Monthly Archives: August 2016

Keep Your Basement Watertight When You Hire a Basement Waterproofing Company!

Updated 3/30/22

Basement waterproofing may lead to several problems when done poorly. To achieve a dry basement, you need to ensure that the right products are applied to the walls.

You can do DIY basement waterproofing to solve some of the problems you could be experiencing. If you are experiencing water leakage from your basement, searching for how to fix water leaking through the basement wall can provide you with a step-by-step guide you can follow. YouTube videos can also guide you on how to stop foundation leaks from inside. There are many guidelines available on how to stop water leaks in concrete walls that can guide you throughout the process.

However, with DIY basement waterproofing, you might miss some steps, hence hiring a professional waterproofing company for a comprehensive assessment. A reputable waterproofing company has the expertise needed for the best waterproof coating for walls.

Choosing the right basement waterproofing company will guide you on the entire procedure and choose the right materials. Knowing how to gauge a company can help you decide if they are best suitable to handle your situation.

Basement waterproofing specialist

A flooded or leaking basement is probably every homeowner’s worst nightmare. Basements are so often used for storage that a wet basement often signals that countless other materials have been compromised as well. Even worse, if you don’t dry out the space appropriately and seek out water proofing solutions, you run the risk for mold growth in the basement, which is often time-consuming and irritating to remove. Luckily, a basement waterproofing company can help fix the causes of your leaking or flooded basement and ensure that the problem won’t happen again. However, there are certain things you should be looking for when you hire a basement waterproofing company and things that you need to know if your basement is leaking or flooded in the first place. Taking each step as it comes will help you treat the problem appropriately and help you avoid any mishaps in the future.
Don’t Worry — It Can Happen to Anyone!
If you’re despairing about a wet or flooded basement and the loss of some of your valuables, take some small comfort in knowing that almost all homes with basements experience some degree of water damage — over 98%! In 2013, water damage was responsible for over a quarter of insurance loss claims. If you live in an area that’s prone to flooding or experience heavy rainfall, there are certain things you can do to keep your basement reasonably dry and your belongings from getting soaked. Putting your possessions up on stilts can alleviate the effects of a particularly heavy rainfall — though it won’t do much for severe flooding. Getting a submersible pump (often referred to as a sub pump) can also help get water out of your basement quickly. They last between five to fifteen years on average, so it’s a good investment.
Oh my Gosh! My Basement is Totally Flooded. What Do I Do?
Of course, the first thing you’ll want to do is to pump out the basement. Once the water has been removed, it’s time to really thoroughly dry everything, as quickly as possible. The ideal time frame here is between 24-48 hours of the flooding occurring. This will help you avoid mold growth, which can be whole separate battle. Open up windows and have fans going for optimum ventilation.
After that, any cloth items like bedding, towels, upholstery, etc., should be removed as well if they suffered damage. If they’re not dry in 48 hours, you’ll have to throw them out, because they’ll start to harbor mold growth. Consider hiring a basement waterproofing company to fix anything the flood may have damaged and to make sure your basement is as watertight as it possibly can be.
What Should I Know About Waterproofing My Basement?
First of all, you need to find the root cause. Do you have a cracked foundation and need foundation repairs? Are gutters, pipes, or other drainage systems angling water towards your basement? Are plants or another landscaping shrubbery too close to your foundation and funneling water towards your basement? Once you know the cause, you can work to fix the problem.
If your foundation has cracks that are bigger than a quarter inch in width or have stair step cracks in blocks or bricks, it needs immediate attention. Dirt around the foundation should be sloping six inches for every ten horizontal feet and plants should be at least two feet away from the foundation and settled low enough in the soil that water won’t be diverted towards the foundation itself.
A basement waterproofing company can help identify the problem and apply one or more waterproofing methods. This may be interior or exterior excavation waterproofing, injecting epoxy into foundation cracks — typically this only effective with a concrete foundation — or applying waterproofing paint or primer.
Don’t let a wet basement get you down — there are ways to fix it and ensure that it doesn’t happen again, barring a major natural disaster. Be proactive about your basement and don’t let small leaks add up to one big problem! There could be underlying issues that are a symptom of a bigger issue.

 

pest control service near me

Are You Looking for a Pest Control Service That Treats Bugs While Also Caring for the Ecolife?

Controlling the pests that might get into your house is important, especially if you need special services such as wasp control. Some critters could be harmless in general, but others are dangerous for your family’s health. Therefore, you need experts in your house as soon as possible. However, it’s also good to consider hiring people who can handle the job and still not harm the ecolife.

If you live in a house, you probably have had pest control appointments often. Critters and pests get inside and want your food. However, you might have noticed that some products are harmful to the environment, the plants, and the other creatures in your home that are not necessarily pets or pests. Therefore, you need to call a pro pest control service that uses special products. You just need to search for “pest stop near me” and start reviewing businesses.

You can ask them about their pest control packages and how they ensure the ecolife is protected. If you live in a van, you can ask them about mobile home pest control, which can be a problem even if you move around constantly. Pests can get anywhere, even a vehicle.

Let’s find out more about pest control that protects ecolife.

There are many pest control companies in every town for you to choose from, but many people nowadays want to hire services that can get rid of bugs while not harming eco-life. That’s something to consider, and businesses that don’t take that into account will get left behind. If a client is willing to spend more on products that don’t harm the ecosystem, companies should offer them.

A company has to know the pest control do’s and don’ts that might cause bigger issues for a homeowner or affect the health of plants, pets, and other necessary life. That’s why not every terminator bug spray can be utilized in every home. People are more responsible nowadays because they care about the environment and the beings around them.

Additionally, some might not want to kill the pests at all, just remove them from their property so they don’t contaminate food, damage furniture, etc. Just pest control is not enough these days, and it’s important to know how to find the business that will work with your values. There are many means of domestic pest control. It’s just a matter of research and communication.

Let’s find out more about looking for an eco-friendly pest control service.

Before hiring the services of professional exterminators, you should consider the best course of action to remove the pests that are invading your home. Talk with professionals about the best service to keep termites, bugs, and cockroaches out of your property while preventing future bug invasions.

Consider taking precautions after termite treatment, as you won’t want future incidents related to termites. Moreover, if you have additional problems unrelated to termites, you should call bug control specialists and ask them how to discard these pests from your property. Organize your time before hiring pest control services. The best time for pest control is between July and August, as you won’t have to deal with pests during the holidays or any other festivity.

Do you have to leave the house for pest control? The answer is yes, as you need to give time to the specialist to finish their work. Talk with relatives or a close friend and ask if you can stay with them while they clean your house from pests. Moreover, look for a pest control service that cares for the environment and doesn’t contaminate your property.

It’s important to keep your home free of bugs and pests, and one of the main ways to do this is to call a pest exterminator. They should know about basic pest control as well as spider extermination and more. When they’re good at basic pest management, they can help you keep your home free of pests and in good shape throughout. This is possible as long as you call them the moment you suspect that you have pests in your home.

To find a pest exterminator easily, you could search online for things such as “any pest control near me” and check the results. Pick the one with the best reviews as this may mean that they’re knowledgeable in pest control. You may also want to know the safety levels of exterminator chemicals as pertains to you and your family as well as the environment. In this case, you could ask the exterminators you call or search online for “are exterminator chemicals safe” so that you know and have more peace of mind before proceeding.

Ask any questions that you have right from the start so that you know what you’re signing up for. This will give you an easier time when you’re finally ready to get rid of the pests troubling you at home.

When you discover dangerous bugs in your garden or lawn, the first thing that springs to mind is to call extermination professionals to eradicate the pests. Pest control professionals can eliminate even the peskiest creatures from houses by knowing their weaknesses.

You can also consider the more effective, environmentally friendly pest control for home use techniques available that can help you get rid of those annoying creatures. Eco-friendly pest control methods work well and can even draw beneficial insects to your area.

You can hire new pest control businesses or carry out eco-friendly pest treatment on your own if you know where to buy insecticide. The safest way to get rid of bugs in your house is to request eco-life treatments.

However, it is advisable to find a professional 24 hr exterminator who is knowledgeable about a wide range of issues most homeowners face today. Many 24 hour termite control professionals provide natural pest and termite elimination solutions, whether for treating ants inside a house or hornets that have built an outdoor nest next to an air conditioner.

While there are many reasons people have lawns in their homes, harboring pests isn’t one of them. Once you find harmful pests in your garden or lawn, the first thing that comes to mind is to call exterminators to get rid of the pests.

However, they use industrial pest control products that can be a health risk to you, your children, pets, and the environment. Fortunately, you can find better pest and termite control methods that are eco-friendly and can help you get rid of pests in your home or garden. As a result, you can avoid relocating until the exterminator has eliminated the pests.

With adequate preparation when using eco-friendly pest control for home use, you will never need to go beyond these measures. Eco-friendly pest control measures are enough and can help attract ‘good pests’ to your garden.

You can conduct eco-friendly pest control on your own or call new pest control companies. In this review, we’ll look at how to find a pest control service that can eliminate pests from your home or garden while still caring for the environment.

 

Location: Florida

The fragrance of the season is powerful.
As Florida residents and other southern states cover themselves in bug spray to avoid all mosquito bites, the aroma of bug repellant can be overwhelming. Door to door visits alert residents to the dangers of standing water and the need for residents to stay covered in everything from long sleeve shirts and pants to bug repellant.
And while pregnant mothers are the biggest concern, the local health offices are warning that keeping young children, elderly people, and others who might be most at risk inside as much as possible if you live in the area where the Zika virus has been reported.

Location: Virginia

It was an exciting day. Instead of living in the dorm during her second year of college, your daughter and three of her gymnastics teammates were going to be sharing an apartment. Anxious to move her into her first real place, you and your daughter were the first to arrive. What you were greeted with, however, was not fun. Instead of a nice clean apartment, you were greeted with partially repainted wall and a kitchen full of cockroaches. Making an immediate exit, you contacted the landlord. You were instructed to check into a hotel for the next two nights. The landlord promised two things: they would reimburse you and that they would get the place treated.
You were not sure what to fear the most. the bugs themselves or the harsh chemicals they might use to treat the kitchen.

Location: Nebraska

You still remember how subtle that small movement was.
The glimpse you caught of some small dark creature scurrying out of the grass and into the bush was so quick you wondered if you had imagined it. When your husband asked later in the week if you had been digging some of the day lilies out of the front flower patch, however, that darting black image mad sense. As you explained that you had not been digging out lilies, your husband went on the show you where something had been disturbing them. On closer examination, you also realized that something had been burrowing under some of the landscape cover as well.
You wasted no time in calling the pest control service to have them come out. After a brief consultation, the pest control contractor said that it would take a little more investigating, but it was clear you had some unwanted visitors in your flower bed. Reminding the pest control service representative that the invited guests on your property included small children and a couple of beds, you asked what were the options for natural pest elimination measures.

Natural Pest Elimination Is the Goal of Many Homeowners

While some residents in the U.S. are on the lookout for standing water that could serve as a breeding ground for mosquitoes, others fear cockroach invasions. Still others are haunted by images of larger pests scurrying about the foundation of the their homes and tearing up their flower beds.
Whether you are looking for all natural ways to eliminate the insects and small pests that can be a problem in many homes or you are trying to find a way to keep another infestation of bugs in your kitchen, natural pest elimination may be an option.

Local pest control services are often well versed in many problems that homeowners experience. Whether it is treating ants inside a home or hornets who have made an outside nest by an air conditioning unit, many pest control experts can offer natural pest elimination options.

Some of the most common insects pest control services have to treat are bed bugs, cockroaches, and termites. All damaging in their own ways, all three of these bugs need different kinds of treatments. a cockroach, for example, can live for a month without food, but it cannot exist without water. Bed bugs, on the other hand, are persistent because they can can lay one to five eggs every single day. Understanding the weakness of every kind of bug helps pest control agents successfully rid homes of even the most annoying pests.
Asking for ecolife treatments can rid your home of bugs in the safest manner.

The Pros and Cons of Private, Public, Home School or No Preschool

Day care in coral gables

Figuring out where to send your children for schooling is an extremely important decision. There are many choices out there but finding a good preschool is where it starts. Preschool sets the tone for the school years to come. You will be able to see how your child grows and flourishes in a social setting like preschool and this will help you determine what kind of schools your child will need as they grow. There are many reasons for going to preschool. Here are a few options and their pros and cons.

Private Preschool
Private preschools tend to be a much smaller group which gives your child a much better chance of adjusting quickly and fitting in. Smaller settings also allow teachers that one on one time with each child to figure out their strengths and weaknesses. If these can be determined early on, then the child will be able to overcome weaknesses and build on strengths before anything in set in stone. Private preschools also encourage parent involvement more than any other school so this helps the parent/child relationship and also allows parents to have a sat in their child’s education.

The downside to private preschools is that they are pretty pricey. Tuition cost can vary depending on the school but it can be difficult for parents to keep up with paying for it, especially when you have several children.

Public Preschool
Public preschools offer a bus system that private schools do not have so that you do not have to take your children to school yourself and still know that they are safe. This age is such critical age and with public preschools, lower income families are able to send their children to public preschool without having to worry about the cost of education.

However, on the other hand, public schools sometimes do not focus on teaching the children anything but only focus on the socialization. There should be an even balance between the two methods. It is thought that children who go to public preschools will not have the same advantages as those you go to private schools.

Home School Preschool
There are some fantastic preschool curriculum available to parents who would rather teach their children at home throughout preschool. Children that are home schooled in the beginning are often ahead when they do start school.

While this is not the way with all children, it is a common thought that children who are home schooled tend to be socially awkward because of not having that day to day interaction with other kids. However, this can be overcome by enrolling the child in extra curricular activities after school like sports teams or drama clubs, etc.

Forego Preschool
There are many benefits of preschool and if you choose to forego it, you may be setting your child up to be behind once they actually start school. While preschool is not a requirement, it prepares your child to be in a school setting. Preschool is a great place to learn but the truth is, children will learn wherever they are, be it home or school. There are so many things for them to see and pick up but the main thing about preschool is the socialization. If a child does not go to preschool and then is thrown into kindergarten, where they really do need to start learning, it may be a shock for them. The shock could prevent them from learning for a time as they adjust and they may end up falling behind.

The first few years of a child’s school life are so important. When they are this young, they pick things up like a sponge and learn so quickly that even a few missed days can cause them to fall behind. Whether they learn at home, at private school or public, young children need to be learning all the time and picking up new skills and information. This will help them not only in kindergarten or even high school but for years to come. The foundation is the most important part of the structure and it is crucial for kids to get these learning blocks in as soon as they can in order to build on them.

3 Suggestions for How to Get Rid of Stuff

Red cross pickup

Summer is ending and fall is fast approaching and the cleaning bug is heading in. Pretty soon we are going to be pulling our sweaters, jackets and boots out of storage or the back of the closet or under the bed, or wherever you stashed them. Some people may have dropped off their winter closed as used clothing donations at a Red Cross donation center. If that’s the case, you may have to buy a new jacket. Whatever the case may be, the changing of the seasons is a good time to step back and evaluate your home. It’s amazing how much stuff we pick up over time. You could have done a deep spring cleaning and then just a few short months later, your possessions have once again cluttered up your home. What better time to go through everything than that weird in between not summer anymore but not yet fall time? Here’s a few tips about what to do with the things you’re getting rid of.

  1. Yard Sale
    If you have a garage or a large front yard then you could set up a few tables and blankets on the ground and sell your things to passers by. The best way to advertise a yard sale is to find out when your community usually has yard sales, which is probably on a Saturday or Sunday when most people aren’t working. Then, draw up some signs on the nearest main street that say ‘yard sale’ with an arrow pointing your direction. Lots of people purposely go out looking for yard sale signs on weekends. You can also advertise your yard sale on sites like Offer Up or Craig’s List. It’s a good way to attract attention in order to get rid of things you don’t need or want as well as make a little money. Don’t be too picky when it comes to prices if you are going to do a yard sale. People don’t usually want to spend a lot and will probably barter for lower prices once they find an item they want.

  2. Donate
    The Red Cross donation center and other organizations are always looking for clothes donations as well as other things. The great thing about these organizations is they may actually pick up the items for you. If you gather all of the things together that you want to donate, you can then call the Red Cross donation center and arrange a time that the Red Cross pickup service can come and get your donations. It’s a great way to clear out your home but at the same time, still put those items to use with families that need them. You may never know who your stuff went to or how it helped but it will make you feel so good, knowing that you’ve played a part in potentially changing a life. There’s really no excuse not to donate. You’re getting rid of the things anyway, it doesn’t put you out if you don’t even have to go to the Red Cross donation center; they come to you and the items are helping someone. It’s a win/win/win.

  3. Sell Them
    Offer Up and Craig’s List were mentioned earlier in regards to advertising your yard sale. If you have the patience and don’t mind not getting rid of stuff immediately, you can take pictures of all your gently used items and put them on these sites for people to see. It’s sort of like an online yard sale. Sometimes you will get better prices for your items than you would at a real yard sale though. Once you accept someone’s offer, it’s up to you whether you want to deliver the item to them or have them come and get it. If you take the items to them, you might make a little more money if you charge for delivery. However, it can be a lot more convenient to have them come to you.

Getting rid of stuff is a good idea. It helps not only to clear your home and make it easier to keep clean but also to clear your mind. It’s easier to focus and concentrate on other things when you know your home is in order.

How Can Waterproof Crib Sheets Make Potty Training Easier for Kids and Parents?

Kids pillowcase

Bringing up baby. It helps to have the patience of a saint. A sense of humor. The power to harden your heart and say “No” when necessary. And soft, washable waterproof crib sheets. These are a far cry from the smelly vinyl waterproof covers you’ve used until now. New fabric technology has used tencel and natural fibers to create washable, breathable, all-natural waterproof fitted sheets for kids and grown ups. From potty training sheets to double fitted sheets, they’ve got you covered.

Soft, breathable, waterproof sheets
The new waterproof sheets are really that – sheets. Soft, comfortable, cool, breathable sheets in cheerful bright colors, that kids and adults can snuggle into. Whether it’s potty training sheets or twin sheets for older kids, they come in a variety of sizes and colors. They replace the old waterproof layer made of vinyl, as well as the sheet that you used to cover it.
No one could enjoy sleeping on a waterproof mattress protector made of vinyl. They are noisy, crackly, and heat up as you sleep, so you wake up feeling uncomfortable. For babies and young children with their delicate skin, they are especially harsh. Pillowcases made from the same material ensure a good night’s sleep, which the little rascals need to store up the energy for the new day.

Zinc is antibacterial and blocks odors
Waterproof hypoallergenic fitted sheets and protective pillow cases use new fabric technology to incorporate zinc into the fabric itself. Zinc has many benefits – it is antibacterial, blocks odors, and refreshes and regenerates the skin. The cosmetic-grade zinc used for these sheets won’t wash out despite repeated washings.
These sheets are also machine washable, and come out of the dryer smelling clean and fresh. Everyone, babies and adults alike, loves to sleep on fresh sheets. In fact, three-fourths of people say that they sleep better on fresh-smelling sheets. And the same number of Americans say that they are excited about going to bed when the sheets have just been washed and smell fresh.

Help with potty training
For parents with babies and young kids, waterproof fitted sheets are a blessing. Especially when potty training kids, these potty training sheets replace the uncomfortable vinyl mattress protectors you had to use before.
Potty training is a major childhood landmark. Kids themselves recognize this as part of growing up and gaining control. Experts offer the following helpful tips for parents whose kids are ready for potty training:

  • Be aware that the age for potty training varies. Some kids begin as early as two and others can start a year later.
  • Discuss it with your kid first. There are books and videos that can help prepare them.
  • Make sure your kid is able to sit on the potty chair and can pull up her or his pants.
  • Schedule regular potty breaks, usually about two hours apart. Encourage your child to use the potty whenever it’s needed.
  • Be flexible. Sometimes kids can go back and forth and accidents can happen. Stay calm and positive.
  • Nighttime potty training takes longer. Use waterproof potty training sheets to keep your child comfortable during this period.

Waterproof potty training sheets make the transition easier for both parents and kids.

Waterproof sheets for baby make life easier for parents. There are comfortable waterproof fitted sheets for adults as well, ensuring that everyone sleeps well and wakes up refreshed.

What Do You Look for in Bedsheets?

Waterproof crib sheet

When you think of waterproof sheets, you probably remember the old-school stiff-vinyl, crackly and unwieldy layers used on kids’ beds to protect the mattress underneath. They were uncomfortable to sleep on, difficult to clean and had a plasticky smell that kids hate. The new generation of waterproof sheets are completely different. Nature combined with technology gives you a smooth, natural surface that is so comfortable to sleep on that you don’t need a regular sheet on top. In cheerful colors and different sizes – for cribs, twin and waterproof fitted sheet doubles – they provide a new level of comfort and convenience.

Waterproof potty training sheets
Potty training is an anxious time for parents and kids. For parents, it can mean middle-of-the-night emergencies, when beds have to be remade quickly and kids consoled. With hypoallergenic waterproof mattress protector sheets, there’s no mess to clean up and consequently nothing for kids to feel sad or guilty about. And parents can get a good night’s sleep. They’ll need it for the next day!
The sheets are also breathable, which is good since babies and young children are highly susceptible to all kinds of rashes. Made of tender and natural fibers, they are soft and comfortable as well a highly practical. Unlike plastic mattress protectors, they’re breathable, and don’t overheat. So your kids can get a good night’s sleep even if there are any accidents.

Bedsheets should feel soft and fresh
What do people look for in bedsheets? Fresh and clean sounds good, doesn’t it? For 78% of Americans, sheets with a fresh scent actually make the idea of going to bed exciting. And about three-fourths of people feel that they sleep better on fresh-smelling sheets. Waterproof fitted sheets work as well for adults as they do for kids. They’re soft, comfortable to sleep on, all-natural and easy-care.
New technology uses cosmetic-grade zinc to make waterproof fitted sheet doubles, singles or crib-sized, as well as pillowcases. Zinc has antibacterial properties. It also helps to refresh and regenerate the skin. Zinc reduces odor, so your sheets smell fresh longer between washes. In fact, you don’t have to wash them as frequently. The zinc is incorporated into the fabric using an innovative technology and does not wash out over time.

Bedsheets should be easy-care
Waterproof fitted sheet doubles and singles as well as hypoallergenic pillow cases and crib sheets are all easy to care for. You can just toss them in the washer and dryer and they’re ready for use, smelling clean and fresh.

With new waterproof fitted sheet doubles or crib sheets, you get soft, colorful linens instead of smelly, crackly vinyl mattress protectors. We spend a third of our lived in bed, and babies even more. Choosing soft, colorful sheets that are breathable, waterproof and easy to care for is essentially an easy choice.

Why Affordable Child Care Matters

Metairie daycare

Being able to stay home with a child full-time is a rare privilege these days. Most parents need to opt for some form of daycare service and full-time stay-at-home parents represent just one third of all parents in the U.S. Just one generation ago, that figure was at least 50%, with the mother usually trying at home with the children. Of course, times have changed and women are now much more accepted in the workplace and play a vital role in the financial wellbeing of their families.

In this context, as much as a quarter of all children aged five and under are in daycare, nurseries or some other form of organized child care. Sadly the provision for such care does not meet the demand with most (two-thirds) parents believing that more needs to be done to provide such services, whether by government or business. In fact, lack of access to daycare services or child care services results in over 11 million children having to take care of themselves after school because there is no parent or family member to do so and no access to affordable healthcare.

For some parents, after school programs can help with the child care requirements, but only 10.2 million kids participate in such programs. A further 19.4 million would participate in after school activities or programs but are unable to because there are none available. Choosing the right child care facilities, whether daycares services or options for older kids, is vital as they can provided much-needed stimulation for children outside of school tie and can positively impact on academic performance. Pre-school seems to be one of the most important parts of a child’s education, with as much as one quarter of this in the high risk group likely to drop out of high school if they do not get the right kind of quality pre-school experience. Such children are up to 40% more likely to fall pregnant or become teen parents, 70% more likely to commit a violent crime resulting in arrest, and 60% more likely not to go to college, according to the Ounce of Prevention Fund.

The problem is that child care of whatever type is pricey. One study found that families earning less than $18,000 a year tended to spend as much as 40% of their income on such services. Overall, families spend about 7.2% of their total income on child care. Despite the existence of federally subsidized child care programs, only 22% of low-income families have their children in such programs. There are affordable daycare services and other childcare programs available; the trick is to find ones that meet your needs and offer your child the best start in life.