How do you know if your AC is Low on Freon

Friday, December 7th, 2012

Air conditioning is a gift sent straight from heaven during the summer. The sweet relief of waking into a pleasantly cool house after being outside during the hot sticky day is like no other. But what happens when your air conditioner starts to break down? When your A/C stops workin,g your entire machine could be failing.

Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC), more commonly know as Freon is a derivative of methane/ethane. It is used as a refrigerant, propellant, and solvent. Freon is commonly found in air conditioners as it has cooling properties. Most common residential properties use the R-22 version of chlorofluorocarbon in their air conditioners. Sometimes Freon levels can become low, so how do you know if your AC is low on Freon?

Signs that Freon is low

1) Low airflow in vents

2) Air coming from vents feel warm

3) Water on the floor near your unit

4) Ice buildup on copper lines from A/C to indoor coil

5) High electricity use

6) Longer wait for house to cool

Methods to detect leaks/low Freon

One option is to use an electronic refrigerant detector called a sniffer. This device will give off a sound and visual indication when the sending probe senses a leak. You can also inject fluorescent dye into the system. It will circulate the same path as the Freon and come out wherever there is a leak. Once you use an ultraviolet light to illuminate the system, the dye will glow and indicated where it has pooled.

You should also check your filters and change them every 30 days to make sure that they are kept clean. If you stand in front of your air handler and someone turns the thermostat to engage the air the fan should start up and you should be able to hear the refrigerant running. Touch the copper lines to see if they are getting any colder. If not then there is a problem with your Freon.

Continuing Issues

If you cannot seem to figure out what you want to do about your air conditioner you should seek professional help. Use TalkLocal to be put in contact with reliable local businesses almost immediately. You don’t have to do any work! Simply input your problem and availability and TalkLocal will do the rest. Within minutes your should be connected with a qualified HVAC company.

Posted in Heating and Cooling | No Comments »

Is JailBreaking your iPhone Legal?

Thursday, December 6th, 2012

Jailbreaking is when you hack the operating system of an iPhone to allow any and all applications to run. This includes applications that may not necessarily be authorized by Apple. Jailbreaking your phone is technically legal, but it will expose you to a wider range of threats and void your warranties.

Is jailbreaking your iPhone legal? Federal regulators have recently declared that jailbreaking your iphone is legal. But while it won’t get you thrown in jail, it will make your life a lot more difficult. Both your phone service provider and phone manufacturer offer warranties with your iPhone, but both Verizon/AT&T and Apple’s warranties are declared void if you jailbreak your phone. When your iPhone is open to all those viral threats, no one is willing to touch it.

Apple maintains that the iPhone has succeeded so well in the marketplace because it a safe product to use. The stringent vetting process that each application goes through ensures that only legitimate clean apps make it through. By jailbreaking your iPhone you leave your device open to suffer from potentially catastrophic cyber attacks.

Most phone manufacturers, including Apple, claim that jailbreaking violates the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). On the other hand, the Electronic Frontier Foundation adamantly opposes making jailbreaking a crime because it limits the potential of the phone. If you are stuck trying to decide whether or not you want to jailbreak your iPhone you have two options: You can either jailbreak the iPhone and void your warranties or you can opt to use a non-Apple product like a Droid, LG, or Samsung phone. If you are not accident-prone and like the user interface of Apple, you should go with the first option. If you would prefer to keep your warranties, you can use other — less safe, but still reliable — options your service provider offers.

Continuing Problems

If you continue to have problems deciding what to do you should seek professional help. Use TalkLocal to be put in contact with reliable phone businesses. You don’t have to do any work! Simply input your problem and availability and within minutes you should be connected to someone who can help you out.

Posted in Computer Repair | No Comments »

Getting Rid of Crabgrass

Thursday, December 6th, 2012

Crabgrass is an annual weed that typically appears out during the warmer months. Getting rid of crabgrass is possible if you utilize the proper tactics. In fact, it is possible to prevent crabgrass from growing in the first place. The best way of getting rid of crabgrass is prevention, so if you’re reading this article in mid-July, then manually de-weeding your lawn is pretty much the only way of getting rid of crabgrass.

The best prevention for crabgrass is to apply herbicides before the crabgrass sprouts. These herbicides come in either grainy or liquid form and work to kill the crabgrass seeds before they get a chance to fully germinate and allow seedlings to emerge. To successfully get rid of crabgrass before it emerges, timing is of the utmost importance. The best time to apply the herbicide is around your second regular mowing during the spring season.

Two of the top pre-emergent herbicides for killing crabgrass are Dimension and Tupersan. Dimension is safe to use on most lawns and provides a solution that lasts. Not all crabgrass emerges at the same time, so this extra time can be helpful at times. Tupersan is a unique herbicide because it does not damage germinating lawn grass seeds. Instead, it has fertilizers that help grass cover areas where crabgrass may sprout, and it has the herbicides to get specially rid of crabgrass.

The use of herbicide can be risky if you don’t use it properly, so make sure to follow these tips.

1) Irrigate your lawn in the areas where herbicide was applied, as water activates these pre-emergent herbicides.

2) If you use the herbicide and the effects aren’t working as they should, consider reapplying the herbicide. This is an important step, as not all crabgrass seedlings germinate at the same time, so reapplication may be necessary to kill some of the slower seeds.

3) Measure your lawn’s area and follow the directions on the herbicide label to make sure you don’t use too much or too little.

4) NEVER apply pre-emergent herbicides on new sod. Sod is especially prone to chemicals, so be careful what you use on it.

If you follow these tips, you should be able to get rid of your crabgrass infestations in no time. If you would prefer professional help, consider using TalkLocal to find a specialist for you. TalkLocal is a free service that will connect you with top-quality, 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 Landscapers | 1 Comment »

Are Pest Control Services Worth the Money?

Thursday, December 6th, 2012

A common question asked when dealing with termites and infestations is “Are pest control services worth the money?” Although pest control service costs can be high, sometimes they are necessary. If you’re experiencing significant pest problems, we recommend you hire a professional and get the job taken care of as quickly and easily as possible.

Considerations

– Infestation

If you notice a small infestation occurring in a specific region of the house, you can probably take care of the problem at home on your own. A small infestation can be treated by pest control products sold to homeowners. These are usually sold at stores such as Home Depot or Wal-Mart. With a huge infestation, or if the pests are in multiple areas, a pest control professional is your best bet. To completely eradicate a huge infestation, time and expertise is needed.

– Risk

A lack of expertise when it comes to pest control can put your children and pets at risk. Pest control products are usually not suitable for children or pets. Without knowing where or how to apply the product safely, this could end up being a danger to your household. Pest control services know how to apply pest control products safely. Another risk can be allergies. With children who suffer from allergies, hiring a professional is the best way to go. These professionals know how to accommodate your family in these specific situations.

– Product Access

Pest control services have access to stronger pest control products which can be dangerous when applied by a non-professional. Like we said before, home products are OK for small infestations, but usually do not have the strength to tackle large ones. Pest control services also have access to better equipment to apply pest control products such as high powered sprayers.

Pest control may be costly, but may actually save you money in the long run by efficiently and quickly exterminating your home. If you decide to hire a pest control professional, use TalkLocal. TalkLocal can connect you the best professionals in your area within minutes.

Posted in Pest Control | 2 Comments »

Temporary Roof Repair for Leaks after a Storm

Thursday, December 6th, 2012

Have you ever been awoken in the middle of the night by a violent storm? It can seem very frightening: rain pounding the roof, trees swaying about, winds pummeling the sides of the house. The worst part is knowing these sounds may mean damage to your roof. You may not be able to get a repairman to the site immediately, which is why you should perform a temporary roof repair for leaks after a storm. This guide will show you how.

The first thing you need to do when your roof is leaking is take care of your house. You should mop up any leaks from the floor so that there is no internal damage along with the external damage. When you find the leak put a thick towel down. On top of the towel you need to place a watertight bucket or cooler. This will stand to gather and hold the water that leaks through until a repair can be made.

As soon as it stops raining, you need to determine the source of the problem and how extensive it is. Work your way up to the roof by first checking out the attic. Inspect the insulation to see if it is wet and to make sure there is no mold. Many people will encourage you to caulk the leak to deter further leaking, but unless you have prior roofing knowledge you shouldn’t do this. Caulk could actually damage the shingles and roofing rather than help.

Covering your roof with a temporary cover will allow you to stop the roof from leaking even more. You will need a tarp, some wooden stakes, rope, a ladder, and gloves. You need to measure the distance from the roof to the ground and get twice that amount in rope for each corner of the house. Install the stakes into the ground as an anchor for the rope. Tie a rope to each hole in the corner of the tarp and lock it into a stake. Do this for all four corners so the house is entirely covered by the tarp. This should hold until a roofer can come by and fix your roof properly.

Continuing Problems

If you need professional help as soon as possible, use TalkLocal. This free concierge service will search for reliable local roofing businesses that can meet on your schedule, even if that means right now! Simply go to the TalkLocal website, input your problem, location, and availability to be connected within minutes to someone who can help.

Posted in Roofers | 1 Comment »

How to Remove Tree Sap from my Car

Thursday, December 6th, 2012

If you park your car under a pine tree, then you may find a sticky tree sap substance on the exterior of your car. Read more to learn how to remove tree sap from your car.

There are several household products than can be used to remove this tree sap. One thing you can do is to use nail polish remover or rubbing alcohol to remove it. Afterwards, make a solution of water and baking soda to make a paste, and then clean the remaining area and apply wax to shine it over.

You can also use a paint brush cleaner made of household findings like bacon grease or leftover lard. This can release the stickiness immediately and make removing the sap a quick fix. Be sure to wash off the grease with a soapy solution, and apply a final wax to the car’s surface.

You can also purchase wax and grease-removing products from your nearest car supply store. Use a soft towel or terry towel, both which can lessen the impact of scratching the paint.

If the tree sap has set in for an extended period of time, it may be a bit more difficult to remove. You should let these mixtures sit in for longer on the surface, and be sure not to use heavy pressure when rubbing or scrubbing, as to avoid scratching the paint. After wiping the sap away, it is recommended to finish it off again with wax or car polish to remove any signs of scratching.

If the tree sap is too hard to remove, you may want to take your car to an auto repair shop for professional assistance. Try using TalkLocal to locate an auto professional near you. TalkLocal is a free service that will connect you with top-quality, reputable auto repair specialists in your neighborhood, within minutes. Simply enter in your specific problem, location, and availability and TalkLocal will contact multiple pros, who will then call YOU directly, ready to help.

Posted in Auto Repair | No Comments »

What Not to Use to Clean Hardwood Floors

Thursday, December 6th, 2012

What cleaning supplies to use on hardwood floors depends not on the type of wood, but on the type of finish your floor has. Most modern floors now are surface sealed, which means that they have a urethane, polyurethane, orpolyacrylic surface seal. To test if your floor is surface sealed, run a finger across your floor and see if it leaves a mark on the floor. Otherwise, your floor is probably treated with a penetrating seal or an oil finish. In that case, you’ll need to apply liquid or paste wax to your floor, and regular cleaning methods will not work.

Surface sealed floors are usually quite resilient to cleaning methods that might harm a floor treated with a penetrating seal. However, there are cleaning methods that should not be used on surface sealed floors. Read on for more information on what not to use to clean hardwood floors.

Surface sealed floors

– Don’t use oils, they tend to leave a residue that builds up over time

– Don’t use furniture spray, as it makes your floor incredibly slippery

– Don’t use wax, it’s not necessary for your surface sealed floor and wax is a huge hassle to take care of

– Don’t use any abrasive cleaners, such as ammonia or other alkaline products that will dull the surface of your floors

– Don’t only use water, since water alone will not remove dirt very well and your floors will not be as clean as they could be

– Don’t use vinegar and water, as vinegar is an acidic substance that may dull your floors faster

– Don’t use a completely wet mop, because water can still get behind the seal and ruin the wood flooring

Penetrating seal floors

– Don’t use acrylic and water based waxes, which can turn a floor white

– Don’t use furniture waxes, since they make your floors incredibly slippery

– Don’t use one step waxes, as they tend to trap dirt

– Don’t damp mop, floors with penetrating seals are much more vulnerable to water damage

A flooring specialist will be able to tell you in greater detail other products you should not use on your specific type of floor, in addition to what you should be using to clean your floor. Use TalkLocal to find a high quality flooring specialist at no additional charge today.

Posted in Maid Services | No Comments »

Pesticide Spraying Techniques

Wednesday, December 5th, 2012

Pesticides are extremely useful for prevention of insect damage to crops and plants. However, while extremely useful against insects, these pesticides are also extremely dangerous for most animals and even humans. Use caution and follow these pesticide spraying techniques.

First and foremost, read and follow the label directions. The directions vary from pesticide to pesticide, but generally, the pesticide will need to be mixed with water. Make sure to use the proper mix ratio that the product tells you to use. Using stronger concentrations usually doesn’t increase effectiveness, but it can increase the toxicity.

One safety tip is to use the pesticide in well-ventilated areas to ensure the chemicals don’t get absorbed into your body. Liquid pesticides in particular may produce poisonous fumes that are released when the container is opened or when the product is being used or mixed. Also be sure to avoid contact with skin, as some of these chemicals can be absorbed through skin. Be careful for sparks and open flames, as well. The pesticides are often highly flammable, so caution is advised. When you mix the pesticides, be sure to never use any utensils that may later be used for food.

Once you are ready to spray the pesticides, place it into a sprayer and test it to ensure it sprays properly. If it is working properly, begin by spraying the plants on both the upper and lower sides of the leaves. You should spray the plant from a distance between six and 10 inches. Continue spraying your plants until you have used all of the pesticide in the sprayer. When you are done, clean out the empty tank and rinse it at least three times.

If you would prefer professional help, consider using TalkLocal to find a specialist for you. TalkLocal is a free service that will connect you with top-quality, 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 Landscapers | 1 Comment »

Do Maids Clean Garages?

Wednesday, December 5th, 2012

The roles of maids have changed significantly over the years. In modern homes, maids work alone and perform various chores, including cooking, cleaning, ironing, laundry, etc. A maid is almost like a handyman that takes care of the things that go on within the house rather than the ones that go on outside of it. All maids are different and have different views on what is part of their job description and what isn’t, but in general, if the job requires some elbow grease and time, your maid should be able to do it.

Do maids clean garages? Garage cleaning is one such job that a maid could help to accomplish. There may be the rare cleaning lady who thinks that such a job is not part of their job description, but for the most part, a maid will do what she is asked to do. Cleaning a garage can be a weekend project depending on how your garage currently is, so having a maid help out with this can be very beneficial.

Before you begin cleaning your garage, getting organized is the first step. Be sure to purchase several plastic containers of different sizes to hold the various things you may find within your garage. You may also want to consider having a garage sale if you have many things you don’t need anymore. Once you have the plastic containers, go through your stuff and organize them by category into different piles. Have another pile of things that you do not need or wish to keep in your garage. Place these different piles into the containers you bought and stack these somewhere where they are both easily accessible, but still out of the way. Label them so you know exactly what is in the container.

With all this done, you can have your maid sweep the garage to get rid of dust and garbage that may remain. If you need help finding a maid to help clean your garage, consider using TalkLocal to find a maid service for you. TalkLocal is a free service that will connect you with top-quality, maid services 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.

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

Is it Safe to Clean Carpet when Pregnant?

Wednesday, December 5th, 2012

It is common for pregnant women to worry about how their actions will affect their baby. It is not unnecessary to worry because there are activities that should be avoided during pregnancy for the safety of your baby. However, if you are in good health and physically active you should be able to safely continue basic household cleaning, if you have not been told otherwise by your doctor. Is it safe to clean carpet when pregnant? Yes, as long as your take the proper precautions.

Avoid chemical cleaning products

During pregnancy, you should avoid chemical cleaning products as they can be harmful to your baby. You can still steam clean your carpet with water. You can also create a mixture of one-third cup vinegar and two-thirds cup water to remove stains by hand before steam cleaning.

Take precautions to prevent mold

Mold can also be potentially harmful to your baby. Before you begin steam cleaning your carpet, open any windows and turn on any fans near the carpet so that it will dry quicker and not give mold a chance to grow. If it is a humid or rainy day, you should put off steam cleaning until a dryer day. Additionally, if it is very cold outside and windows cannot be opened, wait until a warmer day so you can properly ventilate after steam cleaning.

Vacuum carpet after steam cleaning

After you steam clean your carpet, you should vacuum twice per week to reduce carpet allergens, dirt, and dust mites. Make sure that your vacuum has a HEPA filter and do not use carpet sprays or deodorizing powders.

Contact healthcare professional if you feel pain

If you begin to feel back pain or pelvic discomfort while you are steam cleaning your carpet, you should contact a healthcare professional immediately because pregnant women are at a higher risk of injury due to the fluctuation of hormones during pregnancy.

If you take these precautions it should be safe to steam clean your carpet while you are pregnant. However, if you are nervous about harmful effects to your baby, you can hire someone to steam clean your carpet for you. With the help of TalkLocal, you can receive up to three phones calls within minutes from high quality carpet cleaners in your area that are available when you are.

Posted in Carpet Cleaners | No Comments »

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