliminate any larger items that may be stuck to the surface.

A roller or sprayer will work on these types of finishes but a sprayer will be much quicker and probably have a little bit better results because you can spray a more even amount of paint on the surface. Backrolling is recommended and will help soften the overall appearance. A roller with a 1/2″ nap will work well and perform well, using a roller cover with a thicker nap would be much harder to use, especially for a novice painter.

How Often Should I Apply A Fresh Coat Of Paint To My Walls?

This is a matter of your climate, the quality and application of the paint itself and visual appearance. The short answer is between 3 and 10 years, although I believe the “standard” is about 5 years.

If you are using a quality paint and live in an area where the climate is not as extreme, you could get 10 years out of the paint, it just depends.

Research your area on different social media outlets and forums to see what others are saying to get a better average of what to expect.

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Mold Inspection Tips For The Property Owner

Mold Info

What is Mold?

Molds are fungi. Molds grow throughout the natural and built environment. Tiny particles of mold are present in indoor and outdoor air. In nature, molds help break down dead materials and can be found growing on soil, foods, plant matter, and other items. Molds produce microscopic cells called “spores” which are very tiny and spread easily through the air. Live spores act like seeds, forming new mold growths (colonies) when they find the right conditions.

What does mold need to grow?

Mold only needs a few simple things to grow and multiply:

Moisture

Nutrients

Suitable place to grow

Should I be concerned about mold in my home?

Mold should not be permitted to grow and multiply indoors. When this happens, health problems can occur and building materials, goods and furnishings may be damaged

Can mold make me and my family sick?

Mold can affect the health of people who are exposed to it. People are mainly exposed to mold by breathing spores or other tiny fragments. People can also be exposed through skin contact with mold contaminants (for example, by touching moldy surfaces) and by swallowing it.

What symptoms might I see?

The most common health problems caused by indoor mold are allergy symptoms. Although other and more serious problems can occur, people exposed to mold commonly report problems such as:

Nasal and sinus congestion

Cough

Wheeze/breathing difficulties

Sore throat

Skin and eye irritation

Upper respiratory infections (including sinus)

EXPERT MOLD INSPECTIONS & REMEDIATION SERVICES

now enjoy having air-tight homes that improve energy efficiency, this type of home construction has reduced drafts and makes it so that homes don’t dry out as quickly as they might have in the past. This, coupled with a lack of good ventilation – while it saves on energy costs – makes homes more susceptible to mold problems.

Why Be Concerned with Mold in Your Home

Mold can cause a variety of health problems including typical allergy-like symptoms, infections, asthma, skin irritations, and chronic respiratory illnesses.

Cleaning to do testing in your home if your property has recently encountered:

Flooding

Plumbing Problems (e.g. leaky faucets, burst water pipes)

Roof Leaks

Damp Basements

Damp Crawl Spaces

Overflow from sinks, bathtubs, and/or toilets

Sewage Back-up

High Humidity (such as from summer weather, leaving a window open during the rain, steam from showers and cooking)

These are some prime causes of mold growth in Lorain homes. If any of these issues apply to your home, you and your family may be at risk. Be safe, and schedule a mold assessment from a certified Lorain mold inspection company such

So while you should be aware that normal everyday activities such as bathing without proper ventilation can cause mold growth if left unchecked, there are contributors that are outside of your control or awareness that may be producing a lot of moisture in or around your home

Mold Illness: What It Is, Common Misconceptions, and Prevention

Awareness of toxic mold’s effect on human health has increased dramatically over the past few years. But mold is only one of the many biotoxins found in water-damaged buildings, and the illness caused by exposure to these toxins is much more complex than most clinicians and patients assume.

Over the last several years, I’ve written extensively about the importance of nutrition, physical activity, stress management, sleep, social connection, pleasure, and spending time outdoors.

What Is Mold Illness?

First, I’d like to explain more about what this condition is. What we often refer to as “mold illness” or “mold toxicity” is actually a comprehensive and multifaceted syndrome known as chronic inflammatory response syndrome, or CIRS.

Mold in the Human Body

Nearly everyone becomes ill when exposed to sufficient levels of biotoxins, but most people recover once they are removed from exposure. Their detoxification system is able to recognize the biotoxins in their bodies as toxins and eliminate them via the normal mechanisms.

Patients with CIRS present with a wide range of symptoms, including:

Fatigue and weakness

Post-exertional malaise

Memory problems, difficulties with concentration, and problems with executive function

Disorientation and confusion

Headaches

Vertigo and lightheadedness

Muscle aches, cramping, and joint pains without inflammatory arthritis

Hypersensitivity to bright light, blurred vision, burning or red eyes, and tearing

Cough, asthma-like illness, shortness of breath, and chronic sinus congestion

Air hunger or unusual shortness of breath at rest

Chronic abdominal problems including nausea, cramping, and secretory diarrhea

A propensity to experience static shocks

Mold Testing

Mold can exacerbate or cause several health issues, especially in those susceptible to respiratory illness. It can also cause damage to your home or business. You may be tempted to try to get rid of the mold yourself, but because thousands of types of mold can grow in your home, do-it-yourself kits may not work.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also recommends that you hire a mold professional to test for mold, then perform mold remediation to get rid of it. Some mold, such as Stachybotrys doesn’t usually spread with airborne sporulation and may not be detected by do-it-yourself kits

What Does a Mold Test Tell Me?

When a professional mold testing company comes into your home or business, it will test for several things. Proper mold testing determines the different types of mold, how much mold is in your home or business, and where the mold is located — including in HVAC vents. Testing also tells the mold testing company if a dark substance is soot or dirt, but not mold.

Are Home Mold Testing Kits Useful?

We often get asked about the home testing kits that some of the big box stores sell for homeowners to test for mold in their home. Are they useful? In a work – no. These tests lack the basic elements of a quality test: metrics. Proper mold testing should be conducting with protocols and condition reports that allow a lab to fully account for how, when, and where a sample is taken

Setting a petri dish like container in a room, with food for mold, will more than likely show some mold growth if left long enough. What it does not do is tell the homeowner if there is an active mold growth issue in the home, what types of molds are present (giving insight regarding potential health concerns when shared with your doctor), or at what levels they are present. The old adage of “You get what you pay for” definitely rings true when testing for mold. We suggest steering clear on these do-it-youself test kits.

Mold Removal

Of all threats to your home, business, and health, mold is by far the sneakiest. The air can transfer hundreds of thousands of spores to the damp crevices of your property. Because mold thrives in darkness, a colony can thrive and spread before you even realize it’s there.

from the places it hides, to the damage it can cause, to the methods necessary to vanquish your mold infestation for good. Mold moves quickly, so our mold remediation technicians do, too. They even offer a free visual inspection for property owners, examining every inch of your property before you commit to spending a dime.

Best of all, every technician on staff has undergone comprehensive training and is IICRC certified. You have true peace of mind, knowing you can count on this expert mold removal team to find and eradicate every last trace, leaving your property better than new.

Battling And Preventing Airborne Mold

If your property has experienced any kind of water damage—even something as seemingly minor as a leaky pipe—you are at a high risk for mold contamination.

Mold spores are constantly in the air around you, looking for a dark, damp place to land. Have you had any recent water damage in your ceiling? Any moisture in your walls or crawl space? What about the drip under the kitchen sink?

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How To Get Your Window Cleaning Business Going Profitably

Benefits of Hiring a Professional Window Cleaner for Your Home

Windows don’t only allow you to look out at the world beyond – they also allow sunshine to pour in, which can provide warmth and light. This is why keeping windows clear and clean is so important. Over time, dirt and debris on windows can become smudged when in contact with moisture and condensation. Not only can this make it difficult to see the outside of your home, but it can also negatively affect the look, feel, and even the value of your home. Here are benefits of hiring a professional window cleaner for your home.

Protect Indoor Air Quality

Clean window offenders are most obviously fingerprints and water spots, among other things. But did you know that the build-up on the inside of your windows can be detrimental to your health? Part of that build-up is from the smoke from burning candles, cooking, smoking in the house, even your fireplace. All of that smoke film build-up accumulates on the windows and lingers until they’re cleaned, so you’re inhaling the residual smoke. Cleaning your windows can help improve the air quality in your home, making you breathe more comfortably than ever before.

Window Aesthetics

The way your home looks on the inside and outside is largely affected by how clean your windows are. Having clean windows will enhance your home’s distinctive design and leave a greater impression on guests. The natural light that comes in through clean reflective surfaces can actually have an effect on your mood and productivity throughout the day as well. Brighter, more open spaces will make rooms feel more inviting and spacious. And, if you’re selling your home, clean windows have major curb appeal to potential buyers.

Enhanced Business Presentation

Businesses that sell to walk-in customers have to maintain their building or shop environment to offer their customers a pleasant shopping experience. To achieve an ideal business environment, they often use flashy lights and glass-based shelves, counters and racks to display their products. If their windows and counters are not adequately clean, their customers will not be able to see the merchandise they have to offer. Apart from that, customers usually don’t spend a lot of time in places that are not professionally cleaned and maintained.

Clear Inventory Visibility

Having clean and presentable showcases and windows makes your products more appealing. This sheer tactical marketing and strategic placement of goods triggers customers to spend money. In this situation, if the glass of the shelves or counters is not clean, the impact on customers will be very low. Commercial window washers use customized cleaning products to increase the transparency of the glass. This increases the visibility of the products which attract walking by customers.

Glass Sanitization

Glass sanitization is another benefit that is offered by commercial window cleaners. Usually, cleaning or washing of the retail windows and glass is not sufficient. Some germs remain stuck with the glass as it is used extensively by many people on a daily basis. With the help of industrial sanitation products commercial window washers use, glass gets thoroughly cleaned, and germ-free.

Increased Value & Curb Appeal

Buying a home is more than just a purchase, it’s an investment. There are several things that can make a house desirable for a buyer. Maybe it has a swimming pool or a big yard. Sometimes it’s something smaller.  Don’t have the time or money for big overhauls like finishing the basement. Clean windows can boost your home’s curb appeal immensely while prepping for an open house. In fact, according to Money Magazine, the number one presale improvement that generates the best return on investment is having clean windows. They say the average return on window cleaning is 769%.

The appearance, preservation, and value of your home are important. Window cleaning is an essential tool to help maintain an attractive homestead. The tricky part is getting a spotless, streak-free, clear window and don’t forget about screen cleaning! Don’t blame it on the rain – did you know it’s actually a dirty screen’s fault that your windows appear dirty after a storm? If you choose the DIY route, don’t forget about ladder safety! Ladders can be dangerous and proper equipment can be expensive so why not call a professional? So now that you’re armed with your secret weapon (clean windows), get out there and win that “best looking house on the block” skirmish!

5 ways commercial window cleaning benefits your business

1. Health

A clean office is essential to preserving employees’ health. They will feel better in a clean environment and, thus, will be more productive. Cleanliness is especially pertinent for staff members with allergies or asthma; they could have reactions to dust or other debris circulating in the air.

2. Productivity

Window cleaning can be a time-consuming, difficult task. If an employee has to do it, they won’t have as much time or energy to perform their regular work. A commercial window cleaning technician can get the job done quickly and efficiently, allowing your employees to remain focused and productive.

3. Safety

Commercial window cleaning specialists have the proper training and equipment to do the job safely. The risk is too high to allow non-professionals to attempt window cleaning on high-rises or other tall structures. Professional window cleaners know what precautionary measures to take to prevent accidents.

4. Positive Image

Curb appeal can make all the difference when it comes to impressing a prospective new associate, employee, or customer. A dirty office can signify poor business practices, while a clean, bright office suggests a sophisticated, detail-oriented business. A commercial window cleaner will ensure your windows are spotless and streak-free, so you’ll always be able to make a stellar first impression.

5. Building Maintenance

Property maintenance is crucial, especially if you’re leasing. A commercial window cleaner will make sure the windows are always cleaned up to par with lease requirements. A professional cleaner is also more likely to notice signs of damage or deterioration. If the commercial window cleaner does see any evidence of disrepair, he or she will be able to notify you promptly so you can repair the issue before it worsens.