Reducing The Effects Of Broken Pipes

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT PLUMBING

Plumbing is often one of the most overlooked systems both in high-rise buildings and residential apartment blocks. Fixing a leaky faucet or a running toilet in your own house is one thing, but if you own a company that operates in the property management sector, plumbing issues can have grave effects both from a financial and business standpoint.

Whether you manage schools, office building, apartment blocks or healthcare facilities, you will not be spared by the occasional plumbing issue occurring and filling your inbox with complaints. And for good reason – faulty plumbing systems can affect the property in many ways, from permeating the building with unpleasant smells, helping mold develop in certain places by creating moisture, to degrading the overall structural integrity of the building.

Automatic Leaks Detector

Taps, sinks, pipes, and other items may not last forever and may eventually weaken and start leaking. Some property managers let pipes stay for long after they have proven in disrepair, so eventually installing new ones at some point is essential. Assess the damages that the pipes and sinks have suffered and, if the situation calls of it, replace them with brand new ones. From a business standpoint, it is cheaper to replace old pipes than completely renovating the interior in the aftermath of a water-related accident. You can ask a professional plumber to inspect your water system and upgrade where necessary. Consider installing the latest systems which can detect leaks in property.

Water Pressure

Water pressure is another plumbing aspect that experts should notice. Typically, in your average household, the water pressure should be under 80 psi. The situation changes when it comes to bigger structures, such as high-rises or other public buildings.  Buildings which are higher than eight stories require pumps, which transport the H2O into water tanks on the highest floor. This system is designed to ensure that water is distributed equally amongst all floors without sacrificing the level of water pressure.

Submeter

When it comes to large buildings like high-rises, submetering is the most practical approach. A submeter is an intricate system that allows landlords, condominium associations, landlords or other legal entities that manage buildings to charge tenants for individual consumption.

Causes of Low Water Pressure in Your Home

We’ve all dealt with clogged drains and pipes that are bad enough to call in a plumber. But what happens when the issue isn’t with the water draining but instead with the amount of water actually coming out? The average in-home water pressure is about 40 to 45 pounds per square inch (or PSI). If you feel like you’re dealing with low water pressure, chances are your pressure has slipped below this number.

Between showering, running the dishwasher, and flushing the toilet, American families use an average of 300 gallons of water a day. We tend not to think about where that water comes from or how it comes out of our faucets. Most of us don’t know where to look if the water pressure drops.

Your Water Supplier is Experiencing an Issue

Before you start turning valves and knocking on pipes, ask around. If your neighbors report similar issues, chances are your low water pressure is not connected to something in your own house.

Your City Has Changed Its Regulations

There is also the possibility that your city has changed some of its water regulations, in which case your water supplier has no choice but to comply.

The Main House Shutoff Valve Isn’t Open All the Way

If you do find that you’re the only one on the block with low water pressure, it’s time to start checking around your own house for the issue.

Your Plumbing

Your plumbing includes all of the pipes and fixtures on your property, from the meter or valve near the street to the faucets inside your home. The following information is important to know about your home’s plumbing

Main Water Valve

This valve controls water flowing into your home. It is normally located where the water line enters your home through the foundation. It is a good idea to locate and mark your main water valve because you can use it to shut off the water in an emergency or when you are making plumbing improvements. It can also be turned off while the property is vacant to prevent water damage that unforeseen leaks might cause. A plumber or HVAC expert should be consulted for long-term water shut off of appliances like water heaters, etc.

Water Service Lateral

This is the pipe that runs underground from the meter or valve near the street to the main water valve inside the house. It is typically made of copper, plastic, or sections of both

Tips For Winterizing Your Plumbing

It is a good idea to locate and mark your main-line valve and check it for proper operation. This valve controls water flowing into your home. Marking the valve will allow you to quickly turn off the water if a pipe should burst or you have other water problems. You can minimize the potential for water damage by ensuring that everyone in the household knows how to shut off the water in an emergency. To make it easier, we’ve provided a main water valve tag you can print and attach to the valve.

Make sure you know where the valves are for your outside spigots. That way, when freezing weather is forecast, you can easily turn off the water to the outside spigots.

Shut off and drain the pipes leading to your outside faucets. Using the valves located inside your home, make sure no water is left to freeze, expand, and cause a leak in these lines.

Never try to thaw frozen pipes with an open flame or torch. If you cannot maintain heat inside your home, take further precautions to prevent damage. Turn off the main water supply and drain the plumbing.

If you’ll be away from home for an extended period, keep the thermostat at a reasonable temperature to protect pipes from freezing.

Insulate pipes in unheated spaces. Hardware or building supply stores carry insulation designed to keep pipes in these areas from freezing.

Protect Your Pipes

The improper disposal of “flushable” wipes, fats, oils, and grease (FOG), and other foreign items in the sink and toilet causes expensive residential and commercial plumbing problems. Flushing unwanted or expired medication can also affect municipal sewer systems and harm the environment. The clean-up of sewer backups and the additional maintenance required to reverse the damage caused by the improper disposal of these items leads to higher utility bills, costly home plumber visits, and expensive pipe replacement.

Detecting Broken Plumbing Pipes and Swimming Pool Leaks

which means it’s time to get the pool and spa ready! Several things can indicate a leak, from the water level dropping by more than ¾” in one week to visual signs, including excessive amounts of dirt on the bottom of the pool, new cracks appearing in deck area, water puddles in the area around the pool, and using more chemicals than normal.

What can I do myself to determine if I have a pool leak?

First, determine if you have a water leak versus evaporation by performing a simple bucket test with the pump on, then again with the pump off. Day 1 (24 hours) turn ON the pump, place a bucket on the second step and fill the bucket equal to the water level in the pool, then mark the level in the bucket. If the water is less in the pool than the mark in the bucket, you may have a leak.

Where Is The Water Leak In My Plumbing Pipes? How Do I Find It?

Don’t let another day go by without taking care of your plumbing pipes.  Water leaks are responsible for millions of dollars in damages. Undetected water leaks can happen without anyone even realizing. Just a small pinhole leak, continuously flowing for days, months or even years wreak havoc on a property.

Why Do Pipes Leak?

There are many reasons why pipes leak, every day wear and tear, debris such as hair and grease can cause damage, water pressure, chemical in the water, soil conditions, and fixtures break down. The simple fact is, all pipes are susceptible to water leaks, whether you have an older home or new construction.

Start Looking For Your Water Leak By Gathering Clues

The easiest place to start is with your utility bill. The average family of four uses approximately 12,000 gallons of water a month or 3,000 gallons per person.  If your bill is higher than it should be, you probably have a water leak. Also, look for spikes in your bill. Learn more about your utility bill at the EPA website.

Unblocking pipes and fixtures

Common blockage materials

Toilets and toilet pipes get blocked when people put the wrong things down the toilet. Some of the things which should never be put down the toilet are foodscraps, paper, rags, cans, bottles, grease and fat. Wastewater pipes from sinks, basins and laundry tubs can get blocked if people put food waste, especially tea leaves, hot fat and other rubbish down them. If hot fat is poured down an outlet pipe, it will set in the pipe when it cools and cause a blockage.

Plumbing rods

Plumbing rods are pieces of equipment used to remove most blockages from sewer pipes. However, when sewer pipes are broken plumbing rods are not effective and the damaged pipe must be replaced.

Unblocking sewer pipes

The larger sewer pipes have manholes set in them allowing access to the pipe. They are often about a metre underground and are large boxes which usually have walls made of concrete. The pipe opens into the box on one side and starts again on another side.

Before attempting to unblock a sewer pipe it is important to remember:

Before making an inspection, always wait several minutes to allow any poisonous or explosive gases to escape

Never smoke while doing this work

Never do this work alone

Never enter a manhole without proper safety measures. It may be necessary to wear breathing equipment or to ventilate (add fresh air) to the manhole and sewer pipe. The gases in it can kill.

It is always safest to check with the Water Authority, the local government EHO or supervisor before opening the lid or entering the manhole.

If there are no manholes, then there will be IOs with cement or plastic caps on the pipes. There may be a concrete box around the inspection opening. Sometimes these are below the ground and are not easy to find. It may be necessary to dig to find them.

Tips For Smart Commercial Roofing

Commercial Roofing Maintenance Tips:

What is Commercial Roofing?

Commercial roofing is the ultimate solution for homeowners and is continually being appreciated for use. To explain it very simply, commercial roofing is a very thin, seamless material usually made out of metal to serve as a top for your roof. Basically, it’s a seal that prevents water leakage and other external materials that have the tendency to sneak into the house, to actually be let in. You need to realize that when deciding to have commercial roofing applied, there are many factors to keep in mind. Since every roof is made differently, this service is better explained by professional contractors as to which type of roofing would be best suited for your building since there are many conditions prior to getting commercial roofing applied, the most important being the type of roof that you already possess. This mainly talks about the roof’s style and structure, it’s best that you get an expert contractor to guide you through deciding what type would be best for your roof.

Why Preventative Maintenance For Your Commercial Roof Is Important

To maximize the lifespan of your roof – with quality installation and proper maintenance, your roof can last 15 to 30 years. By fixing minor problems before they become major headaches, you can extend its service life. This should start the first year after installation and continue over the lifetime of your commercial roof.

To protect the structural integrity of your roof – just one inch of standing water can weigh more than five pounds per square foot. All it takes is two days or less of this kind of ponding to affect the fundamental reliability of your roof. In extreme cases, it can result in roof failure.

To improve your roof asset management plan – your commercial roof should be considered an asset and, as such, needs an organized approach to its care.

Strategies to Get the Most Out of Your Roof

Just like any capital investment, a commercial roof can last it’s life cycle if properly maintained. With regular inspection and a good maintenance plan, you can discover and address minor issues before they escalate into serious problems that can result into substantial roof and other property damage. Actively maintaining your commercial roof is vital as it helps to prevent needless expenses and improves the lifespan of your commercial roofing system.

Whether you’re planning to install a new roof or make changes to your existing roof, these commercial roofing tips will help you to get the most out of your roof.

1. Choose the Right Roofing Material

It is always important to have the right type of roofing fixed from the outset. Most commercial roof materials are made of rubber, metal, thermoplastic nowadays. Choose a roofing material based on durability and high performance. You may be tempted to save money by choosing a cheaper roofing system but you might end up spending more in the long run.

2. Use Expert Roofing Contractors Always

Whether you need a reroof or repairs done, always ensure you hire an expert commercial roofing contractors to handle any roofing issue you may have. Never allow any unlicensed or inexperienced contractor fix your roof. Small roofing problems can deteriorate sometimes if handled by a contractor with a no know-how or experience in dealing with the underlying cause. If your roofing system is handled carelessly, your business can be put at risk because you’ll spend lots of money on repairs. Always select a professional licensed roofing contractor to perform all your commercial roof repair and maintenance work.

3. Perform Regular Inspections

Taking good care of your commercial roof is of significant importance if you desire a long lasting roof. Perform routine checks to identify certain signs of damage that may become expensive to repair if ignored. Inspect for cracks, tears, holes, worn, rotted metal and missing materials, ie. Signs of wear may mean the roofing system requires a more thorough inspection.

4. Heed Professional Advice

Ensure you take your contractor’s advice regarding your commercial roof seriously always. Professional roofing contractors are trained on how to identify roofing issues before they escalate and become a major problem. If you’re properly advised by your roofing contractor to get rid of your old roof and install a new one, heed that advice. Sometimes repairing a roof that has outlived its lifespan can be a waste of money and precious time. You will only keep spending money needlessly, making repairs on a deteriorated roof.

5. Keep Your Roof In Good Condition

Most importantly, do all it takes to keep your commercial roofing system in a good condition. This includes being careful when hiring a commercial roofing contractor and ensuring you select the right type of roof. You also need to take your roofing inspections seriously to make certain it’s in good condition at all times. If winter or a storm season is approaching, make sure to find a contractor to inspect your commercial roof for it’s ability to handle the extreme weather; this will give you piece of mind. Utilizing the above strategies will keep your commercial roof in perfect condition and prevent unnecessary problems.

Tips For Your Commercial Roof Maintenance

After investing money into your commercial roof, you want to be sure that it lasts a long time. Fortunately, there are many ways for you to maintain your roof, and save money in the long run on repairs. By following the advice listed here, you could potentially make your roof last an additional 5 to 10 years.

Get Your Roof Inspected Bi-Annually

A quality commercial roofer should be walking through your building and its exterior every six months so that you can be made aware of any necessary repairs before they become worse. This really is the easiest step in keeping your roof lasting as long as possible. Like with any kind of check-up, if you stay on a regular schedule then you’ll prevent a lot of potential disasters. A great way to remember is to include it with other regular maintenance you might need, so you never forget getting one of the most important parts of your building checked.

Check After Bad Storms

In addition to having a professional roofing contractor examine your roof, you can check your roof yourself after a bad storm. This is a great idea after any severe weather, even if you don’t see signs of leakage inside. If you have safe access to the roof, go up there and take note of any cracks, broken shingles and thick patches of leaves, especially if they’re already rotting.

Inside you will want to check the highest floor in your building. You will want to look for wet spots on the floor, listen for sounds of dripping water, and look for brownish or yellowish irregular circle shapes. These are all signs that water has leaked in.

Replacing Missing or Damaged Elements Immediately

When one shingle falls off the roof, it loosens up the rest and makes it easier for the next storm or high gust takes more down. In the realm of roofing, problems left unresolved can snowball quickly; all it takes is one loose shingle coming off to set the rest in motion, like the first domino that eventually causes all the rest to fall. After your roof has been professionally inspected by a qualified roofing contractor and all problem areas have been catalogued, don’t waste any time in making all the necessary repairs. All it takes is one gap in protection for water to get in and rot the entire roof system, so once you’re aware that a problem exists don’t hesitate to contact a professional to fix it. Paying for repairs immediately may be more expensive in the short-run but will undoubtedly pay off in the long run. After all, wouldn’t you rather pay for the replacement of a few parts to your roof than the whole thing?

Installing Roof Ventilation

Roof ventilation is built to stretch a roof’s effective lifecycle by reducing heat buildup, improving its airflow, and protecting it against seasonal weather changes. Simply put, roof ventilation keeps your roof from getting overheated during warm months while simultaneously preventing damage from warm, moist air from rising into the roof membrane during cooler periods.

Using ventilation to maintain a low temperature throughout a roof system also carries the added benefit of allowing you to control any ice dams caused by melting snow.

Emergency Electrician

Things You Didn’t Know About Becoming An Electrician

what kind of electrical work do you specialize in? Did you expect to be working in this area?

Generally speaking, I’m a construction and maintenance electrician. The company I work for, Murray Peters Electric, specializes in mausoleums. That’s right—a building that houses burial chambers; basically a tomb.

We do all the wiring for these incredible structures. We install motion sensor lighting, audio systems that can play music, extensive fire detection systems, heat detectors, smoke detectors, and flow detectors.

In your experience, what are the biggest pros to becoming an electrician?

I’d have to say the challenge. Thinking on the fly, working to meet deadlines, and getting creative to solve new kinds of problems—every job is different, so you have to improvise, adapt and overcome.

Plus, safety standards and electrical codes are always evolving, and you have to stay on top of those. I’m always learning something new. This is what keeps things interesting for me. Another major plus is the respect you get from other trades. Skilled electricians are looked up to on job sites. We’re affectionately known as “sparkies”.

What about the flip side? What are the biggest drawbacks to electrician work?

Well, for some jobs, it’s working in extreme weather conditions—hot or cold. Some companies will pay for weather gear, but quite often, electricians must purchase their own protective clothing

Electrician helper tips

Are you a Professional Electrical Contractor? If so we invite you to join our community and see what it has to offer. Our site is specifically designed for you and it’s the leading place for electricians to meet online. No homeowners asking DIY questions. Just fellow tradesmen who enjoy talking about their business, their trade, and anything else that comes up

You have proper clothing, tools? Leave the phone in the car unless instructed to have it. Listen, ask for more as soon as you’re done. Ask questions until it makes sense, no shame in caring but doing things twice because you didn’t ask isn’t cool. You might be grabbing tools or sweeping, being standby for the entire time and it will be tiring. Make sure you are layered in clothing so you can remove any if you’re hot. Know the meal times and have food pre packed in the car

In addition to professional electricians we also allow Manufacturers, Vendors, and Service Providers who work with electricians or in the electrical industry, on a full time basis, to join the site and join in the conversation

is designed to be a pros only community and that means that “Do It Yourself” homeowners looking for free advice and other non-professionals are not allowed to join the site

Some Helpful Things You Need to Know When Hiring an Electrician

to lay or connect new wiring and cables for your home or business. He has to be able to read the electrical code and make sure that the installation is safe and secure to avoid any unforeseen consequences. It is his responsibility also to make sure that all of the necessary safety measures are followed at all times. He has to make sure that all electrical power is properly supplied and to warn the others when there is a power failure.

Electricians should have complete knowledge of both electricity and electrical code. They should also have a license and be trained and certified. If you are hiring an electrician, make sure that he has passed the tests and exams required for the particular job. You can check out the licenses of those who are offering you their services online.

There are a lot of jobs that require an electrician to be present. These include anything from working on your appliances to fixing things in your house, to the installation of electric fences and lights. These jobs vary in nature, and they include things like repairing lighting circuits, replacing faulty light bulbs, repairing loose plugs and lamps and even running the main power cord to the room where you are staying.

Most of the electrical problems that are experienced by people occur because the wiring was not installed correctly. With a little knowledge, you will not have any trouble with your electrician. Once he starts working, he will inform you of the things that you need to do. He should also be able to supply you with estimates if you want to make changes to the wiring.

There are a lot of things that you should be aware of before you hire an electrician Salisbury for your job. These things are things that could potentially be avoided. First, you should not make an agreement that is not in your best interest. Secondly, you should not be surprised by any changes that you may want to make in your house. Last, you should be aware of what is expected of you.

Successful Students: Subjects You Will Study on Your Way to Becoming an Electrician

What does a roller coaster, your video game console and the fan in your bedroom all have in common? They are all powered by electricity and electricians are involved in the wiring to help these gadgets run.

Have you ever considered becoming an electrician? After all, electricians make a huge difference in our everyday lives. Among many other things, they help keep us keep cool, refrigerate our food and light up our nights!

If you think about it, every single house, office, factory, sports stadium, and schools require electricians to construct them and maintain them during the entire life of the building. In fact, it is incredibly difficult to think of places that do not require electricity

What You’ll Study to Become an Electrician

In order to get accepted, you will need your high school diploma, GED, or equivalent. If you are still in high school, it is suggested to take additional math classes to help you in your electrical training program. Shop classes and other classes where you learn to work with tools, as well as mechanical drawing classes can also be helpful but are not required.

After high school, continue your journey to becoming an electrician by enrolling in a state-approved trade school program to learn the necessary skills to obtain a job in the field. As a foundation, students will learn about electricity and how it works. From how it is generated and how it is distributed from place to place.

Electrician Job Interview Questions and Tips for Answers

When you’re interviewing for a job as an electrician, it’s important to demonstrate both technical knowledge and general professionalism.

By the time you get to the interview stage, you’ll no doubt have the skills you need to land the job. In order to interview for a position as an electrician, you must have completed the necessary professional training and technical education. You will have likely trained to one of three levels: apprentice, journeyman, or master electrician

While your job application and resume reflect your experience, you need to be prepared to discuss your qualifications in-depth during the interview process. To prepare, review and practice common electrician interview questions. It’s important to be able to demonstrate that you have the technical knowledge necessary to do the job.

Common Electrician Interview Questions

Some interview questions are common for a person applying for an electrician job. If this is your first job, run your answers by a seasoned professional who can help craft your responses

Some of the questions are more generalized:

Why did you become an electrician?

How many years have you been working in the industry?

How and where did you receive your training?

What was a time when you had a problem you could not figure out and you had to find a solution on your own?

Could you describe some recent projects you have worked on, in detail?

What does a fuse or breaker do? What are the differences between the two?

Can you describe the electrical systems you have worked on and are most familiar with?

Do you specialize in any specific areas of electrical work?

What do you do to protect yourself from electrical accidents or injuries?

How do you protect coworkers from electrical accidents or injuries?

If you saw a coworker making a mistake, how would you handle it?

Natural Pest Control For Possums

Possums

The possum is one of the greatest threats to our natural environment.

Description

The common brushtail possum, Trichosurus vulpecula, was first introduced to New Zealand from Australia in 1837 to establish a fur trade. This release was unsuccessful and a second release 20 years later at the same Southland location was required for them to establish.

The possum has a thick, bushy tail, thick body fur, a pointed snout and large, pointed ears. There are two colour forms of the species – grey and black, with many variations in appearance. Possums can walk, jump and bound and its prehensile tail helps it move around tree branches.

The size and weight of possums varies across New Zealand. Typically, adult possums are 65 to 95 cm long and weigh 1.5 to 5 kg.

Possums are nocturnal and can live anywhere where there is shelter and a varied food supply. They are now widespread across most of New Zealand. The main habitat is forest, and possum densities can be particularly high in podocarp-broadleaf forests. Margins where forest meets pasture are also popular habitat and support very dense populations.

Are Opossums Dangerous?

Dangers & Concerns

Mostly considered minor nuisances, opossums become problematic when they decide to nest and forage near residential and commercial areas. The pesky critters disrupt homes, gardens, chicken coops, and areas reserved for pets while rummaging for food. When encountered directly, the creatures hiss and growl.

Occasionally, opossums attack pets or even humans with their sharp, pointed teeth; however, opossum attacks are rare and unlikely. More commonly, the pests pretend to be dead and emit an awful stench from their anal glands when frightened.

Opossums become dangerous with their ability to transmit diseases to pets and people. Known to carry leptospirosis, tuberculosis, coccidiosis, spotted fever, tularemia, and other diseases, the pesky creatures pose serious health threats when they invade urban environments.

Furthermore, opossums serve as host animals to fleas, ticks, lice, and mites, which puts dogs and cats at risk of becoming infested with these parasites. Owners of horses should be aware of the dangers associated with opossums that carry a protozoan known as Sarcocystis neurona, which can lead to neurologic disease in equines.

Common possum problems

Possums in roofs

Possums are nocturnal animals. With the removal of many large old gum trees, finding shelter and nesting sites is becoming their biggest challenge. For common brushtail possums one common alternative is buildings with roof space access.

There are several options available for managing your possum problem that are in keeping with their protected status.

Possums in gardens

You can only trap possums living in buildings not in your garden. If you believe that possums are damaging your garden and eating the fruit from your trees, there are a range of steps you can take to deter them. Please

Injured possums

Injured possums should be taken to a registered vet or to a wildlife carer/rescue organisation. Your nearest wildlife carer/rescue organisation can be found in the Yellow Pages listed under animal welfare organisations.

How do you prevent a possum problem?

There’re several things you can do to discourage possums from moving into your property. These are:

Covering openings that possums can use to gain access to your house. You can use wire mesh for large holes and slotted vent covers for ventilation holes.

Trim tree branches to at least 50ft from your homes roof as possums can use the overhanging branches to access your roof – they’re pretty good climbers.

Install grid screens or any other suitable barrier to protect your low decks from possums.

Cover your outdoor bins. Leaving your outdoor bins uncovered will attract possums and other wild animals due to the presence of food.

Clean up food leftovers on your property. Leftovers from barbecues should be cleared immediately to avoid attracting wild animals including possums.

What possum control options are available in the home?

If possums have already found their way into your home or are a persistent problem on your property, there’re several control methods that you can use to get rid of them. These include:

Live Possum Traps

Live traps are a great option, but you had better check to see if you need a permit to trap any possums at your home.  Pestrol live traps are large enough to capture a possum and hold it until you can release it.  The open size of the trap is 24 cm wide by 66 cm long and 26 cm high.  The possum will not be injured when it is captured.  These traps are very easy to bait and can be put together very quickly.  You do not need to use any fancy tools to put the trap together.  Once you capture a possum you can transport it and release it into the wild.  There is also some mesh around the area of where the bait is located that prevents the possum from stealing the bait and eluding the trap.  The handle is shielded for your protection so that you can carry the trap and not have to worry about being bitten or scratched.

The trap arrives in a folded flat condition with the instructions needed to unfold it into a usable position.  Cable ties are then cut to allow the trap to expand open.  Instructions will show you how to set the trap up and get ready for your first capture.  Always ensure that you are permitted to trap possums in your local area before you get started.  The best way to ensure that the trap is effective is to place it on a flat surface, bait it beyond the trip plate and use canned pet food.  Try to camouflage the trap itself with the use of leaves and twigs around the trap.  Check the trap every day in case you have caught a possum, you don’t want it to suffer for an extended period of time in the trap.

Motion sensor outdoor lights

This is activated when pests are in range and are detected by the device. There are two modes:

Continuous Sweep:  This mode utilises a wide range of ultrasonic and sonic frequencies at random intervals.  The motion detector does not function on this setting.  This is useful to repel a variety of pests.

Constant:  this setting will activate the sonic noises and the ultrasonic device which will cycle through a wide range of varying intervals.  If you use the constant setting the motion detector is automatically deactivated.

This useful device can be placed in a variety of locations including in the garden, in a carport, in workshops, under the eaves of your home, around your yard, in a campsite while you are camping, in a barn, on your rooftop, balcony, patio or porch.  You can also use the device in a ceiling cavity, in a greenhouse, near a pond or around a food storage area.  The control box is completely waterproof and has a remote control.  The device is also completely portable and can be powered with the use of four C cell batteries.

Releasing trapped possums

  • Trapped possums must be released on the property on which they are captured, no more than 50 metres from the capture site after sunset on the day of capture.
  • Relocation of brushtail possums is prohibited
  • Where it is not reasonably possible to release the possum on your property, possums must be humanely destroyed by a registered veterinary practitioner, at the trapper’s expense, within 24 hours of capture
  • Releasing possums during the day increases their stress and puts them at risk of being attacked and injured

House And Electronic Dance Music DJs

Beginners Guide To DJ Equipment

Here’s our essential guide to DJ equipment for Beginner DJs but before you think about buying something remember the majority of students at LSA complete the Beginner DJ Course before purchasing some equipment. That way, you can get a feel for what set-up would be the best for your style of mixing and your budget, and get first hand advice from our tutors before investing.

Practice Makes Perfect

Having something at home to practice on makes a dramatic difference to your progression throughout the full DJ course. Being able to spend time having fun mixing outside of your lessons is essential and even more important when it comes to practicing for all the gigs you get at the end of our course in clubs like Ministry of Sound, Egg LDN and in Ibiza! But if you don’t have the budget to buy some equipment, or you don’t want to annoy the neighbours you can simply book practice in the studio at LSA!

Personalised Advice On Your Investment & Discounted DJ Equipment For Students Of LSA

The tutors here at LSA can offer you personalised advice to suit your needs. We regularly suggest equipment to suit the budget and requirements of our students and aid them in getting the best deals for the products for their price range. The DJ market is huge and very confusing for someone starting out for the first time. It’s very easy to spend a lot of money on kit you don’t really need or even waste money by purchasing equipment that isn’t going to last. Here’s a list of some of the most suitable and popular equipment we often work with and recommend to our students. Don’t forget, LSA can get DJ equipment for you cheaper than all the online shops! Just contact us for a quote!

DJ Controller

Controllers are often the favourite choice for complete beginners as they are the cheapest and quickest set up to get going with. They work by sending a signal to your laptop to control a piece of DJ performance software such as Serato, Traktor or Rekordbox

CDJ & Mixer Set Up

Choosing to go with a seperate piece set up is a more expensive route to go down but means you can upgrade sections of your equipment without replacing the full thing. The introduction of Pioneers XDJ-700 and XDJ-1000 has reduced the initial cost of this significantly whilst maintaining a high standard and giving you the functionality of the industry standard equipment.

Christmas Gift Guide: gadgets and presents for DJs

DJ tech moves quickly but the XDJ-R1 should have things covered for the forseeable future. It’s a powerhouse of a DJ console, combining a pair of CD decks, internal effects, a USB interface for playback from memory sticks and hard drives, Mac and PC connections plus the option of wireless control via an iPad. Fab.

Daft Punk don’t have a monopoly on the robot DJ thing. The MiniNova’s vocoder takes the whimpiest of voices and turns them into fearsome mechanoids. Plug this into your mixer and chat nonsense over any record for instant kudos, or pick a more tuneful setting and actually sing along.

The iPad DJ dream is becoming a reality with this giant leap in mobile tune-mixing technology. The iPhone app is fun too but you get a lot more control on the big screen. If you know your recipient’s iTunes account name you can gift the app via iTunes (click on the arrow next to the price in iTunes and select Gift This App).

Take the mobile DJ concept a step further with the iLoud wireless speaker. It’ll go for up to 10 hours on its internal battery, fed via Bluetooth or a 3.5mm cable. It also has a neat trick for guitarists, simulating amps and pedals via the AmpliTube app for iOS. Oh, and you won’t believe how loud this thing goes; it’s quite remarkable for something this size.

You might think a hard disk or a bunch of USB sticks are safe place for your music collection, but it only takes one clumsy drop or a spilt drink to wipe out your entire library. This super-tough terrabyte of storage is built to withstand the trials of a life on the road, and comes with USB 3.0 and Thunderbolt connections for speedy transfers.

tips for scratch DJs

Go back to school

“Back in the day we had to learn it all ourselves, but now you have all these cool places online, and in the real word, to help you learn to DJ. It’s crazy, you know?

“They have everything from the basics, to all the way up to the most advanced techniques. So, if you want to start, there are places you can go, in person and online, where you can do that.”

Take baby steps

“One of the first scratch techniques you’ll need to learn is called the Baby Scratch [grabbing a sound on the deck and simply moving it back and forth with your hand, without using the crossfader].

“I think the Baby Scratch and Chirps and Transforms are the gateway to all the intricate scratches that you can do. It’s almost like scratches are combinations

Keep it simple, stupid

“You know what I’ve realised? Simple can sometimes be best. I’m a huge fan of all the most intricate scratches, and I see dope DJs that I’m going crazy inside over, but I look around and no one else understands.

Things to Consider Before Buying a DJ Controller

The art and culture of DJing began with people manipulating songs with two turntables and a mixer. Today, anyone can emulate the technique digitally at home with the use of a piece of hardware called a DJ controller. A DJ controller is a two-channel unit which works in conjunction with included software to play and mix digital audio files. If you want to be the life of the next house party, a DJ controller will help you find and feed your musical imagination.

Entry-level DJ controllers might feel like they have a steep learning curve. However, they will give you plenty of room to learn and grow with lots of functions at your fingertips. The best way to learn is by doing, so don’t be afraid to try new things with your equipment.

Many controllers come with software from the manufacturer to sync the hardware to your computer. From there, you can upload your music, fiddle with effects and start to develop your style as a DJ. Keep in mind a smaller mixer will be more portable, but may not have as many features as a larger one.

Some controllers come with more advanced buttons and features, like pads that let you loop or store audio clips. Others contain effects like reverb, EQ and filters to give your mix a unique sound. Ultimately the only limits on what you can create are your software and your imagination.

Things a DJ Can Teach You About Content Marketing

One of my hobbies is Lindy Hop – the original form of swing dancing that came out of Harlem in the 1930s. I’ve recently been learning how to DJ for dance events. DJing for dancers is challenging, because you have to read the crowd during every song to determine what they want to hear next. For example, do they want to pick up the tempo with a fast Charleston or slow it down with the blues? If you ignore the crowd and play only what you like, you may face an empty dance floor – never a good sign at a dance.

Do your homework. Before a DJ attends an event, they learn about the venue and who will be there. Before you put out any kind of message, you should also learn as much as possible about your crowd. Who are they? What are their key concerns? What types of content do they prefer (e.g. video, white papers, blogs)? How do they prefer to receive their messages (e.g. social media, email, direct mail, etc.)? Doing your research in advance will ensure that your messages are relevant to your audience and are more likely to get read, viewed or shared.

Be flexible. When I DJ, I usually bring a short list of songs I’d like to play. However, if people aren’t dancing, I may need to switch to a completely different playlist. You’ll need to allow for the same flexibility in your marketing. Using analytics or marketing automation software can give you instant insight into what pages people are accessing on your website, how long they spend on each page and which campaigns are performing the best. Use your analytics as a guide and do what it takes to keep your conversion rates high – whether this means changing the header on a landing page or updating your social media strategy.

Have fun. Your content must engage your target audience – which means it should be readable, enjoyable and educational. However, much B2B marketing content comes across as dry and complex. Marketing, like DJing, should be fun

Try some of these tips to make your marketing more relevant and keep your audience coming back for more. Plus, feel free to share your thoughts below.

Inheritance Tax Planning & Advice

Fabulous Ways Successful People Pay Way Less In Taxes

Every taxpayer I know wants to pay less taxes, and the rich are not immune from this desire. Being proactive and strategizing to minimize taxes is something anyone can do, regardless of income or net worth. Typically, that boils down to documenting all of your expenses that could be potentially deducted from your income.

As a financial planner, I am typically there to help people stay on track for their various financial goals like retirement, financial freedom or sending kids to college. Tax efficiency (aka saving money on taxes) sure make that process easier. That is why tax planning is a major portion of every financial road map I put together for clients. After all, it’s not what you make but what you keep.

use the following strategies to minimize the tax liabilities of high-net-worth and/or high-income individuals. Keep in mind that not all of the strategies listed below will work for everyone nor will you necessarily need all of them to achieve all of your financial goals.

They Take Full Advantage of Tax-Advantaged Retirement Accounts

Maxing out retirement accounts is one of the easiest and most common ways that high-income households use to minimize current taxation. For the highest earner, putting away $18,500, per year, is just a drop in the bucket. That individual will likely need to save well beyond that amount to truly make a dent in their tax bills or stay on track for a secure retirement for that matter. If both spouses work, each can contribute $18,500, per year. Individuals who are 50, and older, are allowed to contribute an additional $6,000, per year, as a “catch up contribution.”

The numbers get much bigger, and better, for those who are self-employed or small business owners. They can set up a 401(k) Profit Sharing plan and contribute $55,000, per year, (as employee and employer combined). That alone may be reason enough to hire your spouse. Pre-tax double contributions to this type of plan will make a big dent in your tax bills.

Bigger earners may want to set up what I call the Rich Person Pension  or Cash Balance Pension Plan or Defined-Benefit Pension Plan as they’re more commonly called. These types of plans have been growing in popularity over the past few years but interest has skyrocketed since the Trump Tax Plan that started in 2018.

Paying yourself through Pay As You Earn (PAYE)

One option is pay yourself a ‘living wage’ each month from your company’s normal payroll run. This gives you a regular income from the business, and should be based around a budgeted amount that covers your average monthly outgoings.

A downside of this approach is that you’ll be paying PAYE income tax and National Insurance Contributions (NIC) on this monthly salary. Depending on the amount paid, you could end up paying as much as 45% (the top rate of income tax) on this living wage – making it a far from tax-efficient way of paying yourself.

One way to combat this inefficiency is to pay yourself an amount that covers the current NI threshold, making what you earn tax free. This threshold currently stands at $8,424 per year, meaning you could earn $702 per month in this way without any PAYE or NIC.

It’s worth noting that you can pay yourself a wage as a director and still qualify in later life for the state pension. Directors will usually do this by keeping their direct wage below $8k per annum

Get an ISA

One problem with saving money in a standard savings account is that you have to pay tax on any interest you earn on those savings. And with interest rates so low on many savings accounts right now, this really is the last thing we all need.

Related how-to guide

So to avoid this, make sure you invest in an ISA. This is a tax-free way of saving and you can invest up to $10,680 in an ISA each tax year. You can invest the full amount in a stocks and shares ISA, or you can split your investment between a cash ISA (up to $5,430) and a stocks and shares ISA.

You can find out more about the best ISAs around at the moment in the articles A new top instant access ISA and Only 38 days left to grab your tax-free savings allowance.

You can also stash tax-free cash for your children by opening a Junior ISA (up to $3,600 during the current tax year) or by saving into an existing Child Trust Fund (the savings limit on these have now been raised to $3,600 a year in line with the Junior ISA limit). We took a look at the top Junior ISAs on the market at the moment in the article Your child could earn 6% from an ISA. Or you could consider starting a pension for them. Find out more about all these tax-efficient savings options for children in Top tax havens for babies, children and teens.

Managing assets like a business

One way to save on taxes is creating a structure — such as a limited liability company, or LLC — to manage multiple investments. It could include portfolio assets, real estate or a business.

While it could get complex, there may be opportunities to save money while at the same time creating a governance structure for your assets. “If the LLC is a management company that provides oversight and advice to owners of the assets, under certain circumstances the expenses incurred by the LLC will be deductible as business expenses.”

Estate and gift exemptions

Gift and estate deductions help bring down taxable income, but there is even more reason to take advantage of them now.

Thanks to the new tax law, the deductions have been temporarily doubled. Individuals can now claim up to $11.18 million, compared to the $5.29 million limit per person in 2017. The exemption expires after the end of 2025, so the wealthy are taking advantage.

Many of them are setting up long-term trusts, such as a Delaware Dynasty Trust, which allows wealth to be passed down from generation to generation. While it is subject to income taxes along the way, it will not be taxed as a gift if it meets the limit and will not be subject to estate tax when money comes out.

However, given the costs involved in setting up and running a multi-generation trust, it only makes sense when you have $5 million or more to commit.

Key Steps to Paying Less Tax

  1. Tax laws are not fair. They’re written to favor people who make money a certain way – through businesses and investments, primarily real estate investments.
  2. The best way to pay less tax is to do what the government wants you to do. Why try to fight the IRS when it’s so easy to just follow the rules, make more money, pay less tax and still sleep at night?
  3. It’s not how much you make that determines how much tax you will pay – It’s how you make it. Earned income (i.e wages and salaries) is the highest taxed income there is.
  4. Your Proactive Tax Strategy only works if you develop a custom plan for your own circumstances. Donald Trump’s strategy won’t help the local plumber.
  5. Tax laws are constantly changing. To pay the least amount of tax legally possible, have frequent meetings with your Tax Advisor and make sure he is current on the tax law changes.
  6. Your Proactive Tax Strategy only works if you act. The faster you and your team put the dozens of ideas you’ll receive into action, the sooner you’ll put money in your pocket.

Local Moving Does Not Need To Be So Stressful

Moving Guide

When you are relocating, last-minute loose ends can fray nerves and take you off schedule. Deciding what and what not to pack is often a factor in this. It can be hard to let go of items you have owned for a long time, but by making choices ahead of time, you will save yourself a lot of hassle in the run-up to the move. What’s more, by selling unwanted items you can earn a bit of money to contribute to the cost of moving.

How To Get Rid of Clutter When Moving

At some point, you may just want to simplify moving and sell everything, but with a few tips for prioritization you can offset moving costs, reduce clutter, and make moving easier before and after arrival. If you have expensive heirlooms and antiques that you won’t be able to move with you, now is the perfect time to bestow a gift to your family members or friends

For everything that can be sold, plan a yard sale or garage sale. Wait for great weather and try to hold your sale for multiple days. Remember that most families are free to visit on the weekends, and the welcome of your home is important to attract more customers. If you’re a member of a homeowner’s association or neighborhood, work within your community for the best results

What Not To Pack When Moving

It can be difficult to choose which items to keep, but you can create a list based on how easy it is to replace an item, how often you use it, and how much it is worth for other people. For items that will be unusable to others, it may be worthwhile to rent a dumpster if you know you will be throwing stuff away when moving

Here are some suggestions of things to cut down on:

Clothing – It is easy to overdo it when it comes to packing clothes. Take time to assess what items you wear regularly or are particularly fond of, and then donate or sell the rest. Consider the season or the weather in the location you’re moving to help you cut back.

Bulky Items – DVDs and books take up a lot of space when packing, as do large electronic items like unused laptops/desktop computers, or DVD players. These are great things to donate or try to get rid of in a garage sale.

Papers – Obviously, you’ll want to keep important documents with you when moving, such as your marriage license, family birth certificates, and financial records. However, less important papers are an unnecessary source of extra weight – consider storing or scanning them into your computer.

Bathroom Items – Half of what is currently in your bathroom cabinets is most likely out of date, unimportant or easily replaceable. If you have expired medications, make sure you dispose of them in the safest manner possible.

Old Furniture – Furniture is often bulky and heavy to transport. Moving to a new home may be the perfect opportunity to let some old pieces go. There are plenty of charitable organizations that could give your old furniture a new home, as long as it is still in usable condition.

Garage Junk – Just like your bathroom cabinet, there are probably a lot of items sitting in your garage that you will never need. If these items include insect killer, fertilizer, and other potentially dangerous chemicals, make sure you dispose of them safely.

Appliances – It’s quite possible that a new home means an update of your current refrigerator or washer/dryer combination. If this is the case, but you need to do something with your old appliances, a local charity would more than likely be happy to pick them up – provided they are operational, of course. This will also help your mover get you loaded and ready to go quite a bit faster.

Household Items – Take a look around your home and make a note of what you use and what has just been gathering dust. Household items are perfect things to sell at a garage sale.

Bedding – You probably have some old mattresses and blankets that need to be switched to new ones. Not only will the new bedding be more comfortable, but you will have a lot more room in the moving truck.

Vehicles – If appropriate, you may want to consider selling the extra car or truck that has been sitting on your property. This would help lower some of the expenses associated with the move.

Biggest Packing Mistakes from Moving Experts

When it comes time for your move, you’ll find plenty of companies that provide not just moving services, but also packing and unpacking. It’s worth considering since moving companies are usually not liable for damage in any boxes that you pack yourself.

For some people, the risk of damage is lower than the expense of professional packers. Others simply prefer to handle the work on their own, as part of the process of downsizing and categorizing household items.

The wrong materials. It is important that you have the appropriate-sized boxes for what you will be moving. Keep it simple and try to stick with three different sizes, rather than a hodgepodge of old liquor and fruit boxes. This ensures a more uniform pack job in the truck. Don’t forget to pick up packing tape, packing paper, and a marker to label the boxes.

Boxes weighing more than 50 pounds. Too heavy of a box can compromise the integrity and stability of the box when carrying it and can cause injury to the movers attempting to lift it. Use small boxes for books, files, or canned goods.

Waiting until the last minute. On the days leading up to the move, take an hour each day to spend on each room. Most rooms can be completely packed up when a solid, uninterrupted hour is dedicated to it.

MOVING FAQS

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

It’s normal to have questions when you go new places®. Here are answers to many of the questions we hear most often. If you don’t find the answer you are looking for, please let us know. We’re here to help.

Where do I begin?

Before you move, you’ll need to know where you are moving to, when you would like to move, and have a good idea of the things you want to move.

DOES MOVE LONG DISTANCE? WHAT ABOUT LOCALLY?

Yes, provides long distance and interstate moves throughout the U.S., across the border, and internationally. Your local Atlas Agent can also help you with local moves within your community, county, or state.

CAN HELP ME PACK? OR MAY I DO MY OWN PACKING IF ATLAS MOVES ME?

Yes, your Agent provides professional packing services to lift the stress when you go new places. Our packers are trained to work efficiently and use best practices ensure your goods are ready to travel safely. If you prefer, you can do your own packing—or ask your Agent to pack particular items for you.

WILL MOVE MY PET?

We want to make sure every member of your family experiences a good move. While is not authorized to transport live animals, your Agent can recommend providers who specialize in this service.

Moving Checklist: How to Make a Smooth Move

Moving is hard work. Packing all your stuff, helping your kids and pets make the transition, and loading a moving van with boxes isn’t easy. Oh, and did you remember to change your kids’ school records, shut off the utilities, call the post office, set up the internet, and schedule the water to be turned off?

Since there’s so much to keep up with, we’ve put together a checklist so you can move like a pro. We broke the moving process into steps to help you stay focused, remember the small things, and savor the last moments in your old home.

Many people start the process of moving by packing. But there’s plenty to do before you even think of putting something in a box! A smooth move is only possible with a clear plan, so while you still have plenty of time, work out the details of your moving day

Pick a Good Day to Move

If you’re able to choose your moving day, pick a day that will save you money. The most affordable times to move are mornings, weekdays, and off-season months (late September to April).

Create a Budget

Are you prepared for the cost of moving? First, there are all the little costs—a roll of packing tape here, tipping the movers there. Then comes the larger cost. To move less than 100 miles with the help of two movers and a truck, you’ll probably pay around $80–100 per hour. But for a move over 100 miles, expect to pay anywhere from $2,000–5,000.(1) So, whether you’re crossing state lines or heading across town, create a moving budget with your spouse.

Decide if You’ll Move Yourself or Hire a Moving Company

No moving checklist is complete without the decision of hiring a moving company or doing it yourself. That’s right. A “do it yourself” move. If you want to save money, have an arsenal of trustworthy friends, and can spend a lot of time planning your move, move yourself.

If, however, you have the money and would rather leave the heavy lifting to the experts, then by all means, hire a moving company.

You can also do a partial DIY move. If family and friends can help pack and load the truck, then you can save a bunch by only hiring the movers to unload at your new home. And we’re all about saving where we can.

Make an Inventory of Your Belongings

Keep track of everything you own. Start at one end of the house and work your way to the other. Then you can pack with inventory in hand to be sure every item makes it to the new house.

Organize a Moving Folder for All Paperwork

Soon, you’ll have moving estimates, paperwork, and receipts. Buy a binder and keep all your moving records organized.

Notify Your Kids’ Schools

As soon as you decide on a day to move, tell your kids’ schools. You’ll have to transfer their student reports and vaccination records to the new schools. And even if your kids are transferring schools within the same county or aren’t changing schools at all, the school system still needs to know so it has record of your new address. After all, no one wants to miss those PTO notifications!

Measure Your Furniture

To make sure your furniture can fit into your new home, take measurements of it and the doors. If a piece of your furniture is larger than the passageways of your new home, don’t bother moving it. Sell it or donate it! If you sell it, use that cash to help with the move

Things Never to Pack to Keep You and Your Mover Safe

When you plan what to pack, it’s also important to know what not to pack for a safe residential move. By law, there are many things a mover is not allowed to take. Know the rules ahead of time. Don’t pack these three types of things when hiring long-distance or local movers.

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

By law, the following hazardous materials can’t be taken by a mover. Check your local government for hazardous waste events where disposal is usually convenient and may be free of charge

POISONOUS MATERIALS

Poison cannot be transported by your mover. This includes windshield washer fluids for your car, rodent poisons, bleach and hydrogen peroxide, as well as most home cleaning products. If you are using local movers, you may elect to transport these items yourself. For long-distance moving, it may be wise to give these products to friends or neighbors.

PERISHABLES

Most perishables won’t be transported, even by local movers, and include all food (frozen, fresh and refrigerated) and beverages, open or not. Canned and unopened containers of stored food can usually be taken, but it’s a good idea to limit them. Stop grocery shopping no less than a week before the move. Plants are also perishable and are bound by agricultural rules which may or may not allow your plant to be brought into your destination state or country.

Commercial Truck Tires For numerous different of Tasks

SEnuke: Ready for action

Commercial truck tires are not just for ordinary pickup trucks. They are designed especially for class 6 – 8 trucks, based on the GVWR or gross vehicle weight rating in excess of 26,000 pounds or 13 tons. Usually this means at least three axles as well. Such vehicles are used in the public sector, construction, mining, Nextroad D79 different forms of industry. Not only are these the biggest tires made, with diameters 25 inches or larger, but they are differentiated in their design dependant upon their placement on automobile.

Slightly different specialty tires may be utilized for steerage, driving, and trailer taking. The normal driving conditions for your truck will also determine the type of tire chosen. Ways hauling end up being different than regional traffic with stops and starts and lots of turning. Construction sites and off-road hauling present another set of requirements for properly working tires. Truck owners can today have a variety of choices in quality and specificity of this tires make use of to use on their trucks. Companies such as Continental, Cooper, Firestone, Toya, and Bridgestone, just to name a few, all offer these custom designed commercial truck tires.

In spite of health benefits quality obtainable in his tires, it remains the responsibility of the truck driver to check them working day. A huge majority for the accidents upon the road today involve commercial vehicles and tire blow-outs can turn out to be avoided by regular servicing. Before driving the truck more over a mile, in the start every and every new day, each tire should be investigated for inflation and air pressure. The actual a properly calibrated tire gauge, an exact reading could be taken. Of course, if for example the gauge is dropped, it needs to be reset or replaced for correct dimension. Thumping the tire does not work properly and isn’t a true reflection of air pressure within the tire. A quick but thorough hands-on inspection across the treads for chips and chunks completes the daily maintenance plan. Everyone would agree that her few minutes of precaution out-weighs the danger of accident and condition.

Commercial truck tires are rolling constantly on calories from fat than 14 million miles of roads in earth. Whether they made the long hauls across country, bussing residents around their city, transporting local goods, or lugging ore and boulders across construction sites, the longevity and safety for the tire has much to do with the way it is chosen for the job along with the it is maintained. Fortunately, it may well have 2nd life for a retread and take years really service yet to offer.