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Wednesday, October 24th, 2012

When winter rolls around, the snow can be a gift and a curse. A light flurry may give your yard a seasonal touch, but a terrible snowstorm can collapse your roof. When too much ice and snow collects on your roof, ice dams form and prevent water from draining properly. The ice dams can cause water to collect and freeze in the gutters, which then forces the water to flood into poorly insulated areas. This water can damage your walls, ceilings, and roof structure–resulting in costly repair bills. The worst case scenario is your roof collapsing from the weight of the snow.

Homeowners can avoid this fate by regularly sweeping their roof. Some people who experience frequent snowfall install deicing systems to prevent snow and ice buildup on their rooftops. Roof deicing systems are usually comprised of heated cables or panels installed under roofing material to melt snow and ice. They are installed near the roof overhang where ice dams tend to form.

There are many reasons people opt for this useful technology. For one, it is a long-term and reliable investment; many deicing systems have a warranty that covers up to 10 years, which is good for homeowners who plan to stay in a cold area. A deicing system is convenient way to combat winter weather; without it, homeowners have to manually remove the ice which requires time and effort. A deicing system is also a safer alternative because it doesn’t require people to climb onto the roof.

However, if you still wish to manually remove snowfall from your roof, invest in a roof rake. This is a rake equipped with an extra long flexible handle, a long blade to pull snow off a roof, and wires opposite the blade to break up the snow. It is a great tool for anyone who lives in a snowy area. If you are dealing with occasional snowfall and don’t want to purchase a special rake, you can use a regular one. Be careful not to hit your shingles with the blade. The roof does not need to be scrapped clean, but rather, relieved from a good majority of the snow’s weight.

If you need to find a roofer to repair damages, TalkLocal can connect you to top quality professionals in minutes.

Posted in Roofers | No Comments »

What Causes Tooth Decay

Tuesday, October 23rd, 2012

Tooth decay, simply put, is the process that results in a cavity. Almost all of us have gone through the process of getting that toothache and then going to the dentists to get the cavity filled. Many people like to attribute the development of cavities to “too much candy,” but while excessive sugars are definitely a major factor in tooth decay, cavities are a result of much more than just what we eat. Read on to learn more about what causes tooth decay and the preventative measures you can take.

What causes tooth decay?

Tooth decay can be attributed to a combination of bacteria and food. The bacteria on your teeth form a sticky and clear substance called plaque around your teeth. The bacteria in the plaque then take the sugars from the foods you eat and produce acid as a waste product. The acids eventually burn through your enamel in a process called demineralization, exposing the sensitive pulp of your teeth and creating a cavity.

How can I prevent tooth decay?

Preventing tooth decay is fairly simple and really a matter of eating the right foods and maintaining good dental hygiene. It is essential to brush your teeth twice a day: once when you wake up and once before you sleep. This removes as much plaque and bacteria from your mouth as possible. Without plaque and bacteria, your tooth’s enamel cannot be worn down by the acids even if you do eat sugary foods often. Likewise, you should also floss daily because it also removes the bacteria wedged between your teeth that regular brushing cannot reach.

Diet changes can help as well. Try avoiding sticky foods with high sugar contents such as raisins and caramel, as these not only have the sugars for bacteria but also are extremely sticky and difficult to remove from your teeth. The longer the sugary food stays in your mouth, the more damage the bacteria can do.

I already have tooth decay. How can I treat it?

It all depends on the severity of the tooth decay. If you’re only experiencing very slight tooth decay, you may be able to reverse it using fluoride rinses. In all other cases, you’ll need to see a dentist. A dentist will be able to recommend the correct course of action to repair your tooth. In most cases of mild tooth decay, you may need to have the cavity filled, but in more severe cases, you may need a root canal or even tooth removal.

If you’re looking for a dentist to treat your tooth decay, make your search easier by using TalkLocal. TalkLocal will connect you with the highest quality local dentist in just minutes, so you don’t have to waste time searching for one yourself!

Posted in Dentists | 1 Comment »

Garden Pest Control Tips

Tuesday, October 23rd, 2012

There are thousands of species of insects and pests that can invade your home garden and harm your plants. Some are more beneficial than you may think, but there are certainly some you want to keep out of the garden. Here are some home garden pest control tips you might want to use.

– Put up barriers or nets above and around your garden to keep out many types of pests and insects. You will need to set up the barriers so it is tight enough to keep the bugs out, but also loose enough so that water and sunlight can still enter.

– Hang up a bird nest around your garden to improve aesthetic and acoustic appearances, as well as act as a sort of “scarecrow” for insects. Feel good that you are providing a home for the birds while combatting annoying pests.

– Use a pest control spray. If you want to remain as eco-friendly as possible, be sure to look for those sprays that are naturally formulated. They are easy to find at your local home and garden retailers.

– Grow “practical” plants. There are certain types of plants that actually act as pest control agents themselves. Some examples are spearmint, hemp, and marigold plants.

If your pest problem seems too large or invasive to control on your own, it may be helpful to contact a local pest control professional. Try using TalkLocal to find one near you. TalkLocal is a FREE service that will connect you with top-quality, reliable experts in your neighborhood, within minutes. Just enter in your specific problem, location, and availability and TalkLocal will contact multiple pest control companies who will then call YOU directly, ready to help. Save time and stress from trying to find the right professional on your own and let TalkLocal do it for you!

Posted in Pest Control | 3 Comments »

How to Clean your Headlights on a Car

Tuesday, October 23rd, 2012

Due to the dirt and the grime accumulated over time, your car headlights may be looking and worn. Fortunately, there are many cost efficient and easy options for cleaning headlights. Read on to learn how to clean your headlights on a car.

Toothpaste Method

Using regular white toothpaste works wonders for your headlights. It’s actually preferable to use regular toothpaste, as whitening toothpastes contain other compounds that may damage your headlights. All you have to do is apply the toothpaste with a soft rag and then rub in small circles until the grime comes off. You’re essentially just using toothpaste as an abrasive and rubbing all the dirt and grime off with the rag. Afterwards, just rinse with water and your headlights should look much cleaner.

Sandpaper Method

You’ll need three different grit sandpapers for this task, probably around 400, 1200, and 1500, respectively. You’ll first want to clean the lenses with rubbing alcohol and then begin wet sanding with the 400 grit sandpaper. You may see the factory coating coming off and it would be best to sand the coating off completely. Then continue to sand out the scratches using the 1200 and the 1500 grit sandpaper, which will make it smooth. Afterward, you’ll want to take it to a local auto body shop to spray plastic adhesion promoter and automotive clear coat. This protective coating should last years, rather than the normal months after buffing the headlights.

Polishing Method

If the cause of fogginess is actually oxidization, it will mean that your headlights will need to be polished again. You’ll first want to wash the headlights to remove as much grime as possible and allow them to dry thoroughly. Then you’ll want to apply aluminum polishing compound with cloth moving in small circles. Repeat as much as necessary until the headlights become clear.

The above methods work for most cases, but in the case that your headlights still are extremely foggy or scratched, you may need to take it into a local mechanic or repair shop to have professional work done. If that’s the case, it’s highly recommended that you use TalkLocal to get into contact with a highly rated local auto repair professional. It’s fast, easy and free!

Posted in Auto Repair | No Comments »

How to Stop Leaky Pipes

Tuesday, October 23rd, 2012

A leak in your pipe might range from being virtually harmless to flooding your home, so appropriate measures must be taken in order to patch the pipe up effectively; otherwise, you may discover some surprise leaks later. Knowing how to stop leaky pipes also depend on the position of the leak in the pipe. If the leak is at a joint, simply tighten the joint. However if a leak is in the middle of a pipe, you won’t be able to change the pipe by yourself, as unscrewing the pipe in one end will tighten the pipe in the other. These are temporary fixes for your pipe until a plumber can fix the pipe himself.

Pipe patch kits are sold at hardware stores and contain a piece of rubber and two metal plates that holds the rubber patch to the pipe. This can even be a permanent way to stop a leak if the leak is small. However, you can use a piece of heavy rubber and a pair of c-clamps/hose clamps to achieve the same effect.

You can also use waterproof tape as a temporary measure to stop small leaks by wrapping the tape starting two inches from the hole to two inches after the hole. Epoxy paste is also a good way to stop holes, in addition to compound sticks that can be rubbed on tiny leaks to stop them. If you’re using epoxy paste or waterproof tape, make sure the pipe is dry first.

Pipes that are wearing thin have more leaks, so if you see one leak, don’t be surprised when another appears soon after. The best solution is to find a plumber and replace that section in the pipe, which is a permanent fix. Use TalkLocal for free to find a plumber that can find your leaky woes!

Posted in Plumbers | No Comments »

What to Ask when Hiring an Electrician

Tuesday, October 23rd, 2012

Finding the right electrician to do work on your house is a matter of both safety and quality. So before you even consider getting electrical work done, you’ll definitely want to know what to ask when hiring an electrician. The following questions cover the right questions to ask to ensure you get the right professional for the job.

Are you licensed?

In most states, electricians are required to be licensed, so make sure that you’re only considering hiring one that is properly licensed. Usually, they will either be a master electrician, who has at least two years of professional experience installing and designing systems, or a journeyman, who has professional experience for installation.

Will you provide references?

Electrical work is often hard to judge since the majority of it is hidden within walls or out of sight. Talking with people who have worked with the electrician before will tell you a lot about the quality of work and the personality of the electrician you’ll be working with.

Are you insured?

The electrician you hire must have insurance in liability and worker’s compensation, especially due to the potential dangers of electrical work. Make sure you get a contractor with at least $500,000 covered by insurance.

What kind of expertise or training do you have in the type of work you are doing?

Electricians must be familiar with the specific building codes and contexts they’ll be working in since electrical work can vary drastically. Electrical work that is acceptable for a residential area often times would be a violation if used in a commercial area. Additionally, if your job requires specialty work such as home automation work or solar paneling, make sure they have the necessary qualifications and experience with the specialty.

Are they willing to give an estimate and what does it include?

The electrician should be able to give at least an approximate estimate of the work, and make sure that the estimate also includes incidentals, such as repairing drywall or fixing up holes from the electrical work.

Will the work be guaranteed?

The professional you hire should stand behind their work. In most cases, electricians assume the responsibility for the electrical devices and fixtures they install. You’ll want to know that if there ends up being a problem with the electrical work, the electrician will do what’s necessary to repair it.

These are the basic questions you’ll want to ask when hiring an electrician. While these questions covered the major facets that you’ll want to check when hiring an electrician, there are many other questions you may want to ask if you feel they are necessary, such as seeing a work in progress or who specifically will be doing the work (since the person you’re talking may not be actually doing the work). If you want to be sure you already are talking to a high quality professional, you can always use TalkLocal. TalkLocal will connect you to a highly rated local electrician in just minutes.

Posted in Electricians | No Comments »

Methods to Backup Pictures from iPhone to PC

Tuesday, October 23rd, 2012

iPhones and PC computers are notorious for their difficult compatibility, but it is possible to get the two to work together. While it is much easier to sync an iPhone with a Mac computer, you can also backup to a PC. Transfering pictures is as easy as plugging your phone into your computer with a Mac, but with a PC it takes a couple more steps. Continue reading for some helpful methods to backup pictures from iPhone to PC.

Two options:

– Manual

– Automatic via iCloud

When attempting to backup the pictures you have on your iphone, you have two different options. You can either manual do so by plugging in your phone, or you can rely on apple’s wireless backup system that is integrated into your phone.

Manual transfer

1) Connect your iphone to your computer with the USB cable.

2) Click import pictures and videos form the autoplay window or go to start, computer, right click on iphone icon, and click import.

3) Enter a folder name where you want to save these pictures.

4) Let them load completely onto your computer.

5) View the pictures in the My Pictures section of your computer.

Using iCloud backup

1) Make sure your computer and iphone are both on the wireless internet.

2) Plug your phone in to charge next to your computer.

3) The pictures should be transferred to your iCloud account wirelessly.

4) Log into you account from your computer and view the pictures.

Note: you can log into your iCloud account to view the pictures from any computer as long as you have your apple ID and password.

If you have problems backing up pictures from your iphone to your PC computer you should seek professional help. Use TalkLocal to be put in contact with reliable, local IT service companies. Simply input your problem, location and availability, and within minutes you should be connected to someone who can help.

Posted in Computer Repair | No Comments »

Computer is Running Slower than Usual

Monday, October 22nd, 2012

If your computer is running slower than usual, it can be extremely frustrating. Perhaps you have done what seems like everything to fix the problem—or you have done nothing at all because you don’t know where to start. A slowly functioning computer is a sign that there is probably an underlying problem. Read the following article if you want to make your life easier and speed up that turtle of a computer.

With Microsoft systems, there are particular registry cleaners that can be used to speed up your computer significantly. The reason that registry cleaners help speed up your computer is because they remove all unnecessary and redundant files from your computer. For example, if you have installed and uninstalled programs, there may still be useless files floating around your computer. Use a registry cleaner to get rid of these unneeded files.

If you have low RAM, this will also cause a slow computer. In order to fix this problem, update your RAM. The RAM is the memory portion of your computer. Check your storage space. If you have a lot of files and systems running on your computer, you may be simply using too much space. Think about purchasing an external drive or deleting old, unwanted files.

Use a surface that promotes air circulation towards your computer. If your computer overheats, it will run slower than usual. For example, having your computer sit on a blanket in your lap is most likely not the best arrangement for optimal computer usage. Soft surfaces retain heat, so use a hard, smooth table or desk instead.

If you computer is still running slow or you need help repairing a different computer problem, check out TalkLocal, a free service that helps you find high quality service providers. You will be connected within minutes to professionals right in your neighborhood!

Posted in Computer Repair | No Comments »

Sour Smell in Dishwasher

Monday, October 22nd, 2012

There are some pretty bad smells in the world. A sour smell in your dishwasher ranks pretty high on that list. A bad smell can originate in a number of ways, but once you find the source, it is fairly easy to get rid of the smell. So how exactly do you get rid of a sour smell in a dishwasher? Keep reading to find out.

One source is food residue. Although the food typically goes down the dishwasher’s drain as it is supposed to, small food particles and residue can remain. These can cause a sour odor if left alone too long. To get rid of this, clean the bottom of the unit with vinegar (preferably white vinegar) and rinse it thoroughly with hot water.

Another source of a sour smell can be the dishwasher hose. If the hose is not installed properly or if it is set in a position that does not allow it to drain efficiently, stagnant water can create a bad, sour smell. This hose is probably inside the kitchen cabinet below the sink and brings water to and from the dishwasher. If stagnant water is inside the hose, this foul water may be used to wash your dishes, resulting in bad odors all around.

Dead remains can also be a source of terrible smells coming from your dishwasher. Small pests like mice make their nests in warm places such as insulation and can die inside. Their dead remains create a staunch, rotten smell and the only way to remedy this is to locate the pests and replace the insulation. If possible, pull the dishwasher out and inspect the insulation for any sign of pests or pest remains.

And finally, if none of these solutions seem to work, run an empty cycle after pouring a few cups of vinegar or lemon juice into the bottom of the unit. This should freshen the smell of the dishwasher and get rid of some of the odors.

Following these steps, you should be able to get rid of the sour stench yourself, but if you feel more comfortable having a professional take a look at it, consider using TalkLocal. TalkLocal is a free service that will connect you with top-quality, reputable appliance repair companies in your neighborhood within minutes. Just enter in your specific problem, location and availability, and up to three companies will call YOU directly, saving you the time and stress of finding one yourself.

Posted in Appliances Repair | No Comments »

Roof Gutter Replacement

Monday, October 22nd, 2012

A rusted or leaky gutter dirties the walls and causes erosion. So it is generally a good idea to replace the gutter before it’s too late and the damage becomes too extensive. Replacing your gutter isn’t too much work and it’s cheaper to do a roof gutter replacement than to redo your house to fix up the property value.

How to Replace Your Roof Gutter

First, mark the locations of the gutters before taking the old gutters out. Make sure that your marks are lined up parallel to ground level so that the water won’t rush to one side and flood the gutter when it rains. The marks are best observed by a bright color seen some distance away.

Once the markings are up and ready, carefully dispose of the old gutters. Unscrew the screw in the way that it does not damage the base the gutter was screwed into. You should do this by keeping the screwdriver steady and working slowly.

Using the new parts, install the drop outlets first. You will want to put them in the same spots unless you had problems with overflowing; they are usually spread out about 30 to 40 feet apart from each other.

Install the brackets for the gutters next, taking into account the evenness of each bracket. An unusually high or low bracket will disrupt the consistent flow of water on your gutters. Make sure that the brackets are even by placing a long wooden stick across the brackets.

Then attach the gutter sections, attach the ends to the gutter sections, and secure the down spots to finish up the job. You may want to make sure there are no leaks/unevenness in the replacement. For that, get a garden hose and spray water on your roof to simulate a rainfall. If you see irregular or wrong water flow, identify and fix the problem.

Additional Help

If you feel like you need professional help on roof gutter replacement, TalkLocal can help with finding the correct local experts in this case, saving you time and energy in what may be a stressful situation.

Posted in Roofers | 2 Comments »

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