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Monday, June 17th, 2013

If you are planning on taking a long trip or will not be using your vehicle for a while, you may want to store it safely. There are numerous storage facilities for vehicles, but finding the right one can be difficult.

Here are some tips to help you find one that is affordable and capable of protecting your vehicle for as long as necessary.

Online

You can find storage facilities for vehicles by using your favorite search engine to search for the facilities in your area. Simply choose the type of facility you are looking for as well as your zip code or the name of your city.

Click on each result displayed until you find the one you like best. You can also find contact information for the facilities on the websites. This will allow you to call the business to check on prices and hours of operation.

Word Of Mouth

If you want honest answers about the best place to store your vehicle, ask around. Ask your friends, family members, and people who have knowledge about cars such as mechanics, employees at auto parts stores, or even someone who works in a lube shop.

These people talk with car owners on a regular basis and likely have knowledge about storage facilities for vehicles.

Advertisements

The best way to find out about any company is to pay attention to advertisements. Many advertisements are very informative and will tell you everything you need to know about a company. Pay close attention to the prices, special offers, and hours of operation if they are discussed on the ad.

Or, Cut Through All That With TalkLocal

If you want to make sure you car is cared for in your absence, choose a facility that is well known and trusted by other customers.

TalkLocal can hook you up with these types of places through our handy concierge service. You just tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll find it for you AND have them call you to see how they can help.

Posted in Moving and Storage | No Comments »

How To Care For Small Rodents

Monday, June 17th, 2013

If you or your child has recently acquired a tiny mammal for a pet — perfect for small residences — you are probably wondering what to do next. If you are not sure how to care for small rodents, start by acquiring the following must-have items:

– A suitable habitat (plastic or glass) with a locking lid that allows plenty of air to circulate and has enough room for rodents to run around freely.

– A water bottle that hangs from the top of the enclosure. A water dish is NOT the same and cannot be used by most rodents.

– A food dish

– Substrate material, plus extra so that it can be changed regularly.

– Commercial food formulated for your animal. Gerbils have different needs from mice, who have different needs from sugar gliders, etc.

Your Pet’s Home

An acceptable enclosure is one that is escape-proof and offers room for animals to run around a bit. You should not need to specifically heat or cool the enclosure, provided that the room is at an acceptable temperature for humans. If you’re feeling too hot or too chilly, chances are your animals are as well.

Clean water should always be available to your rodents. The water bottle must be cleaned every day, even if there is no visible dirt on it. Failure to do this is a major factor in poor rodent health.

Substrate

Substrate can be comprised of commercial animal substrate or finely shredded newsprint. Some breeders use kitty litter, which can absorb odors from urine and require changing less often. Also popular are natural substrates like pine or cedar. Rats are especially fond of burrowing in their substrate. This layer should be two to three inches thick in the bottom of the enclosure.

Droppings should be removed at least once daily. As for changing the substrate, once per week is common — but your nose should be able to tell you when it’s time. Keep in mind that your rodents aren’t able to leave their cages, and that being surrounded by their own filth is pretty unpleasant for them.

Keep Away From Larger Animals

If you’re just learning how to care for small rodents, be aware that rodents appear fascinating (and delicious) to cats and dogs. Avoid disaster by never taking your rodents out of their enclosure when larger animals are nearby. Rodents may be free-fed prepackaged food and given occasional treats in the form of leafy greens or veggies like pea pods, carrots, or cucumber skin. Be sure to remove uneaten “people food” quickly, as it can begin to spoil within a day.

Ensuring The Health Of Your Rodent

If you have questions on how to care for small rodents, or if your animal appears to be sick or injured, find a local vet immediately. TalkLocal makes this process easy. We get qualified vets to call you to see how they can help.

Posted in Veterinarians | No Comments »

How To Stay Cool In The Summer Heat: Air Conditioning

Monday, June 17th, 2013

If you are trying to figure out how to stay cool in the summer heat, air conditioning may seem like a no-brainer. After all, machines that condition air for better living have been around since China’s Han Dynasty. Air conditioning is easy to use; it keeps the temperature down and it feels fantastic when it hits you after coming in from the sweltering heat outside.

Air conditioning lets you choose exactly how cool (or downright chilly) you want your home to be. Whether a window unit or central air, air conditioning is how to stay cool in the summer heat. A few weeks later though … the electric bill comes. That’s when you might wonder what the heck you were thinking.

Energy Efficient Air Conditioning

Energy Star-certified air conditioners use an average of 10 percent less energy than their non-energy-conscious counterparts. Overall, these energy-conserving air conditioners are purported to save about $50 over the lifetime of the unit.

In addition to using less electricity while running, many low-energy air conditioning units have timers which allow for running only when needed. If you’re the sort who likes it nice and cool when you get home from work, a timer can allow you to start running your unit an hour before you get home rather than all day long. That’s when the savings really start to pile up.

Consider Your Room Or Home

Knowing how to stay cool in the summer heat can depend on the size and shape of your room, as well as the placement of your air conditioning unit. Window units can be helped along with an oscillating fan or even a ceiling fan.

Getting air circulating around your home can make a big difference in temperature and humidity, allowing you to run your air conditioner less. An energy-saving air conditioner, properly placed and running only when appropriate, can save money and keep your family cool this summer.

Heating And Cooling Help Made Accessible

TalkLocal is an incredible resource for when you need help with your home’s heating or cooling system. Instead of searching the phonebook for help, you can submit a request for service. We will have three local professionals give you a call. You get to decide who will be best for the job. It saves you both time and money.

Posted in Heating and Cooling | No Comments »

Types Of Chemical Paint Strippers

Monday, June 17th, 2013

If you’re not a chemist, and we bet most of you aren’t, you might be a little wary about choosing which types of chemical paint strippers you’ll need.

They all smell funny and one wrong move might ruin your furniture, brushes, or cause some kind of crazy science mishap. It’s well worth your time to learn a bit about the various types of chemical paint strippers.

This might also be a good time to remind you to wear a mask and to use paint strippers only in a well-ventilated area, like an open garage, gazebo, or a covered (but not enclosed) porch.

Paint strippers come in several forms, each having their pros and cons.

– Spray-on paint strippers are simple and fast to apply. They work well on very thin coats of paint, such as spray paint. Spray-on products are less effective than others because they don’t penetrate as deeply, nor do they stay in place as well. Spray-on paint strippers are not a good option for projects that will remain vertical, like dressers.

– Liquid paint strippers are thicker than spray-on, meaning that they will penetrate deeper and faster. They can be applied with a bristle brush or a sponge brush. Don’t bother using an expensive horsehair brush to apply stripping liquid. The coat doesn’t need to be smooth or even. It’s best to use cheap sponge brushes and then throw them out when the job is done.

– Gel paint strippers are the easiest, safest, and most effective of the various types of chemical paint strippers. They are also the most expensive, but you’re usually only talking about a couple of dollars more. Gel paint strippers can be applied thickly and will stay put for long enough to do the job. They get into crevasses and detail work, and can be left for hours (wrapped in plastic) to give it enough time to remove thick layers of varnish or paints.

All types of chemical paint strippers work by penetrating the paint or varnish, then spreading out between the paint layer and the surface beneath. This causes the paint to lift from the object so it can be scraped off easily.

Check labels to be sure that the paint stripper you choose is right for the materials and for what you’re trying to remove. With a little knowledge and planning, refinishing is easy and fun enough that it’ll hardly seem like work at all.

Getting Help From Professional Painters Is Easy

Looking for a painter in your area? TalkLocal is the service for you. We take on the search process for you and get you on the phone with professionals that can help. You can sit back and let companies compete for your business.

Tags: paint strippers
Posted in Painters | No Comments »

What Does Asbestos Look Like?

Monday, June 17th, 2013

If you are currently looking into the purchase of an older home, or are considering renovating your current home, you may be asking yourself: What does asbestos look like? Unfortunately, asbestos cannot be determined on sight alone. Determining if you may have this dangerous substance in your home takes a little research into your house and searching for warning signs.

Research

If your home was built after 1981, you can be reasonably certain that there is no asbestos in your home. Many homes built prior to 1981 have already been updated, with the old asbestos removed. If your home was built prior to 1981, here are some places to look:

Fireproofing Material

If the material used to fireproof your home is fibrous, fluffy, crumbly, and muddy, it may contain asbestos if your home is older. You will need to contact a professional experienced in asbestos to be sure.

Thermal Insulation

This type of insulation will be on pipes, boilers, water heaters, etc. It will appear to be like cardboard or paper and is typically white in color.

Plaster

If your walls are not drywall and were plastered prior to 1981, they may contain asbestos. It was typically mixed with the plaster material prior to that date.

Floor tiles

Although typically floor tiles containing asbestos are from the 1920s, some were made in the mid to late 1970s. They are typically black, as the asbestos was mixed with an asphalt material.

Only professionals can accurately answer the question: What does asbestos look like? It also takes the right person with the appropriate tools to safely remove it from your home or business.

Where Can You Find Those People?

You should not, under any circumstances, attempt to remove the material on your own. To find a professional near you, try using TalkLocal. Our free service is fast and incredibly easy. We will only find professionals qualified to handle your problem based on information you give us. You will be talking on the phone with someone who can help in just minutes.

Tags: asbestos, attic
Posted in Handyman | No Comments »

Tires For Utility Trailers

Sunday, June 16th, 2013

Using a utility trailer, or a small trailer towed from the back of a vehicle, can make moving large items much easier. When using a utility trailer, you need to make sure you practice proper tire upkeep just as you would with your car.

Picking out tires for utility trailers can be intimidating since there are so many options. You need something that can get the job done, but you don’t want to overdo it. Consider this checklist for picking out the proper tires for utility trailers.

What size do you need?

If you don’t have a large trailer, you don’t need large tires. Sometimes, putting larger or smaller tires on a vehicle or pick-up truck is considered fashionable. That’s not how it works for utility trailers. The tires for your utility trailer need to complement the size of the trailer itself. Information on the recommended tire size for your trailer can be found either on the trailer itself or in the manual.

What load capacity will you require?

Your tires need to be able to carry what you want to haul. This means they need to be able to support the weight of whatever you’ve got. If your tires don’t have the proper load capacity, they can blow out while you’re driving, which is a serious safety risk for you and other drivers.

Make sure you are following the suggested load capacity on the trailer or manual and don’t try to haul anything that is too heavy for your trailer. If you need to haul something outside of your trailer’s capacity, it’s safer to just rent another trailer.

Are your tires properly maintained?

You want to make sure you’re keeping your tires inflated and cared for properly, as you would your own vehicle. A low or flat tire on your utility trailer can lead to a blow-out or another kind of accident in which the item(s) you’re hauling can be lost on the road. This is very dangerous. Make sure you know the proper PSI for your utility trailer tires and keep them inflated.

Need Towing Advice?

Answering these three questions will help you keep your utility trailer ready to go when you need to haul anything. If you have more questions about what kind of tires to pick out, TalkLocal can connect you to the professionals in your area who have the answers. We give you instant access to countless relevant service professionals in your local area. You’ll never need to scour the newspaper or phonebook again.

Posted in Towing | No Comments »

How To Stay Cool In The Summer Heat: Windows

Sunday, June 16th, 2013

Once the weather warms up, we’re all looking at how to stay cool in the summer heat. A lot of us think of fans or air conditioning, and maybe a tall glass of lemonade.

But, did you know that your windows, or what’s on them, can make a profound difference in your comfort during the summer months? It’s true. If you’re willing to make an upfront investment and spend a little time, your windows can start keeping you cooler and helping lower your electric bill.

How? Two words: reflective glass.

What Is Reflecting Glass?

Reflecting glass, which has the same concept as low-e windows, is the miracle of how to stay cool in the summer heat. Whether you replace your current windows with reflective glass, apply reflective paint (don’t worry, you can still see through it), or install removable reflective window film, you can expect big savings and increased comfort. In fact, more homeowners — and even apartment-dwellers — than ever are learning the benefits of reflective windows.

What you can expect from reflective windows:

A cooler temperature. Heat is reflected away from your home. Additionally, furniture and floors absorb less heat so that less is radiated throughout the room. Even leather furniture stays comfortable.

Privacy. During the day, privacy is guaranteed by reflective windows. You’ll still want to close the curtains at night though, if the lights are on.

If reflective film is applied, windows become less likely to shatter in case of an accident or storm damage. In this regard, window film is less about how to stay cool in the summer heat and more about safety.

Some films reduce the temperature difference between inside and outside of the window glass. This leads to less condensation, which is especially great for homes with windows in wooden frames.

Reflective windows aren’t just for summer. In winter months, they can reflect heat back into the room, keeping it warmer and reducing heating costs.

Reflective glass offers protection from ultraviolet rays, which means curtains, carpets, and painted walls are less likely to fade and will need to be repainted or replaced far less often.

Who Can Replace My Windows?

Do reflective windows sound good to you? Now, all you need to do is find someone that can install them. TalkLocal has the answer. After collecting information about your needs, we find three local professionals that could be of service. You get to decide which one you want to go with. And our service is fast and free.

Posted in Window Replacement | No Comments »

Cost Of A Push Mower

Sunday, June 16th, 2013

If you want to keep your yard looking nice and pest-free, you need to mow it often. A push mower is an affordable tool that allows you to mow your yard within a reasonable amount of time. If you are planning to buy a mower, you may be wondering how you can gauge the cost of a push mower. Price can vary depending on brand, features, and size. Here are some tips for finding the cost of a push mower.

Research Online

You can find out how much push mowers are selling for without even leaving your home. Simply do some research online with your favorite search engine and look for the average cost of a push mower. You can even visit store websites to see what mowers they have available online or in stock at the store closest to you. This will give you an idea of what to expect when you are ready to go shopping.

Compare Prices

If you know the brand or type of mower you want, don’t just buy the first one you find. Some stores may offer better deals than others on the very same products. Shop around online and store to store until you find the best price on the lawn mower you want. Some stores will price match others, so keep this in mind as you shop.

Warranties and Repairs

Remember, in most cases you get what you pay for. You may find a cheap push mower, but if it does not come with a warranty or free repairs within the first few months, you may not be getting as good of a deal as you think. Mowers work hard, and there are many things that can go wrong. In most cases it is worth the money to pay a little more for a mower which comes with a warranty.

Push mowers are not cheap tools, but they are necessary if you want to have a nice yard. Be smart when shopping for your next push mower and hopefully you can find one that is affordable and will last you for many years.

Need Help Mowing?

Whether you’re looking for someone to fix your broken mower or mow your lawn for you, TalkLocal is the answer. Through our website, you can connect almost instantly with local service professionals from virtually every industry. Give it a whirl!

Posted in Landscapers | No Comments »

Choose The Right Storage Facility

Sunday, June 16th, 2013

Let’s face it — we have a lot of stuff.

Sometimes, when we clean, it’s easy to just get rid of a bunch of our stuff that we don’t use, need, or want anymore. Sometimes, though, it isn’t that easy. Maybe we don’t need it now, but what if we need it in the future? What if it becomes valuable again? This is when using a storage facility comes in handy. If you want to make sure you choose the right storage facility for your needs, ask yourself some of the following questions.

How much stuff do I have?

This is the most important thing to know if you want to choose the right storage facility. Storage facilities are organized by size. You pay for the size that you reserve. That means that if you only have a little bit of stuff, but you rent a giant storage container, you’re probably paying a lot more than you should. To get the most out of your facility, you should analyze what you need to keep there and how you can organize it to take up as little space as possible.

What kind of stuff do I have?

There are some things you just can’t store. For example, plants and animals don’t belong in a storage facility, even if you plan to go every day to care for them. If you are storing something large like an RV or automobile, you might look into whether the facility offers an area to park motor vehicles.

How much security do I need?

All storage facilities are pretty secure. Your individual unit is locked, and usually, the whole storage facility is locked as well. If you have items that you think need more security, you may look into a more secure facility, such as an indoor facility with a security alarm system. The bank also offers safe security deposit boxes for things like jewelry, rare coins, and important documents.

See What’s Available In Your Area

The answers to these questions will help guide you through the different types of storage facilities available. If you need help finding facilities near you, TalkLocal can always help connect you to the professionals in your area who can answer your questions.

Posted in Moving and Storage | 1 Comment »

What Is An Enrolled Agent?

Sunday, June 16th, 2013

Do you know a reliable enrolled agent? Or, are you still asking yourself: What is an enrolled agent?

This is an important question to consider, especially when it comes to tax time. These professionals can be an enormous resource in unwinding any tax issues you may have. Here is a little bit of information on what enrolled agents are and what they do.

What Is An Enrolled Agent?

Similar to a Certified Public Account or attorney, enrolled agents are licensed by the United State Department of Treasury to help represent tax payers when they are up against the Internal Revenue Service. However, CPAs and attorneys are licensed by their respective state, while enrolled agents are directly licensed from the federal government. Enrolled agents also must specialize in taxation, while some attorneys might not be experts in that area.

This, in a nutshell, puts them at the top tier of tax professionals.

When an enrolled agent represents a taxpayer in a tax case, they are granted by the federal government a confidentiality privilege. That means whatever information is exchanged between the enrolled agent and the tax payer can remain private.

How Does Someone Become An Enrolled Agent?

Again, much like CPAs, enrolled agents must past an extensive test to prove that they have a wide knowledge of every aspect of taxation. Enrolled agents do not have a specialized area of taxation in which they are experts. They have to have a very broad knowledge in order to appropriately represent any tax payer.

However, professionals who have worked in certain positions with the IRS for five years or more are automatically eligible to become enrolled agents.

Why Might I Need An Enrolled Agent?

Enrolled agents can represent you for an audit or collection. They can also do something so simple as prepare tax returns for you as an individual or for your business. They generally are a rock-solid resource about anything that has to do with taxes.

Where Can I Find One?

There are a number of resources you could use to find an enrolled agent, but TalkLocal can help you cut through that lengthy search. Use our service, specify that you are looking for an enrolled agent, and we will connect you with one in your area immediately.

Posted in Accountants, talklocal | No Comments »

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