What to Use to Clean Oven Window

Tuesday, November 13th, 2012

The number of things you cook in your oven are endless. Chicken, lasagnas, turkeys, pies, and more. Unfortunately, cooking is never a clean process. Things can splash around and get on the oven window when it’s cooking. This can leave a layer of hard to remove grime that dirties the look of your oven. It is something that you should clean frequently, but it’s not as easy as it seems. There are a few options you have when trying to remove the grease. No need to worry if you are wondering what to use to clean your oven window, the following list encompasses the best grease-cutting cleaners:

– Dawn Power Dissolver

– White vinegar

– Lemon juice

– Baking soda

– Cameo

– Mr. Clean Magic Eraser

When trying to get rid of the dirt and grime on the oven window, you should lay down a solid layer of paste of whichever cleaner you decided to use. Let it sit for 30 minutes to an hour, and then remove. The dirt should be much easier to wipe off after this. When looking for a cleaner, you should look for the least abrasive but most efficient one. You don’t want to scratch or damage your oven window, but you still want to get it clean. The power of the cleaner’s scent is one indication to how strong it is.

If you cannot seem to get your oven door clean or do not want to risk scratching it, you should seek professional help. Use TalkLocal to be put in contact with reliable, local maid service within minutes. Simply input your problem, location and availability, and TalkLocal will do the rest. Almost immediately you will be connected to someone who can help you out.

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How to Trim Bushes with an Electric Trimmer

Tuesday, November 13th, 2012

Hedges are understandably difficult to maintain. However, you can not neglect them because they contribute to the overall look of your house as well as its curb appeal. Trimming your own hedges is manageable, but you will need patience to get a nice end result. You can research different bush and shrub shapes before starting to gauge the difficulty of the project and your own skill level. Clean-looking shrubs require not only the right tools, but also the effort. By following this guide, you will learn how to trim bushes with an electric trimmer, and get your shrubs looking the way you want with ease.

Tools needed:

– Extension Cord

– Electric Hedge Trimmer

– Safety glasses

– Gloves

How to Trim Bushes with an Electric Trimmer

1. Plug in the cord of the electric trimmer into the extension cord, being mindful to give yourselves enough extra wiring for unrestricted movement.

2. With two hands, start trimming the hedge from bottom up. Start at the base and move upwards slowly at your desired depth. As a general rule, hedges are smaller at the base and grow in size at the top.

3. To trim the top, hold the electric trimmer out in front of your body while you trim. If you want round edges, start trimming a couple inches above the top while moving downward as you trim. If you want square edges, simply move the trimmer from side to side across the top while keeping the electric trimmer steady.

Safety Tips

– If you are attempting to trim bushes with an electric trimmer, make sure to wear safety glasses and gardening gloves when doing so.

– Be mindful of the cord.

Need Help?

If this seems like too much work to handle, consider using TalkLocal to find a local gardener. TalkLocal is a FREE service that will connect you with a reliable, top-rated gardener in your area within minutes

Posted in Landscapers | 1 Comment »

Andersen Window Replacement

Tuesday, November 13th, 2012

Are you looking to replace one or all of your home’s windows? The process can be tedious, as you look for the right company, different types of windows available, various desirable features, and price.

You may have heard of Andersen Window Replacement, the country’s leading manufacturer and supplier of top-quality windows and doors. The company has been operating for over 100 years to give you long-lasting, energy-efficient, and affordable windows. But there are many reputable window companies out there, so why is Andersen so special?

The company has established itself as a prominent name because it is the original developer of Fibrex, a revolutionary material that is resistant to rotting, paint peeling, and cracking. Fibrex is made up of wood fiber and thermoplastic polymer. It has superior insulation features and–because of its strength–allows for your windows’ low maintenance and longevity. It is as durable and strong as wood, but is much easier to maintain since it doesn’t require special paints or treatments to preserve it; in this way, Fibrex is able reduce VOC emissions.

Not only does Fibrex make for Andersen’s success in the window replacement market, but the company has also surpassed competitors with their easy-to-install “ten-minute window.” The high-quality, durable windows are energy-efficient and consumers even have the privilege of designing customized windows.

So if you’re in the window replacement market, Andersen windows in worth trying, as they have locations all over the US. But since window replacement is a project that requires much consultation, deliberation, and cost comparison, it may be helpful to consider other local companies. Check out TalkLocal, a service that will connect you immediately to local, high-quality businesses willing to help you with all your window needs. All you need to do is enter your specific problem, location, and availability on TalkLocal’s website and–with the click of a mouse–companies will call YOU within minutes, ready to address your needs.

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Air Conditioner Maintenance Checklist

Tuesday, November 13th, 2012

When maintaining your home, it’s such a hassle to deal with is a less-than-optimal air conditioning system or—worse yet—a broken one. There are certain preventative steps you can take to make sure your A/C will be running smoothly when summer comes. The following is an air conditioner maintenance checklist:

– Check your indoor evaporator coils and outdoors dispenser coils to make sure they are clean.

– Check the refrigerant level and make sure that you have enough (not too much or too little) to maximize performance.

– Check your specific thermostat settings; this can save energy if you adjust it according to the particular weather or if you turn it down when you are not home.

– Check for dirty filters monthly and replace if necessary.

– Check and clean the drain pans and condensate drains to make sure there are no obstructions.

– Be sure that your outdoor unit is not blocked by tall grass or weeds.

– Run a general test: turn your A/C on and off to ensure that it functions and that there are no unusual noises or smells. Make sure that the thermostat is set to the correct temperature.

In addition, check out this article for excellent tips on maintenance on your cooling system, depending on whether you have an outdoor or indoor unit.

If you have tried going through this checklist, but are still having problems or concerns, it may be helpful to contact a local HVAC specialist. Try using TalkLocal, a free service that will connect you with top quality, reputable HVAC companies in your neighborhood within minutes. Just enter in your specific problem, location, and availability into the online service request and up to three companies who already know your situation will call YOU directly—saving you tons of time and effort in finding a service yourself.

Posted in Heating and Cooling | No Comments »

Cat is Constantly Sneezing and Coughing

Tuesday, November 13th, 2012

There could be many reasons why your cat is constantly sneezing and coughing. It may only be a minor problem, or it may be a serious condition. This article outlines some possibilities for what may be wrong with your cat, but it is recommended that you take your cat to a local veterinarian if the problem continues.

Rhinotracheitis (Herpes-1)

Rhinotracheitis is most common in cats recently obtained from a shelter, but it is possible for a household cat to contract it as seemingly healthy cats can be carrying the disease. Signs include sneezing, watery eyes, listlessness, declining appetite and occasionally coughing. The disease is not deadly; letting your cat rest and feeding it chicken soup is an effective way to get rid of the disease. Your veterinarian can also prescribe you some antibiotics that can prevent your cat from developing any more serious complications from the disease. If you are worried about your cat not eating, you can feed them through a dropper, or try feed them pungent foods like sardines or tuna. Vaporizers, steam, and nasal decongestants can be helpful for dealing with your cat’s congestion.

Migrating Hookworm and Roundworm Larva

Young kittens in unsanitary conditions may accidentally eat a hookworm or roundworm larva, an egg that burrows in their stomach or intestine, which can cause a cough once the hookworm or roundworm matures. This can be prevented by keeping the environment sanitary.

Heartworm Disease

Heartworms are transmitted to your cat through mosquito bites. They are more common on dogs, but they can be found on cats as well. Heartworms damage the heart and cause inflammatory damage to the lungs. In cats, the symptoms of heartworm disease can appear similar to asthma. Your veterinarian can give your cat an injection or a monthly heart worm preventative to kill the heartworms. However, the damage to the heart cannot be repaired.

Congestive Heart Disease

If your older cat is coughing frequently and their gums appear blueish-gray then they probably have heart disease. To treat heart disease your veterinarian can place your cat on the diuretic furosemitide, and you can place your cat on a sodium restricted diet.

Lung Tumors

Older cats may develop tumors in their lungs. Heavy coughing, possibly coughing up blood and phlegm is a sign that this the problem. Unfortunately, there is not much that can be done for cats with tumors in their lungs. There is some chemotherapy available for animals, but it is not very effective and will only lengthen their life span a short bit while causing them much suffering. However, your veterinarian can provide you with cough suppressants, steroids, and bronchodilators that will improve your cats remaining life as much as possible.

Lungworms

Cats can obtain lungworms by eating birds or rodents that have eaten an infected snail or slug. Lungworms will cause coughing and an increased white blood cell count. Your veterinarian can treat a cat infected with lungworms with fenbendazole.

Bartonella

Bartonella is a bacteria that can cause a wide range of diseases and symptoms in cats. If the cause of your cat’s coughing and sneezing remains unclear, your veterinarian can run a test for Bartonella. Your vet can also treat your cat’s Bartonella will azithromycin, doxycycline, or rifampin.

These are just a few conditions that can cause coughing or sneezing in your cat. It is highly recommended that you take your cat to your local veterinarian to get them checked out by a professional. If you do not already have a veterinarian for you cat, you can use TalkLocal to find a high quality veterinarian in your area that is willing to help.

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Reduce Water Pressure Faucet

Monday, November 12th, 2012

When the faucet water pressure is too high, it can become a major problem. Not only does it waste water, it also can cause damage to your plumbing system. To reduce water pressure in your faucet, install an aerator. An aerator is a device that is fitted at the end of the faucet which mixes air with the water and controls and reduces the pressure of the water coming out of the faucet.

Installing an Aerator

First, check to see if your facet has an aerator. If there is no aerator at all, then buy one (they can be found at all home improvement stores). Here is how assemble it:

1. Put the flat plastic plate into the plastic cup.

2. Insert the whole thing into the rubber cover.

3. Put the rubber liner on top.

4. Place the cap on top of the rubber liner and screw it all the way in.

Now once the aerator has been assembled, unscrew the head of the faucet. Screw the aerator onto the pipe and then the faucet onto the aerator. This way the water pressure is now controlled.

If you already have an aerator and you still need to reduce the faucet water pressure, then you need to buy a new reduced pressure aerator. On the other hand, if you are having problems with low water pressure, your aerator may be broken or clogged.

Install Pressure Regulator

A pressure regulator is a valve that will control the water pressure throughout your house and not just on your faucet. You can buy either a single stage regulator or double stage regulator. The main difference is that the double stage regulator maintains the water pressure progressively in two areas.

Additional Help

Another way to reduce water pressure is to use a reduced diameter pipe for the water. No matter what, never try to control the water pressure by partially closing the water outlets. If you need more help from a plumber, TalkLocal can help you find high quality plumbers in your area.

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How to Get Rid of Dandelions

Monday, November 12th, 2012

You might see dandelions in your yard and think they are a pretty flower, but technically, they are classified as broadleaf, perennial weeds. Your kids might love plucking the white-headed ones up out of the grass and blowing them away while making a wish, but what they’re really doing is spreading hundreds of baby seeds all over your yard. While they can actually be considered an edible, beneficial weed that provides great nutrition and can help add nutrients and nitrogen to the soil, some may consider their existence unsightly. There are several different approaches on how to get rid of dandelions. Here’s what you can do to kill and prevent them from growing in your yard:

– There are specific weed removal tools for dandelions that can be found at your local home garden center. These handy tools can be used to dig up not only the flower, but the entire tap root of the plant, preventing re-growth.

– Avoid dandelion sprouting by mowing your lawn often. By chopping off the head of the yellow dandelions before they can sprout and mature into the white-headed, seed-bearing form, you are also preventing re-germination of the plant.

– After mowing your lawn, leave the grass clippings to cover the dandelion. This helps provide a sort of “blanket” over the plant, preventing it from sunlight, which is necessary for growth.

– Go to your home garden center and purchase corn gluten meal (CGM), or another weed-killing spray herbicide and sprinkle it over the dandelion population.

– Less conventional methods include pouring boiling water over the plants, or spraying them with a vinegar-water mixture (no more than 5% or 10% concentration of vinegar). This will kill them within days.

If the dandelion problem has grown out of control and you would like some professional help, try using TalkLocal to locate a landscaper near you. TalkLocal is a free service that will connect you with top-quality, reputable companies in your neighborhood, within minutes. Simply enter in your problem, location and availability and TalkLocal will contact multiple landscaping professionals, who will then call YOU directly, ready to help.

Posted in Landscapers | 1 Comment »

How to Treat Worms in your Dog

Monday, November 12th, 2012

Worms are one of the most common ailments that affect dogs, so you should not freak out when you think your pooch may be suffering. There are ways to tell if your dog has worms, how it got them, and how it can be treated and prevented in the future. Your dog can’t speak, so it is entirely up to you to keep an eye out for anything that could be troubling them. Below is more information on how to treat worms in your dog.

Symptoms

– Visible worms or eggs in fur, fecal matter, vomit

– Scratching/rubbing butt on ground or against furniture

– Bloated stomach

– Weakness, weight loss, increased appetite, diarrhea

How dogs get worms

– Worm eggs can form cysts in adult dogs that remain dormant and transfer to puppies through birth/milk

– Contact with infected dirt

– Fleas

– Hunting/eating wildlife

Treatment

– All-in-one medications in flavored chewable tablet form

– Dewormers — Find the correct cure for your dog’s type of worm

1) Ivermectin- prevents heartworm

2) Pyrantel pamoate- treats hookworms and roundworms

3) Selamectin- treats heartworms, prevents hookworms/roundworms

4) Milbemycin oxime- prevents heartworms, treats hookworms/ roundworms/whipworms

5) Paziquantel- treats tapeworms

Preventative measures

– Keep your dog on a monthly treatment of tablets

Continuing Problems

If you continue to have problems with your dog getting worms, you should speak with a veterinarian. Use TalkLocal to be put in contact with reliable local veterinarian businesses. You don’t have to do any work! Simply input your problem and availability and within minutes your should be connected to someone who can help you out.

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Different Garage Door Types

Monday, November 12th, 2012

Garage doors provide safety and security and are used to seal the entryway to our cars, tools and home. There are many different garage door types. Read below to find out more.

Roller Garage Doors

Roller garage doors have become increasingly popular over the years. As the name implies, the garage door rolls up into the ceiling section where it rests. One of their key features is the fact that you can stay in your car while the door opens or closes. A remote control is able to open and close the door from a certain distance away from the sensor found within the garage door.

Sectional Garage Doors

Similar to roller garage doors, some sectional garage doors allow you the ease of staying in your car while the door opens and closes. Many times this type of garage door has a keypad that is located near the exit to operate the door. The sectional garage doors are usually broken up into 4 sections that bend as the door is raised into its resting place.

Up and Over, and Swing Hung Garage Doors

Up and over garage doors, and swing hung garage doors take up a considerable amount of space when they are being operated. The door extends out into the driveway before being brought up to its resting position, which is parallel with the ceiling. These types of doors are not recommended for short driveways or driveways with little space.

Materials

The most common materials that garage doors are made of include steel, wood, and vinyl. If you have a garage door, it is more than likely that you have one of these three types of garage doors.

If you would like to have more information about garage doors or need help with your garage door, check out TalkLocal. It is a free service that will connect you directly to professionals right in your neighborhood!

Posted in Garage Door Repair | 5 Comments »

Is it Safe to Connect Extension Cord to Power Strip?

Monday, November 12th, 2012

You may be asking yourself if it is safe to connect an extension cord to a power strip. An overloaded power strip or a faulty extension cord can put your entire family in danger. Electrical fires can be difficult to both predict and control, so follow these safety precautions when dealing with potential threats in your home.

Safety Precautions

Electrical devices like extension cords and power strips are made to handle the amount of electrical current as prescribed on the device. However, defective electrical devices can be overloaded easily and pose as a safety threat.

If you suspect a device might be defective, exercise the following precautions:

1. Look for a certification of testing. If it has one, the device is most likely fine. Certifications are found on the cord near the plug for extension cords. For power strips, check under the device’s casing.

2. Devices used with polarized plugs minimize the risk of electrical overload and shock. Use devices that account for plugs with one metal tip wider than the other, or plugs with a ground charge three-plug system.

3. Heavy-duty and commercial/industrial cords and strips have a higher current tolerance, further minimizing the risk of an electrical overload. Use these if you can get them.

4. Devices used outdoors and near water should be treated carefully, as not to come in contact with water. Make sure that there are no open wires hanging around.

5. Do not cover the cords in operation – this may result in the cord itself being overheated and causing a fire. If you find a cord that is unusually hot and it is not in exposure to direct sunlight and/or covered, stop using the device and check the cord immediately.

Additional Help

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

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