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Wednesday, August 7th, 2013

Electronic air cleaners are used by millions of Americans who seek to improve indoor air quality and eliminate some of the most dangerous, microscopic pollutants triggering severe respiratory problems and other health concerns. In other words, electronic air cleaners trap the tiniest contaminants and help homeowners breathe cleaner, healthier air on a daily basis.

These devices are equipped with washable pre-filters and cells, which should be checked and cleaned regularly, at least once a month. Keep reading to discover three simple, effective ways to clean electronic air filters on your own, in the comfort of your own home.

First Method: Place the dirty pore-filters and washable cells in the dishwasher

Most homeowners use their dishwashers to keep their electronic air filters and cells dirt-free and fully functional. After the washing cycle is completed, simply take out the purified components and let them dry naturally. A drying cycle should never be considered a valid option, as it could easily damage cells and pre-filters, minimizing the efficiency of your electronic air cleaner.

Before opting for this fast, hassle-free cleaning method, make sure to read the dishwasher’s instruction manual. Some manufacturing companies might not recommend cleaning pre-filters and electronic cells by washing them in the automatic dishwasher.

Second Method: Clean electronic air filters in your bathtub

You could also cleanse those filthy electronic cells and pre-filters by placing them in a bathtub filled with hot water. Add three quarters of high-quality dishwasher detergent for each cell; wait 15 or 20 minutes until the detergent manages to dissolve the dirt buildup and then let these components air dry.

Third Method: Wash pre-filters and electronic cells in your backyard, utilizing a garden hose

Last, but definitely not least, you could try to clean electronic air filters in record time using a garden hose. Wash those dirty pre-filters and electronic cells with plenty of water sprayed with moderate pressure to avoid damaging these essential parts of your device. If you are dealing with stubborn particles of dirt, rely on a good household detergent to get the job done fast and effortlessly. In the end, let these components dry naturally and put them back inside your electronic air cleaner when they’re perfectly dry.

Opt for one of these 3 easy ways to wash pre-filters and electronic cells and keep your appliance in perfect condition for a longer period of time.

Find an HVAC Expert

Looking for a real professional to complete this task on time and on a budget? Count on TalkLocal to find the best experts in your area. Whether you want to invest in professional maintenance services or you aim to conduct a DIY project, keep in mind that a monthly cleaning process is mandatory and can increase the lifespan and effectiveness of your device.

Posted in Heating and Cooling, talklocal | No Comments »

Best Wood for Building a Tree House

Wednesday, August 7th, 2013

A tree house is a joy for children, especially during summertime, which allows them to play outdoors and get closer to nature. It’s a source of constant excitement that keeps children busy, but it can also be a source of delight for grown-ups. Even more so if you’re in charge of designing and building it. Your effort will pay off when you see those smiling faces climbing up and down to their secret playhouse in the sky. But before you get to enjoy the results of your work, you need to make a plan about the kind of tree house you want, starting with the main material, namely wood.

What Is the Best Wood for Building a Tree House?

That’s the first question you need to ask after deciding on the location, which is obviously a tree, but which one, and where should the tree house be positioned? How big do you want it to be? How many children is it supposed to accommodate? After answering these preliminary questions, you need to consider the material you are going to use. When choosing the type of wood you are going to use in your DIY project for building a tree house, you need to consider the following factors.

Wood Resistance

It’s important to choose a durable hardwood, such as cedar, pine, plywood, or redwood, to build a safe and resistant tree house that your children can enjoy for several seasons.

Moisture Content

Some species of wood are softer than others; they contain more moisture, which can lead to faster shrinking. That is why the best wood for building a tree house should be from a hardwood species with reduced moisture content.

Treated Wood

The best wood for building a tree house is treated wood because it is stronger, does not decay easily, and resists insect infestation, which makes it a safer choice for this kind of project.

Want Help with Your Tree House?

If you’d love to give your children a dream tree house but you’d rather entrust this project to someone more experienced, TalkLocal can put you in touch with a reliable handyman who can get the job done quickly. We can fulfill your request in minutes, for free.

Tags: tree house, wood
Posted in Handyman | No Comments »

The Average Cost of a Stone Patio

Wednesday, August 7th, 2013

Stone Patios for Your Home

Stone patios are beautiful and affordable landscaping features that add beauty to your home and your garden. They are typically made of bluestone or flagstone. These stones are flat and can be cut to fit the shape of your patio. They are also easily maintained throughout the year, in any weather. Stone patios are a great way to save energy using landscaping. The average cost of a stone patio depends on size, type of stone, and other factors.

Factors for Cost

Along with labor, there are other costs associated with building a stone patio. You have to pay for the delivery and installation of the stones. Aside from these, you also have to pay for the preparation of the site before the stones are installed. A small stone patio will cost you $3,600 or less, while a more elaborate patio will set you back up to $30,000. Bluestone and flagstone cost about $15 to $18 per square foot.

Additionally, if you decide to use irregularly shaped flagstones for you patio, you can expect to pay more. Where you source your stones from will also affect the cost. If you decide to order stones that are located far from where you live, the delivery costs will be quite expensive.

There are different types of patios, and stone patios are just one option. Flagstone patios that have gaps in them, meaning they have open joints, are less expensive than fully jointed patios. There is some variability to the shapes of stones, so experienced contractors will usually order 25% more stones than the estimated area. This is to cover the gaps in the patio.

Where to Get Professional Help

Seva Call can help you find a suitable contractor in your area. We will connect you with up to three, reliable professionals in your area, giving you the option of which one to go with for your project.

Posted in Landscapers | No Comments »

Does Physical Therapy Help Vertigo?

Wednesday, August 7th, 2013

Vertigo and Quality of Life

Vertigo is an ear condition that gives you the illusion that you are falling or that your environment is moving. It’s a debilitating health condition that can severely affect your quality of life. You can feel nauseous or be afraid to fall constantly. Because vertigo is an ear condition, a doctor will check your ears for any malfunctioning. A doctor will also check your eyes for nystagmus, which is the rapid, involuntary movement of the eyes, to help determine which canals of your ears are affected by vertigo.

Does Physical Therapy Help Vertigo?

A trained physical therapist will be able to determine the types of maneuvers that you can do to help you cope with vertigo. Your physical therapist will also instruct you on what you can do if the symptoms of vertigo recur. The therapist may also assess your balance and teach you techniques that will improve it. Physical therapy also helps spinal stenosis, which may worsen your symptoms of vertigo. Physical therapists may also tell you to sleep at a 45-degree angle for a night of treatment.

Physical therapy is useful for vertigo by training the brain to make up for the damage in the ear. It does this by improving your overall balance. Your physician will help you determine if you need chiropractic therapy. Physicians will commonly refer you to a physical therapist if you are suffering from vertigo, because it will help you cope with this condition. Indeed, if you are asking “does physical therapy help vertigo?” then the answer is: yes.

Finding Professional Help

TalkLocal will help you locate a physical therapist near you. We will connect you with the right professionals in your area for free, and in just minutes. You’ll get the help you need, when you need it most.

Posted in Chiropractors | No Comments »

Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Definition

Wednesday, August 7th, 2013

In these difficult economic times, many companies are finding it hard to keep their heads above water. All across the country, major corporations and small businesses are finding themselves in the untenable position of being unable to pay their creditors, suppliers, and employees. After exhausting all other financial avenues open to them, such as securing further loans or even bringing in a new business partner, the only option left is to declare bankruptcy. If this is the only choice left to you, the first thing you need to do is to get a clear chapter 11 bankruptcy definition.

It’s Not the End

It is a common belief that filing for bankruptcy means that you will lose complete control over your business and your assets and that you will be left with basically nothing. Yet, when you look into the chapter 11 bankruptcy definition, you will come to realize that this is not really the case.

Chapter 11 bankruptcy gives a business owner the ability to reorganize and restructure their company and business plan in order to remediate their credit and cash flow problems. When a company files for chapter 11 bankruptcy, the owners become debtors in possession of the business and are mandated to come up with a plan to service their debt and pay back their loans to their creditors. The owners, or debtors in possession, are still in control of the company and its operations, and their objective from the point of filing onward is to find a way to restructure the company so that the business is able to pay off its debts.

How it Works

1. Upon filing for chapter 11 bankruptcy, the debtor in possession has approximately 120 days within which to propose a plan for restructuring the company and paying off its debts. Once the filing is made, automatic stay immediately applies, meaning that all of the business’ creditors have to stop pressing the owner for repayment of his debts until the chapter 11 proceedings are over.

2. After the owner has proposed a plan, the creditors have the right to vote on it – they can either approve or veto it, in which case the debtor in credit has to come up with a new plan. At this stage, the company’s creditors can also propose their own plan.

3. Once a plan has been settled on, it has to be confirmed by a judge. Only a judge can do this – even if the debtor and creditors agree to a restructuring plan, it cannot go into effect until it has been confirmed by the courts.

At this point, the debtor in possession remains in control of the company and its operations as long as he or she sticks to the restructuring and repayment plan.

Consult a Bankruptcy Lawyer

If you need help filing for bankruptcy under chapter 11, TalkLocal can help. Visit our website and use our free referral system to be connected with experienced bankruptcy lawyers close to you. Filing for bankruptcy is a hard road, but with the right help, you can soon be back on your way to fiscal solvency.

Posted in Lawyers - Bankruptcy | No Comments »

Growing Fruit Vines

Tuesday, August 6th, 2013

What Types of Fruit Grow on Vines?

The typical answer to this question is usually grapes, but did you know that kiwi and passion fruit also grow on vines? Kiwi climbs a pergola pretty well and can be harvested in late autumn. Passion fruit, on the other hand, has a rampant growth rate and can be harvested in late spring to early autumn. Growing fruit vines is not difficult. With this in mind, growing these types of fruit is easier than growing espalier trees.

How to Grow Fruit Vines

Growing fruit vines is ideal for small, cramped gardens because vines grow vertically and don’t require much space. Of course, growing these types of plants depends on your climate and growing conditions. With the right climate and type of soil, you may be able to enjoy harvests yearly. When planting grapes, for example, you have to pay attention to the roots. Don’t let them dry out. You can keep them in a bucket of water for up to a day while you look for spots to plant them.

Grapes, like other fruit vines, grow well on fences and trellises. Water your plants frequently. Again, this is done so that the roots don’t become dry. Passion fruits, the same with grapes and kiwis, need full sunlight to grow well. Keep them in a spot with plenty of sunlight. It is best for these types of plants to grow in slightly acidic soil as well. It also helps if you prune your plants each spring. This will help them grow more vigorously. Check the variety of plants that you take care of, as pruning depends on the variety.

Where to Get Help

Professional landscapers will be able to help you grow fruit vines. TalkLocal will connect you with landscapers in your area. Contact us today!

Posted in Landscapers | No Comments »

How to Move Portable Storage Lockers

Tuesday, August 6th, 2013

If you’re on the move a lot, investing in a portable storage locker is probably a sound decision. A storage unit will allow you to keep your valuables, heirlooms, seasonal items, and other goods in a safe place. However, when it’s time to move, there’s often little to do but manually unpack the neglected storage unit, only to pack a new one in a new town or city. Portable storage units enable you to move the entire container to wherever your new home will be, but how feasible are they? Let’s take a look at how to move portable storage lockers.

Size Matters

First of all, how large is your portable storage locker? If you’ve purchased a personal storage locker from a hardware store, most likely you will be able to move it yourself. However, if you have a large portable storage unit such as the ones offered by companies like PODS, then you will need to contact the company to arrange to have your goods moved.

Use Your Storage to Save on Moving Expenses

If you’re clever, you can utilize the additional room left in your portable storage to pack additional items and lighten the load of goods you’re taking with you. In fact, many suppliers of portable storage units offer the use of their containers specifically for moving, so you can rent one, load it up with all your belongings, and have it delivered to the driveway of your new home whether it’s across town or across time zones. It’s a great way to ease the strain of moving, and not having a moving truck to drive means one less vehicle to worry about fueling.

Need to Find A Storage Center?

If you’re planning a big move soon, looking for a place to stow away some odds and ends, or just looking for more information on how to move portable storage lockers, TalkLocal can help you find the right company to store, move, or both. We will connect you with the right professional, directly.

Posted in Moving and Storage | 1 Comment »

How to Use a Jigsaw

Tuesday, August 6th, 2013

A jigsaw is one of the most versatile tools that can be used to cut the most intricate and trickiest of designs in wood – or a variety of other materials such as plastic, metal, or ceramic tiles. It allows you to cut absolutely fascinating designs with little practice. This makes it one of the best tools for all do-it-yourselfers and professionals alike, whether you are cutting posts for a new fence or redoing your kitchen.

Choosing the Right Jigsaw

To start with, you are going to need the right jigsaw, and that will take quite a bit of thought, as not all jigsaws are created equal. You will need to choose between battery-operated jigsaws or those with a power cord. Another important feature to look out for is speed control. Variable-speed jigsaws are definitely better for cutting different kinds of materials.

Choosing the right blade is extremely important to getting the right performance from your jigsaw. They can cut from metal to plastic, as long as you have the right blade. You must choose the right teeth per inch, or TPI, and also choose the blade with the right width.

How to Use a Jigsaw

The first step is to prepare the material you are about to cut. Carefully draw an outline of the design you wish to cut. It’s always a good idea to cut out a paper or cardboard impression of the actual design and use it to mark the final material you are going to cut, for accuracy.

Secure the Material to Cut

When cutting intricate patterns, it’s important that you have both hands free for effectively guiding the saw. It is therefore important that you place the material on a workbench and secure it with clamps so that it stays firmly in place. Make sure you have plenty of lighting to see the lines you are cutting clearly.

Start Cutting

Carefully position the jigsaw blade close to the line where you will start cutting. Press the trigger of the jigsaw slowly and firmly, and once it is at the desired speed, push it through the material. Now slowly begin to guide the jigsaw along the line you drew for the cutout. If at any time it appears that the jigsaw is being strained or loading up, stop, clear off the area of debris, and start again. Once you have cut through the entire design, use a sander to finish the edges and make them smooth and ready for use.

Looking for Experts?

If you have any home improvement tasks that require sawing or woodworking, let us connect you to the best professionals in town. At TalkLocal, we do the legwork and find the best professionals suited to your kind of job and let you choose from a narrowed-down list, connecting you directly to the person chosen by you.

Tags: jigsaw, saw
Posted in Handyman | No Comments »

What Are Mentastics?

Tuesday, August 6th, 2013

Relaxation and exercise play a key role in living a healthy life. One way to work your body and loosen up at the same time is by trying Dr. Trager’s kind of massage and body therapy, called the Trager Approach. Mentastics, which stands for Mental Gymnastics, are part of this approach that was developed in the 1920s.

What Is the Trager Approach?

Dr. Trager’s approach consists of two interconnected parts: tablework and Mentastics. The former is passive and the latter is active. More exactly, during tablework the practitioner performs bodywork exercises on the participant, which induce relaxation. The practitioner uses mental techniques to attain a state called “hookup”, which facilitates an energetic flow between the practitioner and the participant. The second component of the Trager approach is Mentastics, which is based on active participation.

What Are Mentastics, more exactly?

Mentastics are a series of exercises that allow you to release stress and tension in an easy and playful way. Practitioners show the participants how to attain a state of comfort by moving freely and relaxing both their body and mind. Mentastics exercises can be performed under the guidance of a trainer, in groups, or on your own.

Natural Movement and Relaxation

The key element in Mentastics is moving naturally. All movements are simple and gentle; they are meant to enhance flexibility and free your body and mind. Mentastics are suitable for all ages and ability levels due to the moderate effort required when performing this kind of exercise. In Mentastics, movements flow naturally. The purpose is to regain the freedom you had as child, when the way you moved was completely free and unhindered. The techniques used in Mentastics are based on visualization, which are followed by graceful body movements with the purpose of achieving a state of relaxation.

Need Some Guidance?

If you want to give Mentastics a try, TalkLocal can put you in touch with an experienced practitioner who can guide your steps. Our service is free, and it gets you started immediately on the way to a healthier lifestyle.

Posted in Personal Trainers | No Comments »

Chromebook vs iPad

Tuesday, August 6th, 2013

Have you been wondering whether or not to get the Chromebook or the iPad? Not sure which computer offers the most benefit for what you’re looking for? While there are various versions of each device, the differences between them are still very similar. By the time you’ve finished reading this article, you should have enough basic information in order to make an informed decision.

The Physical Comparison

Physically, there are many differences in the Chromebook vs iPad. They vary in size, appearance, storage space, and more. Based on what you’re looking to use your device for – school, business, personal, etc. – might be a big determining factor for which one of these devices will be best for you when it comes to physical characteristics. Let’s take a quick peek at a few of the physical differences of the two.

For starters, the Chromebook is much bigger in size than the iPad. Depending on the versions that you’re comparing, the Chromebook display screens can be up to 2 or 3 inches bigger than the iPad’s display screen. It’s heavier as well. You’ll find that the Chromebook can be up to two times as heavy as the iPad.

In addition to this, the iPad uses a touchscreen while the Chromebook uses a full-size keyboard. So when it comes to the physical characteristics – size and weight – then you might want to go with the iPad if you’re looking for something more sleek and lightweight to use for more personal or minor business tasks. But if you’re really not into touchscreens, then you might want to go with the Chromebook.

Feature Comparison

Now let’s look at some of the feature comparisons of the Chromebook vs iPad. For example, the Chromebook can hold up to 100GB of storage, whereas the iPad can only hold up to about 64GB. On the other hand, you might be able to use your iPad for a much longer period of time with its estimated 10-hour battery life. The Chromebook’s battery life is only an estimated 6 hours.

In addition, the webcam on the iPad features a 2-way camera, allowing you to take both front and rear pictures. It also works well with mobile phones such as the iPhone. The Chromebook does not. The Chromebook, however, can access flash media but the iPad cannot. Also, the iPad offers more than 150,000 applications that you can download to it, while the Chromebook offers only a limited selection.

Which One to Choose?

In deciding whether to buy the Chromebook vs iPad, you will need to weigh all of the options mentioned in this article. Overall, it will depend on what, exactly, you need to be able to accomplish with your device.

Do You Need Assistance With Your Chromebook or iPad?

TalkLocal specializes in connecting consumers and/or businesses with high-quality professionals for nearly any need they might have. We can put you in touch with the right professional in only a few short minutes.

Posted in Computer Repair | No Comments »

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