What Does a Residential Painting Contractor Do?

A residential painting contractor is a professional who paints interior and exterior walls, porches, or trim on homes. You may have specialized knowledge to choose the correct types of paint for a job and to add details such as textures or borders. Some may also have equipment that allows them to reach high places like second floors or shutters.

Most homes no longer require exterior paint, thanks to the widespread use of vinyl paintless siding, but some people still prefer the authentic look of wood and may require the use of an exterior painter. Sometimes a painting contractor contracts the work with professional painting subcontractors, while other times he can do all the work himself for a greater profit. Many contractors do both.

The benefits of hiring a residential painting contractor rather than doing the job yourself include less work for the homeowner, a more professional appearance, and the advantage of special tools or equipment that can allow work to progress much faster and without problems. Examples include extensions for paint rollers to reach higher areas, specialized stairs or elevators and knowledge of how to make decorative details like wall textures.

Sometimes they will need to take a separate test. The exams are usually conducted by the city or county, and study books are available upon request. Once the exam is passed, the contractor will receive the license that will allow him to do business in his area. Additional licenses, such as business licenses, may also be required.

Special training may or may not be required to become a residential painting contractor. Many painters learn while working on the job for a more experienced person as an apprentice or helper. Some areas may require a short certification program for painters, although this is not common in many places.

Homebuilders also often hire painters, so calling a local developer can also lead to a qualified professional. It is important to ask for references and discuss any special aspects of the project, such as tall spaces or special designs, in advance to ensure that the contractor can handle the work.…

There are several different sources of energy that you can use to heat your homes such as propane, natural gas, oil, and electricity. However, all of the sources of heat mentioned above are non-renewable meaning that they end up having a detrimental effect on the environment. In recent years, most Governments across the world have started encouraging homeowners to adopt the use of renewable energy sources because they are sustainable and they also aid in environmental protection.

As a homeowner, you can lower your overall energy consumption as well as help conserve the environment and climate by adopting the use of geothermal energy when heating or cooling your home. Ewbank offers geothermal cooling serivces in OK.

What Is Geothermal Energy?

This is a clean and renewable source of energy that is usually gotten from the natural heat found in the earth. When the sun shines on the ground, the earth usually absorbs heat which does dissipate as quickly as the heat found in the atmosphere. The heat that is retained in the earth can then be extracted through a process known as geothermal drilling and put into different uses such as heating and cooling a building as well as in electricity generation.

What Does the Geothermal Drilling Process Involve?

Geothermal drilling involves the installation of a ground source heat pump. This simply means the installation of a heat pump which is then connected to the ground to enable it to use the earth as a source of heat. Once the ground source heat pump is installed, the heat from the earth can then be put into different uses.

Note that there are two main types of geothermal ground heat exchanger systems that you can choose for your residential home. They include:

1. Closed-Loop Heat Exchanger Systems

This type of system typically includes a looping pipe and fittings which are usually buried underground in vertical wells or horizontal trenches. The buried pipe is then usually filled with water and an antifreeze solution. The buried pipe usually acts as the primary heat exchanger for the heat pump in your home. The fluid that is within the pipes usually either absorbs heat from the ground when you are looking to heat your home or it dissipates heat into the ground when you are looking to cool your residence.

2. Open-Loop Heat Exchanger Systems

An open-loop heat exchanger system usually extracts heated groundwater from a well and then pipes it back to the ground source heat pump which usually transfers heat between the water and the heat pump. Once the heaty transfer has occurred, the system usually expels the water into its source or other drainage areas.

Top Factors to Consider When Selecting A Ground Heat Exchanger for Your Residence

If you are looking to acquire geothermal drilling services so that you can take advantage of the many benefits of geothermal energy in your residence, here are the top factors to consider when choosing a ground heat exchanger system/ground heat pump:

1. Your heating/cooling needs and the amount of land available – The higher your heating/cooling needs, the more the underground pipes you will need to be laid down. Remember that more piping usually means that you will need more land.
2. Soil conditions – You must carry out a thermal conductivity test to understand if the type of soil in your land can effectively and efficiently support your heating needs.
3. Local regulations – Remember that if you are using an open-loop system, you will need a place to drain water that has already gone through your heat pump. Check the local regulations if it is viable to have this type of system installed on your property.
4. Future developments on your property – Remember that your ground heat exchanger will be buried underneath your property. This means that future developments on the property may be affected.

Ideally, you should consult geothermal drilling consultants to get the best advice on the most appropriate type of ground heat exchanger for your property.

Pros of Seeking Geothermal Drilling Services

• You will always have a reliable source of power and energy in your home
• You will contribute towards the protection of the environment through the use of renewable energy
• The power and energy that you generate can be put into multiple uses in your home
• With geothermal power, you will drastically cut back on your overall monthly energy bill
• Most states across the country are offering tax rates to homeowners who switch to sustainable energy sources such as geothermal power

Cons of Geothermal Drilling Services

• The initial costs of geothermal drilling and installing the requisite equipment for energy production can be prohibitive
• The components installed for power production can affect future developments on the land

Get more information about this service.…

Edging Options for Your Artificial Turf

Homeowners find artificial turf appealing because it has the ability to maintain a lush, perfect, and green lawn even with little effort on their part. This clean appearance can improve your yard’s curb appeal while making sure that your lawn can complement different landscaping styles.

If you prefer a cleaner look, it is a must to use a clearly defined edge. This is why installing artificial turf must always include one form of edging or another. While this is not a requirement, adding landscaped edging or curbing is highly recommended to achieve a clean and finished look.

Here are some edging options you can consider to further boost the appeal of your artificial turf:

Paving Stones

Attractive and durable, you can use paving stones to form a narrow border or even a full patio at your lawn’s edge. Artificial turf lawns and paving stone hardscapes can go well together to create cohesive and balanced landscapes that require little water and are low maintenance. it makes the combination of features quite appealing for homeowners who prefer drought-tolerate landscaping without compromising on visual appeal or style

Curbing

Another famous hardscape solution for lawn edging is landscape curbing. Stamped concrete and concrete are two of the common options. It is an attractive border option but you need to consider its permanency before you install it. Make sure you will have no plans to redesign your overall landscaping or lawn in the next years before you opt for concrete curbing.

Bendable Borders

A simple and affordable solution, bendable landscaping borders are available at garden centers, home improvement stores, or online. It is a form of border material that is easy to install, making it a convenient choice for DIY fans. Bendable landscape edging is usually made from metal or plastics and is often a durable choice that can last for many years.

Wood Bark or Chips

Similar to gravel, wood bark or chips are useful around the edge of the lawn, giving am excellent color contrast while retaining the natural appearance. The use of solid form edging between wood chips and artificial turf will simplify your life so that the wood bark or chips stays out of the lawn.

Railroad Ties

For the longest time, railroad ties have been a top choice when it comes to landscaping borders. These are versatile options that yu can pair with various hardscapes and landscaping features including gravel or paving stones. These could be cut to fit numerous applications. It is also an ideal method of including repurposed materials in the landscape design. Railroad ties can serve as a sturdy border if you want to build your lawn space prior to adding artificial turf.

Wood or Logs

Lumber, logs, and other timber types are border options best used around straight-edged manufactured lawns. But, there are also a few options with tiny sections of cut logs you can push into the ground. Such sections that look like groupings of small stumps provide a more flexible choice perfect for curved lawns.

Which of these edging options would you like to pair with your artificial turf?

See more here https://www.durhamartificialgrass.ca/kitchener-waterloo…

Sustainable Construction – Will It Change the World of Construction for the Better?

At its very core, the industry of construction is among the biggest consumers of materials. At the same time, it also has more wastes produced compared to other sectors.

The importance and need for sustainable construction is now a hot topic because of the rising concerns about the finite nature of resources and the harsh effects of climate change. As a result, this only placed more pressure on construction companies as they are urged to do something to reduce their impact on the environment.

What’s Involved in Sustainable Construction?

Sustainable building is best described as the quest for buildings that offer the perfect balance among the following three main pillars:

• Environmental perspective

The industry of construction is responsible for around 50% of raw material consumption in the whole world. Lighting and heating of buildings also makes up 42% of the overall consumption of energy. Aside from that, the industry is a major waste producer as well. A sustainable build must consider all of these factors together with the land’s biodiversity. Efforts must be taken in the preservation of flora and fauna through constructing on land with the least environmental value.

• Economic perspective

The analysis of construction costs and arrangements must make it possible to know if a project is possible or not. For example, understanding the costs of the building throughout its lifecycle, the associated risks and the innovation possibilities allow for the renewal and conservation of the built environment. Back in the days, people tried reducing the initial costs of construction but fast forward to today and the goal is to strike a good balance.

• Social perspective

The thing about sustainable construction is that it doesn’t only stay within the bounds of ecological dimension. An average person spends most of their time in the buildings so there is no surprise that the  modern quality of life also has something to do with the quality of the particular building where they are located. Acoustic comfort, thermal comfort, and air quality are crucial factors that must be taken into account during sustainable construction. Aside from the obvious fact that improperly designed buildings can negatively affect the health of the residents and users, these may also result to extremely expensive heating and maintenance costs.

The Environment Benefits from Innovative Techniques and Methods of Construction

Sustainable construction shares the big picture view of the way people’s choices affect not only the present but also the future. Green design is an inclusive approach to the selection and integration of materials and processes that can deliver long term satisfaction to consumers while helping in the conservation of the environment at the same time. The basic principles of sustainable construction include:

• Optimize the use of energy
• Optimize potential of the site
• Conserve and protect water
• Optimize use of materials and building space
• Improve IEQ or Indoor Environmental Quality
• Optimize maintenance and operational practices

With sustainable construction, the local environment will not only be improved because those who live and work inside these buildings can also look forward to a healthier lifestyle free of waste and pollution.…

Pressure Washing Your Home – Should You Go DIY or Call the Professionals?

Did you notice some ugly debris, grime, and dirt accumulating on the sides of your house, walkways, and fences? It could be due to rainstorms and all those days you didn’t pay attention to these parts of your property. Don’t worry because pressure washing can help get rid of all those grime and dirt. However, should you handle this major job on your own or would it be better to seek help from the pros?

When Should You Go DIY?

The harsh truth is that grime can build up without you knowing and the best thing you can do is pressure wash your house to keep its exterior protected from damage. You might choose to wash down the pool deck and patio using a scrub brush and a bucket or hose. It is a smaller and simpler job compared to washing down your entire house albeit it can also be time-consuming.

It is also possible to rent out a pressure washer. Just attach this to your hose to wash down the driveway, walkways, fence, and even your roof. No matter where you live, you might discover some smaller sections with grime buildups that you can handle by yourself or maintain in between your regular professional pressure washing services.

When Should You Call the Professionals?

Professional pressure washing services can cover different areas such as:

• House, gutters, and soffits
• Walkways
• Driveways
• Pool decks
• Roofs
• Fencing
• Steps

Your entire exterior is going to be washed down by the pros paying attention on the hardest spots. These can include the corners of buildings and stairs. Dirt often accumulates in the backs and corners of outdoor stairways and steps. Professionals will use non-toxic cleaning fluid that can break up dirt.

Your home exterior’s upper stories are usually harder to reach. These include the areas below the roof where mold and dirt collect. The pool deck and patio may also need pressure washing together with the walkways and driveways. The shady part of a fence or house will possibly have fungus and likely have mold. Algae may also grow in brighter spots of the fence, walkway, or building.

You can protect the part that needs cleaning through proper adjustment of pressure to address the fragility of that surface. An expert knows how to carefully control the nozzle to achieve the right pressure. Professional pressure washing equipment has a higher quality compared to rental ones allowing it to perform a more thorough job compared to smaller handheld units you can find out there.

Let the Pros Clean Your Roof

It is especially professional to have a professional service clean your tile or shingle roof using a non-pressure system as this requires special care to ensure that no damages will occur. Shingles must be carefully washed with the non-corrosive and nontoxic cleaner to prevent harming the underlayment or surface. Non-pressure chemical cleaning is no doubt the safest way of cleaning the roof without incurring any damage. Excessive pressure can cause harm to asphalt shingles as this can wash away surface granules. …

Every time you clean your house, it is important for you not to neglect the much needed duct work. Just because you cannot see the inner parts of the ducts doesn’t mean that you will not be breathing the dirty air coming out of them.

Indeed, duct cleaning is a very crucial aspect of any home maintenance as it will give you a better and healthier air quality around your house, lessen the presence of allergens and molds, and prevent non-allergy sufferers from experiencing any allergic reactions. Those people suffering from asthma have the tendency to be susceptible to dust and allergies, and endure a lot when the air is filled with these unwanted items.

Signs to Look Out for to Know if You Need Immediate Duct Cleaning

There are some very common indications which will tell you that your air ducts can benefit from thorough cleaning. The Environmental Protection Agency states that the following warning signs will let you know that you can take advantage of duct cleaning.

You have a reason to believe that there is mold growth in the ductwork.

You notice dust blown out of the air supply grating.

You notice some signs of insects: such as rodents as well as other pests, which live inside the ductwork.

The experts also suggests that you conduct air duct cleaning when you have just built a brand new house, completed home improvements, or moved to your new home. Construction can also cause some dust as well as other debris to accumulate inside the duct system. On the other hand, moving to your new home without cleaning the unit’s ducts might make you miss out on the much overdue cleaning.

Schedule a Regular Duct Cleaning

It is best that you schedule a periodic duct cleaning even though it doesn’t appear necessary yet. The cleaning must be completed at least once every 3 to 5 years, as the experts suggest. There are also some professionals who suggest that you schedule duct cleaning every 2 years or much more often if possible. The most ideal frequency will depend on different factors, including your respiratory health to your specific geographic region.

Stay on Top of Duct Cleaning

Even though the price of air duct cleaning can stop some homeowners from doing it, a professional cleaning is a great investment which can pay off. Duct cleaning which includes your entire air system, from the air conditioner to the furnace, can relieve asthma, allergies, as well as other respiratory conditions. If you haven’t recently cleaned your ducts, see to it that you consult with expert professionals to decide if cleaning is important and determine the schedule which best suits your house.

Important Takeaway

Around 30 percent of the energy you use for cooling and heating is wasted. Debris, dust as well as other contaminants can force your system to work much harder then shorten the system’s lifespan. When your HVAC system is always cleaned, it will not work hard to maintain your preferred temperatures. This way, you can save energy, and save money.

Source ductwise.com

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The success of a personal blog or an online store greatly depends on its popularity online. How strong is your online presence? There are quite a number of tools that are being used to measure a site’s popularity online such as Page Rankings, Domain Authority and Alexa Rank. Websites will have to start from scratch and work their way up the ranks using different SEO strategies. Search Engine Optimization or SEO still continues to generate a big buzz in the online industry. It is comprised of different methods in order to generate web traffic.

Guest posting is considered to be one of the effective ways to generate backlinks to your website. It is also a good way to promote your site to a wider audience. What exactly are the benefits of doing guest posting?

Build Backlinks

One of the perks of doing a guest post is that you are allowed to put a link back to your website. Some may even allow at least two to three links. Backlinks are a strong foundation in SEO and in doing several guest posts for different websites is a way to get backlinks from reputable sites that belong in the same niche. In finding websites to guest post, initiate contact to web administrators and ask about their guidelines in publishing guest articles such as the number of words and the allowed links.

Establish Relationships

Through guest posting, writers can establish relationship with other content developers and website owners. This can lead into being a regular contributor to their websites especially if the contents are informative, compelling and well-written. Establishing a good working relationship with other bloggers makes it easier to contact them for future projects.

Blog Promotion

With guest posting, your blog gets promoted through different avenues. Having your article published on different websites that has a good amount of traffic allows you to communicate and reach out to their readers. If internet users like what they read on your content, there is a huge chance that they will check out the site and see what you offer.  Aside from sharing valuable content to internet users, guest post articles is also a way to introduce your site to a wider audience without being too promotional.

Improve Writing Skills

Guest posting does not only benefit websites but content writers as well. Websites have different guidelines when it comes to guest posting and failure to comply could lead to article revisions or rejection of proposed content. Guest post writers will have the opportunity to improve their writing skills as they try to comply with the standards of a website in order to get their articles published.

The best part of guest posting is that most of them are free. There are some that might a charge a fee in order to get articles published but those who are in a tight budget could find a number of blogs that accept guest posts for free.

About the Author:

Mia is a freelance content writer who currently works for The Action Web Group, a US-based web host company that provides web hosting services to individuals and businesses…