Dealing With Flood and Water Damages

Dealing With Flood and Water Damages

Water damage from a flood is one of the worse disasters that could ever hit your property, and it doesn’t even have to involve a foot or two of floodwater. Even just a few inches of water in areas inside your home or business that aren’t supposed to have water can already force you to fork out a few thousand dollars to deal with water damage.

What should you do in case your property suffers from flood and water damages?

In an ideal world, a quick call to water damage restoration services should be the only solution. However, you need immediate action, or the water damage is going to get worse. Also, if you’re relying on your insurance provider to pay for everything, things are also bound to get a bit more complicated and delayed because you have to follow a certain process, and that process could take some time.

Call your insurance company

Once you see that your property is flooded, call your insurance provider right away. Report every single detail that you see, and document everything by taking photos and videos of the affected area. Wait patiently for confirmation from your provider that you’re covered for this type of situation.

Waiting, however, means worse water damage for your property. So if you want to deal with it right away, inform your provider that water removal must begin immediately. The insurance company will likely grant your request and will give you instructions that you need to follow strictly, but until then, don’t do anything.

Remove the water

When you finally get that permission to start the cleanup, then proceed to remove all the floodwater using pumps, pails, mops, or anything that will help you evacuate everything. Once all the water is removed, you can immediately dry out the place using portable fans and even the air conditioning unit.

Call water damage restoration services

If you finally get the call from your insurance provider confirming that you are covered, then waste no time in calling restoration services. They have water damage specialists who are adequately trained and equipped to deal with the aftermath of a flood.

They will take care of cleaning up the place and removing parts that have been damaged by the flood. Once they’re done removing the water-damaged parts of your property, they will begin restoring it.  By the time they’re done, your property will look like the way it was before the flood hit.

 Guest Contributor, Judy Olsen

4 Essentials to Make Your New House Feel Like Home

4 Essentials to Make Your New House Feel Like Home

A new house doesn’t become a home on its own – you have to make it a home. It’s never easy changing neighborhoods, bed positions, toilet orientation etc. (especially in the morning when you’re still half asleep and don’t know where your toothbrush is), but the more you invest in adapting, the better you will feel at your new place. Here are some tips to start with, but don’t forget that making  a home out of a living place is not just a one-time thing, but a process that takes time and lots of getting used to.

Make sure everything works

First of all, you can’t start calling home a place where nothing works for you. If you haven’t checked the electricity, the heating, and the plumbing before you’ve bought or rented a house, now would be a perfect time to do so. Always check the plumbing first, because this can be the biggest issue if not fixed on time. Afterwards, see how the heating works (don’t wait for winter to find out that you’re freezing). Doors and locks are also an important issue, because you want to feel safe and sound in your home. Windows can make hollow noises if they are not of good quality, and they can also let the unnecessary cold in, so see whether they need repairing, too.

(Re)create your favorite places

You always get the “home sweet home” feeling as soon as you experience your home visually and olfactory. So, make sure that you fill your new home with important pieces of furniture from your previous one, but don’t make it look exactly the same, because then those nostalgia blues will never go away. Instead, arrange some of your favorite pieces in a different manner and you will see how the room transforms into a familiar and cozy space. Put your favorite chair in the new living room next to a brand new TV set, desk or coffee table. You can also find quality antique rugs that collectors gathered from various parts of the world so that if you are moving far from home, you can find rugs with motives from your cultural background to remind you of home every day. 

Bring up some pictures

Not just any piece of art will do, but the one that you value most, and that is of sentimental value. Art can be anything you wish, especially pictures with your friends and family. You can even make a wallpaper out of the numerous pictures you have, both old and new. If you have some pictures only in digital format, this would be a great reason to make hard copies from them. Each time you look at this monumental memory, you will be reminded of the persons that you shared precious moments with and you will be instantly transported into those places that are now far from you. Be careful not to exaggerate, because nostalgia can catch you easily.

Enjoy your in the new kitchen

Now that you’ve finished unpacking everything, after a long moving day it’s time to order a pizza. No, wrong – you want to prepare a meal in your new kitchen! Actively discovering your new space and getting used to it means using it as much as possible, at least for the first couple of months. If you are ignoring this call you might still be negating the fact that you have moved, and this is a step backwards instead of stepping confidently into your new life. Take matters into your own hands and cook that first meal on your own. It doesn’t matter if your former kitchen was longer, wider or brighter, because you will have to learn to manage in these new conditions, and learn to love them, as well.

However, try not to change too much of your daily routine. You have made enough changes already by moving. Take one step at a time, because this process can last for as long as you need. Once it is finished, you will be able to enjoy every corner of your new home.

 Guest Contributor, Chloe Taylor

Post Flood Management and Repair of Your HVAC System

Post Flood Management and Repair of Your HVAC System

After a terrible storm, the first thing on anyone’s mind is post-flood management and repairing your HVAC system. After a flood, there’s a lot of work that goes into making a home safe and habitable again. Your HVAC system can be loaded with bacteria and microorganisms which are carried in the flood water. Particularly, the HAV system requires either total replacement or major remediation so that the air in the home is pure again and healthy to breathe.   

Water and electricity are not a good combination. If simply stated, your heating and cooling system was not designed to operate in or under water. Flooding either due to excessive rainfall or hurricanes can cause varying degrees of damage to the HVAC system.

So, What Happens To Your HVAC System Post Flood?

During the flood, if the unit was running, then there might be some damage to the electrical components. There’s a chance that the fuse and the wiring may have malfunctioned when it came in contact with water.

Typically, floodwater is made up of debris, grime, and dirt. If this ‘dirty’ water if left unprotected and comes in contact with the condenser coil, then the efficiency level of the equipment reduces. Also, this can also result in premature failure.

The floods cause water damage to natural gas furnaces. It may lead to corrosion which usually begins inside the controls, electrical components, and valves. The outcome of this type of damage is long-term reliability problems.

So, Should I start my HVAC system after a flood?

After the water is drained, your HVAC system might look the same as before the flood, but there may be serious issues and concerns that you might not have noticed. The system is also prone to the production of microorganisms, bacteria which settles in the fans, ductwork and other parts of your HVAC system.

The impact of the flood on the system might be unknown, so it’s best to wait until a qualified HVAC technician performs a full inspection.

Your First Steps

If your home was flooded, the first thing you should do is to have a licensed electrician or qualified emergency responder declare the home to be safe. The major problem is of electrocution associated with standing water.

If you want to clean right away, mark the high water line on your furnace and air conditioner. It will help the technician to assess which components were submerged quickly.

There are some serious health hazards involved, and that’s why AHRI and CDC insist that all the work should be undertaken by HVAC professionals who are trained and possess a license.

-          Suppose the HVAC and the air duct units don’t need replacing, ensure you remove and dispose the flooded insulation along with any HVAC filters that are part of the HVAC system.

-          According to the CDC, the system needs to be completely disinfected and cleaned. The remaining dirt and debris need to be vacuumed out of the unit and air ducts using special vacuums.

-          After the debris is cleared, the surface needs to be wiped down with disinfectant to ensure that any remaining microorganisms are killed. To do so, it would require the ductwork to be completely taken apart, cleaned, disinfected and then to be put back together.

-          Trained professionals are hired to make sure that the cleaning is done in a manner such that the system doesn’t get re-contaminated. It’s best to hire hvac contractor in jacksonville for a thorough job.

-          After disinfecting the system, all parts need to be rinsed with clean water. Even the fan. It needs to be taken out and thoroughly disinfected, cleaned, dried out and tested to ensure it runs well before you fix it back in place.  

-          Phew, lastly, once the system’s cleaning and rebuilding id one, insulation and filters need to be replaced. The system should be examined by a trained professional.

During this season, the system needs to arrive at the desired temperature. By checking the odor and air quality, you can tell if the system is following the indoor air-quality standard. If there is any persistent issue, you need to re-inspect the HVAC system and get it properly cleaned and flushed to a point such that the air quality improves.  

Insurance

Restoring your home’s HVAC system after flooding can be a bit much on your wallet. But if you have home insurance which has natural disaster policy, it may pay for the restoration of your home’s HVAC.

In conclusion

Although we hope you never have to experience a flood, in the event you do, make sure you immediately reach out to trained and licensed HVAC technicians.  If flood water contaminates your HVAC system, pick up your phone and call a licensed HVAC technician to restore and repair it the right way. After all, your family’s health depends on it!   

Guest Contributor, Jessica Miller

How To Organize a Small Kitchen

How To Organize a Small Kitchen

With the trend of eating healthy and home-cooked spreading throughout our busy lifestyles, a lot of people are spending more time in the kitchen. But as living quarters are getting smaller, the kitchen is often the first space to suffer, and we don’t exactly have space to spare. But don’t worry – you can still have a fully functional kitchen, even if you’re working with a small space. You just have to organize it well and most importantly, keep it tidy. Let’s see how you can achieve that:

Multipurpose tools

The first rule of any functional kitchen is to make sure it’s not cluttered. This means getting as many multi-functional tools as you can and learning to work with what you have. Perhaps you don’t need both a blender and a food processor, or you can get an oven with an integrated microwave. You really only need one frying pan, a few pots of different sizes and a baking dish. You can make any dish smaller by sectioning it off with aluminum foil and bake several items at once. Any tool that just simplifies a process that you’d normally do with a knife should be replaced by practicing actual knife skills and putting them to good work.

Work with the space you have

With small kitchens, off-the-shelf pieces probably won’t work well as they won’t maximize the potential of the space you have. You would be better off working with professionals who design and make custom kitchens. Perhaps you’re someone who loves baking and needs added counter space that you can expand in a second, or maybe you have a big family and need to be able to set a table for seven people while having it out of the way for the rest of the day. This is where custom design really plays in. It’s more work and you’ll have to plan it out well, but it will be well worth it when you start enjoying your new kitchen. Think about using every dead corner, every nook and cranny, and all of a sudden, your kitchen will seem a lot bigger than it did before.

Use vertical space

As with every smaller space, you’ll want to use every single square inch, which means the walls need to be fully utilized. A good way to do this is to hang a peg board to the wall, equip it with hooks and start hanging up anything from pots to spatulas. It will clear out a lot of the space from the cupboards, giving you more storage room. If you have tall ceilings with a detached counter in the center of the room, you can consider a hanging element over the counter which will carry additional cookware. The space below counters, tables and skins should be used as well, so make sure you’re not letting it go to waste. If you have a free wall, creating a vertical indoor herb garden could be a great way to use the space, bring in some color to the room and improve your cooking.

If you think you don’t have enough space, it’s probably just not organized well enough, and you have things that you don’t use. If spending time in the kitchen is a priority, you should probably look for a property with added kitchen space, but a coat of white paint and some decluttering can go a long way in transforming your kitchen. Just make sure you make a habit out of washing dishes regularly and putting things back into their designated space, because even the biggest kitchen won’t be any good to you if it’s too messy to use.

 Guest Contributor, Diana Smith

A Complete Guide to Plantation Shutters

A Complete Guide to Plantation Shutters 

If you’re looking for a way to beautify your interior design and add more natural light to it, then plantation shutters are the perfect choice for your home. Since there are numerous options regarding style and materials, we are here to help you customize your preferences until you find the ones that will suit your home the best. In order to do so, we have compiled a complete guide to plantation shutters. Let’s take a look.

Add a touch of class

First things first, start off by inviting a breath of fresh air to your home with stylish plantation shutters. The best thing about them is that they can be fitted to any type of window which means that each one will be custom-made for you and designed with any type of finish you desire. For example, if you prefer a traditional style you can go for lacquered basswood shutters for a timeless low-weight and high-endurance solution. However, if you want to evoke a contemporary minimalist atmosphere, feel free to opt for the composite alternative. These shutters are made out of engineered wood wrapped with vinyl for a sleek design to fit any modern home. Keep in mind, the value of your home will drastically increase since these shutters add a lot of class to both the exterior and interior design which many house hunters will appreciate.

Increased safety

Plantation shutters are gaining a lot in popularity recently due to their increased durability and the safety that they can provide to homeowners. If you want to secure your home and prevent any unwanted intrusions, you can now acquire window shutters made from reinforced military-grade metals. Since they are designed with very sturdy hinges and locks, you won’t need to add any other form of protection such as bars or curtains. Lastly, you can install easy-to-operate fly screens to protect your home from mosquitoes, flies and other pesky insects.

Regulate temperature with ease

Aussies know that in order to combat the harsh Australian weather, the best and most practical solution is installing plantation shutters. The reason for this is that you can get shutters with built-in robust aluminium inserts that guarantee longevity. Furthermore, these can withstand the harsh climate and won’t warp, fade or break due to moisture. Thus, if you want to follow in the footsteps of satisfied Australian homeowners who always choose the amazing plantation shutters in Sydney, you should acquire them for your home as well to create a pleasant atmosphere indoors. Additionally, they block up to 30% of incoming airflow and can insulate 70% better than regular wooden shutters. Owing to these features, you will be able to take full control of the room temperature which means you won’t need to depend on your air conditioning or heating systems.

No need for constant maintenance

It is vital to notice that unlike curtains, drapes and other types of window attachments, your plantation shutters will require very little maintenance. For example, if you’ve opted for vinyl ones, then you’ll only need a damp paper towel to remove any kind of stains from the flaps. However, if you have wooden ones, you’ll need to dust the wood once per week and polish it with lemon oil so you can be eco-friendly and prolong the life of your shutters. A great practical solution would be to tilt your blinds and vacuum them in a downwards motion to save time. For homeowners who value their high-end wooden shutters which have a lot of grooves and detailed inlays in them, it’s recommendable to use a small toothbrush to clean those difficult-to-reach spots.

As you can see, plantation shutters can transform your home into a true oasis. All you need to do is choose the material and style of your shutters that best agrees with your interior design and keep them well-maintained. Good luck on your remodeling project!

Guest Contributor, Lucas Bergman

Common Sewer Issues: Troubleshooting

Common Sewer Issues: Troubleshooting

Having a smooth running plumbing and sewage system in our homes is one of the basic necessities of every modern home, but every now and then issues arise that require professional help. It happens everywhere, with no exception of Australia, and in a variety of forms that can cause major headaches to homeowners.

Sewer issues are potentially very dangerous as they may cause serious problems if left unattended. If the water that should normally go down the drain keeps coming back and eventually starts leaking from a pipe, it can lead to contamination due to the harmful bacteria it contains.

If you have noticed anything similar to this happening in your home, you’re probably having one of the following common sewer issues.

Collapsed lines

Sewer problems are very commonly caused by old pipes that have cracked or collapsed due to wearing and old age. This kind of problem might call for major repairs involving a lot of digging in your yard, which is every homeowner’s worse nightmare.

Before you sign up a suitable sewage repair contractor, make sure they give you a proper description of their procedures and ask if they provide dig-free technology. If there is an alternative to having a dug up yard, take it and save yourself major cost and headaches.

Blocked drainage

Blockage in the drains is also a frequent problem that can cause the drain water to come back. If the problem only occurs in your toilet, sink or tub, it’s quite probable that you only have an issue with an individual drain. Most cases of clogged drains are caused by inappropriate drain use, such as pouring grease down the drains or flushing anything that’s not human waste and toilet paper. This might be a DIY project, provided it’s not a big issue.

However, if the problem persists and the blockage won’t budge, it’s time you rely on seasoned experts, such as this plumber servicing in Sydney, to approach it with their professional equipment such as a hydrojet and special chemical agents, which are very successful in removing stubborn clogs.

Tree roots

Tree roots that invade your pipe lines can be a serious problem, even if you don’t have any trees directly above your sewer lines. They commonly go very deep and spread very widely, and by growing around the pipes, they can easily crush them and cause mayhem. They can also grow into the pipes through small cracks and cause clogging and back-ups.

The best way to troubleshoot this problem is to resort to video inspection that confirms the issue. This allows the professional plumbers to reach an informed decision on what would be the best course of action regarding repair.

Septic tank failure

If you live in a home that still has a septic tank, it could also be a common source of sewer issues. The best way to avoid problems is to have it regularly maintained. However, problems can still occur, due to several reasons.

Most often, septic tank failures such as overflow happen due to an inefficient water usage. If it receives more water than its capacity, it will overflow and push the solid waste that didn’t have time to decompose, into distribution tubes and create a blockage.

This can be avoided by doing laundry several times during the week, instead of all in one day. The point is in reducing your water usage, which can also be done by installing water-saving showerheads, faucets and a dual flush toilet.

Another major concern for septic tank homeowners is the soakaway, which is a pit filled with rocks that holds the waste before it gets disintegrated in the ground. The symptoms of a problem in this area could be sounds from the drains, water overflow at the washing machine plug-in and the toilet and unpleasant odour from the land around your house and the drains inside it.

Whatever the issue turns out to be, the matter must be urgently dealt with before it gets any worse and causes a huge damage and health hazard.

Guest Contributor, Lillian Connors

How to Install a Ventilation Fan in Your Bathroom

How to Install a Ventilation Fan in Your Bathroom

Your bathroom is the one room in your home that is constantly under assault from a variety of sources. Harsh chemical cleaners, steamy showers and the remnants of last night’s Mexican entrees all need a way out and vent fans can do just that.

While the odor of a recently used restroom is definitely something we want to get rid of, the more important factor in installing a ventilation fan is evacuating the steam and water vapor created from baths and showers. 

This moisture, if left unaddressed can cause floors to bow, caulking to degrade, and mold to grow in our bathrooms, leaving us with costly repairs and unsightly walls, floors and ceilings. 

When you’re ready to start keeping your bathroom dry, here’s how to do it. 

Selecting a Ventilation Fan

Finding the right fan for your bathroom is an easy process, but an important one. When considering which fan fits your needs, consider the following. 

● Square footage. Fans are designated by the CFM (cubic feet per minute) of air that they move. You’ll want a fan that has at least one CFM for every square foot of your bathroom. Find square footage by multiplying the length of a room by its width. 

● Features. It may sound silly, but this is the 21st century, even our ventilation fans come with features and options now. Modern fans can commonly be equipped with a built in light, a heater, humidity sensor, motion detector, night light and even Bluetooth speakers. 

● Install options. Vent fans can be installed with or without attic access, on the ceiling or walls, and with or without cutting into the wall material. Figure out which option suits you best and pick a fan to match. 

The Tools

Installing a vent fan is a diy task that most homeowners can take on. However, you will need a few tools. 

● A drill with bits and drivers

● Screws

● Flathead and phillips screwdrivers

● Utility knife

● Jigsaw or drywall saw

● Respirator and eye protection

● Duct tape

● Wire cutters and crimpers

● Assorted electrical connectors (may be included with fan)

Time to Get Started

Once you’ve selected the right fan and have assembled the tools, you’re ready to get going. First, determine where your fan will be installed and gain access to that area. If you’ll be venting the fan through the ceiling, you’ll need to be able to get into the attic. 

Drill a Reference Hole

Find a suitable position on the ceiling, ideally between the shower and the toilet, and drill a reference hole through to the attic. A 3/8” bit is big enough for this. 

Measure the vent fan housing and note it on a piece of paper, you’ll need this next. 

Now, climb into the attic and locate your reference hole. Clear away any debris, insulation, or stored objects from the area. Using the measurement you just took, locate the final position of the fan between two joists nearest your hole. 

Note that position in relation to your reference hole so you can transfer that to the ceiling back in the bathroom. 

Mark the Layout in the Bathroom

Back in the bathroom, measure the inside dimension of the fan’s intake. 

Using your reference hole and the notes you made in the attic, transfer the measurements from the attic to the ceiling and use a square to mark out the intake port on the ceiling. 

Cut the Hole

Using the saw you have on hand, cut along the lines you just drew for you intake port. Be sure to wear your airway and eye protection and support the cut-out piece so that it doesn’t rip drywall paper from the ceiling as you finish the cut. 

Drop in Your Fan

Now, head back into the attic with your vent fan. Attach a 90-degree elbow to the outlet port of the fan and secure it with duct tape (preferably foil duct tape).

Remove the knock out panel and attach applicable wiring (you may need an electrician for this portion).

Attach the metal brackets to the fan at the designated points. 

Drop the fan into position, through your ceiling hole 

Secure the Fan

Using the drill and 1 ½” drywall screws, secure the brackets to the joists. 

Slide the flexible ducting over the elbow you installed and secure in place with foil tape. 

Cut Your Vent Hole

All exhaust fans need to be vented to the outdoors. Never allow a fan to blow into the attic or other space, this will cause mold and water damage as the steam condenses into water. 

Locate a spot on the inside of the roof close to your vent fan. Using a hole saw sized to the cap kit, cut a hole through the roof to the outside. 

Connect Your Flexible Hose

Once you’ve cut your hole, make your way onto the roof and locate the opening. Using the cap or vent kit, place the cap in position and secure it according to the instructions provided.

The SheltonRoofing.com information guide says that while you’re up there, check out the condition of your roof. Aging and disheveled roofs cause homeowners a multitude of problems and can be extremely costly if they fail.

Back in the attic, connect the other end of your flexible hose to the cap or vent kit and secure it with foil tape. You may also need to fill any gaps around your ceiling hole with spray foam or caulking. 

Give it Power

Ensure that power to the wiring you’ll be using is disconnected. 

In the bathroom, expose the blower motor and its wiring. 

Make the applicable connections using the wiring diagram provided in the fan kit. If you’re uncomfortable with home wiring, consider hiring an electrician. 

Secure all wiring and attach the ground. Cover the blower motor and turn on power to the fan. If it comes on, you’re good to go. 

Finishing Up

Replace the cover to the vent fan and secure it in place. Caulk or silicone any gaps between the fan and ceiling. 

Retest the operation and that’s it, you’re in the venting business.

An exhaust fan makes an excellent addition to any bathroom and removes the water and odor vapors that can cause you bathroom headaches for years to come. With this guide, we hope you can get a new vent fan installed in no time!

Guest Contributor, Tom Masters  

Easy Projects Which Will Upgrade Your Bathroom in an Instant

Easy Projects Which Will Upgrade Your Bathroom in an Instant

Every now and then, we find ourselves looking around our home and wondering out loud what we can do to make it a bit better. When it comes to home upgrades, people tend to put it off because they feel (and fear) that it takes way too much time and money to do properly. Luckily for us, this isn’t necessarily true and today you can find plenty of simple and easy projects which will make every room in your home look amazing. Today, we’re focusing on bathrooms.

Lighting

Replacing light fixtures in your bathroom isn’t too difficult and you don’t have to go bankrupt to make it happen. Light is very important in every room, especially here, as this is where you’ll be brushing your teeth, washing your face, applying your makeup and taking it off. Standard ceiling lights are convenient but also very boring, and you should try experimenting with other options. You could try installing a couple of wall scones next to the mirror, bring in a small chandelier, and even try recessed lighting. Not only do these look different, but they will also help you see better and set the mood when you want to relax.

Storage cabinet

Your bathroom shouldn’t be filled with furniture but a sturdy storage cabinet is a must because there has to be a place where you’ll keep your cleaning supplies, towels, and makeup. Still, it doesn’t mean that it should look bad just because you need it to be functional. You can choose one of those modern freestanding cabinets that come with glass-panel doors. The doors will lighten the visual impact which the piece has and you can keep linen in there. If you have a lot of medicine and makeup products, opt for a solid-door cabinet or the one that has enough drawers.

Faucets

Taps and faucets are very important parts of a bathroom, and if you’ve had yours for a while, it might be a good idea to have them checked and replaced. Even though you might do this yourself, if you’ve never done it before, it might be a good idea to call a reliable Perth plumber to replace them for you. In different parts of Australia there are different types of taps and faucets used, and if you’re not sure whether it’s time to replace them (or if you simply want to switch to something a bit more contemporary), don’t hesitate to call professionals.

Shower curtain

No matter if you have a shower or a bath, there’s something you can’t imagine a bathroom without – a shower curtain. You might not have a curtain but a glass shower doors instead, but you could still find a way to upgrade it. Curtains should be washed regularly while glass doors should be cleaned in order to remove water stains. You can choose to install one of those modern frameless doors if you want a change, or you could always buy new shower curtains. Not only are they easily replaced and easy to maintain, but they can also become a powerful design feature, especially if you pick something funny or colorful.

Details

The rest of the rooms in your home are probably filled with accessories and simple decorative pieces, so why wouldn’t your bathroom be as well? You can start by bringing in potted plants, but you should make sure they’re the kind that can stand heat and humidity well – small ferns, certain types of orchids, and spider plant will thrive for sure. Replace your bath mat with a new one made of real pebbles and living moss and you’ll see how different these look on the floor. You can also try getting your hands on soft new towels in bright colors which will brighten the room up.

Just because you want to upgrade your bathroom and make it look more modern and cozy, it doesn’t mean that you have to spend a fortune doing so. You don’t even have to replace the bathtub and tiles to achieve this effect, with a few simple projects, you can completely transform your old bathroom into a peaceful oasis you’ll love.

Guest Contributor, Diana Smith 

Commercial Boilers: A Comprehensive Selection Guide

Commercial Boilers: A Comprehensive Selection Guide  

Running a business is not only about managing the product that you sell or the service that you offer. If you are an involved entrepreneur, you are very familiar with the fact that running a successful business means that you need to juggle a number of factors and keep them in the air as long as possible. Some of these factors can be absolutely prosaic but undeniably essential. For example, every HQ building needs a reliable commercial boiler that will fulfill the needs of all employees.

While plumbing might not be your area of expertise, every self-respecting leader will want to be involved in setting up an office space as a home away from home. If you have never chosen commercial boilers before, don’t worry – here is a comprehensive selection guide that should give you all the information you need.

A Matter Of Size

The first thing that comes to your mind when it comes to installing a commercial boiler for the building is a matter of size. While smaller buildings and businesses such as salons, cafes, privately owned compartmentalized offices and community centers can deal with smaller, more compact systems, bigger establishments have an appropriately greater need for hot water and steam, and the boiler should have the capacity to fulfill those needs. Now, when it comes to the specific size of the commercial boiler based on the dimensions of the building, this can be calculated.

The capacity of the boiler is measured in BTU units, which is an abbreviation for British Thermal Units. As a manager or the CEO of the company, you should be familiar with the square footage of the building. Add up the square footage of all floors and multiply that number by 50. This will roughly give you a number of BTU units you require and this number directly determines the size and the capacity of the commercial boiler you need to seek out. In other words, one square foot should be accommodated by 50 BTU, and one BTU equates to 1055 J (joules).

Think About The Requirements

You should differentiate types of boilers depending on the requirements of your building. For example, if your business is something a bit more industrialized, you should consider purchasing a commercial gas boiler that turns water into steam, as it can fulfill a multitude of purposes. Primarily, it can keep the building warm in a very efficient way and they can also be used as generators to produce electricity. They have a wide range of applications in all types of industries that use steam, from food processing to agriculture.

The bottom line is – you should choose a type of commercial boiler system that will fulfill your needs, but which will also be energy-efficient. Thankfully, the sophisticated eco-friendly tech standards have entered this niche so one can easily look into products according to the grade system that has been established by the Energy Labeling Directive. As someone who runs a business, you’ll want the best possible performance of all energy-consuming apparatuses and devices for the lowest possible price at the end of the month, so select your commercial boiler according to this requirement!

Maintenance Costs

Now, if you want to have a commercial boiler that operates at peak efficiency, an apparatus that is as eco-friendly as it is impeccable in its performance, you will need to invest in regular maintenance. It does not matter what type of boiler system you have and the size does not matter, regular maintenance is obligatory for two reasons – safety and stable energy cost.  The boiler that is simply left unattended after the initial installation will surely break down, the costs of repairs will be steep (not to mention the potential damage to the building) and the price tag on the utility bills will spike.

When one takes these factors into consideration, the investment into the future through regular maintenance makes sense, plus – it is actually pretty affordable if you take time to find a professional with a sound reputation and a lot of experience. Of course, businesses can get opportune deals for maintenance plans, and the price of the package becomes more beneficial for you should you choose one that covers the longest time interval.

For example, a maintenance plan with the designated professional that covers the entire year is the most opportune. After you have signed it, you won’t have to keep this matter in the back of your mind throughout the year as the schedule and the maintenance itself will be taken care of for you. In addition, the entire maintenance team will be at your disposal in case of unexpected emergencies and malfunctions.

It is only natural that a task such as choosing the right commercial boiler for your business can be daunting and confusing as it is a part of a particularly specific niche, but it is definitely not an insurmountable obstacle. After all, it is not your duty to install this apparatus and connect it to the building’s pipe grid.

All you have to do, as someone who is intimately familiar with the nature of business as well as the number and habits of your employees, is to choose the right commercial boiler according to some basic info. A well-informed manager or a CEO of a company is much more adept at solving numerous problems and thus increasing the company’s chances for success. Even the most basic decisions matter.

Guest Contributor, Lillian Connors

Items You Never Want to Wash Down Your Drain

Items You Never Want to Wash Down Your Drain

Whether you are washing dishes, your hands or cleaning something up around the house, the sink seems to be a common way that people dispose of all sorts of dirt and grime and while many things are safe for disposal down a drain, it’s important to take precautions to prevent items you never want to wash down your drain from being disposed of improperly.

If you treat your drains like the garbage dump, you will soon begin to have problems with clogs, foul odors and even worse problems that can be expensive to repair. (Source: AnytimePlumbing.net)  Be sure to check this list to make sure you aren’t washing potential dangers down your drain.

Eggshells: Whether you have a garbage disposal or not, egg shells should never be dumped down the drain. When they combine with other waste, they can form major clogs that can be difficult to remove.

Produce Stickers: Those tiny stickers you find on bananas and apples are coated with adhesive glue and are often made of plastic that can get stuck in pipes and cause major clogs.

Grease: Grease is one of the most common substances that people haphazardly pour down the drain. This is one of the biggest mistakes that a person can make with their drain and should be avoided. Grease includes melted fats from bacon, sausage, poultry, hamburger and other meats and once it goes down the drain it can harden and cause sewer blockage.

Coffee Grounds: Coffee grounds, especially when combined with grease can be a horrible combination down the drain. Coffee grounds alone can cause serious drain blockage, so it is best to avoid washing them down the sink drain.

Oils: Whether it is salad oil, cooking oil or even mayonnaise, never pour oils down the drain.

Fat: Shortening, butter, chicken or turkey skin, milk and other fats should not be poured down the drain. Milk is not often considered a fat by people, but the fats in the milk can cause harm to your drains.

Condoms: Condoms are flushed down the toilet or even washed down a sink drain more often than people would believe. They should never, under any circumstance, be flushed down a drain. These items do not dissolve, and they will stay inside your drain or in the sewer for years. They will also cause clogs. The best place for you to dispose of a condom is in the garbage can.

Paper Towels: Due to their thickness, paper towels need to be tossed into the trash can rather than flushed down the commode where they have been known to cause clogs.

Flushable Wipes: Yes, they can be flushed, but take precautions because even flushable wipes have been known to clog a toilet. They don’t disintegrate like toilet paper does and they can wreak havoc on a sewer system.

Motor Oil and Other Fluids: If it goes in the car, it should never be poured down a drain. Motor oil, anti-freeze, transmission fluid and other car fluids can destroy a drain system, so keep them away. Contact your local landfill to find out where motor oil and other fluids can be disposed of in your city.

Paint: Let’s face it, the sink is a comfortable location to clean paint brushes and paint pans after you paint a picture, a wall or a piece of furniture. If you are painting your bathroom or other room in your home, the sink is also the last place you should ever clean your paint brushes or pans. Oil paint needs to be disposed of at a hazardous waste facility while latex paint needs to be disposed of away from drains or water sources. Check with your local city management office to find out what your local ordinances for paint disposal are.

Medication: Many cities today have return days where residents can go drop off unused medications. Many pharmacies will also take unused medications for disposal. Medications are unfortunately dumped down the drain where they eventually land in rivers and streams where they can contaminate water, kill fish and wildlife and even cause illness in humans. When you need to dispose of old medications, never flush them down the toilet. Instead, contact your local pharmacy or police department to find out where you can safely dispose of the medication.

Cleaning Products: Unless you are using 100% natural, safe for the environment cleaning products, steer clear of dumping them down the drain as they can be dangerous to water systems.

It’s a good idea to clean your drains with a mixture of distilled white vinegar and hot water once a week to help keep them clean and to remove buildup. Keeping your pipes clean by not dumping the wrong items down them and by maintaining them with a weekly cleaning regimen is a good way to help avoid an expensive plumbing repair and keep things running smoothly.

Guest Contributor, Tom Masters