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Monday, September 9th, 2013

The firebox is the space in the core of the chimney where the fire burns. It’s that part of the fireplace which makes it what it is: a source of heating and an element that warms up the atmosphere in your house, enhancing both comfort and the ambience. Fireboxes are built in such a way as to allow you to use various fuels, depending on your preferences. Some are made for firewood, others for coal or natural gas. There are even electric fireboxes, which create the illusion of a burning fire without actually having one.

What Is the Firebox Good for?

As already anticipated, the firebox is that part of a fireplace which contains the fire. Without it, you wouldn’t have a functional fireplace. The size and style of a firebox determines the appearance of your fireplace, making it look a particular way.

Does the Firebox Need to Be Repaired?

Just like any other thing around the house, the firebox needs to be inspected regularly to see whether it works properly or not. It’s important to check the condition of the firebox, because the safety of your fireplace depends on it. If you’re not familiar with chimney and fireplace repairs, it is advisable to call an expert to do the job for you. A firebox inspection or repair is a chance to refresh the appearance of your fireplace should you consider it necessary.

What Is the Firebox Supposed to Look Like When it Requires Attention?

If, when you sweep your chimney, you notice that the bricks and mortar have cracks or even worse, start to fall apart, it’s time to rebuild it before using the fireplace again, otherwise you’re exposing yourself and your family to a fire hazard. For this repair, you need a special type of bricks and mortar, which can resist the high temperatures produced by a burning fire.

Need Assistance?

If you want to find out more about fireboxes or need some repairs done to your fireplace, TalkLocal can save you time by introducing you to qualified professionals in your area. Free of charge.

Tags: fire pit, firebox
Posted in Handyman | No Comments »

Roof Valley Repair

Friday, September 6th, 2013

Roof valleys are most prone to water damage problems, as most water collects here before being channeled down. Keeping the roof valley clean and in good shape is necessary to keep the house free of water damage. In due course of time, most roof valleys do develop a few cracks or leaks that must be fixed immediately to avoid further problems. Any delay leads to leakage and then problems with water logging, rot, and structural damage following.

Performing the Perfect Roof Valley Repair

Taking care of your roof valley and performing timely repairs and maintenance is easy enough. The trick is to check regularly and fix problems while they are still small. Take a trip to the roof about every six months. Using a broom, brush away all debris like leaves, branches, seeds, etc. Not only will this help avoid problems like sprouting, but also any cracks or damage will become easily visible. This way you can perform quick repair and prevent the problem from growing.

Choose dry weather for performing roof valley repairs. Inspect the roof valley thoroughly for any shrinkage, cracks, gaps, loose shingles, etc. Also take a look at the chimney while you’re up there to see for any problems there.

If you spot any cracks or holes, however small, apply sealant to the affected area using a putty knife. If there are any missing or loosened shingles, carefully replace them. Seal the shingles and flashing firmly using roof tar in a continuous bead. This way, you will have effectively sealed the edges of the roof valley, making sure there is no possibility of a leakage in the future.

Don’t ever use nails for securing shingles or flashing within 6 inches from the valley seam. Doing so can increase the chances of water seepage. Outside the 6-inch radius, however, make sure you securely fasten all shingles using nails or roof cement. Usually, shingles near the valley are less prone to being damaged, unless subjected to extremely heavy winds or rain. However, if you wish to set up an extra layer of safety, try weaving shingles underneath the existing shingles for a closed valley appearance that is much more waterproof and has plenty of aesthetic appeal.

Get a Professional for Your Roof Valley Repairs

If you are looking for professional roofers to perform your roof valley repairs, TalkLocal can help you find the best one. We do the research and connect you to the best professionals in your area so you can have your roofing job done to perfection.

Posted in Roofers | No Comments »

Free Battery Recycling

Friday, September 6th, 2013

Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to contribute to saving our planet’s environment? You can do so and probably don’t even know it. It’s the smaller things we do that contribute to some of the biggest results in life. And for you, starting with a little recycling can mean a whole lot.

Do you have any old, used up batteries lying around? If so, then you could be helping our environment by recycling them. How? Because batteries are made up of several harmful chemicals and toxins that are harmful to the soil. If not properly disposed of, they could cause serious damage to our environment, and not to mention the food we grow and eat from that soil.

Yes, batteries are important and play a major role in our everyday lifestyles. So we can’t necessarily do away with them altogether. However, if we can just manage to keep them from corroding our land’s soil, then we would be one step closer toward a cleaner environment and healthier food.

Did you know that recycling your old, used batteries is free? That’s right! There is such a thing as free battery recycling. There are many companies out there that would allow you to deposit your old used batteries with them for free. Oftentimes, the companies that you buy your batteries from, especially those that are found online, will encourage you to send your batteries back to them once they’re no longer usable for you. At that point, they’ll take them and either recycle them for the metal, or if it’s a rechargeable battery, they’ll simply recharge it and sell it again.

What Kinds of Batteries Can I Recycle for Free?

Free battery recycling covers all types of batteries. You can typically recycle alkaline batteries, lithium batteries, rechargeable batteries, household batteries, cell phone batteries, and much more. You could even recycle your car battery. How and where your battery is recycled, however, will depend on the type of battery itself. Rechargeable batteries are the most commonly recycled batteries, and finding a drop-off location for these types of batteries is typically much easier than the rest. To find the closest rechargeable battery drop-off location to you, please feel free to check out http://www.call2recycle.org/locator/.

Have More Junk to Dump?

If you are in need of any further assistance where free battery recycling, garbage disposal, garbage removal, or anything else for that matter, is concerned, then please do not hesitate to contact us. The TalkLocal team can assist you with locating a professional for whatever questions or needs you might have.

Posted in Garbage Removal | No Comments »

Signs of Broken Motherboards

Friday, September 6th, 2013

In personal computers, the motherboard is the central circuit board that holds many of the crucial components of the system. It essentially provides the electrical connections needed for the different parts of the computer to communicate. Motherboards have no moving parts, so failure is rare. Physical damage to the motherboard is the biggest cause of failure, so it is important to know whether or not damage has been done to the computer. Motherboard failure is rare. It is more likely that your computer problems are coming from a defective power supply, hard drive, or memory. However, it is important to know the signs of broken motherboards.

Key Signs of a Broken Motherboard

1. The computer does nothing when you push the power button. This is more likely to be a power supply problem, but a defective motherboard is also a possibility.

2. The computer goes to a screen that says something is wrong with the motherboard. For example, it may say “BIOS failure” or show random numbers that do not match your processor or system temperature.

3. A certain computer component that is known to be working (such as an HD or memory chip) shows failure when you hook it up. The motherboard is the source of all internal computer communication, so this failure may be related to a defective motherboard.

Signs that the Issue is NOT with the Motherboard

1. You see an error message to the effect of: operating system not found

2. There is any kind of screen prompt.

3. The power supply fan turns on, but nothing else happens. This is likely to be a processor failure.

4. Everything seems fine with the computer, but you cannot see anything on the monitor. This is probably a display or video problem.

Find A Computer Professional

If you do have a broken motherboard, it may need to be replaced. Consult with a computer repair professional to determine whether the broken motherboard is salvageable. TalkLocal is a great tool to connect you with high quality computer repair professionals in your area. Use Talk Local to be connected with the right professionals in just minutes, for free.

Posted in Computer Repair | No Comments »

How to Build Outdoor Fire Pits That Will Last

Friday, September 6th, 2013

The intricacies of how to build outdoor fire pits are not as complex as it may seem when you visit a friend and see their completed masterpiece. With some very important materials and time, you too can have a beautiful and long-lasting outdoor fire pit in your backyard. Meanwhile, when it comes to the cost involved with a stone patio, the materials needed won’t break the bank.

Materials Are Important for Proper Construction

For the proper construction of an outdoor fire pit, gravel, a capstone, a steel campfire ring, wall blocks, an adhesive to hold the blocks together, and a mortar to hold the capstones will complete your shopping list. A shovel to dig a trench will also be necessary, although this may very well already be hiding in your shed or garage.

There are a variety of answers when it comes to how to build an outdoor fire pit. This depends more on the style of the pit than the success rate of previous endeavors by you or others.

Add Other Features to Make Your Backyard Your Favorite Place

Once the fire pit is complete, you may even consider turning to other parts of the yard for a makeover. A garden terrace can be an attractive way to use additional space in the backyard and have another getaway area for the adults in the residence to enjoy.

Need Landscaping Help?

Having professionals complete the work on your fire pit or other attractive additions to your backyard is a great way to get the work done and free yourself up for other things that need completed. It also allows for peace of mind and the reassurance that all aspects of the project will be addressed. Nothing will be forgotten in the process. Call TalkLocal to get in touch with an experienced landscaper who can help you with these projects and get you that much closer to enjoying your outdoor fire pit for years to come.

Posted in Landscapers | No Comments »

Hot Tub Skirting Maintenance

Thursday, September 5th, 2013

A hot tub can bring you great satisfaction by helping you enjoy a spa treatment and spend quality time with your loved ones in the comfort of your own home. However, just like any other amenity designed and implemented to increase your level of comfort, hot tubs require a more or less complex maintenance routine that will enable you to keep the cabinet looking like new for a longer period of time.

How to Care for Wooden Cabinets

Do you want to discover everything there is to know about correct hot tub skirting maintenance? In this case, you should know that wood cabinets (especially cheap pine cabinets, which are very fragile and exposed to deterioration) should be properly inspected periodically.

Redwood and cedar cabinets should be treated with an oil-based stain – the kind that you would utilize to oil your deck. Use a semi-transparent product, a pair of gloves, a brush, a paint pad, and a canvas cloth to get the job done in no time. Some professionals use marine varnish (also known as Spar varnish) to obtain more than satisfactory results. Light sanding, correlated with a coat of Spar varnish, represent the most effective hot tub skirting maintenance secret that could easily help you keep your hot tub in excellent condition for many more years to come.

How to Care for Non-Wooden Cabinets

Numerous homeowners choose to invest in so-called maintenance-free hot tub skirting materials, like polymers or plastic. Plastic cabinets are extremely affordable, but can easily turn yellow as a result of extensive sun exposure. Furthermore, potential buyers should know that polymer cabinets are available in different shapes, colors, and sizes and can even mimic high-quality materials, like wood, stainless steel, and even rocks.

Plastic and polymer-based cabinets can be easily cleaned with water, liquid soap, a soft cloth, and a small amount of baking soda, to eliminate impurities and keep your non-wooden cabinet looking like new. Polymer cabinets represent a great investment because they are highly durable, impact-resistant, and require minimal maintenance.

Find the Best Handyman in Your Area

Worried that you might not have what it takes to perform the correct hot tub skirting maintenance periodically? In this case, TalkLocal can give you a helping hand by putting you in touch with skilled, experienced handymen who could easily improve the aesthetics of your cabinets and even increase the lifespan of your hot tub.

Tags: hot tub, Jacuzzi, pool
Posted in Handyman | No Comments »

Cost of Installing Solar Panels is Temporary Holdup to Long-Term Benefits

Thursday, September 5th, 2013

The installation of solar panels is a method of saving money and becoming energy efficient. Sometimes, the price tag that comes with the initial installation turns potential installers to other options or back to traditional energy means. Like a new water heater or a new furnace, however, the initial cost of installing solar panels is far outweighed by the length of time the equipment will work efficiently and the money that will be saved that way. The immediate cost must be balanced with those long-term benefits and the fact that you rely less on an aging electrical grid and more on power harnessed via the solar panels on your own home.

The installation of solar panels has been progressively decreasing in cost over the years. Recently, it is becoming much more economically feasible to start having more say in the energy costs for your home.

Determine the Best Energy-Efficient Efforts for Your Home

The cost and options for the most energy-efficient roof systems are varied. It is best to spend some effort to research this before committing to one system or another.

The mere fact that there are different methods and options for this type of installation is reassuring in that technology and societal standards are coming together to benefit the environment and the homeowner at the same time.

The solar panels installation guide addresses the many challenges and considerations when attempting to install solar panels. It is reassuring to note, however, that despite the time, effort, and cost of installing solar panels, the outcome is most definitely worth it.

Take Care to Meet All Zoning Board Requirements for Long-Term Success

For residential roof inspections, it is important to recognize and meet all local standards for installation and roof requirements. This allows for a smooth time whenever an inspection is needed. This should not happen often. However, being prepared alleviates stress and additional cost or hassle if a requirement is not met.

If concerns remain, don’t hesitate to make a call to TalkLocal. The professionals that can be reached through Talk Local can alleviate those final concerns and have you well on your way to project completion in no time.

Posted in Roofers | No Comments »

How to Refinish Wooden Boats

Thursday, September 5th, 2013

Whatever type of wooden boat you own, the effects of water and sun on your boat will be evident over time. It is important to refinish your wooden boat regularly to keep it in good shape. Below are some simple tips and reminders for how to refinish wooden boats if you want to try this job by yourself.

Prepare Materials and Work Area

You will need a tarp, painter’s tape, steel wool, medium-grit sandpaper (60-80 grit), very-fine-grit sandpaper (140 or 150 grit), waterproof putty, a putty knife, tack cloth, waterproof varnish, paint thinner, and paint brushes.

Once you have all of these supplies ready, make sure your work area has enough ventilation. Before you start working, set the tarp down where it will be able to catch dust and other rubble. Also, it is a good practice whenever you refinish wooden boats to apply painter’s tape along the edges of the wooden parts of the boat to prevent the non-wood areas from getting scratched or stained.

Refinish Your Wooden Boat

1. Using steel wool, vigorously scrape off peeling or flaked wood from the wooden parts of the boat. This should also work to remove mold buildup.

2. Give the boat a good sanding using a belt or orbit sander loaded with medium-grit sandpaper, and then sand it again with very-fine-grit sandpaper for an even smoother finish.

3. If there are any scratches or holes on your boat, fill them up with waterproof putty. Use a putty knife to apply the putty and wait for it to dry. Then sand the area again with 140- or 150-grit sandpaper.

4. Clean up the dust from the sanded wood before beginning the staining process. Vacuum and/or use tack cloth to wipe clean all of the sanded areas. Change your dust-ridden clothes as well to help keep dust from ruining your varnish job.

5. For the base coat, mix the varnish with the paint thinner or solvent according to the instructions on the varnish can. Instead of applying the varnish with the usual gliding paint stroke, dab it on to create a smoother texture.

6. If there is any raised grain or bits of dust that were set into the varnish, sand off the section once it has dried using very-fine-grit sandpaper.

7. For the succeeding coats, you can apply as many as needed depending on the shade of the varnish and the color of the wood. The more coats applied means more protection and shine to your wooden boat. Just make sure to follow the drying time between coats.

8. Once you’re all done and the varnish is completely dried, strip off the painter’s tape and clean up the area.

Need Help Refinishing Your Boat?

While it gives a feeling of pride to refinish your wooden boat on your own, you may not always have the time to do it. TalkLocal can quickly find a professional painter to do the job for you. Contact us now and you’ll be talking to a pro in minutes.

Posted in Painters | No Comments »

What Kind of Pain Medicine Can I Give My Dog?

Thursday, September 5th, 2013

For the pet owner, there is nothing more stressful than a sick pet. Anyone who has owned pets can tell you all about the heartbreak of looking into the eyes of a pooch in pain, so if you’re thinking about giving human pain killers to your dog, let us assure you that you are not alone. Get the highest rated Dog Pain Relievers shipped overnight from Amazon starting at $5.68.

One of the most common questions asked of veterinarians is “What kind of pain medicine can I give my dog?” In fact, every day many pet owners simply reach into the medicine cabinet and give Fido a dose of whatever headache remedy they have on hand – but is that really a good idea? Unless you’re certain that the medicine you’re using will not hurt your dog, you may be doing more harm than good. Check out our top 10 list for dog pain medication.

Determine the Source of the Pain

The first order of business for any animal in pain is to determine why the animal is hurting. Has it eaten something it shouldn’t have? Is it injured? If you’re not sure, then you should get the doggie to the vet for an examination before giving the poor guy (or gal) any medicine at all. Does your dog usually display signs of pain when it’s cold or raining? Have an older or overweight pet? The pain may be caused by arthritis. Consult your veterinarian if you think this may be the case. Your doctor may start your dog on a joint health regimen. Simply dosing up your pet without knowing exactly what’s wrong may relieve your pet’s pain, but you could be simply masking the symptoms of a serious issue that needs immediate medical attention.

Aspirin for Pets

So, here’s the answer to the question: “ What kind of pain medicine can I give my dog?” The only – and let us repeat that for emphasis – the only over-the-counter medication that is safe for your dog to take is plain old aspirin. Now, don’t get ahead of yourself and give the dog a full human dose. Aspirin is only good for short term use due to its potential side effects. You’ll want to use baby aspirin for your pets – one baby aspirin per 35 lbs. of body weight is the general rule. Get the highest rated Dog Pain Relievers shipped overnight from Amazon starting at $5.68.

Never, ever give a dog acetaminophen (or Tylenol, as it’s more commonly known) unless specifically instructed to do so by your vet. Acetaminophen has been known to be fatal to dogs and cats. Also to be avoided is ibuprofen, or Advil, as it can cause upset stomach and ulcers. Stick with baby aspirin if you must give your pet something, as it’s gentle and trusted. Here’s how to give your dog medicine.

Find a Vet!

If you have a cat or dog who isn’t feeling well, TalkLocal can help you find a vet in your local area who is ready to help you and your furry family member feel better. Our concierge service will connect you with local professionals, and is entirely free.

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Posted in Veterinarians | 17 Comments »

How to Know When to Replace Fuel Filter

Thursday, September 5th, 2013

Fuel filters have the primary function of filtering dust and particles from fuel. They are typically made into cartridges in your car. Knowing when to replace fuel filter is important for keeping your car in shape. To know when the fuel filter is dirty, you need to remove it from your car and blow through it. Then you have to gauge the resistance of the air when blowing through the filter. Minimal resistance means that the fuel filter is clean and doesn’t need to be replaced. However, if there is more resistance, then the fuel filter is dirty and needs replacement.

A Word of Warning

A word of caution should be said about testing if your fuel filter is dirty or not. Gasoline is a very poisonous substance, so you must not blow directly into your fuel filter. Instead, use a clean, rubber hose and blow through that.

What a Clogged Filter Will Do

It is important to know when to replace fuel filter, because a clogged fuel filter will immediately stop your engine by hindering the flow of fuel to your carburetor or injectors. This will stop your engine cold, and your brakes could stop working as well.

This is a dangerous situation to be in, so you have to be vigilant about replacing your car filter. A filter that is only partially clogged will allow fuel to pass through, sufficient enough for low speeds. This will cause your engine to stutter when using the car at high speeds. There are some filters that have a bypass mechanism, which will allow fuel to pass through. However, this can create additional problems because dirt and particles will go into the carburetor or injectors.

Need Help?

If you need help in locating a professional to help you replace your fuel filter, TalkLocal can help you. We will connect you with up to three, high-quality professionals in just minutes, for free.

Posted in Auto Repair | No Comments »

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