How to Get Your Small HVAC Business Online

As of December 2021, there were 118,636 Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) businesses in the United States. For your small HVAC business to flourish in such a competitive and crowded industry, you need a solid client base. You need to intensively market yourself, reach out to potential customers, earn their trust, and ultimately win them over for good.

Though most people depend on traditional marketing methods such as word of mouth, newspapers, and posters, these methods may not be effective in today’s digital era. Since most people spend a lot of time online, your marketing plan needs to target people there. You can start the targeting from the moment they start searching for a given service until they become your customers. Continue following up with them even after you have offered your services. Finding the best Magento hosting provider is very important for ensuring a seamless online shopping experience for your customers.

Whether you are planning to start an HVAC business or want to improve an already existing one, here is how to get your small HVAC business online.

Optimize Your Website

With the advancement of technology, the number one stop for most clients who need installation, repair, and maintenance of their HVAC system is a search engine like Google. On seeing the search results, they are likely to opt for the HVAC companies that appear first on the page. Therefore, it is vital to have a website as it will help your potential clients find you and build trust for your business.

Ensure that your website is professional and the services you offer are indicated. Most website builders offer customized templates. However, you can also hire a web developer to do it for you. Ensure that your website has everything required to help potential customers choose you. For example, ensure that the menu is well organized and the services you offer are specific and clear.

Though having a website is excellent, it is not enough. You need to ensure that it is easy to find on the search engine through a process termed Search Engine Optimized (SEO). To ensure that your site ranks high, it should:

• Be mobile-friendly

• Load fast

• Include links to other pages in your site and other trustworthy websites

• Be mobile-friendly

• Include relevant keywords

Create Quality Content

Every time you post content on social media or your blog, you need to create a “content asset.” That is, ensure that the content you put out there is meaningful, helpful, and attractive to the reader. This information will attract them and leave them wanting to know more about what you are saying. As they do this, you may gain new customers.

Adding content in the form of articles on your website will not only benefit your readers. It will also give you more opportunities to capture search rankings and add content marketing to your overall strategy. As an HVAC business owner, come up with content that focuses on speaking to clients rather than industry professionals. 

Research what your clients are looking for and make content based on that. For example, you could create posts such as “How to Pick the Right HVAC System for Your Home” and “Why You Need to Hire HVAC Maintenance Services.”

Acquire Online Reviews

Today, most people decide to engage a company based on their online reviews. Make use of sites like Google which permit you to ask customers to review your services. Request your customers to review your business on various social media platforms, as it will help boost your online reputation. You could ask them in person, a call, or text after offering them a service. Another way is to hand them your card with review URLs. It is advisable to respond promptly after your customer leaves a review, even if the review is negative.

Send Email Marketing

Though acquiring leads is essential, it is crucial to keep in touch with them to retain them and turn them into customers. One of the most effective ways of doing this is through email marketing. It helps you keep in touch with your leads from the first time they learn about you until they are ready to become customers. Additionally, it helps you maintain relationships with existing customers.

To set up an email marketing campaign, use tools such as Constant Contact and Mailchimp. Once you set up a campaign, you can add new leads to the list, and they’ll automatically get each email at the designated times you created. When possible, include custom fields so that every email is personalized. For example, include the lead’s name and services related to their needs. 

Bottom-Line

When it comes to getting your small HVAC business online, you’ll likely use similar methods to those of other businesses in your area. How effectively you execute your HVAC online marketing plan sets you apart. Boost your chances of success by following the tips given above, which will give you a substantial online presence and showcase your value to your potential and existing clients.

Backsplash Ideas

Are you looking to add a backsplash into your kitchen? Choosing a backsplash can be overwhelming because there’s so many different colors and patterns, and you need to match it to the rest of your kitchen. We rounded up our favorite backsplashes that we think would look great in almost any kitchen!

Starting off strong with a unique backsplash, this patterned and colored backsplash. Most people tend to stick to plain colors, but these shades of blue and tan are beautiful. We think it gives the perfect amount of color into the kitchen.

Stone is making its comeback as one of the more frequent backsplash idea. The stone is beautiful and you can get it in almost any color. The texture to the stone is beautiful and adds a pop off the wall.

Most people do not like the look of bricks, but when done right and in the right spot, it looks gorgeous! The brick color in this kitchen matches perfectly and ties the whole kitchen together.

This is another uncommon backsplash, a black pattern. Most people would stray away from black because it can make the kitchen look smaller, but this backsplash was perfect in the kitchen due to the appliances and cabinets. The backsplash ties everything in together and the black makes the white pop out even more!

Another brick backsplash! Instead of a red/brown color, the white makes the countertop stand out even more.

Patterned backsplashes are beautiful! Although they can be difficult to install, it’s always worth it. This backsplash adds a pop of grey color to the kitchen!

Another patterned backsplash but this one is unique. The white backsplash makes the blue cabinets stand out and a statement piece. The white is just the right color to tie in the kitchen to make it appear brighter.

Adding a thin strip of texture to the wall in the backsplash is a perfect way to make a statement but still try to make it look classy and elegant.

If you’re looking for an accent wall, using a pattern can create the perfect accent.

This backsplash just gives me “beach house” vibes! It is beautiful and gives off beach vibes. Read a descriptive essay about beach house for more information

Dark stone backsplash is always beautiful when paired with dark chestnut cabinets.

How to Organize Your Move And Do It Stress-Free

If you’re planning on moving any time soon, you’re probably already stressed about it. Even though people are moving much more these days than they used to in the past, the whole process has probably never been more difficult to organize and do. There are thousands of tips that are supposed to help you move without stress, but sadly, not all of them work. We have taken it upon ourselves to come up with several fool-proof tips and tricks that will make the entire process so much easier. Here’s how you can organize your move and make it stress-free:

Make detailed plans

While you’re probably overwhelmed already with the list of things that have to be done before you actually move, making detailed plans will help you tremendously. The more precise you can be the better for you, so try to include dates or even times of the events that are going to take place in the future. The closing dates, date of your last day at work, date when your kids leave school, date when you can move into your new place… Once you get this done, try to fill the gaps between these dates with packing sessions. Set the date for packing different things: books, toys, kitchenware, shoes, clothes, etc. 

Prepare your new place

It doesn’t matter whether you’re going to be moving to a rental property or a fixer-upper, there’s no way that you will be able to move in like it’s a hotel. When the previous owners/tenants take their things out, clean it thoroughly, and think about painting the walls. You will likely notice that there are some minor repairs that should be done, and in some cases, you will even have to do a big remodeling project before you can move in. you don’t want to have to do any of those things when you bring dozens of boxes and you’re exhausted. If you complete everything before you move in, you’ll be able to relax after the boxes are brought. If you don’t have the time to do it on your own, consider asking friends for help or hiring professionals who will clean everything before you arrive. 

Hire professionals 

While inviting friends over to help you move might seem like the easiest idea in the world. You’ll quickly earn that people are very busy and don’t have the time or the means to help you move. Besides, you don’t want anyone getting hurt by lifting heavy objects, do you? This is why you should think about hiring professional removalists to take care of all the boxes and furniture instead. Not only will professionals be able to do it much faster, but they will do it without damaging your home and without hurting themselves in the process. Look for professionals that will fit your budget, schedule them to come over, and your move will be much more efficient than you might have thought. 

Don’t pay for all supplies

Moving is expensive, more so than you might have thought at first, and you’ll notice your savings decreasing rapidly. However, you can also save a lot of money on small things if you know where to look and what to do. One of the things you don’t necessarily have to buy is boxes. Make a quick estimation on how many boxes you might need(double the number just to be on the safe side) and start hitting up your local stores. All appliance as well as department stores have hundreds, if not thousands of boxes they don’t need after they receive shipments, and they will gladly give them up if you only ask. A few of these trips to a few stores, and you’ll have plenty of boxes for exactly zero dollars. 

Choose the right box for moving

Choosing the right moving boxes is crucial for a successful relocation. Opt for sturdy, corrugated cardboard boxes that can protect fragile items. Use small boxes for heavy objects, medium-sized ones for general items, and large boxes for lightweight and bulky belongings. Specialized boxes like wardrobe boxes or dish packs can provide extra protection. Remember to label each box for easy unpacking. By selecting the appropriate boxes, you can safeguard your belongings and simplify your move.

Declutter and downsize

One of the best things about packing for a big move is that you’ll finally be able to see just how many things you own. While some are necessary, you’ll likely notice how cluttered your space has become over time. Moving is a great chance for you to get rid of the clutter and downsize, getting rid of the belongings you neither use nor need. All that clutter should be purged from your home and not packed and taken to your next one. Organize a garage sale, list it on the internet, or donate it to someone who might need it.

While moving might be seen as one of the most stressful events in the life of pretty much every individual, it doesn’t have to be that way. A stress-free move is not something out of fairy tales, but it does require some organizing in order to work perfectly. When you have enough time on your hands to prepare everything in advance, the entire process is going to be easy and rather smooth. Even though the entire preparation is far from fun, the end result will be more than worth the struggle.

Guest Contributor: Ron Wolf

5 Steps for Successful Repair and Maintenance of Commercial Building

Preserving the value of a building is not an easy job. As a property owner, it is solely your responsibility to keep a check over the current state of your property. Although it is normal for the building to go through wear and tear there should be some routine checkups to ensure its proper functioning.

The more you ignore the maintenance of a building, the greater you see the decrease in its value. If you keep your building all spick and span, your tenants would likely pay you more, and if you ever sell the property in the future, you’d surely bag the best price.

For the overall property checkup, you can even consider hiring an MEP engineering services provider. But, till then let us walk you through some important steps that help you make the most of the repair and maintenance of your commercial space:

1.  Energy Audit

It is the primary step of your commercial building with regard to how much you can save every year. Being a property owner, you know that energy expenditure is not a tiny expense. So, this audit gives you a complete picture as to what is eating your budget.

Here, you need professional help who can help you figure out how you can lower down the costs. By replacing window glass, by repairing insulation around windows and doors, or by replacing roof insulation. 

Audits like these also help you understand if tenants are happy with the current condition of your property or if it needs any repairs and improvements.

2.  Safety Audit

One of your property maintenance priorities would be to keep track of safety mechanisms and fixtures. If there comes any emergency in the future, such safety features should be working in order to avoid any harmful accidents. 

Emergency exit signs, fire detector systems, lighting systems are amongst the most important safety fixtures. So, it is essential to conduct a monthly audit of these safety systems so nobody gets harmed and everything flows smoothly. 

3.  Pest Audit

This is one of the most difficult problems to deal with especially when bugs bug you in a building. It’s not pleasant and since it can cost thousands of bucks, it’s best to get your property bug-proof before tenants start complaining about it.

Consider conducting a professional pest audit regularly because it is only the maintenance that can keep pests away from your property.

4.  Utility Audit

The key to keeping your tenants happy is the full functioning of your building’s facilities and all the basic utilities. Such facilities consist of escalators, public washrooms, staff rooms, HVAC units, and more. 

There are times when facilities stop working as they need some regular repairs. So, be sure to run a monthly audit of these important utilities to avoid any hassle in the future.

5.  Control Fire Hazards

Any chance that fire can break out in a building is one of the worst nightmares for any property owner. We are sure you don’t want that so it is best to eliminate all the fire hazards that have the potential to pose any fire hazard.

Do regular checkups on smoke detectors throughout the entire building. Every year, replace the batteries too and make sure each and every floor of the building has fire extinguishers properly installed. 

Conclusion

The best approach towards the key audits would be to delegate them to the right MEP engineering professionals. They are experts in the field of property audit and you can easily focus on growing your property management business. 

Isn’t it the right decision? Well, yes it is considering you’d need the help of those who are in this industry for a long time and are well versed with using the right tools to do what is expected of them.

7 Children's Outdoor Play Area

Spring is slowly approaching and it’s time to get planning on how you can make enrichment areas outdoors for them to play in. We found the best play areas you can easily create that will have your child happier than can be to get outside and play.

One big thing that parents are incorporating into play time is sensory. Sensory is important for a child because it allows your child to get hands on and experience their surroundings and the area through their senses, and it’s important for kids to be able to use their hands to explore. A sensory path is a great idea in incorporating a couple of different materials to let the kid explore freely. One good piece of equipment that can enhance sensory perception and allow children to play at the same time is a gaga ball pit. You can set it indoors or outdoors, as long as you have enough space for the octagonal pit. The game is played like dodgeball, but milder. Playing with a gaga ball can be a fun hands-on activity for anyone of any age. If you are putting it in the sun, we advise you to be careful with the materials you choose because you don’t want to get material that will heat up in the sun and potentially burn the child.

Majority of children love to get on their hands and knees and crawl all over the place. Some can’t walk yet and this is a great idea for those who can walk and those who can’t. Instead of your child getting all dirty from crawling on the grass and dirt, you can create a little obstacle for the children to crawl in, and they will be so excited whether it’s simple or intricate. In the Spring/Summer pool noodles are very easy to get ahold of and the foam puzzle pieces might be something you already have since they’re so popular. You can start the obstacle small, and then easily add onto it with the more supplies you buy. It is also a great way to make other games out of it.

We’ve all seen the wooden building blocks that babies and younger children use to help work on their fine motor skills. This is a great idea to incorporate in your backyard because it helps them continue to work on their fine motor skills with this puzzle which is pretty much the same thing as the wooden building blocks. This type of activity can also be used in different games, such as trying to match the colors, scatter the “blocks” around the yard, and let them use their gross motor skills as well as the fine motor skills.

We all know children have the wildest imaginations, and this is a great object to let them explore. Lots of kids like to use their imagination whenever they’re place into a seat with a steering wheel. This is a great object to let them use their imagination and explore the way they would like. It is even friend-friendly in case there are other children playing.

DIY Tic Tac Toe! This is perfect to get children learning how to play tic tac toe. This game is simple for children to comprehend and can incorporate their fine and gross motor skills. Let the children pick the object they’re using for the game and let them run around and explore to get the gaming pieces to use.

DIY your own rock garden! This is a cute area that is sure to bring color to your backyard. Let the children paint as many rocks as they would like and as time goes on you will have tons of colorful rocks. You can create your own rock garden, or scatter them around the backyard, either way it is sure to add color and uniqueness to your back yard.

For those children who love to dig, create a digging area for them to explore! It is best to add rubble or dirt for them to dig into instead of digging into the actual backyard grass, but having a designated area can help the children learn to only dig in that area, and leave the rest of the backyard alone. A digging area is great because you can keep reusing the area for multiple digs and when they get tired of it, you just start over!

Why do Tradesmen in Plumbing Business Need to Buy a Reliable Car for Their Work?

There are many reasons why tradespeople in the plumbing business need to buy a reliable car for their work. One of the most important reasons is that they need to transport their equipment and tools safely and efficiently. A reliable car will help them get to their jobs on time, and it will also allow them to transport their tools and materials securely. In addition, a reliable car can also help them boost their business by enabling them to travel more easily between job sites. By owning a reliable vehicle, merchants in the plumbing business can better serve their customers and increase profits. This article will outline some of the benefits of buying a reliable car for your plumbing business.

For Safety Reasons

One of the main reasons plumbing business owners need to buy a reliable car is safety. After all, tradespeople in this field will be spending many hours per week on the road traveling between job sites and transporting equipment. As you can imagine, driving with heavy loads of tools and materials can be very dangerous if your vehicle isn't safe enough to handle them. As this dealer advises, it is always good for tradespeople to buy cars known for their reliability and safety. A reliable car also makes it easier for plumbers to transport their tools safely during inclement weather conditions like rain, snow, or icy roads. As long as you buy a safe and reliable car for your plumbing business, you will feel much safer while on the road transporting tools and materials from one place to another. 

To Boost Your Business

Another great reason to buy a reliable car for your plumbing business is that it can help you boost your profits. Having a dependable vehicle will enable plumbers to travel more easily between job sites, which means they'll be able to take on more jobs and earn more money. Traveling in a reliable car will make plumbers look more professional business owners. This can often lead to better working relationships with customers and potential clients.

A good reputation and an impressive list of services are essential for any successful plumbing company, but having a reliable car can also help seal the deal. Buyers will see that you have taken the time and effort to care for your car, which will reinforce their belief that you'll take good care of them as a customer. A reliable vehicle can also help tradespeople get more job bids by enabling them to travel easily between businesses seeking plumbing services.

It Save Time and Money

A reliable car can provide convenience for plumbing business owners. Quickly driving from one location to another will allow plumbers to complete tasks faster and get back on the road again with ease. This can save them time and money while improving customer service simultaneously. 

It also helps plumbers save time and money while on the road. For example, many reliable cars have built-in navigation systems that help drivers find their way to different destinations quickly and easily. Some reliable vehicles also come with fuel-saving features like Eco Mode, which can help plumbers save money on gas while they're driving between job sites. It can save them time and hassle during their daily commute. A reliable car can also help plumbers run errands on the weekends or transport goods to and from trade shows.

To Gain Valuable Resources

Traveling more easily between job sites can also help tradespeople in the plumbing business gain access to valuable resources like new equipment and materials and other merchandise they need for their work. A good example would be a merchant who needs tools or supplies to continue working on a particular project but doesn't have enough time to stop at a store since they have too many jobs lined up for the day. This is where having a reliable car comes in handy because it allows plumbers to quickly run out and get what they need from nearby stores then return home again.

In conclusion, a reliable car is a valuable asset for plumbers in the business. It can help them save time and money while boosting their reputation and accessing essential resources. Having a dependable vehicle makes it easier for plumbers to travel between job sites, which means they can take on more jobs and earn more money. A reliable car also helps tradespeople look more professional, leading to better working relationships with customers and potential clients. Plumbers looking for ways to improve their business should consider purchasing a reliable car. Doing so will undoubtedly make their lives much easier.

What Type of Machinery Is a Must-Have For Successfully Remodeling a House?

Home is the place where we spend much, if not the majority of our time. In that sense, it is never enough to invest in it. Therefore, if you were planning some house remodeling job, then here is a list of some machinery types that are a must-have when it comes to this type of work!

Safety equipment

Before doing any work, especially the heavier one, make sure you take care of your own safety. Although accidents at construction sites, particularly work on house renovation or reconstructions are not extremely common, they certainly happen and can even turn deadly sometimes. For this reason, it is essential that you take serious safety measures before delving into any kind of house remodeling with heavy-duty machinery. 

In that sense, in case you hire someone, or ask a friend to help you do some more serious work on your house, ensure that you take the following recommended protective safety equipment:

• High visibility jackets

• Hard hats

• Steel-toe boots/ safety shoes

• Goggles

• Protective gloves

• First aid kit

Drilling machine, reciprocating saws, rasp files…

With any larger and more serious house works, you will always have to do the last part, i.e., finishing up the job. Therefore, as you will have to be more careful at this last stage of your house remodeling, you will also have to be more subtle and creative. 

In order to get these done and in a satisfying way, you will have to pay special attention to accuracy, and in order to be as accurate as possible, you will no longer need the heavy machinery you had, but focus on the smaller hand tools instead. To that end, you may contact some stores with professional equipment since they supply construction companies with heavy equipment and can give you a wide array of tools that you might want to add to your collection. In that way, you may think of some hand tools such as a reciprocating saw, rasp file, screwdriver, hand drilling machine, and so on. These machines can come in very handy with many smaller house jobs.

A reciprocating saw, for example, can be much of your help since it can cut through almost anything made of wood. If, however, you do more renovating work, then you may also get a set of different blade types so that you can cut even through metal if needed. The same goes for hand drilling machines. Especially these can come in handy since they have portable batteries and with a set of different drilling heads, you can do pretty much anything you want in the house! 

Air compressor

For an extensive house renovation, you will almost for sure have to use an air compressor. Air compressors are capable of pneumatic force that can come in handy to you on many different occasions for various uses. For instance, you can use it as an air-powered stapler, nail gun, sander, etc. By the same token, after some major house remodeling works, you will probably need to paint it. On this particular occasion, your air compression can be much of help, again. 

Therefore, you can spray color on the wished parts of the house, or you can paint any other thing that can be suitable for spray painting such as benches in the garden, hedges, or anything made of wood. In the end, you can also use your compressor to do some minor chores such as blowing away the dust and dirt, or the fallen leaves in the garden if you want. In one word, an air compressor is indeed a piece of super multifunctional machinery that you will certainly use a lot with regards to any type of house chores, especially with the bigger ones.

Heavy-duty machinery

Depending on the gravity of the imperfections that you would like to correct and renovate, you will need different equipment. Nevertheless, with much of the more serious house remodeling work you, next to drilling machines and rasps and saws, will probably need some heavy-duty machinery such as crawler loaders, lifting equipment, cranes, excavators, bull-doers, pipe layers, and backhoes. Based on what you exactly need to do, you will probably necessitate at least a few of these, so make sure you plan the job in advance so that you don’t get surprised later for buying or renting some of these that may be expensive.

A mini Bobcat excavator may be sufficient for small-scale remodeling plans. This compact machine is versatile enough to help with excavations, landscaping, and more. It's also easy to source affordable Bobcat aftermarket parts when needed.

Although house remodeling may require a lot of effort, money, time, and other resources, its results are always captivating. In order to do the job as professionally as possible, make sure you take some piece of advice from this list!

THESE CLEVER TIPS WILL MAKE YOUR GARAGE EVEN MORE USEABLE

Most people think of a garage as nothing more than a storage area. But garages can be so much more! In fact, it doesn’t take much to make your garage an efficient workspace and pleasant place to spend time. It starts with clearing out the clutter, which you should do every year or two, and applying a coat of paint or giving the ceiling a fresh look. After that, all you need are some shelving units for tools and other supplies to keep them tidy but accessible. Pretty soon your garage will feel like an extension of your home – comfortable and convenient!

1 - PLACING STORAGE ON THE CEILING

Garages are rarely finished to the same standard as homes and it is sometimes difficult to find a surface where you can place shelves or storage units. This is not the case for those with high ceilings, however. If there’s extra space up there, consider placing storage on the ceiling of your garage. You can use a hook, and bracket system. These don't have to be anything fancy just a few planks of wood or strips of metal will work. Hang them so they are about 6" below the ceiling, but not touching it. This way you can store things on them without worrying about them getting wet or too dirty. You can attach the shelves yourself with screws, nails, or even magnets if you don’t want to put holes in the ceiling. Or, you can go for something a little more complicated. The choice is yours.

2 - CLEAR OUT THE CLUTTER

The next step to making your garage more functional – and habitable – is clearing out the clutter. Every time you open your garage door, your first instinct should be to clear it all away. So go through everything stored in here and get rid of what you don’t need or use anymore. If that isn't motivation enough, remember that having a tidy space will make it much easier for you to find tools if you need them in a hurry. Every few months, sort all the supplies and equipment you have down there, checking for broken or dated tools. Toss things that are useless or in poor condition and take the rest to a local thrift shop or donate them to charity. You’ll be surprised by how much extra room you have!

3 - INVEST IN SOME GOOD SHELVING UNITS

In most homes, the garage is where everyone throws whatever they don’t want to deal with, from old toys and tools to boxes of who knows what. The trick to making this space work for you is taking a few minutes every so often to sort through the mess and store things in a place where you can easily find them. Shelving units are a great way to do this, as they’ll not only hold everything neatly, they’ll also allow you to see what you have. When choosing a set for your garage, look for one with rolling tracks that can hold a variety of different items. There are many affordable options available at your local home improvement store that you can build yourself or have assembled professionally, or you can hire a carpenter to do the job for you. The sky is really the limit when it comes to what you can use these for, and how you can customize your garage for comfort and functionality.

4 - PLUS IF YOU HAVE EXTRA LAWN EQUIPMENT…

Lawn equipment takes up a lot of space and it’s usually not stored in garages for long periods because it might get ruined by water, ice, snow, etc. If this problem sounds familiar (or if you want to utilize your garage while still enjoying some outdoor leisure), invest in an outdoor shed. These weather-tight structures are the best way to protect your lawn equipment from the elements.

5 - PAINTING CAN BRIGHTEN UP ANY SPACE

Why not think about giving your garage a fresh coat of paint or adding some stenciling on the ceiling. This is especially important if you don’t plan on having the space finished with drywall or wood paneling. Painting is an inexpensive way to spruce your garage and make it look like a brand new room!

6 - DON’T FORGET THE FLOOR!

Garages are typically made of concrete or asphalt, which can become very dirty and slippery over time. If you want your garage to be safe for all its users (including pets), consider investing in rubber floor mats that absorb moisture and help to keep the space clean.

7 - ADD SOME FINISHING TOUCHES

If you're going to go through the trouble of making your garage more habitable, why not make it more pleasant? Many people choose to install ceiling fans in the ceilings. Not only do they keep the air circulating, but they also help to keep your appliances from overheating during the summer.

8 - CREATE A WORKBENCH FOR CONVENIENCE

If you do a lot of home improvement, installing a workbench will be useful. This doesn't have to be complicated – just a couple of simple shelves will do. Not only will you have somewhere to place all your tools, but putting them within sight will make it much easier to find what you need.

9 - INSTALL WALL-MOUNTED CABINETS

Installing your storage off the ground and onto the walls is a great way to free up garage space. You can find specially designed cabinets and units that attach directly to your walls. If you have a lot of stuff to put away, installing these sorts of cabinets might be the best option. In addition to being space savers, they can look very stylish and modern.

Garages are often neglected in favor of the living space. But garages can be so much more! Your garage is a great place to store all your tools, supplies, and equipment that you may need for an outside project or just running errands. And it doesn't have to look like clutter either--clearing out the clutter every year or two will make sure everything stays organized while being easy to find when needed.

10 Surprising Historical Facts You Didn't Know About Toilets

This post is about toilets. Not just any old toilets, though — the kinds that get flushed down and sent off to wherever they go when we're done with them.

We typically don't discuss toilets too much (or even think about them), so I figured it was time for an article on this important topic. Below are 10 surprising things you may not have known about your toilet or the history of flushing. Please share if you found them interesting!

#1: There's no historical record of who invented the flush toilet (and when)

While there aren't records revealing who invented the flush toilet, historians know that ancient peoples around the world used some form of a "flush" technology. For example, flush toilets were found in Minoan Crete (from roughly 2000-1450 B.C.), and there's evidence that the ancient Romans had a version of flushing toilets as early as 100 A.D.

The Minoan civilization from 1700–1450 B.C., having a flush toilet with a water channel leading to a soakaway below it

#2: Toilets got their name because people originally sat on them facing the street...

Although we have no records of who invented the first toilets, we do know where they first started being used — namely, places of business and trade such as taverns and inns. Why? You might ask: Well, they first appeared in the streets of ancient Greece in about 500 B.C., so people could do their business out in public without having to go home.

These "water closets" were originally only used by men (they didn't want ladies seeing them during their "private time") and were often referred to as "vessels." When these toilets got their name is unclear, but one theory suggests that it was because people sat on them facing the street instead of facing each other, which resembled an old Roman vessel with two handles.

#3: For almost 200 years prior to 1857, there wasn't much variety when it came to toilets...

Toilets weren't all that varied from 500 B.C. to 1857, when the modern toilet started getting popularized in England and America. In fact, for almost 200 years prior to this point in time, most people had a choice between a "cesspool" or a "privy," both of which were not pleasant at all. The cesspool was basically a hole in the ground covered by a stone slab that often leaked raw sewage into nearby rivers and groundwater (this created an obvious health hazard).

The other option — the outhouse — wasn't much better: It was essentially just a small hut (with no roof) that typically only had three walls; it would be partially enclosed with planks and straw on all sides except one (the fourth side), which would be open for access to the "seat" via a vertical hole.

#4: China is where flushing toilets got their start...

Although ancient Greeks and Romans had primitive forms of flushing toilets, it was in ancient China that these types of toilets started becoming more widely used — starting around 100 A.D. Even then, though, they weren't exactly like what we know today: These early Chinese-style toilets were big and pot-like (most likely made out of stoneware or porcelain), and water was actually carried into the room inside jars or pots that connected to pipes inside the toilet itself.

The first modern flush toilet (also known as a "water closet") was invented in 1775 by an Englishman named Alexander Cummings:

#5: The modern flush toilet was invented by an Englishman named Alexander Cummings

In 1775, a man from England known as Alexander Cummings invented the first modern flushing water closet (flushing WC) – also called "the Earth Closet." It was similar to the types of toilets used in ancient China, except that it didn't have a pot-like design but rather a cylindrical shape made out of wood. Water spouted upward inside the chamber after each flush, which pushed waste out and down into a pan underneath where it would be flushed away with water. This was not only more sanitary than what came before it, but it also proved to be much more effective at moving waste away from the toilet itself.

#6: Elaborate Victorian-era toilets were often gilded with gold

While flushing toilets first started becoming popular during the mid 19th century, it wasn't until the Victorian era (1837-1901) that they started getting more ornate and detailed. After all, at this time in history, having an elaborate toilet was one of the ways you could show off how wealthy you were. For example, Victorian-era washbasins often came with beautiful marble countertops and matching sinks made out of porcelain or copper.

As for more intricate fixtures like these "dumb waiters" here (also known as closets), they typically had walls or sides made out of wood, with elaborate carvings decorating the upper portions. On top of that, they were often finished in gold or other precious metals.

#7: There's a reason why toilets are typically porcelain

The main reason so many toilet bowls are made out of porcelain is because it's extremely durable and you can easily clean it without worrying about corrosion or rust coming through (it also has an aesthetically pleasing look). But up until around 1900, many Victorian-era toilets were actually made out of wood...which sounds pretty gross to us these days. Even then, though, people weren't just using wooden planks; instead, they would typically use "cane reed," which was much more absorbent than today's wooden planks and was often covered with hemp or wool.

#8: ...and because of that, early Victorian-era toilets were made out of cheaper materials like wood and then covered inexpensive fabrics

Even though porcelain and other ceramics started becoming more popular as toilet materials around the mid 19th century, you can thank the Victorians for spreading this trend. Namely, they started using much more expensive materials (like marble) to make their washbasins and urinals – but would cover them up with beautiful carpets or rugs to hide the fact that they weren't actually made out of porcelain. This way, it appeared as if everyone who had a fancy bathroom was using a porcelain toilet, even if that wasn't the case.

#9: One of the primary reasons why some toilets are black is because it's more sanitary

Though many people associate black toilets with being dirty, this isn't actually true. Back in the early 20th century, porcelain was still considered somewhat new technology, and since it had only been recently introduced most people weren't exactly sure how to make something out of it (or whether or not they were any good). Because of this, there were numerous problems with products made out of pale-colored porcelain-like stains or discoloration appearing on them after a while (you can thank chemicals for both these issues). As such, one common solution was to coat toilets in black enamel paint, which was both inexpensive and prevented these stains from ever appearing.

#10: The bowl design most commonly used in homes today is actually a newer invention

Two of the most common styles of toilet bowls you can find are called "squat" toilets and "bowl" toilets. Bowl toilets have an upside-down funnel shape that allows waste to easily slide away after each flush, while squat toilets look more like a large porcelain plate with a deep hole in the middle. However, neither of these bowl designs are new or particularly great for your health, so it's hard to say who came up with them first. Instead, most modern homes around the world today use what's known as "siphonic flush," which pushes water down from the rim to force waste away below.

There you have it! Even though none of these might seem like they have much to do with one another, all ten are part of the interesting history behind modern-day toilets.

Guest Contributor: Mark Webster

How To Become A Licensed Plumber? 5 Steps For You

Plumbing is a career that is high in demand and sorely lacking in numbers. Almost every modern home and even whole corporate buildings need plumbing issues fixed regularly. An up-and-coming plumber won’t be lacking in jobs to do. Plumbers get a lot of interesting and consistent work. Today, let’s discuss what steps you need to take to become a plumber, and what you should expect in your career.

What do Plumbers do?

Plumbing is a trade where you are expected to fix all manner of plumbing problems such as unclogging pipes, setting up new pipe systems, and inspecting existing piping systems to see if they are up to code. The work requires a lot of know-how with piping systems, blueprints as well as basic carpentry skills.

What Kind of Plumbers are Out There?

There are three levels of experience that plumbers are classified into.

Apprentice

These are aspiring plumbers without experience. As an apprentice, you study under journeymen or master plumbers that have significant knowledge and experience in the field. 

Apprenticeships usually take a total of 2 to 5 years to complete. To get an apprenticeship, ask your local plumbing unions or organizations if they are willing to take you under their wing. Alternatively, just find a licensed plumber willing to teach you.

You will be expected to assist them in on-hand assignments such as home repairs. Additionally, you will also have to read up on coursework for your trade school.

Trade schools will often cost you $3000 to $10000 annually, depending on your trade school and course program. Only those who meet the minimum age of 18 are eligible for apprenticeship.

Journeyman

Journeymen are plumbers who have completed their apprenticeship and once they are licensed, will be allowed to work as a professional plumbers. Journeyman plumbers need to maintain their education and pass regular licensing exams to see if they are still fit for a plumber job. 

Most states require this annually, but some only need a renewal every three to five years. There is no national plumbing license, so you have to take licensing exams in other states in case you move.

Master Plumber

Master plumbers stand at the top of their trade and are often the end goal of all plumbers. To become a master plumber, they must have two years of total experience as a Journeyman. They need to pass a master plumber’s exam, both in written and practical tests. 

Once you become a master plumber, you are now able to work supervisory roles and train younger plumbers. Only master plumbers can start a plumbing business. They are also the only plumbers qualified to design blueprints for plumbing systems of major projects.

How to Become a Licensed Plumber 

There are a lot of things you need to do to upskill and become a licensed plumber.

1. Meet the bare minimum requirements

All plumbers should have at least finished high school or achieved a GED. In addition, they must be able to have basic knowledge of computers, math, and pass a drug test. Lastly, you need to be the age of 18 to start an apprenticeship.

2. Enroll in a Trade School

Enrolling in a trade school will often cost you $3000 to $1000 depending on the school and provide you with coursework and a certificate at the end of your 1 or 2 years. 

Look for a local trade school to enroll in for convenience, as you will likely be doing your apprenticeship at the same time.

3. Start your Apprenticeship

Usually, a trade school assigns you to a professional plumber for your apprenticeship. However, if you know a professional plumber, you could ask your school to consent to an apprenticeship with them. 
Apprenticeships will take 2 to 5 years, and you can start as soon as you start trade school.

4. Pick a Specialization

Once you are training, you have the choice of specializing even further past the handyman approach of regularly licensed plumbers. While it’s possible to dabble in different specializations, you should focus on only one of these during yourapprenticeship.

Pipelayers are the most common type of specialization. They install the pipes for major plumbing systems such as storm drains or water mains. It involves a lot of hard labor due to the digging and demolishing needed to set the pipes in place. They are most common in residential areas.

Pipefitters are in charge of indoor industrial projects such as the heating and cooling systems of massive factories. They are responsible for all piping systems in an industrial setting. A variant of these pipefitters, called steamfitters, do much the same tasks as pipefitters only they work with steam in high-pressure pipe systems.

5. Get Licensed

The requirements vary by state, but it’s important to get a license in your state so you can start working as a professional immediately. Regular compliance checks are expected. For Ilinois,  you are required to renew your apprentice or plumber license every year.  You can check the requirements on their official website. Remember, residential and commercial owners will only hire licensed plumbers.

Conclusion

Plumbing is a great career prospect. It’s a trade that will always be in demand for as long as people live in homes with running water. That said, while it is significantly shorter to get through than most courses, it’s a job that values caution and creativity. You need to prove yourself constantly to become a successful plumber, and it all starts with learning.

Guest Contributor: Kat Sarmiento