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Health Benefits Of Carpet Cleaning

When it is Time to Replace Carpet – The Warning Signs

You may have just moved into a new house or apartment or have lived in your home for many years. We walk on our carpets everyday and do not give them a second thought, but when your carpet is starting to look worn or, worse, smell old and musty, do you replace it? There are some carpets that are made to last for only a few years and others that can last for 20 or 30, but sooner or later you will come to the day when your carpet is destined for the trash and it will need to be replaced.

So how do you know when it is time to replace carpet?

Here are a few ways you can determine whether or not your old carpet is still worth keeping and will revive with a professional carpet cleaning or if it is time to start thinking about purchasing a new carpet.

Is your carpet compressed or matted down?

It happens to the best of them! Carpets, especially in a hallway or on a well-traveled stairway are notorious for matting down from wear and tear. A Polyester carpet that is compressed or showing a trail of matted carpet fibers has little chance of resurgence – they are not very resilient. Once the carpet’s tuft lays down it will never return to its original standing position. If this happens and you have tried having your carpet cleaned professionally and it still does not bounce back (or up ) it is time to rip out and replace!

A popular type of carpet is looped Berber carpet made from Olefin. Berber rugs are quite resilient but after many years, if their once upright loops, now lay flat, or if the olefin fibers are stained, it is a possibility that it is time to retire it. If your Berber carpet is made from olefin and is over 5 years old, is matted down and, stained and dingy, then it may be time to think about replacing your carpet.

Berber rugs made from strands of nylon are much better at resisting matting, are more importantly, stain resistant. This increases their lifespan. If your Nylon Berber carpet is less than 10 years old, then more than likely a professional cleaning can quite easily rejuvenate your old carpet.

BUT, there is better news for owners of Nylon carpets, if they appear the matted, your problem may just be remedied with a professional cleaning. A nylon carpet is known to be one of the most resilient fibers and it’s ability to regain some of its “like-new” looks after a thorough cleaning, is encouraging.

Is your carpet permanently stained?

Stains happen to the best of us – no matter how careful you can be, there will always be a time when something falls or gets dragged in on your feet. Even open windows can slowly let in dust, pollen, dirt and other particles that, over time, can stain a carpet. There is no carpet that’s stain proof. All carpets you find in the stores today have some type of anti-stain treatment applied to it’s fibers or infused within them.

Padding worn out or compressed?

Carpet Padding is an unseen hero – always keeping your feet cushioned, protecting the floor below from the abrasive underside of the carpet, extending the overall life of your carpet. But, when it fails to provide enough support, or worse, begins to crumble (evident from little pieces of foam appearing on your floor) it could be a good time to replace. Most people will never replace a carpet pad until they replace the carpet that is laying on top of it. This makes sense – especially if your carpet is wall-to-wall carpeting. But if you have an area rug and are noticing the lack of cushioning, then it is highly advisable to replace it – an easy homeowner fix! If you are replacing a carpet and are also purchasing the carpet padding, make sure to get a good quality pad that provides sufficient support and has a lifespan that is equal to the carpeting you select.

How Long Should A Carpet Last In Your Home?

Properly fitted carpets can actually help save energy as they play an important part in the insulation of your home. A good quality carpet feels soft and easy on your feet. And carpets absorb sound.

New technologies allow old carpets to be recycled – eliminating the need for acquiring raw materials. Upfront costs and installation may be more expensive than hard floors, but this expenditure is cost-effective over the carpet lifetime.

How long should a carpet last in your home? Read on…

Carpet Lifespan Facts

There are many factors that can affect the lifespan of your household carpets. These include your location, household numbers, if you have pets, and how your property is used.

The carpet lifespan in an average household of two to four occupants is normally about three to five years. This number may be lowered for families with pets and children. And increased with proper carpet care and maintenance. How long should carpet last in a home? A well-maintained carpet can last for up to 15 years.

Signs of Aging

An old carpet will start to show signs of wear and tear – starting with it not being comfortable as you walk on it due to deteriorating padding underneath. Replacing old carpet should be considered when even with the greatest care your carpet is showing the following signs:

A flat or matted pile – polyester fibres are particularly prone to this – especially in areas of high footfall
Stretched areas of carpet – ripples and uneven surfaces become potential tripping risks
Fraying edges – and thinning areas of carpet that won’t respond to any amount of plumping up of fluffing
Faded fibres – due to exposure to sunlight and constant cleaning your carpet may appear to be changing colour
Mould and mildew – these problems underneath indicate it’s time for a carpet change
Stains and odours – carpets trap debris deep inside the fibres making them difficult to clean and refresh when they’re old
Increased allergy symptoms – your carpet may be the source of your allergies playing up as they retain bacteria and dust particles

Carpet Maintenance

Years can be added to the life of your carpet if you look after it correctly. This includes vacuuming on a daily basis – particularly in high traffic areas like the hallways and living room.

Use rugs and runners to minimise soling and to enhance colour schemes and décor. And avoid using carpet powder products as it’s easy to leave remnants of the powder in the carpet which can result in a sticky covering if dampened.

Stains can be treated in several ways depending on the age of the stain. And what the stain is. See a brief guide below:

Wax, crayon, gum, and paint – apply a small amount of dry-cleaning solvent
Beer, blood, chocolate, soft drinks – mix washing up liquid with a cup of lukewarm water
Urine, vomit, and wine – mix half a tablespoon of ammonia with half a cup of water – or half a cup of white vinegar with a cup of water

Why You Need to Clean Your Rug Regularly Rug

cleaning is paramount for a number of reasons, listed below:

It helps increase the life of the rug significantly.
Rugs trap airborne pollutant that have to be removed to protect both the indoor air quality and the rug itself.
Most rug soils are dry. When you keep your area rug thoroughly vacuumed regularly the majority of dry soils are removed. Hence, the rug is maintained much easier.
Rug cleaning removes stains and spots, which can attract more soiling, like any other soils.
Most soiling of area rugs can lead to the buildup of unhealthy bacteria and allergens. Cleaning your carpets prevents these contaminants from becoming accumulated.
A well-cleaned and well-maintained rug enhances the overall appearance of the room and speak volumes about the entire home’s (or facility’s) cleanliness.
When a rug is within a workplace, keeping it clean is paramount to worker morale. Everybody likes working in a clean environment (the carpeting included).
Regular cleaning helps remove bed bugs and dust mites that can be transported from the beds to practically every item in the household.
Rug manufacturers require that rugs be cleaned annually, using the extraction method to maintain their warranty.

Planning the Perfect Event Videographer

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Special Event Videography – Top Tips to Ensure a Successful Video Shoot

When I create a film for a client, my heart and soul goes into it. I may not have the head of a poet, but I am aware of adhering to the cornerstones of videography which will stack the odds in my favour of creating a good film. If you follow the basics, the poetry will eventually follow.

Plan Your Shoot

Don’t turn up cold and expect everything to fall into place, have a plan, have a contingency plan, and in fact have a third plan just in case your first two were really stupid. Nothing will make you look less professional in front of your client than being stumped by the unexpected. Your film needs to tell a story and it is your job to provide yourself the opportunities to be able to gather all the facets together that will enable you to tell that story effectively. Be prepared but also be flexible.

Stripe Your Tapes

Non-linear editing suites use time codes to automatically capture scenes from tape. Any breaks in the time codes, caused by stopping and starting recording, will cause this feature to stall. Ensure there are no gaps by placing the lens cap on the camera and pressing record for the entire tape. Rewind the tape and it is ready to go. And please write on the tape, the tape case and use some sort of clapperboard so you know what, where and who is on the tape. Hunt For The Digital Video is an unnecessary and time consuming game and not to be played while driving to a client’s house.

Get an Establishing Shot

Grab the viewer’s attention, inspire curiosity, impart enough information to engage the viewer. Think about films, images or photographs that have had an impact on you. What were the elements that stood out for you, how can you duplicate them or replicate them to suit your filming requirements. Personally, I have always been emotionally moved by Apocalypse Now and the scene where the severed head is thrown into the prisoner’s bamboo cage to land face up in his lap. However, I am yet to duplicate it and work it into a baby film. Be discerning.

Capture Lots of Footage

As a general rule you should shoot approximately five to six times the amount of film that you will eventually use. It may take time but trust me, when it comes to putting your film together you want a lot of shots to choose from. You may have planned and executed the perfect shot and find that one of your off the cuff filler shots works far better.

Use a Tripod

Invest in a fluid head tripod and get steady, level shots. Your film will look very amateurish if it is all over the place, unless of course you are having a poet moment and you specifically want that look, in which case we will call it a special effect.

Dress Like You Belong There

As a photographer, there are plenty of times when you can go to work in jeans and a t-shirt, after all clients aren’t watching you do post production. When photographing a special event however, you should dress like you belong there and blend in with the crowd. This doesn’t necessarily mean a suit and tie every time for men, or that a blazer is necessary for women, but slacks/dressy pants, comfortable, low key, black shoes and a nice shirt/blouse usually are a must. If it is a higher end event you men should be sure to wear a suit coat and tie while women should wear a blazer if they feel it is necessary. If you’re unsure of the appropriate attire, always err on the side of safety if you’re over dressed you can always take the coat off and stick the tie in your pocket.

Take Pre-event Shots

While it may be an afterthought for your client at the event, the event planner responsible for dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s will love that you captured shots of the room prior to the guests arrival. Not only will it be something they can use to sell their services in the future, it will also allow them to catalog the set-up in case they have a very similar type of event in the space again. This will prove invaluable to the client and should be the way you start any event.

Know when to use flash

Us photographers love the feel of natural lightning. However, understanding how and when to use artificial light can be of great value in low-light situations and environments.

Indoors: Churches, Weddings, Corporate Events

When taking event photography indoors, it is strongly recommended that you use an external flash where it can be bounced off a white ceiling or wall for a more natural look. Remember TTL mode is your best friend when it comes to using external flashes. Though, don’t be afraid to adjust your flash exposure compensation for greater results.

Outdoors – Festivals, Sports

I know a lot of photographers who don’t bother with flash outdoors, or they think flash looks unnatural. You’ve just got to use it in the right situations; when your subject is poorly lit, when shooting backlight or overpowering the sun to avoid heavy shadows.

Frame the shot

Groups of 3 – 5 people landscape is a good shoot composition. Mix up your shots with full body, medium shots and head shots. Crop tightly and avoid white or blank space unless that is the look you are going for. Step back a bit and use a longer focal length. You don’t want distortion now do you?

Audio is crucial, have backups ready.

There are no re-“I Dos” in weddings. If you don’t capture things as they happen, then you didn’t do your job. It’s best to have multiple audio sources recording. Does your camera capture quality sound? If not, have external recorders ready to go. Try to avoid putting the mic on a bride, instead go for a lavalier microphone on the officiant or groom.

If the DJ is running sound, you may be able to plug into their sound board. That’s why it is beneficial to have talked to the DJ before hand. Keep in mind every DJ is different, so it’s no guarantee that you will get quality sound. That’s why you should only rely on them for backup audio.

Prepare for low light situations.

Evening receptions can be a nightmare for wedding filmmakers. Indoor or outdoor, it will probably be dark. After dinner is served, venues dim the lights so the party can begin. Hopefully you and the DJ also talked about his light setup, but you will still need your own lights to help you get certain shots.

If your camera doesn’t handle low light well, keep in mind that guests don’t want to be blinded by video lights all night. When you use lights, be sure to use them sparingly. Don’t kill the mood by leaving them on during the entire reception.

Lose the gear, lose the stigma

The general public can’t seem to shake the clichéd idea from the 1990s of somebody with the huge video camera at weddings. There’s some fantastic technology around, from drones to Steadicams: but stop and think for a minute. Don’t be that guy getting in the way, doing circles around the dance floor… or the guy with the annoying buzzing helicopter, or the massive fluffy microphone that’s obviously recording everything you say. Try stripping it back to just your camera. Master how to use it properly: it could be the best decision you make.

Adopt simpler cinematic techniques

Although I favour a documentary approach, I still believe the results can be ‘cinematic’. Here are some ideas to try.

Perspective

When you’re filming ceremonies or speeches, think about the perspective of the guests. When we watch a movie conversation, we see camera positions that represent the viewpoint of the person listening. During a wedding our listeners are almost always sitting down – yet most videographers position their tripods high up and far away. Try replicating a guest’s perspective: pull up a seat, get close and shoot from low down.

Movement that represents the moment

See in movies how the camera movements echo what’s happening. A conversation seated in a cafe is virtually static, while a fight scene is often shot in quite a messy style with lots of camera movement. It helps to bring the audience into a scene, and we can incorporate the same techniques into a wedding.

Think about the scenes in a typical wedding day. The Preparations (some movement), Speeches (virtually none) Confetti and post ceremony hugs (lots of movement) Dancing (again, lots of movement). It’s a cinematic technique that involves just the camera and doesn’t draw any additional attention to yourself. It’s just about deciding whether to stabilise using a tripod or monopod or whether to go handheld.

Conversation

If you’re filming with two or more cameras during the speeches, try and place your subjects in a position that represents a conversation between the different angles. For example the subject in camera one is placed to the left in conversation with camera two who’s subject is framed on the right. It’s another simple ‘cinematic’ technique.

Few Types Of Dog Bite Lawyer

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Reasons to hire the best dog bite attorney in Los Angeles

Dogs are generally man’s best friend, but on the rare instance that a dog turns and attacks, victims require options for retrieving compensation. After all, most people do not comprehend how much a dog attack can cost – from the lost wages to health check costs to the pain as well as suffering. Some dog attack victims are left enduringly disfigured, while others undergo from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

For those who need medical attention for their dog attacks, there are attorneys out there that can aid them to receive compensation – so that they do not have to shoulder the monetary burden of their ferocious attack.

Reasons to Hire a Dog Bite Attorney

Most people avoid hiring the best dog bite attorney in Los Angeles because of the cost. However, in these types of injury claims, attorneys work on an contingency fee basis. That means that the victim does not pay the attorney until he or she succeeds with the claim as well as receives compensation for their client.

In addition to no upfront costs, other advantages come with hiring a dog attack attorney, including:

You get a skilled negotiator on your side – The insurance company might provide you a settlement, but that does not mean they are providing you the amount you deserve. In most situations, they are offering much less than you justify – but hoping that you have not yet consulted the best dog bite attorney in Los Angeles to find out your case’s worth. With an attorney, you have someone who knows how to argue with insurance companies and has practice handling these sorts of cases.

An attorney knows your state’s dog bite laws – Every state is dissimilar with their dog bite laws. Some states routinely assign negligence to a dog owner, while others need evidence the dog has an aggressive past. You are recovering from a dog attack, and you do not have time to explore these laws. An attorney has experience with not only injury claims, but dog attack cases. They know dog bite statutes and are up-to-date on any legislation that affects them.

Provide Access to Resources

When you hire a dog bite lawyer in LA, you’re essentially hiring a whole team of people dedicated to resolving your case and keeping you apprised of progress every step of the way. You’ll have one lead attorney, a paralegal to handle research and legwork, and investigators to collect evidence. They’ll also connect you with medical professionals who will examine you, document your injuries, and make sure you get the best possible surgical and medical care to treat those injuries.

Think about it: if your lawyer requires a whole team of people to adequately and thoroughly handle your case, how could you realistically handle it on your own?

You also get access to expertise that has been honed over the years. Because California laws regarding dog bites are complex, you need someone whose full-time job it is to know them inside and out, backwards and forwards. If it’s all you can do to show up to work while nursing your injuries, it’s nearly impossible to handle a complex lawsuit on your own. Your attorney is the one who should be interpreting the laws and using that knowledge to assist you in gaining a fair recovery.

Experience

When hiring an attorney, it is imperative that you choose a team who has been successful at handling as many cases as we have. You need personal, professional, and experienced help that you can count on without having any doubt in your mind. You can trust that our team is well-educated in these cases and have the credentials to help you get what you deserve in return for your losses.

Access to a team of investigators

If your case is complicated to prove, your attorney has a team of investigators that can help collect substantiation.

Become Your Personal Advocate

It’s comforting to know you have someone on your side when going through such a traumatizing time. You’re faced with the uncertainty of disfigurement, possibly with reconstructive surgery to repair your wounds, and on top of all that you may not know how you are going to pay for all the surgical and medical bills.

The job of a dog bite attorney in Los Angeles is to work diligently on your behalf to ensure you get a settlement amount that’s in line with your injuries. The other part of their job is to prosecute the at-fault party so that a similar situation doesn’t happen to anyone else. In essence, they become your personal crusader fighting for you – one who won’t rest until the dog owner is held accountable and they can be assured the public is protected from future injustices.

What are the other benefits of hiring a dog attack attorney?

1. You can hold the dog owner responsible for your injury:

A dog bite can leave you severely disfigured and emotionally traumatized, so it’s your right to demand compensation for your injury. Some dog owners train their dogs to be wild and aggressive for defense purposes or because they are bad owners. These types of owners create the risk of injury and thus, should be on the hook for it. But even a good dog owner can’t predict their dog’s behavior, which is why it is important that they keep a watchful eye on their pet, so it doesn’t attack anyone.

You should contact a dog bite attorney as soon as you are bitten by a dog. The attorney will not just help you recover the medical costs but also ensure you get the just compensation you deserve. They will ensure that the dog owner is held responsible.

2. You don’t pay until you win the claim:

Many people think that hiring a dog bite attorney will be very expensive. However, this is not the case. The majority of dog bite claims handled by injury attorneys are on a contingency fee basis, which means that you don’t pay the attorney any costs upfront. The attorney only gets paid when he or she obtains a settlement for the dog bite victim. So as a victim, you don’t have to pay any upfront costs, and the attorney gets paid from the settlement that he gets for you.

3. Your attorney knows how to pursue your claim:

Sometimes a dog bite victim will attempt to pursue a claim on their own in order to avoid paying any fees to an injury attorney. However, there is a process that attorneys use to get the maximum benefit for the victim in the shortest time period. Attempting to pursue a claim on your own not only delays your compensation, it can significantly damage your case. And if you have to file a lawsuit, you will need an attorney to guide you through the litigation process, which has little room for error.

4. Better Chance of Increased Compensation:

Insurance adjusters’ primary task is to reduce the amount of money they pay to you for your injuries. They do this by minimizing any aspect of your case. For example, in a dog bite case, they will try to say that you caused the dog to bite you by your actions, or that your bite wounds will heal with no issue. Based on these factors, they will only offer you a small percentage of what you’re actually owed. By hiring a dog bite attorney, you will know that nothing was left on the table and that you were not taken advantage of by the insurance company.

5. Knowing the Local Rules and Laws:

Dog bite cases are no different than any other legal case, and each State/City has its own rules relating to specific situations. Certain jurisdictions will have much stricter rules when it comes to animals and where people are allowed to keep such animals. These rules and laws can play a very important role in your dog bite case because they create specific standards for owners and victims. As a victim of a dog bite, you may be overwhelmed by such rules and laws, so it is always best to consult with an attorney who is well versed in this area. Your attorney will ensure that the dog owners are held accountable and that you are given every opportunity to utilize all of the local rules and laws in your favor.

Why You Should Hire Commercial Electrical Remodel To Design Your Dental Office

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Electrical Contractor

Electric is a one-stop shop for all your electric and lighting needs from new construction to remodeling of your home or business.If you are looking for a professional electrical contractor that offers high quality, technological innovation and prompt service

They specialize in residential and commercial electrical projects

Electrical and Lighting

Electrical Installation

Electrical Planning

Electrical Repairs

Emergency Repair

Kitchen and Bath Lighting

Deck, Patio and Interior Lighting

Ceiling Fan and Fixtures

Air Conditioner Wiring

Panel Upgrades and Replacement

Dedicated Circuits

Phone, Cable and Networking Wiring

Installations & Service

Transfer Panels

High Voltage

C. C. T. V.

Fire Alarms

Pools & Spas

Surge Protection

Generators

Security Lighting

Fuse Panel Upgrades

Structured Cabling

CAT6

Smart Homes

Pre-Wired Security Systems

Light has the power to elevate moods and environment aim to brighten up your life with innovative lighting solutions. We specialize in state of the art of electrical contracting and lighting design. aim to bringing the best electrical contracting services and lighting design solutions to residents and business

RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL ELECTRICAL SERVICES

Electrical installation is risky-you need someone who will install your new features right the first time so you don’t run into major issues down the road.

New construction projects are complicated. If you’re building a new home, you probably have a to-do list that’s a mile long. One of the most important phases of any project is the electrical work

You can count on us to handle any type of electrical remodeling project, including:

Adding new lighting throughout your home

Rewiring your home during a renovation

Bringing your older home up to code

Updating a home to put it on the market

Installing new electrical wiring in a home addition

Service Electrical Contractor

full service electrical contractor specializing in commercial/industrial construction. In conjunction with our industry partners, we offer a full range of electrical services to our clients.

Services

Commercial Electrical

Industrial Electrical

Theatrical Lighting and Lighting Controls

Low-voltage (Fire Alarm, Voice & Data, Security & Entrance Control)

Design-build

Lighting Retrofits

COMMERCIAL ELECTRICAL SERVICES

Commercial wiring and electric service has different code requirements than residential electric. Romex cable is not permitted does retrofitting and new electrical wiring for new build commercial construction as well as panel and circuit installation and upgrades for existing buildings.

commercial electrical service includes LED lighting retrofit upgrades. Look at this example of before and after lighting in this office space. LED lighting not only reduces operating costs, it makes the working environment more pleasant and productive.

Other commercial electrical services we provide: new commercial construction wiring, circuit installation and upgrades, emergency lighting installation, exterior and landscape lighting, low voltage lighting and wiring, motion lights, surge protection, generator installation and much more

fully insured and state licensed electrical contractor performing both residential and commercial electrical jobs. have a highly trained and experienced staff using only the best quality materials. Our electricians are professional, polite and on time. Our fleet is fully equipped and ready to serve you

Professional Electricians

licensed electrical business working with homeowners, business owners, developers, property managers and construction companies. We pride ourselves on smart, reliable service that only comes from years of experience. Our goal is to find safe, effective solutions and cost-saving opportunities to help you effectively manage your next project. Working as a direct partner or sub-contractor

Experienced in:

– All Commercial Electrical Service and Installation

– All Residential Electrical Service and Installation

– Remodel, Renovate, New Build, Commercial, Residential, Light Industrial

fast-growing, dependable partner for your electrical project. From large scale lighting and sound planning to full-home or business wiring, our team has the knowledge and expertise to provide thoughtful wiring plans and effective work delivery. Whether we are working with you directly or as a partner with your general contractor, we care about your home, your building and your budget. We work hard to be thoughtful in our planning and to avoid unexpected change orders late in the project

executive restaurant management and entrepreneurship, we’ve picked up a few things about building, remodeling and opening new stores, restaurants and office space. you’re getting more than a general contractor. You’re getting a construction partner. We’ve walked in your shoes and understand that timing, costs and scope must be tightly managed and that changes in any of these areas can impact your opening or launch date. As a partner, you can expect us to be honest, direct and efficient. We’ll also be fair. As business owners ourselves, we are constantly adapting our offerings to ensure we’re able to keep our prices reasonable and to manage expenses wherever we can. We know your business means everything to you and we are eager to be a part of helping you succeed.

Getting ready to launch a new business? Expanding your current business? We want to be a part of your transformation. As experts in light construction and commercial remodeling, we are here to help you through each step of the process. We can serve as general contractor on your new construction, tenant build out or current store renovations, giving you more time to focus on the business. Our team has experience working with restauranteurs and franchise owners; small businesses and office uses, such as light medical and professional services firms; and independent and chain retail. Regardless of niche, your project and your business are important to us.

Making Sure Your Well Water Is Safe To Drink With Water Testing

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Home Inspectors

Both tests are reported in a clear and concise format. Turnaround time on these two test packages may take 10-15 business days to complete once the water sample is received at the laboratory. In order to meet the time constraints presented in home transactions, has also developed a series of seven products with a 2-3 day turnaround time. The Quick Seven Series include all the potability items typically requested for a home transaction. Test results are emailed within 2-3 business days of sample receipt at the laboratory. This quick series is extremely helpful for Home Inspectors who are providing a full home inspection for the potential buyer. This quick series not only provides you with a quick glance at the homes water quality, but additionally can offer you insight as to the operability of existing treatment systems within the residence.

When health departments require testing, they usually have a specific list of parameters that should be included in the analysis. When results are to go to the health department, we recommend compliance testing. Compliance testing is quoted on a case by case basis due to differing requirements. If compliance testing is required, please provide a list of the contaminants required and the state in which the work is to be completed. We will review the necessary certification and issue an official quote within two business days which will include pricing, turn-around-time and any other information pertinent to performing the analysis.

Quality Service

Not only do we offer you the highest quality testing packages and analysis, we also offer you excellent customer service. Our technical representatives hold degrees in Biology, Environmental Geology, General Sciences and Business. The technical service representatives review current regulations and stay in contact with regulators in order to offer informed recommendations to customers concerning their testing needs.

After consulting with one of our representatives, customers are shipped test kits that come with simple instructions to make sample collection and shipment back to our laboratories as easy as possible. Once the sample reaches our laboratory, the highly skilled and trained laboratory technicians are responsible for the processing and analysis of the sample. The laboratory staff and technical representatives are in constant communication so customers are notified immediately of problems or concerns as samples are processed.

Once the results have been sent to the client, please be assured our service does not stop there. Representatives are always available to answer questions regarding the results or to assist in additional testing that may need to be performed

Water Quality Testing

The water you drink may LOOK clean, but do you know what’s in it?

Your water might originate from a clean source, but in some cases that water has to travel through many miles of pipes before reaching your home. Some of these pipes may be very old, corroded and leaky. Ground water can enter these pipes adding any number of contaminants

In certain circumstances, the lead from that solder can get into your water supply. If you are on a municipal water supply, take a look at your last water bill. In several communities the following warning is printed on the water bill

Which Water Test is Right for You?

Is your water source within 10 miles of any of the following: Dry cleaning business, metal processing companies, mining operations, industries, farming or landfills? Is your water source within 1 mile of any of the following? Gas stations, cemeteries more than 100 years old, salt water shoreline, highway salt storage.

Inorganics: Lead, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium, sodium, alkalinity, chloride, chlorine, color, conductivity, hardness, nitrate, odor, pH, sediment, total dissolved solids, sulfate, turbidity, lead, arsenic, ammonia, nitrate.

A powerful test for surface water and well sources. This comprehensive check tests for 60 volatile organic compounds including, MTBE as well as all the items in the standard scan.

Request a Water Quality Test Before Buying Your Next Home

Being an educated homeowner is more important than ever, especially when it comes to what we eat and drink. Exercise, healthy eating, and health education are hot topics in advertising, business, and the news. Headlines about polluted or toxic water invading our water supplies have many Americans questioning the true quality and safety of the water they drink and use every day. This has sparked an increased demand in public and private water quality testing in and around Hanover PA.

“Free” vs. professional water testing

There are some companies, like water delivery or purification businesses, who offer “free” water testing in order to get you to use their services; however, that is NOT the same as having a home water inspection by a professional. It is recommended that you hire a home inspector who offers a wide variety of water quality tests and knows which one best suits your situation.

What kinds of water supplies should be tested?

Whether you live in the city, suburbs, or out in the country, both city and well water should be tested. Your specific area has its own risk level, and, if you have well water, you have different risk level depending upon bacteria, pesticides, and other contaminants.

Is water testing necessary in order to buy or sell a home?

If you have a privately-owned well or are buying a home with a private well, the EPA has no jurisdiction over your water supply. Therefore, it becomes the owner’s responsibility to assure their water is safe to drink and use. Some lenders such as the FHA and VA require water testing in order to secure financing of a new home.

What kinds of water tests do the FHA and VA require?

The FHA Series typically requires total coliform, ecoli, nitrate, nitrite, and lead tests. The VA Series typically requires total coliform, pH, total dissolved solids, hardness, nitrate, nitrite, and iron tests. Before ordering a water quality test, check with your lender to ensure all the right water tests are performed. Some lenders deviate from the aforementioned lists.

WATER QUALITY TESTING

Home water testing is important for existing homeowners as well as those considering purchasing a home. We use it daily to wash and cook with and the water we drink nourishes and sustains us

Why should I have my water tested?

If you are already a homeowner, it’s important to know the water you are drinking is safe for your family. If you are buying or selling a house it could be an important to part of the inspection process to test the water. Specifically, a mortgage associated with the purchase may have requirements to show acceptable drinking water.

Most common types of tests and what they test for:

Basic Water Test – Total Coliform, E. coli, Heterotrophic Plate Count, Nitrate and Nitrite.

Standard Water Test – Total Coliform, E. coli, Heterotrophic Plate Count, Nitrate, Nitrite, Arsenic, Lead, Sodium and Hardness.

Comprehensive Water Test – Total Coliform, E. coli, Heterotrophic Plate Count, Chloride, Nitrate, Nitrite, Fluoride, Sulfate, Antimony, Arsenic, Barium, Beryllium, Cadmium, Calcium, Copper, Chromium, Iron, Lead, Magnesium, Manganese, Mercury, Nickel, Potassium, Selenium, Silver, Sodium, Thallium, Zinc, Alkalinity, Conductivity, Hardness, pH, Total Dissolved Solids and Turbidity.

City Water Test – Total Coliform, E. coli, Fluoride, Copper, Lead.

EPA Well Water Test – Total Coliform, Nitrate, pH, Total Dissolved Solids.

FHA/VA Loan Well Water Test – Total Coliform, E. coli, Nitrate, Nitrite, and Lead.

Which water test do I need?

Ultimately this depends on your specific situation and why you need to test the water. If you are on a public water system you may want a City Water Test. Whereas, if you have a private well the EPA recommends testing for total coliform bacteria and nitrates every year.

What do I do if I find something that shouldn’t be in my water?

You may be able to resolve the situation on your own with a trip to the local hardware store or need the assistance of a professional water specialist if you need something more comprehensive installed.

Water Testing

Clean water is essential, and often something we take for granted. Water is one of the most overlooked items when purchasing a new home, however, could be one of the most important. All homes with wells should be tested for bacteria in the water, your mortgage may even require it. Beyond bacteria, consider testing for heavy metals and other contaminates.

Many believe there is no need to test water on a public system, however recent events have proven otherwise. Just because the water source is clean, if your home was built before 1980 there could be lead solder used in your plumbing and the supply line connecting the home to the public system. Consider testing your water for lead as a part of your home inspection.

can test for a number of items, please let us know what items are needed. Package prices below.

Basic $125

Coliform and Fecal E. coli Bacteria

FHA Water Test $225

Coliform and Fecal E. coli Bacteria, Iron, Lead, pH, Turbidity, Nitrate, Nitrite, Total Nitrate/Nitrite

Standard Scan $275

Coliform and Fecal E. coli Bacteria, Turbidity, Chlorine, Arsenic, Copper, Lead, Nitrate, Nitrite, Chloride, Iron, Manganese, pH, Odor, Sulfate, Potassium, Sodium, Calcium, Magnesium, Hardness, Conductivity, Ammonia, and Sediment

Comprehensive Scan $350

Having clean water is important, having enough of if it is also important. A well flow test will confirm that you have an ample supply of water on demand, and that your plumbing components can handle continued use at a consistent rate. We will measure the water, typically at three gallons a minute and confirm this is constant over the course of an hour.

If at the end of the test the well is not producing at the same rate we began this indicates an issue with the amount of water available or the capability of the well components. Knowing the depth of your well won’t tell you either of these things. We recommend a well flow test on every home purchased with a well

Choosing An Accountant

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How can I be successful in accounting?

Success in a program of study is a student’s number one priority, but it is easy to become distracted from the goal. Accounting is a field that especially needs both the theory and the practice to perform easily and confidently on a daily basis. Overall the accounting industry has a wide variety of jobs; Corporate accounting, public accounting, tax planning, etc. Whichever industry you choose, applying these concepts can help you have a great career.

Organization

Students have heard this time and time again, but they must apply it. Being organized is a huge key to the success of a student. This is true for all students, but especially accounting majors. An organization can be as minuscule as remembering class supplies — like calculators and pencils — to more critical practices, such as documenting information on spreadsheets and keeping exam dates saved in a planner. Accounting students need to juggle a lot of data for several classes, so don’t get mixed up! Adopt good organization habits early on.

Learn the Field

When taking the initiative to proactively learn about a particular field, students will be more familiar with the market. This will likely prove to be beneficial when it becomes their turn to enter the field — they will know more than students who neglected to do so.

For example, understanding the business of a client is the most important aspect of the job. In the case of auditing, understanding a client’s business quickly is critical because you are assigned to a particular client for only a few weeks and need to go through a full year’s worth of financial records. You have to figure out how they operate and what it is they’re trying to achieve. As you go from client to client, you don’t have time to sit them down and have them explain how every piece of their business works. It’s your job to take initiative and figure things out on your own. However, this idea does not just apply to auditors; it applies to most accounting fields.

Reasoning and Analytical Skills

Plenty of courses like algebra, statistics, and quantitative methods prepare students for the math involved with accounting, but being good with numbers also means being good with managing numbers as well. The world of accounting is intricate and detail-oriented and students should be able to understand and analyze numbers to the exact digit. Endless financial statements and ledgers and taxes will require plenty of brain power to solve and correctly resolve any issues, which is why reasoning and analytics play a major role in becoming a better accounting student.

Ethics and Morality

Accountants are held to a high standard because they handle the world’s money. You may have to take some law classes to understand the ethics of finances and what is legal and illegal to do. Major financial decisions that large corporations make come down to ethics and how accountants are advisors of what to do an not to do. This is why accountants are so important for the business world today.

Technology

In the 21st century, plenty of jobs are becoming obsolete because of technology providing the same service a person could do at half the cost. The trick is to learn technology and use it to your advantage. Everything runs on computerized data, so it makes sense to take a few courses relating to computer and maybe even computer programing. Students will not only have a complete understanding of the data, but also have new tools to work with to make your job a bit easier.

Skills You Need To Succeed In Accounting

Identifying the skills that lead to success in accounting will not only increase your job satisfaction, but also make it easier for you to build towards your long-term career goals.

Here are the top skills that will help you to stand out as an egg-cellent accountant. We’ve included some tips to help you start developing these skills while you’re still in school, but don’t be afraid to look for other opportunities as well!

Time management

Good time-management skills go hand-in-hand in with strong organizational capabilities. A system for managing your workload is only effective if you also know how to budget your time. As an accountant, you’ll need to manage competing priorities and juggle myriad tasks – while completing everything on time.

The ability to work within deadlines and to continually re-prioritize your to-do list will take you far. Not only will it impress your boss, co-workers and clients, it will also help you to maintain a healthy work/life balance and keep your day-to-day productive.

Adaptability

The accounting industry is highly dynamic, so accountants who are able to adapt quickly and easily are at a distinct advantage. In addition to being able to provide better services to their clients, adaptable individuals are more likely to learn and grow in their careers because they see each new challenge as an opportunity to learn and test their skills.

Embrace change – learn to make the most of every curveball that your work throws your way.

On a related note, it’s also great to be proactive. Although it takes a bit of extra effort to be informed about changes as they happen, it definitely pays off: it will keep you on the cutting edge of the industry, earn you the respect of your peers and ensure that others look to you when planning ahead.

Adaptability

Embrace change – learn to make the most of every curveball that your work throws your way.

Innovation

Accountancy has been an indispensable tool of business since day one. No project can get off the ground without a tight control and solid method applied to the numbers. Innovation is needed because, as the business world evolves, so too does the accounting requirements that go with it. Often, recruiters will be looking for candidates with fresh ideas – poised to make an impact on the future of the accounting universe.

Understanding

Hand in hand with a need for innovation is the need to understand the field in which you will be working. Assimilating new information and data, project management or meeting new clients forms the backbone of daily tasks. As such, understanding information quickly is essential and it is through asking well thought out questions that you can get settled in no time.

Commercial Awareness

It’s perhaps a little surprising that people forget about this. While certain skills are basically offshoots of common sense, the need for commercial awareness is crucial. Commercial awareness is, in essence, the knowledge of how and where your business fits in the market – how it is affected by economic, social and political movements and how it can forge ahead and evolve. It is about knowing your craft.

5Enthusiasm

As with any role, enthusiasm is a key component that recruiters will look for. The ability to bring positive energy to a team and truly believe in what you are working towards is crucial. Enthusiasm is contagious; it demonstrates that you are willing to learn your trade.

Initiative

Closely aligned with understanding and enthusiasm, initiative is a must have. It proves that you can work on your own, that you are an independent thinker and in turn, it will lead to you being trusted with more responsibility. It is particularly important if you decide to become a freelance accountant at a later stage of your career.

Tips For A Successful Career In Accounting And Finance

1. Have a good mentor – mentors can provide advice based on first-hand experience to help develop leadership abilities, as well as leveraging off their connections and networks to help advance your career.

2. Have a broad skillset – Keep your work duties varied so you do not get pigeon-holed into one area of finance. Having a broad skill set will add to your marketability and mitigate risk in an ever changing business environment, especially with continual advancements in technology.

3. Be tech savvy – Use technology effectively to improve processes and create efficiencies is vital to add value in your day to day finance role.

4. Be a team player – Develop your skills into senior positions, having experience managing people is vital and becomes more important the more senior you become. It is also essential to be able to demonstrate the ability to business partner with non finance colleagues.

5. Embrace change – Today’s ever changing business environment requires finance professionals to adopt an informed and forward thinking approach to decision making.

By adopting continual learning processes and looking out for latest insights, you will be able to embrace change in a proactive way.

6. Expand your knowledge – Be proactive about your own learning and development. Research the latest developments and qualifications in the accounting and finance sector to ensure that you remain competitive.

Upholstery Cleaning Service

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Upholstery Cleaning Guide for Pet Owners

Let’s face it: pets can be messy! Between pet fur and accidents, sometimes your upholstered furniture can take a beating. As a pet owner, you have added steps in caring for your upholstery. It is essential to know how this furniture should regularly be cleaned and what you should do if there is a stain. In addition, it is important to occasionally have an upholstery cleaning by a professional company

Day-to-Day Cleaning

As far as day-to-day cleaning goes, vacuuming is the most important thing. This is especially vital if your cat or dog likes to jump on the furniture. A daily or weekly vacuuming using the upholstery attachment will clean up any fur left behind and will keep your upholstery nice and fresh. Without a frequent vacuum, no one will want to sit on the upholstery because they will get fur all over their clothes

Cleaning After an Accident

Sometimes pets have accidents, and it’s usually in the most unfortunate spots. If your cat or dog has an accident or gets sick on upholstered furniture, it is important to clean up as soon as possible to avoid permanent stains. Check the tag on the piece of furniture to see what kind of solvents can be used. Some pieces can only be vacuumed, while others allow certain types of cleaners

A pet stain and odor remover solvent is the best way to remove pet-related stains. These can be bought at your local pet store. Be sure to test out the cleaner on a hidden spot first to make sure it doesn’t take the color out or ruin the upholstery. If you don’t have a pet cleaning solution in the house, use dish soap and warm water to remove the stain.

have a process that uses less water so that drying time is fast! During this process, tiny effervescent bubbles pull up stains from the upholstery to the surface where they are extracted. The solution we use is non-toxic, meaning it is safe for your pets. We are done working in as little as two hours due to the fast drying time. After the cleaning is done, we can treat your furniture with our upholstery protector to help prevent it from getting stained in the future.