Contractor Tips Blog

Aug
28

Important Precautions to Combat Mosquitoes

Posted in Insect Control

It’s important for homeowners to eliminate and prevent mosquitoes from being around their property. While summer is a season plagued by mosquitoes, warmer climates such as those found in Georgia can allow mosquitoes to cause problems for you during other seasons as well. However, by taking preventative steps to eliminate mosquitoes from breeding around your property, you’ll spare you and your family from mosquito bites.

Mosquito bites are not just itchy and painful; they are also well known for spreading diseases to humans. Last year was perhaps one of the deadliest years ever in the United States for the West Nile virus – a mosquito-borne arbovirus.  As a result, the CDC (Center for Disease Control) strongly recommended that people take precautions to avoid becoming infected with the virus and to prevent another outbreak of the West Nile virus.

Here are a few precautionary measures and tips that you can take to combat mosquitoes:

#1 Get rid of any places with standing water that is on your property or around your home. This includes any area or object that collects water, such as:

  • Flowerpots
  • Baby pools
  • Birdbaths
  • Grill covers

Mosquitoes don’t need much water to breed. About one-half (½) of an inch of water is the perfect breeding ground for them.

#2 Make sure that your doors and windows all have screens. It’s important to fix even the most minor holes and tears in any of your home’s screens.

#3 Try to avoid being active outdoors between dusk (sunset) and dawn (sunrise). This is the time mosquitoes are extremely active. 

#4 Wear long-sleeve shirts, long pants, and long socks if you’re going to be outside between sunset and sunrise. Remember, this is the period of peak mosquito activity. Furthermore, avoid wearing:

  • Open-toe shoes
  • Clothing with floral prints
  • Dark-colored  clothing
  • Loose clothing and garments
  • Colognes, perfumes, and fragrances with sweet-smells

Homeowners with mosquito concerns are encouraged to contact a local pest-control company for further assistance and alternatives to eliminate mosquitoes.

Aug
28

Customizing Your Personal Golf Cart

Posted in Golf Carts

Most people want something different from everyone else – even with golf carts. 

If you want a golf cart that’s unique and unlike the others, then you’ll need it customized. Customizing your personal golf cart is an excellent way to get more out of your golf cart, plus it’s a lot of fun. Therefore, when preparing to order your own customized cart, consider the following: 

  • What exactly do you need in/on your golf cart? 
  • Do you just want a golf cart that stands out from the rest while on the green? 
  • Are you in search of a golf cart that’s uniquely you versus the traditional dull golf carts? 
  • Will you need your customized cart for more than just golf?  
  • Will you use it for transportation – to help you get (or transport stuff) from one place to the next?  

Many people are surprised when they realize just how useful custom golf carts are. In fact, they are often the perfect choice when cars are a bit much, but the distance is simply too far for walking. 

How Will You Customize Your Cart?
Golf carts can be customized in a variety of ways, including ways you wouldn’t expect.

  • Beverages: You can customize your cart to keep your drinks, beverages, or food cool while you’re enjoying the company of friends outside. You can also have it customized to maintain the temperature of your hot beverages.
  • Multiple Passengers: You can have your cart customized to carry more than one or two people. With customized carts, you’ll be surprised at how many people they can accommodate.
  • Colors: Traditional golf carts are usually an off-white color. Customizing your golf cart allows you to go beyond such a dull color. Simply let your golf cart professional know what colors to include, and also any specific design (s) you’re interested in. With customized carts, it’s easy to ride around in one that fits your needs, style, or personality.

Contact your golf cart service professional to find out more details on getting your own customized personal golf cart.

Aug
28

Questions to Consider Before Ordering Your Custom Golf Cart

Posted in Golf Carts

Nowadays, you probably see custom golf carts in a variety of shapes and sizes. While people typically seek a customized golf cart that looks amazing, businesses usually require golf carts customized for a variety of functional needs. 

Regardless of your golf cart needs – business or personal – custom carts offer you a world of satisfying options. If you’re interested in getting a customized golf cart, then you’ll need to ask yourself a few important questions…before contacting a golf cart company.

Plans for Your Custom Golf Cart

How do you plan to use your custom golf cart

This is perhaps one of the most important questions you’ll need to consider. Do you plan on using it on the golf course, for a warehouse, or some other purpose? Once you’ve answered this question, your golf cart service professional can offer you excellent recommendations to best meet your needs.

Designing Your Custom Golf Cart

Occasionally, deciding what you want your custom golf cart to look like can be tough. Therefore, it’s an excellent idea to review photos of carts that you find pleasing. It’s also quite helpful to have a photo or image to show your golf cart service professional so they know what you like and what you don’t like.

Accessorizing Your Custom Golf Cart

The awesome thing about custom golf carts is that there are countless accessories you can have added to it. Knowing what you want, before your cart is constructed, is extremely important. Ask your golf cart service professional what accessories they offer in order to determine which ones work best for you. 

Whether you’re designing a custom golf cart for personal or business reasons, you’ll surely have your needs met. Nevertheless, before meeting with your golf cart designer consider your plans for the cart, your golf carts design, and whether you want special accessories.

Aug
28

Quality Metal Stairs for Apartments

Posted in Metal Stairs

Metal stairs for apartment complexes come in a variety of styles, shapes, and sizes.  And, as with any building that’s accessible by the public, safety is top priority. Apartment complex stairs require both ease-of-access and durability. Many staircases or stairways in these cases undergo high traffic because they lead to a large number of apartments. 

Additionally, residents and visitors using apartment complex stairs don’t worry about their maintenance. After all, it’s not their building or problem. Therein is another problem – tenants, residents, and others dragging extremely large and heavy objects up and down the stairs. This alone is more than enough to cause significant damage or wear to apartment staircases…especially those not carefully constructed from stainless steel and other metals to withstand such abuse.

Heavy-duty Apartment Stairs

It’s not uncommon to find apartment complexes with steel stairways with treads made from concrete. When properly constructed and maintained, metal stairs in apartment buildings will endure for decades. 

Important Steel Stair Considerations

  1. Steel stairways can be a bit more expensive than those made from timber (wood). However, when you factor in their durability, it’s often worth it in the long run.
  2. Despite the durability of concrete treads within steel stairways, they might break. If so, you’ll need to have them inspected immediately, and then replaced if necessary.
  3. Steel stairways that have concrete treads are amazingly strong and able to withstand high-traffic and the movement of large, heavy appliances and furniture.
  4. Despite being simple to maintain, steel stairs with concrete treads require maintenance. If the metal ever experiences any rust or corrosion, then be sure to have it professionally treated before painting it. 
Aug
27

The Strength and Power of Steel Staircases

Posted in Metal Stairs

Steel is an extremely strong material that is derived from a combination of iron and carbon. Usually, steel has a bluish-gray or gray color. The building and construction industry uses it a lot because it’s perhaps the best fabricating and structural material. And, the construction of metal stairs happens to be a very popular use for steel.

Strength
The building and construction sector utilize steel due to its extreme strength. Staircases constructed with steel, instead of timber or other materials, ensures a secure construction.

Malleability
Steel, while being quite strong is also rather pliable. This means that steel can be molded to pretty much any shape. Whether your typical staircase or spiral staircase, steel can be reconfigured to meet any design needs necessary for buildings or homes.

Corrosion Resistant
Steel utilized in the construction of buildings is almost always made stainless. This allows it to remain free from rust, which is caused by water. Metal or steel staircases maintain their shiny luster for an amazingly long time.

Robustness
In addition to staying free of corrosion, steel stairs will endure over a long period of time. Unlike timber or other materials, steel is not affected by termites. Furthermore, steel staircases don’t easily bend or break due to heavy weight that’s placed on them.

Professional Steel Staircase Construction
Steel staircases can be used for a variety of purposes, including schools, stadiums, office buildings, and warehouses. It’s also used in the construction of apartment complexes, condominiums, hospitals, and more. 

If you’re considering metal or steel stairs, be sure to contact your local steel stair contractor for more details and information.

 

 

Jul
3

Stair Talk: A Primer of Sorts

Posted in Welding

If you’re like most homeowners or commercial property owners or managers, you probably rarely think about metal stairs – at least not in any great detail. But if your metal stairs need repair or you need a new metal staircase in your home or commercial building, it may be necessary to get up to speed on the different parts of a stair. 

Here are a few basic terms that may come up in your conversation with your metal staircase fabricator or designer when discussing the design and installation of new metal stair or metal stair restoration of your existing metal stairs: 

Tread

The part of the stair you step on, or to be more specific, the flat, horizontal surface that you step on. 

Riser

The part of the stair that runs at a right angle to the tread; the flat vertical surface of the step. 

Stringer

This is the part of the staircase that supports the risers and treads. Usually there are two, one on each side of the staircase. 

Starting Step or Bullnose

The first or bottom step, usually a step that is larger than the rest. 

Winder

A tread that is wider on one side than the other to help the staircase move in a curved direction. 

Balustrade

The entire railing system of a stairway, the part that keeps you from falling away. 

Handrail

The part of the railing system you hold as you ascend or descend. 

Baluster

The part of the balustrade that runs in a vertical direction, holding up the handrail. 

Landing or Platform

This is the wider flat area at the bottom and top of the staircase, and with larger staircases, there can also be one in the middle, usually used to change direction of the staircase, or break up long staircases. 

Flight

An uninterrupted section of the staircase. Large commercial buildings often have many flights of stairs.

Jul
3

How Often Should You Service Your Golf Cart?

Posted in Golf Carts

Just like any other vehicle, a golf cart needs routine maintenance to keep it running smoothly and efficiently. And just like other vehicles, what kind of cart you have depends on what kind of golf cart maintenance plan you should have. 

Gas Golf Cart Maintenance  

  • Check tires periodically for any signs of uneven wear and, if necessary, replace, repair or rotate tires. Tires should be filled at around 20 psi.
  • Check battery routinely for signs of corrosion and clean if necessary.
  • Check all belts annually for wear.
  • Check oil levels routinely. Change oil and filters once a year, twice a year if cart gets heavy use.
  • Change spark plugs yearly.
  • Always use clean, unleaded fuel only and avoid any dirt or water getting into the gas tank as this may harm the engine.
  • Clean exterior of cart monthly, being careful not to get the engine components wet. 

Electric Golf Cart Maintenance 

Besides the charging unit, the battery is the key component of the electric golf cart. Check the battery every 30 days for signs of corrosion and clean if necessary using two tablespoons of baking soda to one gallon of water. Check the battery every three days or so during heavy usage periods to make sure water levels are correct. If not, use distilled water to fill it to the appropriate level.

  • Check tire pressure routinely to make sure pressure is around 20 psi. Look for signs of wear and replace or repair if necessary.
  • Do not overcharge your batteries or let your battery charge run all the way out. Both can affect the operation of your cart.
  • Clean exterior of cart carefully with soap and water.
Jul
3

Are Mosquito Misting Systems Safe?

Posted in Insect Control

A sure way to keep mosquitoes and other pests from ruining your backyard summer parties is to install a automated misting system. Placed in strategic but hidden locations throughout your yard, such a system will periodically spray chemicals into the area, killing the unwanted pests. 

Most mosquito misters use pyrethrum, an insect killing chemical derived from chrysanthemum flowers. Pyrethrum is harmless to humans and animals in small quantities, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, but can be fatal to fish and beneficial insects like honeybees since it is fatal to all insects. 

The EPA does not regulate misting systems, but does regulate pesticides including pyrethrum. For home use, it recommends the following: 

  • Read all chemical labels carefully and adhere to guidelines regarding use and strength.
  • Set the timing device on your misting system to times when pets and children are less active, say, at night or in the early morning. This is also a time when mosquitoes are likely to be active.
  • Make sure mister is less than 10 feet high to reduce the chance of chemicals drifting into neighbors’ yards.
  • Make sure nozzles are directed at targeted area and away from eating areas, pools, fish ponds and air conditioner vents.
  • Make sure the system is child and pet proofed so there are no accidents.
  • Turn off and disconnect the system when not in use for extended periods of time.
  • In case of a leak, turn off your misting system and call your mosquito installation company immediately for an inspection. 

Following these general rules, according to the EPA, will help ensure your backyard is not only pest free, but safe for people, pets and the environment.

Jul
3

Motion Detectors For Home Security

Posted in Home Security

Many homeowners concerned about security install motion detectors on their property to deter would-be burglars and other intruders. They are also sometimes used to monitor the activities of children and pets. 

Motion detectors can be quite complicated systems, but are used more or less the same way in home security situations. Outside the home, the motion sensor is usually hooked up to a camera or flood lights, which come on when the sensor detects motion. Inside the home, motion sensors can be connected to windows or doors with alarms that sound if the sensor detects movement. They can also contact your smart phone or local law enforcement. 

Here are two types of motion detectors commonly used in home security systems. 

Passive Infrared Detectors 

Passive infrared systems are the most commonly used by homeowners because they’re reliable and affordable. They work by detecting changes in temperatures in a given area. Passive infrared sensors do not emit energy of their own. 

Active Motion Detectors 

Active infrared sensors, on the other hand, use optics, sound waves or radiation to detect motion.  The main difference between passive infrared detectors and active motion detectors is that active detectors emit some sort of energy; passive detectors do not. Active motion sensors are often used in commercial settings to open doors or ring bells whenever someone approaches the threshold. 

Motion detectors are not completely foolproof when it comes to catching intruders. They can have gaps in their coverage, and can sometimes be blocked by radio signals or light waves. In any case, it’s important to consult a home security specialist if you have any doubts.

Jul
3

Pressure Cleaning For Summer Yard Prep

The kids are out of school and summer has arrived. You have a whole summer planned with fun things to do right in your backyard, from swimming to cookouts to graduation or birthday parties.  

But then you take a good look at your deck and your driveway and your walkways. Mold, mildew, weeds and stains. Ugh! 

Who ya gonna call? 

Your friendly neighborhood pressure washing service, that’s who! 

Of course, you could do it all yourself. You could scrape and weed and brush ’til your heart’s content, until you grow calluses on your hands and the summer is almost over. But there are so many advantages to hiring a professional to handle your residential pressure washing

1. It saves you time.  

In just a few hours, the mold and mildew will be gone, the weeds in the cracks will have disappeared and everything will be sparkling clean. And you will have spent your time doing other, more important things, like planning your cookout. 

2. They know what they’re doing.  

Using a pressure cleaner properly takes skill and experience. More importantly, the proper amount of pressure must be applied, or you risk damaging your deck or driveway. 

3. They do a thorough job. 

Because the power washer does the work, the job typically gets completely done. There are no hidden corners still in need of work. 

4. It protects your property and structures.  

Mold and mildew doesn’t just make your deck look bad, it also encourages rot and decay, which makes replacement of boards or an even a whole new deck much more likely down the road. 

5. It’s environmentally clean.

The traditional way of cleaning a deck or sidewalk involves the use of bleach or chemicals that can seep into the ground or groundwater. Pressure washers use water only, resulting in no impact on the environment.

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