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Monday, November 25th, 2013

There are many options when it comes to flower bed designs. To find the ones that you like best, look for inspiration and use your imagination. If you need suggestions, here are some flower bed designs that are simple to create and can make a special garden:

Fern Paths

Ferns are beautiful plants with feathery leaves. They don’t have flowers. To obtain an interesting pattern, you can combine ferns with some perennial flowering plants to balance out the varying colors and leaf patterns.

Group Several Types of Flowers Together

Planting several different kinds of flowers in a single flower bed can create a unique impression. By using various color schemes you can achieve surprising effects. A combination of red, purple, and pink flowers, for instance, is both classy and lively.

Verbena or Nemesia “Myrtille” Path

Verbena Tapien is a wonderful plant with clusters of violet flowers. Nemesia “Myrtille” is another beautiful flower that can fill a garden with violet hue, which can be particularly striking if you like this color.

Cyclamen “Miracle” Beds

Cyclamen is a miniature flower that makes beautifully colored flower beds. One of its advantages, especially in colder areas, is that it doesn’t succumb to harsh winter temperatures. However, you need to protect it from frost. This little miracle will enliven your garden.

Simple Grasses

You can combine various types of grasses with flowers for your garden beds. Don’t underestimate the effect that can be attained by introducing simple grasses in your flower bed designs. One example of a wonderful ornamental grass that you can use is the Japanese blood grass. Several types of grasses will create an even greater impact.

Need Help Designing Your Flower Bed?

These are only a few suggestions you can use to create your own flower bed designs. If you want to speak to local landscaping experts and get more ideas, TalkLocal can put you in touch with the right professionals. We will connect you directly with up to three professionals in your area, for free!

Posted in Landscapers | No Comments »

When and How to Repair Sewer Line Pipes

Monday, November 25th, 2013

You need to replace or repair sewer line pipes when they are clogged or start to leak. A section of the pipeline, or the entirety of your piping system, might be damaged or obstructed. Whichever the case, it is important to get to the problem early, because doing so will save you big bucks.

How is the problem spotted?

To find out the extent of the problem and to zero in on the affected areas, hire professional sewer repair technicians to do a sewer scope inspection. Technology has made it easier for homeowners to identify exactly what they’re dealing with. The best of modern day plumbers can now provide video inspection by inserting a camera into the pipe. The live feed it sends back confirms what the situation underground is.

What causes damage to sewer line pipes?

– Frozen ground and shifting soil can break, collapse, and crack pipes.

– Accumulation of grease or foreign objects can block the sewer line.

– Corrosion leads to sewer pipe deterioration.

– Roots can invade pipes and cause damage and obstruction.

– Substandard quality pipes will need to be replaced and repaired more often.

What are the repair and replacement options?

To repair sewer line pipes, there are two means employed: the trench and trenchless methods. In the past, the ground used to be cut open to excavate the pipes. This method obviously requires a lot of digging and significant restoration afterwards.

Therefore, the new trend is to employ trenchless sewer replacement, like pipe lining and pipe bursting. In the new trenchless method, the new pipe is inserted through an entry hole. No digging is necessary. In pipe lining, a new pipe is inserted within the old line (so you have a pipe within a pipe), while in pipe bursting, old pipes are destroyed while the new ones are installed.

Need Sewer Line Repairs?

It is not recommended that you tackle sewer line repairs unless you have professional experience. Find the professionals with the right experience near you by counting on Talk Local. TalkLocal will connect you with up to three professionals in your area in just minutes, for free! Use Talk Local today, and find the right professional right now.

Tags: repair sewer line
Posted in Plumbers | No Comments »

Aromatherapy Scent Guide

Friday, November 22nd, 2013

A relaxing, enjoyable aromatherapy session has a virtually endless list of health benefits. It will help you improve your mood, eliminate anxiety, and reduce stress levels almost instantly.

There are hundreds of essential oils: some of them are burned and inhaled; some are sprayed inside the room; and others are mixed with different substances, including gels, body cream, and alcohol, and used during massage sessions.

Of course, oils based on different natural ingredients will have a unique odor. Some fragrances you’ll love and some you’ll hate for the rest of your life. Which ones should you choose? Use the following aromatherapy scent guide to make an inspired decision.

Choose the Best Fragrances Based on Their Type

Essential oils and their one-of-a-kind fragrances can be divided into different categories, by type. Some of the most popular are the following:

– Citrus fragrances

– Herbal fragrances

– Earthy fragrances

– Floral fragrances

– Fruity fragrances

– Spicy fragrances

– Musk and amber fragrances

Since you couldn’t possibly test all these essential oils to identify your favorite candidate, purchase the one that best matches your favorite perfume or scented candle.

Identify Your Ideal Essential Oil Based on Its Benefits

Choose some of the most enchanting, efficient essential oils based on their unique health benefits. You should know that:

– Amber essential oil boosts mental power and stimulates creativity

– Bergamot essential oil relaxes and reinvigorates the body

– Cranberry essential oil reduces headaches

– Jasmine battles postpartum depression, calms the nerves, and reduces stress

– Patchouli prevents nausea and colds and reduces migraines

– Sandalwood essential oil is used as an aphrodisiac, a mild natural antidepressant, and a sedative

– Vanilla improves the memory and boosts the sexual appetite

– Cinnamon essential oils reduce inflammations and fight infections

– Lavender eliminates nervous tension, protects the skin and the scalp, reduces pain, and boosts blood circulation

Ask an Expert

Finding the best essential oil solely based on info from an aromatherapy scent guide can be difficult. Take the easy way out and consult a massage therapy expert. Spot the most competent professionals in your area with TalkLocal, a free service that connects you directly with the right professionals, right now.

Posted in Massage Therapy | No Comments »

Snow Shoveling Dangers

Friday, November 22nd, 2013

When the weather gets cold and the snow starts to fall, it seems inevitable that you’ll have to pull out your trusty snow shovel and begin the long, arduous task of clearing the snow from your driveway, porch, or other areas you need access to. However, before you start your chore we want to make sure you’re aware of some of the snow shoveling dangers that you’ll want to take care to avoid.

Muscle Strain

Shoveling snow is grueling work for sure, and if you’re not an active sort, you can easily strain or pull a muscle while digging up snow.

Shoveling snow is all upper-body work, and sometimes our chest, shoulders, and arms aren’t used to the constant, repeated exertion of snow shoveling. Take care not to over-exert yourself, and if you feel an ache or tug, take a break.

Back Injury

The back is another common site of snow shoveling injuries. Just as we’re working our arms, shoulders, and chest while shoveling, it’s our back that is taking on the task of lifting all of that snow over and over.

If you have a history of back problems, consider wearing a brace before starting to shovel snow.

Heart Attack

As if muscle strain and back injury weren’t enough, the stress of shoveling snow can stress the body to the point of heart attack. While working in the cold, the blood vessels constrict, meaning that the muscles you’re using can’t get the blood they need as readily as during warmer temperatures. This will cause the heart to work harder, and that can lead to heart attack for some people.

Need Snow Removal Help?

Before you head outside this winter, consider some of the dangers of shoveling snow. If you need assistance, TalkLocal can help you find snow removal professionals who will save you the risk of injury. Our concierge service is free, so let us help you today.

Posted in Snow Removal | No Comments »

How to Use a Shave Horse

Friday, November 22nd, 2013

A shave horse is a traditional tool that is used for green wood projects. The shave horse is used to hold a length of wood while that wood is being shaped and worked on with a spoke shave or drawknife. The shaving horse got its name from the fact that it is designed to resemble a horse, having legs and a flat surface that the user mounts in order to operate the tool.

Material Used

The ideal material used with a shave horse is green wood, which is any timber that has been recently cut or fallen from trees after a storm and not yet seasoned. Green wood is easy to shape using hand tools since it is soft, due to its high moisture content.

Using a Shave Horse

You’re probably wondering now how to use a shave horse.

1. First of all, a shave horse is foot operated to allow the hands of the woodworker to be free to shape a piece of wood.

2. To use it, the worker must first mount the bed or plank. From each side of the shave horse, there’s a bar extending from under it. The worker must place each foot on each of the bar’s end.

3. When the feet push the bar forward, the wood being worked on is clamped by a wedge above the bed against another bar. The wood is released when the feet are removed from the underside bar.

4. By adjusting the wedge, the worker can quickly reposition the wood as necessary during the shaving.

What Can You Make with a Shave Horse?

Now that you have an idea how to use a shave horse, you may be interested to give it a try to create your own wood projects. A shave horse is typically used to create round shapes from square wooden pieces. Some of the items commonly made using shave horses are chair legs, brooms, wooden spoons, walking sticks, and tent pegs.

Shave Horse Safety

One very important thing when learning how to use a shave horse is safety. It is quite safe to use as long as you learn its correct usage. Also, always be responsible if using any dangerous tool while on a shave horse. However, never use a circular saw while sitting astride a shave horse.

If you would like to have a shave horse built for you by a professional, let TalkLocal help you find the best professional. Contact us and we’ll get you in touch with competent professionals quickly and for free.

Tags: how to, shave horse
Posted in Handyman | No Comments »

Wood Stoves Heating

Friday, November 22nd, 2013

As winter approaches, most homeowners learn the advantages and disadvantages of some of the most popular heating systems currently available. Most of them are looking for heating solutions designed to be economical, efficient, and eco-friendly at the same time. Could the wood stoves heating option live up to your highest expectations? Is it the best alternative to HVAC systems? Keep reading to find out.

Discover the Benefits of Wood Stoves

Numerous people who own and utilize a wood stove as a primary or secondary source of heat benefit from a wide range of advantages, including the following:

– Financial savings, taking into account that wood is cheaper than electricity, propane gas, and fuel

– Wood is a renewable, eco-friendly resource

– Wood stoves enable households to become self-sufficient and reduce or eliminate their electricity and gas needs

– Wood stoves are aesthetically pleasing and can make your living room seem more inviting and appealing

HVAC System vs. Wood Stove

Lots of families who want to heat their house, lower utility bills, and embrace a greener lifestyle choose to invest in an efficient, modern, attractive wood stove. The question is: are wood stoves reliable and powerful enough to compete with HVAC systems, in terms of financial savings and performance?

Wood stoves are perfect secondary sources of heat and they are appreciated by most users due to their remarkable cost-efficiency. Nonetheless, they require a considerable wood supply, which raises storage problems. In addition, they demand regular maintenance that should comply with strict safety guidelines.

On the other hand, a central heating system based on electricity or gas triggers higher monthly utility bills, require lots of space, displays minimal flexibility in terms of remodeling work, is designed to address changing heating demands, and installations are quite expensive. However, a central heating system ensures ideal thermostatic control inside all your rooms.

Ask an Expert

Are wood stoves heating the best choice for your family? Only a heating and cooling expert could provide the best answer to this question, after inspecting your property. Find the best specialists in your area with TalkLocal, a free service introduced to help you meet competent professionals who are just a few miles away.

Posted in Heating and Cooling | No Comments »

Flat Roof Coatings

Friday, November 22nd, 2013

Flat roofs cover and protect different types of structures, including homes, garages, and sheds. Flat roofs are considered an excellent roofing option, due to their remarkable cost-efficiency, minimal upkeep, and aesthetic value.

Over the past decade, manufacturers have striven to come up with a wide range of inexpensive, durable flat roof coatings, designed to replace old-fashioned tar-based alternatives. Tar is a hazardous element that produces toxic fumes.

Currently, there are at least three types of flat roof coatings worth considering. Use the following guidelines to make an inspired decision, and don’t forget to consult a competent roofer if you need additional details.

How to Choose the Best Flat Roof Coatings for Your Home Improvement Project

There are various types of flat roof coatings; you just have to find the best one for your project based on the current condition of your roof, climate, financial possibilities, and aesthetic requirements.

Hypalon or CSPE are sheets of synthetic rubber that are placed on the flat roof and heat-sealed. They are available in three colors: white, gray, and black and are considered a great option for modular and mobile houses.

Damaged roofs restored using Hypalon should be recoated every eight to 10 years and require only basic upkeep.

Tin and copper represents a pricy, high-end alternative, so embrace it only if you possess a big budget. Tin and copper roofing does not require coating and involves a minimal maintenance routine. However, it is hard to find a contractor who specializes in these types of flat roof coatings, and a DIY installation is out of the question, unless you are an experienced roofer.

If you would like to boost the curb appeal of your property and rely on greener materials to restore your roof, add a layer of topsoil, plants, and sod to your roof surface. This affordable type of roof coating keeps your rooms cool, purifies the air, beautifies your property, and doesn’t require a deep pocket.

Ask an Expert

If you want to find the best flat roof coatings for your new home improvement assignment, you should count on the expert guidance of an experienced roofer. Find the best ones in your area by relying on TalkLocal, a free service that will connect you with up to three professionals in your area in just minutes.

Posted in Roofers | No Comments »

Basic Products to Clean Household Mold

Thursday, November 21st, 2013

The problem with mold is that it grows and spreads easily, but it can be hard to remove. You will need to use certain products to clean household mold and effectively control it. Look for products that will help you remove mold and stop it in its tracks, so it will not grow back again.

Do You Really Need to Remove Mold?

Aside from the fact that moldy surfaces are unsightly and emit an unpleasant, musty odor, the presence of mold in your home poses health risks to your household. You or your family could very well be inhaling mold spores that are known to cause allergic symptoms, asthma, nausea, and more severe medical conditions. This is why it’s so important to clean household mold.

Which Mold Removal Products Should You Use?

Fortunately, when you use the right cleaning products, you can get rid of mold and curb future mold growth to lessen the health risks in your home. It takes only some very basic products that people often have at home to clean household mold. Bleach, vinegar, and borax are just some of the things you can use to remove mold.

Here’s how to use them:

Bleach – Use a ratio of 1:10 bleach to water. Use a spray bottle or a bucket and sponge to apply the bleach solution to nonporous, moldy surfaces.

Be sure to put on gloves before starting to work. Bleach emits harsh chemical fumes and can seriously irritate your skin. For this reason, bleach is best considered as a last resort for removing mold.

White Distilled Vinegar – Pour some into a spray bottle. Don’t water it down. Spray it onto the problem area and let it sit for one hour. Then, wipe the area clean with water and let the surface dry.

Don’t worry about the vinegar smell; it will be dispersed after a few hours. Vinegar is effective in inhibiting mold growth, so you can continue to spray vinegar on the affected surface regularly, to stop the mold from returning.

Borax – This is a natural cleaner that doesn’t release harmful fumes. You can find it in the laundry section of most supermarkets.

To use borax, mix a cup of it per gallon of water. Using a scrubbing brush and the borax solution, scrub the mold from the surface. Wipe the area and just let the surface dry completely; there is no need to rinse. Borax also helps control mold growth.

Need Help with Home Cleaning?

While you may not always stop the development of mold in some areas of your home, especially if you reside in a wet and humid area, it doesn’t mean you can’t effectively clean household mold when it appears. However, if you would rather have a professional clean and remove mold in your home, TalkLocal can connect you with the right guys to do the job. Use our free service now!

Tags: cleaning, mold
Posted in Maid Services | No Comments »

Snow Tires or Chains?

Thursday, November 21st, 2013

Looking for excellent winter driving tips enabling you to prevent traffic accidents and enjoy smooth, safe road trips during the cold season? Auto repair experts advise drivers to buy and install four snow tires, or simply put on tire chains. Should you use snow tires or chains on your car or truck this winter? There are good and bad reasons for both.

Prepping Your Car for a Hard Winter

If you live in an area where temperatures normally drop below 32 degrees Fahrenheit during the winter months, it is advisable to replace your summer tires with winter tires. All-season tires are not worth considering because they provide little traction, plus they tend to lose their flexibility in cold environments.

On the other hand, the newest models of winter tires make very little sound, perform well in both icy and snowy conditions and guarantee excellent traction on dry portions of road.

Snow Tires versus Tire Chains

At this point, you’re probably wondering: Should I use snow tires or chains? Tire chains should be considered a temporary solution, suitable mostly for mountain driving during winter. Chains significantly reduce traction on dry surfaces and aren’t the best alternative for everyday driving.

Unlike tire chains, modern snow tires do not damage driveways and streets. Moreover, they don’t have to be removed on clear winter days, are an adequate fit for any type of car, and guarantee a safe trip even when you’re driving on a 100% dry road.

Need More Info?

Prepping your car for the cold season can be stressful and time-consuming, especially if you know very little about the pros and cons of snow tires and tire chains. If you need more info to make a smart decision, don’t forget to contact a skilled snow removal expert.

Find the best ones in your area, by using TalkLocal, a free service designed to help you get in touch with excellent professionals in your area in just minutes.

Posted in Snow Removal | No Comments »

Mailbox Lock Broken

Thursday, November 21st, 2013

Photo courtesy of www.securitybase.com.

Is your mailbox lock broken? Numerous homeowners are forced to deal with defective mailbox locks that put their privacy on the line and cause many headaches.

Is there a time- and cost-efficient way to fix a mailbox lock that is broken? Keep reading to identify the fastest solution to your broken mailbox lock.

Check the Guidelines Provided by the United States Postal Service

Did you know that it is illegal to pry open your own mailbox? In addition, mail carriers won’t deliver your correspondence if your box is unsecured or unlocked.

If you have lost the key to your mailbox, the United States Postal Service advises you to contact the owner of the building that you live in, or your superintendent, and ask them for a new key.

Mailbox Lock Broken?

To avoid unsatisfactory results and legal complications, call your building manager and explain the present situation. They will most likely decide to call a competent locksmith who could provide professional repairs.

If your mailbox is shared with all the neighbors from your street, you could also contact representatives from your local post office, who will offer you the services of a maintenance specialist.

In this case, you just have to tell them the CBU (central box unit) location and your box number. The maintenance expert will fix your broken lock or install a new one and give you a new set of keys.

DIY Project or Locksmith Services?

If somehow you managed to break the key inside your mailbox lock, you could try to remove it by using paperclips or a broken key extractor. However, this process is tedious and extremely difficult. Moreover, keep in mind that a DIY project could get you into a lot of trouble, especially if the mailbox belongs to your local post office and is not your property.

Ask for Help

Mailbox lock broken? If you want to solve this frustrating problem as soon as possible, discuss your options with a respectable locksmith in your area, specialized in defective lock and key mechanisms. Use TalkLocal, a free service, to be connected with dependable, competent professionals who provide high-quality services in your area.

Posted in Locksmiths | No Comments »

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