Contractor Tips Blog

Oct
30

iPad Screen Replacement

iPads are amazing devices that allow access to the Internet, email, video, music and tens of thousands of entertainment, lifestyle and productivity applications or “apps”.  In addition, they have a video and a still camera that take pretty good pictures.  If you are a apple user they can be easily synchronized with your other Apple products.  In many cases iPads have replaced the computer, because of their capabilities and portability.  While generally very durable, the screen on the iPad can be easily damaged, especially if the optional cover is not used.

In the past a broken screen on a iPad was a disaster, with the only alternative being to replace the device.  This was especially painful as the prices on the iPad can be over $1,000, depending on the model.  Now it is possible to replace the front glass and LCD and touch-screen on the iPad 1, iPad 2, iPad 3 and the iPad mini with the iPad screen replacement being made by certified technicians, who have the specialized training, equipment and parts necessary to repair iPads.

In many cases it is possible to have the iPad repair done in the same day by stopping by one of the many repair facilities.   Alternatively, the repair company can send a certified technician to the customer’s home or business to repair the device on the spot.  The first step to take if faced with a damaged iPad screen is to either call or email a certified technician to discuss the damage and plan the next step in getting the device back up and running.  While the repaired device comes with a warranty on the repair, the owner may want to consider one of those bright covers for their iPad in the future!

Oct
30

iPhone Broken Glass Repair

Posted in iPhone Repairs

Well it finally happened, when running across the parking lot to a meeting, your iPhone dropped out of your pocket and landed on the pavement.  It has happened many times before but this is the first time that the glass broke!  In the past, the next stop would be a visit to the local iStore to get another iPhone, which was an expensive solution if the owner was not eligible for an upgrade from their carrier.  Now it is possible to have the phone repaired quickly and much cheaper when compared to buying a new phone! 

Depending upon the model of the iPhone, a qualified and certified technician can replace the touch-screen replacement or front glass and LCD replacement on the iPhone 3G, IPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S or iPhone 5.  In addition to being trained on iPhone repairs, the technician also has all of the specialized equipment, as well as the necessary parts to complete the iPhone repair

The process to have the iPhone repair is quick, painless and economical.  The first step is to contact the certified repair technician by either phone or email to discuss the damage.  The next step is to drop off the iPhone to the nearest repair facility or to have the technician visit the owner’s home or business to make the repairs on the spot.  Often the repair can be done in less than a day and the phone will be fully functional and working just like it was before it fell.  Oh and you get a warranty on the work as well!

Oct
30

iPad and iPhone Repairs

iPads and iPhones are extremely popular tools for consumers all over the United States and overseas.  Their popularity has contributed to the global decline in computer sales, as they have the same capabilities of a computer!  They offer amazing capabilities including phone, email, Internet access, video and still cameras, music, video and the ability to run tens of thousands of entertainment and productivity applications or “apps”.  The downside is that these devices are expensive and while they are generally very durable, either dropping it or having it exposed to water can damage them.   

In the past, a damaged device usually resulted in the need to buy a new device, with the owner learning a very expensive lesson.  Now it is possible for experienced and highly trained technical experts on iPhones and iPads to repair damaged devices quickly and economically.  iPad and iPhone repairs include touch-screen replacement, front glass and LCD replacement, water damage diagnostics and battery replacements.  The certified technicians have the specialized training, equipment and parts to work on the iPhone 3G, IPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPad 1, iPad 2, iPad 3 and the iPad Mini.  

In many cases it is possible to have the iPad repair in the same day by stopping by one of the many repair facilities.   Alternatively, the repair company can send a certified technician to the customer’s home or business to repair the device on the spot.  The first step to take if faced with a damaged iPhone or iPad is to either call or email a certified technician to discuss the damage and plan the next step in getting the device back up and running!

Sep
12

Pressure Washing Brick Homes

Brick homes are beautiful, especially when well maintained.  Often homeowners are under the mistaken notion that brick does not require any maintenance, but nothing could be further from the truth.  One of the maintenance tasks that should be done yearly is a thorough pressure washing to keep the brick looking new by removal of any dirt, mold, mildew, stains or other grime that can accumulate on the surface. 

Not only does pressure washing keep the brick looking like new, but it also allows the homeowner to visually inspect for missing mortar, cracked or broken brick.  In addition, the periodic cleaning will keep the mortar weep joints open, which is critical to keeping the home dry. 

A periodic brick home pressure washing by a qualified, licensed and insured power washing contractor can perform this service quickly, as well as economically.  The highly trained technician will be able to effectively use specialized pressure washing equipment that will be able to deliver the water at just the right psi as not to damage the brick.  Many homes today have a sand finish on the brick face that is applied during the manufacturing process. 

While generally durable, these brick faces can be damaged very easily by improper pressure washing techniques, including using too high of a psi on the equipment delivering the water, as well as holding the nozzle of the pressure washing “wand” too close to the face of the brick.  This will damage the brick and is a very common occurrence, with unqualified pressure washing companies and untrained technicians. 

A highly experienced pressure washing company that is licensed and insured will utilize qualified and trained technicians to clean the brick on your home, without damaging it!

Sep
12

Pressure Washing Is Not Just For Houses!

Many homeowners are familiar with the benefits of washing the exterior of their house, where the pressure washing process will remove dirt, mold, mild and other stains.  One area that homeowners often do not think about is their concrete or brick pool deck.  During the summer months, the homeowner and their families heavily use their back yard pools, as they provide an excellent outdoor space to relax, recreate and entertain, during those very hot and humid days and nights. 

Anyone with an outdoor pool should consider getting the pool deck pressure washed, at the beginning and end of the season to remove dirt, mold, mildew and grime, which accumulate on the deck surface.  Often this buildup can be dangerous, as it is slippery when wet, so it is best to have it periodically cleaned by a pressure-washing contractor. 

A qualified, licensed and insured pressure-washing contractor can quickly and economically perform this service.  Using trained technicians, the contractor will apply a cleaner to the surface and then wash the area using specialized equipment that will deliver the water to clean the surface at the right psi, as not to damage the deck surface.  In addition, the technician will make sure that the dirt, mold, mildew and grime removed does not flow into the pool, where it can contaminate the pool water. 

A periodic pool deck cleaning will keep your pool and pool deck area looking as great as it looked on the day it was completed.  If you own a pool, consider having the pool deck cleaned when you get the main house pressure washed.  Keep that investment looking great!

 

Sep
12

Timing Belts

Timing belts, which are used to move the camshaft or shafts within an engine in a precise manner, are used in a wide variety of domestically and foreign manufactured equipment.  As with other mechanical items, the periodic maintenance of the timing belt is required to keep the machinery running properly without disrupting the company’s daily operations.  In the case of timing belts, the maintenance required is to generally replace the belt before it can fail, which can cause damage to the machinery. 

Timing belts include standard timing belts, metric timing belts or V-Belts.  Standard timing belts are manufactured for equipment manufactured in the United States and to United States based or imperial measurements, while metric timing belts is manufactured for equipment manufactured outside of the United States and to metric measurements. 

Many manufacturing facilities have a combination of American made and foreign made machinery, so it is quite common for facilities to have a need for both standard and metric belts.  The last type of timing belt is the V-Belt, which is used to drive the wide variety of exhaust fans being used in every manufacturing facility in the United States to remove the air from the manufacturing area.  As the air is removed fresh air is brought into the air and the air is constantly being replaced. 

An experienced manufacturer and supplier of thousands of different types of standard, metric and V-Belts, will be able to assist in finding the correct product.  They will be able to supply the correct product quickly and economically, as well as provide assistance on any timing belt issue!

Sep
12

Commercial Hoses

Commercial hoses and various accessories such as couplings and fittings are used on a wide range of equipment in industries such as manufacturing, mining, agriculture and construction.  The equipment used in these industries is “mission critical” to the successful daily operations of ever company.  Commercial grade hoses will occasionally need to be replaced, due to failure or due to periodic preventative maintenance, where the hose is replaced during regularly scheduled maintenance. 

Commercial grade hose products include discharge hoses, hose couplings and fittings, hydraulic hoses and hydraulic fittings.  Discharge hoses are often attached to pumps in the mining and construction industries, to either remove water or place concrete.  Hose couplings and fittings are as critical to the proper installation of the hose on to the equipment and are made of a wide variety of materials including brass, stainless steel and PVD. 

Without the correct coupling or fitting it would not be possible to attach the commercial grade hose to the equipment.  Hydraulic hoses are used on every piece of equipment utilizing hydraulic systems.  These hoses operate under high pressure and carry hydraulic fluid from a holding tank to the hydraulic piston.  Hydraulic fittings are used to make a mechanical connection of the hydraulic hose to the equipment.  As there are thousands of different types of equipment using hydraulic systems, there are thousands of hydraulic fittings.

An experienced manufacturer and supplier of thousands of commercial grade hoses products including discharge hoses, hose couplings and fittings, hydraulic hoses and hydraulic fittings, will be able to assist in finding the correct product.  They will be able to supply a wide variety of commercial grade hose products quickly and economically, as well as provide assistance on any commercial grade hose issues!

Aug
28

Home Automation

Posted in Home Automation

Imagine the ability to control your home remotely from your laptop computer or smart phone.  Imaging the ability to view your home in real time while on vacation half way around the world.  Imagine the ability to turn on and off specific lights or electrical appliances, such as an oven, on the way home from your job.  Imagine the ability to be able to regulate the temperature in your home as you are driving home.   Imagine the ability to receive updates from your home security system while away on vacation or on a business trip.  Imagine the ability to turn on your irrigation system while out of town.  There is no need to imagine a day when this will be possible, as it is available today with home automation! 

Home automation is possible due the extensive use of “structured wiring” in today’s homes.  This wiring, which is separate from the electrical wiring, allows the home to become “digital”.  Even older homes built without this wiring can have it easily retrofitted by a qualified, licensed contractor that specializes in home automation.  One of the greatest things about home automation, besides the convenience that it provides the homeowner and their family, is the efficiency that these systems provide.  Ultimately this efficiency saves money! 

Contacting a qualified, professional contractor that specialized in home automation s the first step in taking advantage of the conveniences and efficiency that home automation provides.  They will be able to design and install a system that meets your needs as well as your budget!

 

Aug
28

Home Theaters In Finished Basements

Posted in Home Theaters

Anyone considering finishing out the basement in their home should consider a integrated home theater system, which is an absolute must for any one creating a family recreational area or the ultimate “man cave”!  A fully integrated system will provide years of enjoyment for you and your family. 

One of the biggest advantages of having an integrated home theater installed prior to the basement being finished, is the ability to design the system based upon the proposed layout.  When done early on in the process, the designer can make adjustments to the design of the space to maximize the performance of the home theater system, as well as the enjoyment of the system by the owner. 

Another advantage is the ability to run properly sized wires in the walls and ceilings behind the drywall.  There is nothing worse than seeing wires running exposed on any home theater system, no matter how good the equipment is!  In addition, the home theater contractor can utilize flush mounted speakers on both the walls and the ceiling to provide maximum performance, without the need for floor-mounted speakers!  Finally, they will be able to locate the equipment in discreet areas so that it is not visible, which detracts from the “clean” look that people are looking for in an integrated home theater system. 

A qualified home theater contractor that is licensed and insured will be able to design and install a home theater system that meets you and your families needs, as well as your budget.  Their qualified technicians will be able to properly pre-wire the system prior to drywall installation and install the equipment as soon as the space is completed.

Aug
28

Finished Basements

One of the most cost effective additions to any home is easily achieved by finishing the basement.  The key is to finding a qualified finished basement designer who is capable of first designing a unique plan that meets the needs of the homeowner and their family.  In addition, the plan should maximize the use of the space and be affordable, as everyone has a budget to meet!  The next step is to find a contractor that is able to execute the plan, while meeting the budget, applicable building codes and the schedule.  It is now possible to use the same company to provide design services, as well as to do the actual construction on he space.  These “design build” services are becoming more and more popular in residential remodeling work, as it is a “win –win” proposition for both the homeowner and the contractor. 

The design of the basement will be based upon the needs of the homeowner, the available space, their budget and applicable building codes.  A company that provides both design and construction services will be able to provide instant feedback to the designer on costs and constructability issues.  Ultimately this interaction between the design and construction divisions of a design build company benefit the customer by providing a high quality product, which is within budget and exceeds the expectations of the homeowner. 

A qualified finished basement contractor who is licensed and insured will be able to provide both design and construction services on your new finished basement which will help ensure that the project is completed on time and on budget!

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