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Small Changes Can Work Wonders In Kitchen Remodeling

How to Save on Kitchen Renovations

Kitchen renovation isn’t generally an inexpensive task. It cost a lot of money to remodel or renovate your kitchen. But following are the ways in which you can save money on kitchen renovation.

The first thing you want to renovate in your kitchen are those outdated cabinets. Instead of buying new cabinets which can be a lot heavy on your wallet, you can simply give them a facelift. It will make them look like new and save you money you were going to spend on new cabinets

Upgrade your kitchen sink:

It’s usual and even a pleasant change to replace kitchen items that you use regularly. Such as your kitchen sink and faucet. They are an easy swap if they are the same size as your old sink. But if you choose a different size then you will have to cut a piece from the countertop which will obviously cost money.

Mix countertop materials:

While saving money on renovation that doesn’t mean you have to keep it simple all the way. Mixing countertop materials is also a great idea. You can use materials in sections. A few section of granite or marble and then use laminate or other less expensive material for the rest of the area. The other way to go around this is to use expensive material on part of an island countertop and less expensive material on a work surface.

Types of cabinets:

When it comes to cabinets, we all know that custom build cabinets are very expensive. But another option that we can opt for is “ready to assemble” cabinets or semi-custom cabinets. Which can be half the cost of full custom build cabinets. Also when it comes to custom cabinets you also have to pay for their installments.

A Guide for Successful Kitchen Remodel

Kitchen remodelling projects can indeed be weary and tiresome where a group of strangers arrive at your home to invade your kitchen for making changes. Along with that, the renovation work brings all the noise and dust during the reconstruction of various areas of the kitchen. You might not imagine your life without your kitchen for a few days and might have to visit the nearest cafes for food but that’s okay! It is all worth it because, after the renovation, you will be presented with a new kitchen that is way better than your old one.

Determine a realistic budget-

Many people fantasize about the renovated kitchen but have no idea about the money associated with it for getting one. You might be watching reality shows on TV regarding kitchen renovations but believe such reality shows do not entirely reveal the costs. The best way to find and compare various projects is to visit different kitchen renovation sites where the contractors have published the costs and the type of material used.

Make functionality the priority-

Never sacrifice the functionality of your kitchen only to get the aesthetics. People usually spend a lot in making a place look elite; instead of making it more functional. Many a time people bid into getting an open space which makes no sense since the appliances are placed far from each other. An overly designed layout can hinder the usability of the food preparation area, making it challenging to cook and clean. Hence, go for a layout that will keep the work patterns simple.

Maximize storage options-

One of the main reasons for opting for the kitchen renovation is the storage issue. Everyone wants to maximize storage and it could be done by including cabinetry that uses most of the space, pantry racks, handy dividers for deep cabinets, mounting shelving units on blank wall space and stands for raw veggies, pots and pans. If possible, try to cover walls using ceiling touching cabinets.

Pick the right contractor-

Having the right kitchen renovator contractor can save you a lot of money on the project. People come to us with their horror stories of hiring a contractor who promised them the best kitchen only to disappear in between the project. Therefore, you need to find somebody who is experienced, professional and fulfil his commitment.

How Long Does a Kitchen Renovation Take?

One of the most common questions that we at Sweeten hear from homeowners is “How long does a kitchen renovation take?” This usually comes right after “How much is it going to cost?” (As part of its free service matching homeowners with vetted general contractors

Typically, we suggest that after closing on your apartment, you allow three weeks to four months for the completion of your kitchen renovation, depending on complexity, the size of your space, and scope.

For example, if you are 1) not altering the footprint, 2) not changing or adding electrical or plumbing, and 3) using stock cabinetry and appliances, it’s reasonable to expect that your renovation will be in done in a few weeks. If, however, you are moving your kitchen from one part of your home to another, requiring both city permits as well as board approvals, and using imported custom cabinets—you should give it several months. As you’ll see, the wide range is due to the fact that there can be many moving parts and multiple parties involved.

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 homeowners already own, a significant number of homeowners are in contract or preparing to close on a property when they begin the process of planning a renovation. The best advice is that you should wait until you have closed on the property, with keys in hand, before doing anything. If you’re in a hurry—at least wait until you’ve 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 some details about the space you want to renovate, your inspiration photos (optional but useful for us finding you contractors who have done similar styles), and any other information that would help Sweeten match you with the right contractors. You’ll receive 3-5 matches within three days, with links to check out 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.

Key Benefits You’ll See When You Tackle A Kitchen Remodel This Year

When it comes to home improvement, remodeling offers the ultimate touch. When it comes to the execution of remodeling, there is a need for proper planning to ensure that they are successful and that they are done to your expectations. This is because remodels can be rather complex. Nevertheless, when done in the right way, remodeling a home is very worthwhile and will give the building a new lease of life.

Increased value of a home

A kitchen remodel requires an extensive amount of work to be done. However, it is one that can guarantee the fastest return on investment by increasing the value of the home. This comes in handy when it comes to selling the house. A remodeled kitchen is highly attractive to potential buyers and, as a result, your home will have a higher value and the process will be much faster when it is time to sell.

Improved functionality

During a kitchen remodel, there are a number of things that can be done to improve on the functionality of the kitchen. For instance, extra cabinets can be fitted depending on a homeowner’s needs and depending on the current trends. Also, provisions can be made to accommodate new generation technology such as the latest cooktops. While doing the remodel, there are also several other options such as knocking walls and flooring to create more counter space. In addition, lighting and more electrical outlets can be factored in during kitchen remodeling. All this will assist with the functionality of your kitchen.

Improve on safety

In a home, the kitchen is the area where most of the safety concerns lie. This is due to the heat, gas, and electrical appliance all in a single room. As a result, safety and associated precautions should bear significant priority. By simply upgrading of the old appliances, you can considerably improve kitchen safety as well as have a design that will ease movement around the kitchen.

Energy efficiency

With the ever-increasing costs of energy and increased awareness of environmental degradation due to high energy uses from nonrenewable sources, it is important to have energy efficient appliances. A kitchen remodel presents an exciting opportunity to upgrade kitchen appliances. Due to the improvement in developing these appliances, they are very efficient in terms of energy use. This is very important in an attempt to be energy efficient, and it also goes a long way in ensuring reduced power bills, which is a win-win situation. Other than the appliances, the new lighting that can be incorporated during remodeling can also help to save energy.

Renovating the kitchen: where to start?

The kitchen is the heart of the home. It’s where the whole family gathers for meals, for entertaining, doing homework and paperwork, so it’s important to make it user-friendly for the entire household. Clever cabinets, spacious work surfaces, practical layout, intelligent equipment and storage: make functionality your goal. Here’s the recipe to help you design an ultra-functional kitchen, one that combines practicality and good taste.

Meeting everyone’s needs

To maximize your investment and make the most of your kitchen’s new, functional features, it is crucial to plan carefully.

To plan your project, you will need to:

Establish the household’s needs by thinking about everyone’s lifestyles

Set a budget

The family’s different needs and lifestyles

There are several factors to consider when working out what you want from your kitchen. These include:

The size of the household and everyone’s specific needs. Plan for sufficient space so everyone can circulate with ease. Take each person’s unique features into consideration: wheelchair, reduced mobility, young chefs wanting to cook up a storm, etc. Such needs can be catered for by applying a few universal design rules; for example, by adjusting the height of counters and the kickplate space under the base cabinets.

Activities and lifestyle: family dinners, lunches grabbed on the run, homework, bill-paying, meal preparation – these can be hectic moments in the daily routine. Accommodating everyone so that they can carry on their pursuits certainly makes life easier.

Eating habits: got an amateur baker or pastry chef in the family? Consider fitting a purpose-designed surface into the worktop, such as marble. If you make your own preserves, expand the pantry and fit high shelves. If you love to entertain, increase the seating at the counter and plan a “bar” corner.

Kitchen equipment and appliances: every kitchen is home to an abundance of items requiring storage, from small kitchen appliances to table linen, cookware, tableware and utensils. Minimize the to-and-fro between cabinets by creating storage areas close to the food preparation area.

Setting a budget

Your kitchen renovation budget should provide for using quality materials as well as the cost of installing everything, of course. Your budget must include estimates for each aspect of the project:

Plumbing

Electricity

Cabinets and countertops

Sinks and faucets

Paint, trim and detailing

Flooring

Appliances

Lighting

Furniture: table, a comfy seat, benches, chairs, desk, etc.

Storage systems to make the most of cabinet space

Decoration and accessories

Some major or specialized work will call for qualified professional help, which can sometimes swell the costs considerably. Now is the time to budget for it.

Optimizing the space

To optimize your kitchen space, plan it so that several family members can use the kitchen at the same time. Currently, the trend is towards setting up work stations or areas, following a natural sequence, with each area equipped for a particular task.

A food preparation area including a work surface to prepare food and use various utensils. This area should be near a sink for rinsing food, and close to the stove. This is also the most practical area for a second sink, if you’re planning one. Drawers for knives, utensils, bowls and small kitchen aids also belong here. If you’re thinking of installing a butcher’s block or a compact refrigerator for your often-used ingredients, the food prep area is the perfect place.

A clean-up and storage area including the main sink and the dishwasher, storage for cookware and utensils, and a cupboard for cleaning products. Don’t forget a space for recycling bins, the trash can and a bin for compostable scraps.

A cooking area designed around the stove, the oven and the microwave oven. The surrounding countertops should be made of heat-resistant materials, such as tile or stone, suitable for hot dishes. Make sure cooking utensils and equipment, spices and condiments are stored close at hand.

Any other area which makes the everyday easier: an office recess with a charging station, a computer, a filing system, telephone, notebook, etc. Or how about a bread-making area with a stone countertop, a corner equipped with a bar where your guests can enjoy a pre-dinner drink, or a dinette? It’s all about you and your lifestyle

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How Important Is The Interior Painting To Match With The Bedroom Interior Design

Painting Like a Pro: Interior Painting Tips For New Homeowners

Alot of homeowners don’t know how to paint a house interior. However, it’s a great skill to learn whether you just want to spruce things up for fun or improve the home before selling. Using the right tools and following best practices can help you achieve a professional finish. These tips make it easier to paint an interior room with good results.

Choose the Best Color For Your Walls

The color that a homeowner chooses to paint their house can have a big effect on the appearance of their home. Color matching and interior lightness and brightness should all be taken into consideration when picking the color for a home. Homeowners who want the best results can start by painting samples on their walls and viewing the samples at different times of day, to see each sample in different qualities of light.

Neutrals work best for homeowners who plan to sell their home soon. Neutrals are also best in common areas of the house, like the living room and dining room, where guests and members of the household spend time together. Brighter, bolder colors are more appropriate for parts of the house like the bedroom, where these personalized touches can make the space feel more intimate and special.

Paint Samples Before Picking the Color

It’s hard to tell what a paint color will look like by looking at a small swatch. Applying the paint to the wall is the only way to judge whether or not a color is right for a room. Paint stores sell samples for this very purpose. To get the best idea of what a color will look like in a room, paint a large square on the wall. View the square at different times of the day to see the color in different qualities of light.

Use Quality Materials

Wondering about the use of quality materials and asking yourself “how much does it cost to paint a house interior?” First, realize that cheap materials make it harder to achieve a good quality finish that will last many years. For the most even finish, buy quality paint brushes and rollers. Remember that good quality paint will cover the walls in fewer coats and will require less effort to finish the job.

HOW TO PAINT A ROOM LIKE A PRO

Painting a room is one of the most common do-it-yourself projects around the home. While it’s not that difficult to do, it helps to know the tricks of the trade on how to go about it before breaking out a roller or brush.

When painting a room, the work should be done in the following order:

Prep: Clean surfaces and repair any defects.

Prime: Where needed, prime the walls and trim.

Caulk: Fill any gaps or cracks with caulk.

Ceiling: Paint ceiling first to prevent drips on walls.

Walls: Apply paint to walls using a roller.

Trim: Paint trim last to avoid roller splatter.

Cleanup: Clean brushes and rollers, remove drop cloths, and replace furnishings.

Walls

Interior walls are usually painted with latex paint and can usually be repainted without priming unless the existing walls are:

Painted a dark or vibrant color.

Have stains, grease, or other hard to cover marks.

Defects in the drywall have been patched.

Previously painted with oil-based paint.

Before painting, shine a bright light along the surface of the wall to check for dents or defects, and fill them using a putty knife and spackling compound. Once the spackling has dried, sand the surface smooth. On rough surfaces dab the patched area with paint on a sponge or rag to mimic the texture of the wall.

Trim

In older homes, interior trim was painted with oil-based enamel, but improvements in the durability of latex enamel now make it the popular choice. Before painting over oil-based paint with latex, it’s important to prime the surface so the new paint will adhere properly.

How to Paint a Wall

When the walls of your home are in desperate need of a new color palette, you might be tempted to just pick up a brush and go. But before you do, it will be helpful to be aware of a few painting fundamentals that can save you valuable time and effort. The key to achieving a smooth, seamless finish lies in the preparation—after cleaning the wall and applying a base coat of primer, you can direct your attention to the outer edges of the wall and work your way inward using a color that makes the room irresistible to the eye.

Remove all accessories from the wall. Start preparing the wall by locating any knobs, outlet covers, light switch faceplates, thermostats and other items along the wall and take them off. Starting with a smooth surface with no obstructions will help the project proceed much more efficiently

Clear your work area of furniture. Find a place to store nearby furniture, appliances and other belongings until you’ve wrapped up your project. If space is an issue, you can also simply scoot these items away from the wall you’ll be painting. Be sure to cover any remaining furniture with a drop cloth or sheet of plastic to keep it protected

Lay down a drop cloth. Stretch out a canvas drop cloth or plastic tarp that will help catch spills and splatters once you begin working. For maximum protection, the drop cloth should extend all the way to the base of the wall

Clean the surface of the wall gently. Wet a clean cloth or sponge with warm water and a mild liquid detergent, then wring out the excess moisture. Run the cloth over the walls from top to bottom to clear away dust and other debris that can interfere with the paint’s ability to set up properly

Painting Supplies Checklist

Tape measure

Measure walls first so you’ll know how much paint to buy. Typically, one gallon of paint covers 400 square feet.

Primer

Use a primer with a stain blocker.

Stirrer

Usually comes free with any paint purchase. Always stir paint before applying.

Pouring spout

Attach the spout to a gallon of paint and pour without any mess.

Five-gallon bucket

For big jobs that require multiple gallons of paint, keep the color consistent by mixing all the cans in a large bucket.

Screen.

Place this inside the bucket to wipe any excess paint off the roller.

Roller tray.

Use a metal or sturdy plastic tray for smaller projects.

Roller cover.

A 3/8-inch nap provides the best finish for most interior walls.

Angled sash paintbrush.

To paint trim, use a two-inch angled brush, which will give you more control.

Blue painter’s tape.

Essential for protecting trim or walls that you don’t want to get paint on.

Drop cloths

Protect furniture with plastic coverings. Place a reusable canvas drop cloth, which is less slippery than plastic, on the floor.

Hole filler

Quicker than spackling: Dab hole filler into small holes in the wall.

Screwdriver

Use to loosen any ceiling plates of lighting fixtures and remove switch plates before painting.

Sponge

Before priming, wash the walls with a few drops of dishwashing detergent mixed with water.

Critical Things to Consider When Searching for House Painting Services

Depending on the climate and the quality of paint you use, you can wait up to 15 years before repainting your home. A new coat of paint every 5-7 years can keep your house looking like the nicest home on your street. If you haven’t hired house painting services, it’s time to start looking

Find An Insured Painter

You’ll need to find a painter who has a liability insurance plan of at least $1 million. That will cover any problems that arise from their work, from a bucket of latex spilled on your car or ladder damage to your roof. It will also cover any accidents or injuries that any workers incur on your property.

Do They Hire Contractors or Have Employees?

Find out whether the people they’ll be working with are contracted or permanent employees. It’s common and perfectly understandable for many companies hire contractors. That shouldn’t be the number one deciding factor.

Look At Reviews

Search the internet or ask around for testimonials and reviews. You’ll want to know if they finish on time, whether they do a thorough job, and whether they’re trustworthy.

Lead Awareness and Cleanup

Your house painting services should be informed about lead scraping and dust cleanup. They should be using HEPA filters with any sanders that they use and be well aware of the risks of scraping up lead paint.

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Tricking Out Your Truck Tries

Tips For Maintaining Truck Tires

Maintenance Tips to Keep Your Truck Tires in Prime Condition

As a truck driver or fleet manager, it’s important to make sure your tires are always in good condition. Good maintenance helps prevent flats and blowouts on the road, which present major safety hazards. It can also affect fuel economy and increase the lifespan of other truck systems like the brakes and suspension system.

Here are truck tire care tips from America Truck Driving School:

Regularly Rotate the Tires

Truck tires, like any other vehicle, should be rotated every 6,000-8,000 miles to distribute the tread wear evenly and help them last longer. In commercial trucks, the rear tires usually wear out faster than those in the front.

Get the Wheels Aligned

Wheel alignment is another major factor in tire health. If wheels are out of alignment in any way, they will wear out unevenly and usually much quicker than they would if they were aligned properly. You can usually feel when a truck’s wheels are out of alignment if the steering wheel is off-center, if it pulls to one side or the other, or if you notice a lot more vibration than usual when driving on a straight highway.

Keep the Tire Pressure Consistent

Regularly check the pressure in each tire to make sure they are inflated at the recommended air pressure. This will keep them lasting longer and will also help with fuel economy over those long hauls.

Keep the Wheels and Tires Clean

Not only does it look nice when the wheels and tires are kept clean. It is also good for the health of the wheels and tires themselves. Wash away the road salt, grease and grime to get more out of your tires.

Practice Smart Driving Habits

One of the biggest factors in poor tire performance is the driver’s habits. If you accelerate too quickly, drive over the speed limit or jam on the brakes too much, you will wear out the tires more quickly than if you drive smart and safe.

Always Perform Pre-Trip Inspections

This should be something you do before every trip. A pre-trip inspection of key systems for road readiness should always include the tires. Check the tire pressure, look at the tread wear and be prepared to address problems before you hit the highway to minimize damage.

Check tire pressure at least monthly.

Over-inflation can create performance issues but under-inflation is far more common and expensive because it can damage tires by raising their temperature. Most Class 8 trucks require about 105 psi in each tire, but the ideal pressure varies with axle load, number of tires per axle, typical cruising speed and even weather.

When inspecting the tires check for uneven wear or damage that can lead to possible failure. Wheel alignments can go a long way toward eliminating uneven tire wear and prolonging tire life.

You guessed it

Everyone will agree that the No. 1 tip for longer tire life is maintaining proper inflation. The key to a good tread footprint and even tread wear is maintaining proper inflation. The inflation figure should be determined by a scale weight by axle and then using a load/inflation table.

Mismatched inflation on dual assemblies is an important contributor to faster tire wear. In an 11R22.5 tire size mounted in a dual assembly with the same new tread design, you would assume that they are the same size with the same circumference.

At 5 PSI difference in inflation, the lowest inflation tire has a circumference that is 5/16-in. smaller. During every rotation cycle, the smaller circumference tire must scuff ahead to keep up with the tire with more inflation. These tires rotate around 500 times per mile. Simple math means 500 times 5/16-in. translates to 156.3-in. per mile, or 13 feet per mile.

Imagine dragging a tire 13 feet every mile. How many feet is that per day or per year? That illustrates clearly why you will see increased tire wear with improper pressure.

Another note on inflation for those running automatic inflation systems: How often are you checking the inflation and correcting the pressure on these mismatched dual assemblies? Don’t automatically assume they’re running perfect—you need to check on a scheduled basis.

Load matters

You can maintain pressure all you like, but if you’re not maintaining the proper inflation pressure based on the load, you’re doing more harm than good. With an 80,000-lb. gross vehicle weight the load/inflation is relatively easy. The typical steer axle is at 12,000 lbs, or 6,000 lbs per tire. In a 295/75R22.5 tire size, 110 PSI cold gets you to 6,175 lbs in capacity. On the duals at 17,000 lbs per axle, or 4,250 lbs per tire, with the same size 295/75R22.5 tire means that the inflation figure at 85 PSI carries 4,690 pounds per tire. Don’t rely on the old “100 PSI works for all scenarios.” You get better wear, longer tire life, and fewer impact breaks at this lower inflation figure.

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When To Hire A Criminal Defense Attorney

Criminal Defense

Do I Need a Criminal Defense Attorney?

It’s crucial to not only have a criminal defense attorney by your side before, during, and after your trial but you also need to have the right lawyer. Without the proper knowledge of criminal law, you could spend years behind bars and be fined thousands of dollars. Even seemingly minor charges can result in serious fines and a criminal record that can follow you for the rest of your life.

Even if you haven’t been officially charged with an offense and are just under suspicion, you need someone to protect your rights. Our Scranton criminal law firm will work to get the charges dismissed or dropped altogether before your legal situation gets even more complicated.

Why Choose a Private Criminal Lawyer Instead of a Public Defender?

This is a question we hear a lot: Why should you spend the money on a private criminal attorney to handle your case instead of just sticking with the public defender? And the answer is simple — you get what you pay for.

there are two types of charges:

A misdemeanor is a non-violent offense, such as drug possession or drunk driving. A misdemeanor charge can result in various penalties ranging from a simple fine or probation to a more restrictive sentence such as home confinement or incarceration.

Felony charges are considered a more serious crime with a heftier punishment — anywhere from seven to 20 years in prison. Usually, violent crimes such as homicide or rape, a felony charge often applies to repeat offenses of the same type of crime.

breaks down the severity of each crime into one of three classifications: first, second and third-degree.

Crimes of the first-degree in either a misdemeanor or felony charge are the most severe for that crime.

Second-degree crimes are less severe charges than crimes of the first-degree but still have longer prison terms or larger fines.

Crimes of the third-degree are the least severe but still have penalties.

Attorneys for Criminal, DUI, and Driver’s License Restoration Cases

The Sentencing – It all Comes Down to This

In the Drunk Driving section of this site, I explored “The Importance of the Voice of your Lawyer.” While there is no need to repeat what is posted there, that same concept of the lawyer as a persuader of opinion applies every bit as much to criminal cases as it does to DUI cases. After all, DUI cases are just a kind of criminal case, anyway.  In any criminal or DUI case, success is best measured by what does NOT happen to you

Throughout my various blog articles, I examine every aspect of criminal cases, from the moment of first police contact, to what happens at the first court date right up through the final outcome.

Good or bad, that final outcome of any case, and what matters most, is the result. Thus, if a person goes to court for a suspended license charge and gets locked up for 10 days, then that’s a bad result.

On the other hand, if someone goes to court on a possession of marijuana charge, and they whole thing is kept off their record and all they have to do is pay a fine, that’s a good result.

One of the most important is to be thoroughly prepared to do well on the pre-sentence investigation, or PSI. The PSI involves you providing background information about yourself and the offense itself. It often includes completing a written substance abuse evaluation (even in non-alcohol and non-drug related cases), and always concludes with you being interviewed by a probation officer.

Things You Should Consider When Choosing A Criminal Defense Lawyer

Being charged with a serious criminal offense can be emotionally and financially stressful. Even if the case is still in the process of adjudication, the mere accusation can destroy your life and that of your family. It can cause a lot of hardships, such as difficulty in getting a job, experiencing prejudice from society, and many more.

Due to these unfortunate circumstances, it’s always crucial to hire a dedicated criminal defense lawyer who can advocate for you and fight for your freedom against the criminal charges. However, given the variety of lawyers to choose from, it’s sometimes challenging to find the right one for your needs. Without a thorough background check, you can make your situation worse.

Specialization

In such a case, it can be a great idea to choose a legal professional who concentrates on the type of crime that’s related to yours. This means that they should have valuable years of experience in handling cases concerning that area of criminal defense. Moreover, they should also be equipped with the latest techniques, developments, and rules necessary for navigating your situation properly and without trouble. And, due to their experience, they should possess a level of competence in providing strong legal representation.

Reputation

Choosing an attorney with an excellent reputation can reassure you that you’re heading to the right path. With several choices online, you cannot tell who the perfect one for your case is without checking their reputation.

To research a lawyer’s reputation, you should consider the following:

Words Of Mouth – If you know someone who previously worked with a criminal defense lawyer, you can generate unbiased opinions regarding the attorney’s performance. If you can’t obtain some referrals, look for websites that provide a comprehensive listing of attorneys. When you encounter someone with a history of verdicts and settlements and awards, it can be the right professional for you.

State Bar Associations – To practice law in your area, the lawyer needs to be licensed to do so. This is where the state bar associations come into play. These associations can help you determine whether the legal professional has an active license. Also, you can check with these organizations if they have complaints coming from their clients. This means that the disciplinary record should be taken into consideration when choosing a reputable lawyer in your area.

Exceptional Qualities

Typically, most criminal lawyers defend the rights of those being accused of a crime. Whether they’re guilty or not, it’s their primary duty to represent and protect their clients. And, in doing so, they should possess good qualities to ensure that they fill that legal role. These might include:

Research Skills – Of course, your lawyer, whose task is to fight for your case, should have exceptional research skills. This means they should know how to find cases that they can use as part of their defense strategy. Also, they should be able to review the circumstances of your arrest because the police authorities might have overlooked an urgent matter that can affect your case.

Perseverance – This means your criminal defense lawyer should exhaust all possible options to help you get out of legal trouble. For example, if your case will be tried, they should make the most out of many defense strategies to convince the judge that you’re not guilty.

Excellent Communication Skills – Aside from being a speaker, your lawyer should also be a good listener. They should know how to listen to what you say and communicate with you so that you understand what they’re saying clearly and quickly.

Analytical Skills – This means your legal counsel always uses their mind, especially in negotiating a settlement, making an argument in the courtroom, and many more. They should be capable of making quick judgments that are useful to your defense.

Integrity – More than anything else, your lawyer should show a high level of integrity when dealing with your case. They should be transparent about the progress of your case and the possible outcome of the trial.

Negotiating Skills – They should make the best deal for you, especially when it comes to negotiating agreements with the prosecutor and the judge assigned to your case.

Courtroom Performance – To make full benefit of the court proceedings, your criminal defense attorney should observe proper courtroom demeanor so that they shouldn’t be intimidated by the judge. They should be formal in representing your interests and ensure to follow the proper court rules.

Good Relationship With The Police Officer – This means your legal counsel should have a good relationship with the police officer so they can gather information from them. The police authorities’ knowledge about the case can help them analyze the evidence being used against you.

Confidence – Always choose a lawyer who is confident enough to provide legal representation. Although they can also create a good case for you, they still don’t know what’s going to be the verdict of the court. So, consider a confident legal professional, but not someone who promises outcomes they can’t even guarantee.

Confidentiality – Your lawyer should be able to observe the utmost confidentiality in dealing with your personal information. Not letting the information get out can help prevent your exposure to external biases. Also, the leakage can cause some conflicts of interest, which can only worsen your situation. Make sure your attorney knows how to investigate the matter without discussing it with other people.

Compassionate – Although your lawyer shouldn’t invest any emotions in your case, they should care for you and the legal consequences of your conviction. They should also show some support to you and your family, especially when the verdict’s implications can have a long-term impact on your future.

Experience In Trial

Most criminal charges go to trial, and when this happens, you probably need a criminal defense lawyer’s assistance with good trial experience. Primarily, trial experience is a vital factor in picking the right person for your case because they have to walk into the courtrooms, defend your side, and negotiate for a plea agreement.

You’re Not Alone & It’s Not Too Late

Result Driven Criminal Defense

Criminal charges should never be taken lightly. The system will move quickly, and without counsel, you may say things that hurt your case or receive a punishment you don’t deserve.

You need a criminal defense attorney with the experience, skill, and commitment to secure the best possible outcome. Criminal Lawyers, pride ourselves on winning and have successfully handled countless criminal cases from DUI and drug charges to major felony trials, sex offenses, and violent crimes.

Drug Crimes

From simple possession to trafficking, and cultivation, when accused of a drug crime in Alabama, your first step should be to secure an aggressive defense lawyer. This gives you the best possible chance of getting your charges reduced or even dropped. lawyers are highly skilled in these cases, how lab tests are performed, and how drug cases are pursued.

The consequences of a theft conviction can be surprisingly harsh. While offenses like shoplifting are considered fairly minor, the severity increases with the value taken. This can add up fast, and simple misunderstandings or a one-time mistake could lead to time behind bars and a criminal record that is almost impossible to recover from.

Sex Crimes Defense

Even the hint of a sex crime accusation can ruin your reputation. Outside of the stigma, a conviction for rape, child molestation, child pornography, or sexual assault can send you to prison for decades and require mandatory registration as a sex offender.

We Take Care of You.

Domestic Violence Lawyers

Being charged with domestic violence is a scary experience. With your freedom on the line and the chance that you may be kept from being able to see your loved ones, it is more important than ever that you work with an experienced domestic violence lawyer who can help you fight the charges against you.

Drug Crime Lawyers

Defending against the Charges

Whether or not you are guilty of any drug-related offense, you can count on one thing: prosecutors will be looking to convict you of a crime and slap you with harsh penalties. These could include jail time, fines, probation, and the challenge of having a criminal record following you around for years to come

may be able to help prove that:

Law enforcement failed to lawfully obtain the evidence in question

The substances in question did not belong to you or were not unlawfully in your possession

Punishments sought by prosecutors do not match the nature of the crime

Your rights were violated by law enforcement

The evidence for your crime does not exist

DWI Defense Lawyers

Any time a person is alleged to have been driving a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content (BAC) reading of more than .08 percent, they can be charged with DWI. With an experienced criminal defense lawyer on your side, you can give yourself the best chance at a favorable outcome. First-time offenders face up to 90 days in jail, fines of up to $500, and one year of probation. Those with subsequent charges face more serious consequences.

Along with these frustrating challenges, a conviction could lead to:

Soaring auto insurance premiums

A requirement to install an ignition interlock device on your vehicle

Visible criminal record able to be seen by potential employers and landlords

Potential harm to child custody and visitation rights

Ongoing fees

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The Pros And Cons Of Bathroom Remodeling For Resale Homes

What to do when your bathroom is being renovated?

Remodeling the bathroom increases the value of a home, and adding beautiful fixtures and luxurious materials can be exciting. However, since this room is one of the most heavily used in most homes, the process also poses some inconvenience. Here are ways to reduce stress during a bathroom renovation.

Create Your Backup Plan

Whether you are renovating your only bathroom in the home or one of two or more, it will create some inconvenience. Consider setting up a portable camping toilet and camping shower in a private space elsewhere in the home. This way you can avoid emergency bathroom runs to the neighbors or a public toilet.

Staging Materials

A renovation project moves faster when everything that might be needed has already been purchased and placed close to the bathroom. This includes all building materials, tools, protective gear and cleaning supplies. Place items that will be used most or used first closest to the work site. Remember to keep a path clear for easy movement to and from the bathroom.

Handling Dust

Dust is inevitable during all renovation projects, but if you prepare for it, you can keep it confined to the bathroom. Hang plastic sheeting over the doorway and use a canvas drop cloth on the floor. While you could use plastic sheeting on the floor instead of cloth, it is too slick and hazardous. Canvas also traps dust better so that it is not tracked all over the house.

When your renovation includes beautiful new granite countertops, cover them as well. A little dust won’t hurt these durable countertops, but covering them will during renovation cuts down your cleaning and sealing time post-renovation.

If the bathroom has a window, keep it open and put a fan in it blowing outward to exhaust dust outside. In addition, keep dust out of your home’s ductwork and HVAC system by covering the room’s registers or vents.

Allow Extra Time

Projects often take more time than imagined. Instead of trying to squeeze the renovation into a short weekend, assume it will take several days longer. You can avoid stress by not making plans to have house guests or other at-home events near the renovation period.

The time

In an ideal world, you’d align your bathroom improvement with something like a family holiday, entrusting a spare set of keys to the tradespeople carrying out the works. Then it’s just a week under the hot sun before returning, tanned and refreshed, to find a stunning new bathroom. But if you can’t manage to be out of the house for the entire renovation period, try to pick a time when the work will impact the least on your home life. As an obvious example, avoiding getting the work done when you have friends or extended family coming to stay for a weekend!

The work around

Good communication with your tradespeople is key to a successful bathroom renovation. Since no tradesman wants to make your life difficult, let them know well in advance about any times in the week that you desperately need running water and electricity. For example, if you work from home Wednesdays, or your kids come home from rugby practice all muddy every Friday, chances are they’ll be able to schedule around those commitments.

The toilet

Now we’re getting to the really important bit. Perhaps the chief concern of all homeowners is how long the humble, yet essential, toilet will be out of action. You’ll be pleased to know that it’s actually a legal requirement for every home to always be left with a working toilet, so don’t worry about getting caught short! If you’re just replacing the old fixtures and fittings, it’s unlikely that the toilet will be unusable for any longer than a few hours.

The shower and bath:

Once you’ve had the ‘toilet’ conversation you’re likely to next turn your focus towards how long you will be without a bath or shower. The answer is much the same in the sense that it depends on the size of the overall project. The easy part is to take out a shower or bath and replace with anew one, but you also need to account for the time it takes to tile, grout and seal the relevant areas. It’s important to follow the advice of your contractor – if they tell you not to use the bath or shower for a specific period of time while the sealant is drying out then follow the advice. Don’t look for shortcuts in the name of convenience as you could end up causing more damage.

Choose your tradesman carefully:

Delays to any project are always a source of great frustration and inconvenience, and even more so when it’s the functioning of your only bathroom which is held up. If you don’t have a spare bathroom to make use of, then you’ll want the job completed in the shortest timeframe as possible and with as few hiccups as possible. To help guard against unexpected delays, you’ll need to properly check out your chosen contractor. If he/she has been referred to you via a trusted friend or colleague, then that will provide some comfort, likewise online reviews and testimonials can usually give a thorough insight into a tradesman’s reliability and performance standards.

Stay with friends or family

Our closest family is 2.5 hours away, so that wasn’t an option. But, some close friends in the area offered us a place to stay if we needed it. While we stayed in our house through most of the renovation, it was nice to have the option when we were planning on tiling the floor. After all, there was no way the toilet would make it back on the floor after only six hours during that production. I know that staying with other people can be a little hectic and crazy, especially during a renovation. But, I find that if you cook dinner and clean up after yourself, people are always happy to have you. We’re the kind of people that always lend a helping hand when people need it, and our friends are the same way. Knowing that makes asking for help a little easier.

Make a budget

Tackle Your Crumbling Renovation with these easy tips, plus a free printable! Pin to save this helpful post and come back to print your printable anytime!Okay, this may seem like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how many people just hit the hardware store without doing their research first. If this process is intimidating to you, make sure you check out my post on creating a renovation budget in an emergency.

We started out with a budget of $3,300 for our bathroom, since we knew there would probably be some structural surprises (like leveling the floor) that aren’t typical in a bathroom update. Since we did all the work ourselves, so far we have stayed below that number, but we still have a few more small projects, so we’ll see how we end up. If nothing else, creating a budget helps account for any surprises you might encounter along the way.

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Simple And Quick Tips For Long Distance Moving

LONG DISTANCE MOVES

Exciting. Scary. Packing up and moving to a new town is always an adventure. While a long-distance move has some things in common with an in-town move, it also comes with its own set of unique challenges. But long-distance moving doesn’t have to be a nightmare. You can experience a relatively stress-free move with a little bit of care and pre-planning. Here are our expert tips for making your long-distance move a success. Make sure you check out our other articles for moving advice too, since the advice in those articles applies to you, too.

COUNT COSTS, THEN COUNT THEM AGAIN

There’s just no doubt about it—long distance moving can take a bite out of your budget. This is a time to count every penny, even if you’ve received a relocation budget from your employer. After all, anything that goes over budget comes out of your own pocket. And showing up broke is a very stressful way to arrive in any new city.

DOUBLE YOUR BUDGET

You’ve got a to-the-penny budget worked out? Double it to stay on the safe side. There are a thousand unexpected expenses on the way. Your child’s new school might require uniforms, even though your old school district didn’t. You’ll get to your new place only to realize you have to replace all of your spices, condiments, and cleaning supplies. Gas prices will go up. And for some reason, the amount you pay for your hotel room is always $10 to $30 higher than the amount that was quoted online.

Accept that some things won’t go according to plan.

Your plans weren’t bad plans. There are just a lot of variables when you embark on a long-distance move. Add more variables if you’re moving with kids, pets, or both. You’re also exhausted, which means you might open up a suitcase to discover that you added five pairs of pants to a suitcase but neglected to add any shirts, which means having to buy new shirts you didn’t really want while you’re out on the road. You might discover that your pets can’t tolerate rest areas, which means your grand plan to save money by eating packed picnics on the road just went out the window—and now you have to figure out how to eat without leaving your car, since you can’t leave your pets unattended.

Pack properly.

A few packing mistakes aren’t so bad when you’re moving across town. You might not damage anything even if you do make a few errors here and there. Packing mistakes are a huge problem when you’re moving across the country. Just imagine your items hurtling down the interstate at 70 mph, shaking, rattling, and bouncing about. Packing mistakes mean replacing more items then you care to

Steps To Make Long Distance Moving Easier

Moving from one residence to another is a part of life, it is unavoidable. Sometimes this means moving with your family, sometimes it means moving out of your parent’s house, other times it means nothing more than moving from one bedroom to a different one. Regardless of where you are moving or why, all moves have one thing in common, its level of difficulty. Moving is often a stressful event because there are so much to consider and so many things to prepare

If you are in the middle of preparing to move, you have probably found yourself in a position of feeling overwhelmed. Do not be concerned, this is completely normal and thankfully, there are ways to ease a great deal of the stress. While there are many ways to combat the stress of moving, it is important to have a starting point and a place to focus. That is what you will find here, a starting point that will alleviate stress from one of the most difficult parts of moving, packing

Invest in a good label maker or at least create your own, homemade labels. You will be surprised how much this will help in the overall process of the move. When you are labeling your containers, there are few things to keep in mind. First, if you have children, do not let them label boxes unless you are certain they are mature enough to do so without playing any pranks or purposely mislabeling something. Many children, particularly younger children, enjoy playing what they see as harmless pranks, thinking that everyone will find it funny. Many times it is harmless and even amusing, but when it comes to reducing the stress of a move, it can be catastrophic. For this reason, it is often best to handle this particular task on your own or with another adult. When deciding exactly what to put on each label, it is best to be direct without being overly specific. For example, when you are packing up items from the kitchen, each box should have two labels. The first should say “kitchen” to indicate the room where the items will need to go upon arrival at your new location. The second label will be one or two words detailing what is being stored in that particular box. In the example of the kitchen, one box may be labeled “pans” while another might be labeled “small appliances”. This same method should be used in each and every room. If you have items that are supposed to go on a particular shelf or in a particular cabinet, consider adding that to the label. Again, it should be simple, “curio cabinet” or “living room bookshelf”

This second step goes hand in hand with the first and provides an extra layer of organization. All you will need for this step is a spreadsheet program on any device. Using a spreadsheet will allow you to keep track of how many boxes there are all together as well as for each room. It will also help you keep track individual items and where everything is packed. For example, you may be packing large items and certain boxes in a moving truck while other items are going into your vehicle or on a trailer. Using a spreadsheet will allow you to easily know where each box is packed so that you do not have to worry about finding specific items upon arrival. The labels that you applied during the first step will help immensely with this step. This is also where you can store information about the moving company or truck company that you intend to hire. If you are hiring long distance movers or just need a small moving truck and other similar information.

Invest in sturdy storage containers and copious amounts of bubble wrap. The most common thought when moving is to save as much money as possible. This generally means boxes discarded by the local grocery store and newspaper for wrapping. While this method works, it does not provide great protection for your items. Investing in better containers and bubble wrap will provide protection for the travel. It is inevitable that items will knock together and some boxes may even turn over while traveling. When this happens, precious items can become broken, often severely. One of the biggest stress factors when moving is the fear of items becoming lost or broken. While this step does not guarantee that nothing will be broken during the move, it does reduce the chances greatly.

Checklist For Moving Long Distance

At times, moving from one home to another can be a rather complicated process due to the great number of factors that are affecting the house move at the same time.

The move distance between the two homes is one of those factors that will definitely play its role in determining not only how you organize the entire relocation, including the packing task, but also how much you pay for having your possessions transferred successfully to your new house or apartment.

Move distance. Although the longer distance to your new home will increase the final moving cost in direct proportion, there’s nothing you can do about that move distance as it remains a constant value. As a result, you should invest your efforts in the rest of the long distance moving factors in order to move house for less money.

Easiest way. The easiest way to move long distance for you will be to hire one of the best long distance professional movers and let them handle all aspects of your relocation. However, there may be two possible reasons why you choose not to use professional moving services: 1) you can’t afford the price, and 2) you just don’t know which long distance mover is good enough.

Cheapest way. Contrary to popular belief, the cheapest way to move long distance is not, at least in most cases, the option of renting a moving van and summoning up your friends to help you move. Self-moving attempts are usually cost-effective only when you’re moving short distance – across town or to a neighbouring city in an adjacent county.

Local vs. Long Distance Moves

All movers are not created equal and there are many differences that separate local from long distance movers. If you are planning to move it is good to understand the difference between the two. Most anyone that uses movers will hire the services of local movers. These types of movers handle moves from city to city. Far moves of more than a hundred miles or cross state lines are long distance moves. These types of moves require different permits and license for the moving company to own and operate within. Depending on the type of move that you are going to make here are some things to consider.

Local Moves

Local movers cover a range of up to 100 miles or more from your move location. Some will go further although the moving service is likely to charge more after a certain distance. With local movers the average rate for a two man moving team can run upward of one hundred dollars an hour. Most companies also charge for any additional movere if you require more than a two man team. Local moving companies also often charge at least 1 hour of travel fees as well.

Long Distance Moves

If you are dealing with a move that is much more than 100 miles or crosses over state boundaries you need to begin looking for long distance movers. The prices for long distance moves is usually determined by the total weight of your move as well as the distance that will be traveled. Unless you have a bit of a background or a very small amount of household items these are the kinds of moves best left to professionals. Trusting a reputable insured and licensed mover for long haul moving is worth the stress relief alone.

Additionally, in the case of both types of moves book your move as far in advance as you can reasonably plan. This will allow you more time to pack your home in advance saving on stress. In the case of local moves it will also save you money. If your move is local and within short drive you might also save a few dollars and leave the furniture and appliances to the movers while you take a few trips with smaller household items.

Researching any movers that you are considering, this can not be stated strongly enough to avoid surprises and scams. No one wants surprise fees or damaged household items on moving day. Moving day can be a happy exciting time with proper preparation and planning.

LONG DISTANCE MOVING

help you with moving any way we can. Whether you are moving a short or long distance, we feel honored that you would trust us with your belongings.  While we are skilled at both types of moves, long distance moves are different from local moves. Long distance moving is our specialty

Careful Planning and Packing

Plan and prepare for a successful and safe long distance move.  First, check out our moving prep checklist. Next, pack with a plan because your items will be traveling far and there is greater opportunity for your items to become damaged.  Packing is charged by hour plus materials for most honorable moving companies.

Packing and Moving Secrets

These packing and moving tips are not a secret. In fact, we want to share our packing and moving tips with anyone and everyone, regardless of how they choose to move.  Putting as much information in the hands of our clients as possible and our commitment to transparency have enabled us to assist in thousands of successful moves

From thinking of moving as a game of Tetris to using different colored painters tape – this will save time and money in the long run. However, this is not the most important ling distance moving secret! If you want to get the best value for your move, let the movers pack all the breakable items because they are liable for things they pack only. So, why pay to have movers put linens and easy things in boxes.

The Cross Country Move – Moving Secrets

When moving a long distance, you should distinguish between which particular items you will need upon arrival and items that are not immediately necessary. Think of moving much like packing for a trip and leave out enough clothes, toiletries and other necessary items to last the duration of your journey to your new home.

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Reverse Osmosis Water Testing For Home And Industrial Use

Testing your water

Get to know and trust your water source: test it! There are many contaminants in the tap water harmful to your health that could come from your home’s plumbing, fixtures or appliances, and not just the municipal water source.

Testing water at home with the First Alert drinking water test kit is very easy. The kit, pictured immediate right, includes all the testing materials you need to test for common water contaminants, including bacteria, lead, pesticides, nitrates and nitrities, chlorine, and hardness. This kit also tests water pH, which is important because if the water’s pH is out of whack it can corrode plumbing and contaminants like lead  or copper leach lead into your water.

Reasons to Test your Water Be water safe and test your water for lead, nitrates, arsenic, and the like. Be sure to check for a wide range of bacteria, viruses, and parasites, as even microorganisms that may contaminate the tap water. Whatever you do, be sure to test your water

Acidity.

Why test your water for acidity? For starters, it’s bad to drink acidic water because it can cause you to absorb too much mercury. Also, water that’s acidic causes corrosion of pipes and this in turn can cause copper, lead or zinc, to leach into your drinking water. You want to a pH balance for optimum health.

Acidic water (bad). Drinking acidic water can cause you to absorb too much copper, lead, mercury and zinc. Acidic water can have a negative effect on your health. In testing for acidity in water, you may find excessive hydrogen and this in turn causes the body to be acidic too. Copper, lead, mercury, zinc ~ it’s all stuff you want to avoid in excess, but you won’t know about it until you test for it.

Test kits for water analysis

In this course we step outside the laboratory to look at some examples of analytical procedures being carried out in the field using commercial test kits. Having quick tests that provide results on-site has extended the options available to the analyst. The methods used are chemical or microbiological in nature, and, thanks to advances in microelectronics, portable versions of standard laboratory instrumentation are commercially available.

But this doesn’t mean this subject is new; the natural philosopher and military leader Pliny the Elder (23-79AD) described how the Romans used papyrus soaked in an extract from galls (small lumps produced when insects bore into wood) to detect iron in vinegar (Jungreis, 1997).

This was an early version of the spot test, which, in its simplest form, involves mixing a drop of an unknown substance with a drop of reagent, on some form of supporting medium (e.g. paper) and making an observation such as a colour change, effervescence or precipitation (or even noting a characteristic smell). Tests like this are, for many of us, reminiscent of our earliest introduction to chemistry.

The portable kits we’re looking at in this course are in many ways natural extensions of these tests. Thanks to the technical ingenuity of a number of specialist manufacturers, kits are available for such diverse applications as water testing, food and beverage analysis, clinical measurements, air quality monitoring and forensics

Study note

In this course we will be looking at techniques that include wet chemical methods, molecular spectroscopy and electrochemistry

Water Quality Testing

Lake Management recommends regularly scheduled water quality testing services to ensure lakes and ponds are in peak condition year-round, especially if they are used for swimming, fishing, drinking water or irrigation.

certified professionals are prepared to assess your lake or pond water for: pH, dissolved oxygen, phosphates, ammonia, nitrates, nitrites, hardness, alkalinity, salinity, temperature, clarity, turbidity, conductivity, ORP, fecal coliform, E. coli and much more.

Send your water sample to us for a complete water test & report!

Our standard test will check your sample for nitrites, phosphates, pH and ammonia. We can also test your sample for dissolved oxygen, hardness, alkalinity, salinity and more.

Science Teacher’s Toolbox: Testing Water Quality

Water is one of our most precious resources. The Earth is about 71% water, but not all of it is readily available and safe for us to drink. There are many ways to teach your students and your own children about water conservation. From the water cycle, to strategies to conserve water and water quality testing, there are tons of learning opportunities here.

Testing water quality is a great way to engage students in collecting data and contributing to science at a local and global level. This type of project is certainly not just for school, it could be done at home, in an environmental club, summer camp, etc.

WATER QUALITY

It is easy to get involved in a global water quality testing project through the EarthEcho Water Challenge (formerly the World Water Monitoring Challenge).  This is an international citizen science project where groups and individuals complete basic water quality tests on local bodies of water and contribute their findings online. Test kits are reasonably priced and can be ordered through Lamotte here.

If you do not have experience testing pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity or temperature of water I would highly recommend these easy to use kits and resources! As this program has grown they have included many educational resources. You can find lesson plans that were developed especially for this project

I have used these kits as an introduction to water quality with my students in our classroom aquarium and then outside in a local stream and some human-made ponds. The kids enjoy doing the tests and really take ownership over their data collection as they know they are reporting it to the EarthEcho Water Challenge.

Water Quality Testing Instruments Information

Water quality testing instruments are used to test water for chemical and biological agents, and to measure variables such as clarity and rate of movement. These instruments provide a standard tool that can be used to collect information from various water sources. Water quality testing instruments can monitor water temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, conductivity, nitrogen/phosphorus concentration, turbidity, macroinvertebrates, and levels of pesticides and toxic chemicals.

Types

Water quality testing instruments can be used to test a variety of conditions in a water sample. These measurements include:

Interface level analyzers are designed to detect the level of an oil and water interface.

Oil in water monitors are designed to measure the amount of oil in water.

Potential of hydrogen (pH) instruments measure pH levels. pH is critical to the vegetation and plant life in a body of water. pH can vary daily and between seasons due to the photosynthesis of plants. Contaminates from other sources, such as mine drainage, acid rain, or chemical spills can also cause drastic changes in the pH level. Water quality testing instruments use an electrode with a small electrical current to through the water sample. When immersed in water, the electrode develops an electrical potential that is related to the pH of the solution. A clogged or dirty junction is a common source of measurement error.

Voltammetry water quality testing instruments vary electric potential while measuring the resultant current, which can be used to determine the chemistry of the conducting medium. Devices use either anodic stripping voltammetry or cathodic stripping voltammetry.

Conductivity/dissolved solids – Conductivity is a measure of water’s ability to conduct an electrical current. Conductivity is determined by the water temperature and concentration of dissolved salts or other substances that can carry an electrical charge. While there is no water quality standard for conductivity, it can be a useful diagnostic tool for interpreting other water quality information. It is measured with a meter and reported using units called micromhos/centimeter (mhos/cm). Conductivity meters are factory calibrated, but should be periodically tested for accuracy in a standard salt solution.

Turbidity/suspended solids – Turbidity is defined as the optical property of a sample that causes light to be scattered and absorbed. This quality varies with the number and size of particles present in the water column. Turbidity is relatively easy and inexpensive to measure and is often the basis for water quality standards. It can be correlated with suspended sediment on a site-specific basis. Turbidity can help monitor baseline trends as well as the effect of a specific project on water quality. The instrument which measures turbidity measures the scatter of light and performs better for high and low turbidity.

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Choosing The Ideal Possums Trap

Fixing the Problem of Possums in the Roof

The Shire of Capel is within one of the most biologically diverse regions in the world. Habitat that supports rare and endangered animals is scattered throughout the Shire. Many residential areas border onto areas of natural bushland and sometimes this can cause interaction with native animals that can be seen as a nuisance that needs to be managed.

Brush-tail and Ring-tail possums in the roof can cause all sorts of problems with noise at night and bad smells. Many older homes have a roof that is not sealed around the eaves. Any gaps into the roof space will allow access to both Ringtail and Brushtail possums who find living in roof-spaces very comfortable.

If you have a possum or possums in your roof you will need to take the following actions.

  • Locate where the possum is getting in.
  • Seal off all entry points except one. This can be done using small (20mm) chicken wire mesh, sheet metal or wood. Ensure it is secured well as possums, especially brushtails, will have a go at pulling it apart to gain entry. If you have a tiled roof it should be checked for loose tiles because possums can lift loose tiles and squeeze through into the roof cavity.
  • Entice the possum out of the roof in the evening by providing some fruit near the remaining exit hole. Placing a light or a radio in the roof will also annoy the possum and make it want to leave.
  • Seal up the hole, when you see the possum exit out of the roof space. Over the following few days it will become clear if a possum is trapped in the roof by its noisy attempts to escape.

The Damage Caused By Opossums

Opossums are skilled climbers, so it is easy for them to gain entry into a home through the foundation vents or even drain pipes while foraging for food. They are attracted to bird feeders, pet food bowls, trashcans, pantry food, and garden produce. As soon as they find steady food, they will look for a place to create a den close to the food. If you have an opossum problem, call Premier Rodent & Bird Proofing—the experts in opossum control near San Francisco . To find out more about the damage that opossums cause, read on.

Waste and Bacterial Growth

Opossums produce a shocking amount of waste. Their urine can stain the attic and ceiling, and their feces can leave an entire house smelling terrible along with inviting parasites and bacterial growth. Opossums are very messy, so they often bring their food indoors and leave scraps everywhere to rot. Opossums grow to be fairly large and their lifespan is only a few years, so they commonly die indoors. An opossum carcass can leave an unbelievable mess that attracts flies, other wildlife, and bacterial growth.

Torn Air Ducts and Walls

Dealing with an opossum problem is similar to dealing with a rodent infestation. If an opossum enters your attic and finds itself stuck, it may try to chew through the wall, air ducts, or insulation to get out.

Garden Destruction

Opossums make a huge mess while they are foraging for food. If you have a garden, you will need to protect it with a fence made to keep opossums out; otherwise, it could become a stomping ground for opossums and other pests.

The Damage Caused by OpossumsProperty Devaluation

Ask any possum control expert and they will tell you that a possum infestation , just like all other animal infestations, must be disclosed to potential property buyers. In addition to affecting the salability of the home, it negatively impacts the home’s value as well. If you have a possum problem, take care of it before you put your home on the market.

The Meaning of an Opossum Sighting

Shy and Silent

There’s a good chance that you’ve seen more than a few opossums in your lifetime. While these animals are often shy and don’t seek human conflict, they can be fairly ubiquitous in suburban and rural areas. If you feel as though an encounter with an opossum has a deeper meaning, it is worthwhile to take the time to ponder what has happened. Below is information that you can use to consider your opossum sighting.

Opossum Medicine Magic

Before we get into the meaning of an opossum sighting, maybe we should clear up the debate over “opossum” vs. possum.” While “possum” is often used colloquially in the United States to describe opossums, these terms refer to two different animals.

If you live in the U.S. and you have one of these creatures in your yard, you’ve got an opossum. However, if your backyard is located in Australia, then you have a possum, of which there are a few different types. Both the possum and the opossum are marsupials, but that’s their only relation. Otherwise, they are different animals with different traits and demeanors.

What does the opossum know that you don’t? Read with a life path psychic and find out.

One thing that both the possum and the opossum do have in common is they are very territorial. In truth, once one of these critters finds his or her personal place in the sun, (your backyard) they’re not big on sharing with other animals or other possums. Of course, mating would be the exception, and both male and female possums are serious parents. Mostly we’ll be looking at the American opossum, but wherever the word “possum” is mentioned, it means both the possum and the opossum.

Native American Medicine

In the Native American world, the word medicine can mean just what we think it means—a cure, a remedy—anything we use for healing. However, it can also mean the magic that animal totems bring to the table (or the forest) that people can emulate and use as helpful, even life-saving methods.

For instance, you may have seen a possum playing dead. While this trait has inspired the pejorative description of a person who is trying to avoid negative circumstances as “playing possum,” this particular behavior has an important adaptive purpose.

Possums have few natural defenses against aggression. When a possum decides that it can’t escape a dangerous situation by running away or attacking, its age-old instincts take over and it will pretend to be dead. This defense mechanism is also known as “thanatosis” or “tonic immobility.” Playing dead has at least two benefits for an animal. The first is that predators are often uninterested in attacking prey that is already dead. The second is that the animal playing dad has an opportunity to observe the predator and thus plan its escape.

Are Possums Bad Omens?

People may ask this question because, unfortunately, the opossum has a bad reputation in some quarters, but this reputation is undeserved and is the result of misunderstandings.

Opossums are not particularly fierce creatures who can easily fight with tooth and claw. They use clever defense mechanisms to protect themselves against predators; including playing dead, and working their jaws so that they drool when in the presence of predators. The drooling can make the predator believe that the possum is sick, possibly with rabies, and therefore an undesirable meal.

It should be noted that most possums are immune to rabies and generally do not attack humans, and can be household pets. Instead of thinking of opossum encounters as a bad omen, you might want to consider ways in which you can defend yourself against aggression without causing harm to anyone.

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Hiring A Payroll Services Vendor

Payroll Services

My Paycheck

This section lists your employee ID#, Pay Group, and if you are eligible (non-exempt) for overtime or not eligible (exempt).  It also lists your Business Unit.

Pay Period Begin and End Dates list the time period for which you are being paid. Biweekly pay is issued two weeks after the pay period end date.  Check Number is displayed for all payments, but is only utilized by employees who are receiving a paper check.  Otherwise, it is an internal tracking number for Direct Deposits. Check date is the date of payday.

The Tax Data section includes your tax withholding elections for Federal and State tax.  This includes your marital tax filing status, the number of allowances you have elected, and any additional tax amounts you requested to be withheld (defaulted values are Single with 0 allowances).  Your work locality is displayed here as well (resident and school district localities will also display if elected). 

The Hours and Earnings section lists your earnings information by type for the Current Pay Period and Year-to-Date.  Rate, Hours, and Earnings are displayed. Earnings types include, but are not limited to:

Regular Earnings

Paid Leave (including sick leave, vacation and family leave)

Other Earnings (such as Overtime, Supplemental Compensation, Off Duty, Staff Awards and Bonus pay)

Fringe Benefits such as Educational Assistance, Tips, Vehicle Reporting, Taxable Gross Income (TGI) which includes Gift Cards, and Athletic Activities you have received from the University which the IRS regards as taxable income.  The value of these benefits are added to your earnings and taxes are calculated on them, but they are not added to your net pay as you have already received the benefit.

Retroactive payments

Adjustments (which can be a positive or negative amount, depending upon the adjustment being made).

The Taxes section is an itemization of the taxes that have been withheld for the Current Pay Period and/or Year-to-Date.  These can include Federal, State, School District, Local, and FICA Medicare Hospitalization Insurance Tax.

Before-Tax Deductions are subtracted from your earnings before taxes are calculated and subtracted.  Deductions and amounts are listed for the Current Pay Period and Year-to-Date.  Examples of Before-tax deductions include medical, dental and vision premiums, retirement contributions for the Alternative Retirement Plan (ARP), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) or State Teachers Retirement System (STRS), Before-tax retirement service credit purchases, Flexible Spending Account contributions and Parking Fees. See Deductions and Mandatory Garnishments for additional information.

After-Tax Deductions are subtracted from your earnings after the Before-Tax Deductions and taxes have been subtracted.  Deductions and amounts are listed for the Current Pay Period and Year-to-Date.  Examples of After-tax deductions include donations to eligible charitable organizations, union dues, Child Support withholding and retirement service credit purchases. See Deductions and Mandatory Garnishments for more information.

The Employer-Paid Benefits section shows you the University’s cost for your benefits.  Costs are listed for the Current Pay Period and Year-to-Date.  These are NOT deducted from your earnings.  For employees with a taxable amount of Group Term Life Insurance (GTLI), it is displayed in this box as Group Life and is added to your taxable gross income.

This summary section shows the Current Pay Period and Year-to-Date amounts for Total Gross Pay, Federal Taxable Gross Pay, Total Taxes withheld, Total Deductions withheld, and Total Net Pay. Total Gross may not match the Total Earnings in Box 4 on your paystub due to taxable fringe benefits.

Net pay is the balance of your pay remaining after taxes and deductions are withheld.  It is also referred to as your “take-home” pay.

This section displays Current and Year-to-Date vacation, sick time, compensatory time and military leave balances.  All employees will have 176 hours of military time listed initially, but only service members on active duty may use it.  Wexner Medical Center employees will not have their balances displayed here, instead, they will need to login to OneSource.

The Net Pay Distribution section displays the method in which you receive your pay.  If you are enrolled in direct deposit, the account type, name of the financial institution, and the last four (4) digits of the account number are displayed, as well as the amount deposited into your account/s.  If you receive a paper check, the check number (also seen in Box 2) will be displayed and indicate Issue Chk.

QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN CHOOSING A PAYROLL SERVICE PROVIDER

As a small or startup business professional, payroll might seem like the last logistic you’d like to figure out. Your first crucial human resources investment should be in tools to get compensation right, but after that it makes sense to take a look at automating other HR processes, such as payroll. Learning how to file business taxes and payroll paperwork might not be your idea of time well spent, so hiring a payroll provider could be a strategic option.

Most providers offer relatively inexpensive services for small businesses, and make your business operations that much easier. Here are some important questions to ask your payroll service provider to gain a clear understanding of their services and costs.

What services are included, and what are not?

Many payroll service providers offer a variety of services besides simple payroll and tax accounting. You can outsource your entire HR department if you find that administrative work is too time-consuming for your company to do on its own. Be sure you know what specific services you are signing up for, and what they are not expected to cover for you.

Can I see a sample

check stub?

Examining a sample check stub provided by your payroll

company will help you to understand how their services stack up when it comes down to the important details. If you receive the sample stub and can’t sort out payments from deductions, for example, then you they might not be the best option for you.

Payroll: Basics, process & more

Payroll mistakes can happen faster than you think. For a moment, think about the employees for whom monthly salary is the only source of income. Imagine what if the salary is not paid accurately or there is a delay in releasing salary. Such irregularities can take a toll on the morale of the employees and ultimately affect the business productivity.

While ensuring accurate and timely payment of salary is important, adhering to the various laws and regulations such as labor law, PF, PT and other statutory compliance is also critical. Non-adherence with these laws can attract serious legal and financial consequences.

To make sure that your employees are happy and you are law compliant, you need to have a proper understanding of what payroll is and how to run payroll effectively. We will start with the basics of payroll.

Payroll is a list of employees who get paid by the company. Payroll also refers to the total amount of money employer pays to the employees

As a business function, it involves:

Developing organization pay policy including flexible benefits, leave encashment policy, etc.

Defining payslip components like basic, variable pay, HRA, and LTA

Gathering other payroll inputs (e.g., organization’s food vendor may supply information about the amount to be recovered from the employees for meals consumed)

The actual calculation of gross salary, statutory as well as non-statutory deductions, and arriving at the net pay

Releasing employee salary

Depositing dues like TDS, PF, etc. with appropriate authorities and filing returns

LOOKING FOR PAYROLL SERVICES? HERE ARE THINGS TO CONSIDER

One of the most important parts of owning a business is payroll. It’s can also be very costly if not done correctly. In 2013 alone, the IRS issued $4.5 billion dollars in penalties to businesses who incorrectly calculated their payroll taxes. Not only that, but there are also varying salaries, shift differentials, benefit contributions, and many other factors to take into consideration when paying employees. It can be overwhelming for even the smallest of companies.

Does the service do everything I need it to do?

Because there is more to payroll than just cutting checks, look for a solution that consolidates your payroll, HR, workers’ comp, health benefits, and 401k into a single human capital management system. At Payroll & Benefit Solutions, we provide a total HCM system on a single software platform that allows you to manage all aspects of your workers’ employment from on-boarding to separation.

What kind of customer service can I expect?

Businesses run at all hours and so should your payroll provider. Because questions and issues can come up at any time, look for a company that offers around the clock support. It’s also worth looking for a company that provides Single-Point-of-Contact Support. Save yourself time and hassle with dedicated support who knows your story rather than starting from the beginning with someone new every time you reach out. Payroll & Benefit Solutions provides every business with a dedicated account manager that can assist you with all of your needs and questions.

Is their technology in step with current trends?

Technology is always changing, and you need a payroll provider who is on top of the latest trends. There are more options to getting money to employees these days. Physical checks, direct deposit, and reloadable debit cards are all options to consider when researching companies. In addition to that, you need to look into how user friendly their software is. Cloud-based options make it easy for you and your employees to keep track of and update important information from any internet connected computer instead of submitting requests that can take days to process.

How safe will my business’ and my employees’ information be?

Sharing sensitive data with an outside company can be scary. Breaches and crashes have been in the news more often so it’s imperative you look in to how your data is stored. Look for a company who can provide round-the-clock security and has a comprehensive disaster recovery system in place.

What To Ask When Choosing A Payroll Provider

Making the decision to outsource a facet of your business can be one of the most valuable and beneficial decisions you make.

Before you approach a payroll service provider, make sure your own house is in order. Consider the following to get an idea of your own needs and requirements

How complex is my payroll?

Make sure you have a full understanding of all the elements that go into your payroll runs before you approach a third party provider. You may need to pay colleagues located internationally, for example, that some third parties cannot accommodate.

What kind of payroll service do I need?

Payroll outsourcing commonly falls into one of two kinds. Depending on your needs and business structure, you may need more or less control over the process.

How secure is my payroll data in-house?

If you find your security lacking, you can opt to move your payroll data into the security of your third party provider. Make sure they have accreditations such as ISO 27001, which show they take security seriously.

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Recommendations For Smart Electrical Wiring Of Your Home

Electrical

Power Up With All Things Electrical

comprehensive electrical department filled with all the supplies and tools you need to power up your home. From electrical wire and cable, wire connectors and fuses to home security systems, dimmers and switches,  your one-stop shop for everything electrical. also know that electrical projects can be a big undertaking, especially for those who don’t have a lot of experience.

Smart Home and Security

We understand that keeping your home and family safe is your top priority. That’s why have every home security essential to create a safe, comfortable home including carbon monoxide detectors, smart doorbells, cameras and home alarm kits.

Want to keep your appliances and gadgets safe from outages? Check out our selection of surge protectors to guard against unwanted and unsafe electrical voltages. Have small children in the home? Don’t forget about outlet covers to prevent kids from accidental injuries.

Home Entertainment Needs

There are plenty of ways to make your home more enjoyable with home audio and video devices including speakers, TV mounts, streaming devices and more. Whether you want to run speakers throughout your entire home or just a few in a media room

Alternative Energy Solutions

Need a portable generator on hand in case of storms and outages? have plenty of portable options to choose from that range in price and power to suit your needs. Considering powering your home with solar power? Check out selection of solar panels — some of which are designed for RV and camper use and others for the whole home.

Electrical Wiring

First, some background.  Understanding “hot” neutral and ground.  This from Schneider Electric helps explain the purpose and nature of each of the three conductors.

“Electrical power flows in the form of current, which must pass through the equipment and then return to the power source. Therefore, it is convenient to think of one wire to the load being the “source” wire and one being the “return” wire. This simple model is appropriate for DC systems but does not work for an AC system because the flow of the power is continually reversing direction with a frequency of 50 or 60 times per second. From the point of view of the equipment or the power source, the source and return wires are constantly being interchanged. In fact, no equipment can tell which wire is which! It is easily demonstrated that the two power wires to any piece of AC equipment can be interchanged without any effect on function. In fact, in Europe [and the Philippines], the plug on a piece of equipment can be plugged in either way! This fact of symmetry seems to be at odds with the distinct labeling of the AC power wires as “hot” and “neutral”. The reason that one of the power wires is named “neutral” is because it is connected directly to the building ground connection at the circuit breaker panel. Therefore it is connected directly to the grounding (third) wire. In essence, then, two of the three wires at the wall receptacle are actually grounded wires, one being used for power flow, and the other connected only to exposed metal parts on the equipment. The power wire that is grounded is called the “neutral” wire because it is not dangerous with respect to exposed metal parts or plumbing. The “hot” wire gets its name because it is dangerous. The grounding of the neutral wire is not related to the operation of electrical equipment but is required for reasons of safety.”

However, it is possible to wire in 120 VAC circuits and outlets by using only one of the load wires and a neutral.  These 120 V outlets are seen in hotels, some condos and other places which expect American visitors.   Visitors must keep in mind that the uses the same style of wall outlets as you see in America, but that the outlet is supplying 240 V, not 120 V.  Plugging a 120 V appliance into a 240 V outlet will generally destroy the appliance.

OUTSIDE OF BIG CITIES: Two wire 230V Systems  Areas outside of the old established cities were electrified later and use a different and more economical system using a two wire service drop to the residence.  This consists of one 230 VAC load wire and one neutral wire.  120 VAC cannot be supplied by this type of system unless the property owner, at his own expense and with the cooperation of the utility company, installs his own transformer at the utility pole, a transformer having a secondary winding which can supply 120 VAC.  This is not impossible as many utility transformers are recycled from the U.S., but it is expensive and in our view the 230 V systems are better unless the homeowner ships expensive appliances from the U.S.  It will be difficult to find parts and service for these imported 120 V appliances.

Electricity and electric currents

Electricity

Electricity carries electrical energy and, as you have seen, electrical energy can change into other forms of energy. Electrical energy can change into light energy when it flows through a lamp. It can change into heat energy in an electric toaster. It can also change into other forms of energy.

Materials that allow electricity to pass through them are called conductors. Copper wire is a good conductor. Materials that do not allow electricity to pass through them are called insulators. Plastic is a good insulator

What is an electric current?

To produce an electric current, three things are needed: a supply of electric charges (electrons) which are free to flow, some form of push to move the charges through the circuit and a pathway to carry the charges. The pathway to carry the charges is usually a copper wire.

The flow of electricity can be likened to a flow of water through a pipe. Water comes from the dam and is forced through a pipe by a pump or by gravity. The supply of water is the dam, the push is the pump or gravity and the pipe is the pathway.

What is a Circuit?

One of the first things you’ll encounter when learning about electronics is the concept of a circuit. This tutorial will explain what a circuit is, as well as discuss voltage in further detail.

Voltage and How it Works

You’ve probably heard that a battery or a wall outlet has a certain number of volts. This is a measurement of the electrical potential produced by the battery, or the utility grid connected to the wall outlet.

All those volts are sitting there waiting for you to use them, but there’s a catch: in order for electricity to do any work, it needs to be able to move. It’s kind of like a blown-up balloon; if you pinch it off, there is air in there that could do something if it’s released, but it won’t actually do anything until you let it out.

Unlike air coming out of a balloon, electricity can only flow through materials that can conduct electricity, such as copper wire. If you connect a wire to a battery or wall outlet (WARNING: the voltage in a wall outlet is dangerous, don’t do this!), you will be giving the electricity a path to follow. But if the wire isn’t connected to anything else, the electricity won’t have anywhere to go and still won’t move.

What makes electricity move? Electricity wants to flow from a higher voltage to a lower voltage. This is exactly like the balloon: the pressurized air in the balloon wants to flow from inside the balloon (higher pressure) to outside the balloon (lower pressure). If you create a conductive path between a higher voltage and a lower voltage, electricity will flow along that path. And if you insert something useful into that path like an LED, the flowing electricity will do some work for you, like lighting up that LED. Huzzah!

What Electrical Work Can I Do Myself?

electrical work are much stricter on DIYers than in most other countries, and for good reason. Electrical work is dangerous if you don’t know exactly what you are doing 100% of the time, and only a fully licensed, trained and experienced electrical tradesperson will fit that criteria. If you are a licensed tradie and you’re doing your own electrical work, not a problem, but the rules are entirely different for the average home handyperson. This article covers some of the things you are allowed to do as an amateur, as well as what the consequences might be if you are caught doing electrical work that you are not qualified for.

Can I Do These Simple Electrical Tasks?

Many everyday people around would be guilty of doing these seemingly more simple electrical tasks at some point in their lives, and may have performed some of these tasks without even knowing they have actually broken any laws.

These include things like:

Replacing a light switch or power point

Building your own extension lead

Repairing an electrical appliance

Installing a new light fitting

Attaching a new plug to the end of a lead

Replacing a lead on an appliance

Installing a ceiling fan

What are the Consequences of Doing Illegal Electrical Work?

The biggest consequence by far is that you, or someone else, could get electrocuted. Another is the possibility of a house fire. There are various fines in place for anyone caught out doing electrical work illegally, but by far the biggest penalty would be accidental electrocution. It’s just not worth it.

What Electrical Work Can I Legally Do Then?

Okay, so we’ve covered some of what you definitely can’t do and the potential penalties if you are caught, but what electrical work are you allowed to do yourself?