AC system maintenance

Why You Should Prepare Your AC System Before The Scorching Summer Months

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Why you should prepare your AC system before the scorching summer months

Summer is almost knocking on the door, which means blistering temperatures and humid air are coming. And to help you stay cool during the hottest months of the year, a sound and well-functioning Air-conditioning system is essential. Unfortunately, some homeowners tend to wait until the last minute to prepare their air conditioners, leading to disaster and uncomfortable days ahead of them.

With that in mind, here are some reasons why you should take the time to prepare your AC system before the summer:

1. Ensures that your AC system performs efficiently

As the summer months approach, it’s essential to ensure your AC system is in good working condition. As much as possible, you want to make sure that it performs efficiently and doesn’t break down when you need it most.

And so, one of the crucial things you can do is have your summer AC system unit repair done by professionals. With experts on your side, you can make sure that all parts are in good working order and that there are no leaks. You can also consult your service provider if they’re offering services, such as cleaning the filters and coils to remove any dirt and debris that could hinder performance.

2. Helps extend your AC’s life

There are many ways to increase the lifespan of your air conditioner unit. One way to do so is by ensuring that it’s properly maintained and taken care of, especially during the summer months when it’s used the most.

Summer heat can be overwhelming, and if your AC isn’t adequately prepared, it will have to work overtime to keep your home cool, which could lead to a shortened lifespan. This can come in handy since it can help save you money in the long run, considering you won’t have to replace it as often.

3. Improves the air quality in your home

Aside from ensuring your comfort during the hot season, a working AC system can also improve the air quality inside your home. This is essential, since in a humid setting, it’s believed that there’s an increased risk for mold and mildew growth, both of which can cause respiratory problems. And so, you wouldn’t want to end up sick just because you neglected your AC tune-up just before the summer comes.

AC system cleaning

4. Aids in lowering the cost of energy

As a homeowner, one of your considerations involves having a cost-effective home. Although there are many ways you can lower your energy consumption and utility expenses, one of the best ways is to ensure your AC system is running efficiently.

An inefficient AC unit can waste a lot of energy, which means a higher electric bill. And so, by preparing your system before the summer, you can help ensure that it runs as efficiently as possible and doesn’t put a strain on your budget.

Preparing your AC system before summer

As you can see, there are many crucial reasons why you should prepare your AC system before the scorching summer months. But what exactly does preparing your AC system entail?

Here are things you can do to get started:

  • Clean/replace the air filter: The air filter is one of the most critical parts of your AC system. It can help eliminate dust, pollen, and other allergens in the air – making it much easier to breathe. If you have allergies, it’s crucial to ensure that your air filter is clean and replaced regularly.
  • Check for openings or air leaks: Over time, the door and window seals can wear down – causing cold air to escape and warm air to enter. This can make your home less comfortable, but it also makes your AC unit work harder, which can lead to higher energy bills. 

With that, check for any cracks around your doors and windows to avoid this. If you find any gaps, you can re-caulk them or seal them up with weatherstripping.

  • Schedule a tune-up: One of the best ways to set your AC system for summer is by scheduling a tune-up. During a tune-up, a technician will clean your unit, check for any potential problems, and make any necessary repairs. This can help ensure that your unit is running as efficiently as possible. Plus, it’s always better to catch a problem early on before it has a chance to cause significant damage.

Final words

By keeping your AC unit in good condition, you can avoid costly repairs and keep your home cool and comfortable all summer long. So don’t wait until the heat wave hits to start prepping your AC- start today!

Termite Inspection

Why Regular Termite Inspections Are Important?

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Why regular termite inspections are important?

Pests, particularly termites, are always a nuisance. The damage that they can cause to your home may end up costing a ton of money on repairs, especially if you ignore termite control.

Even if your walls or furniture may look brand new from the outside, thousands of termites might be living inside them. As such, it’s advised that you have your property inspected by professionals for any looming threat or signs of termite infestation.

Here are the reasons why regular termite inspections are important:

1. Identify the problem

Perhaps the most important reason why you need to have regular termite inspections is that it allows you to identify any potential or existing problems and then take action immediately. Termite infestation poses property and health hazards that will continue to amplify if left ignored.

As you continue to shun the problem, the cost of resolving it will grow as well. So, if you want to save both time and money and avoid a potential disaster, you should have your home inspected for termites periodically.

You should never assume that you can notice termites invading your home on your own. Termites are shy and are quite good at avoiding detection. Some homeowners even mistake termites for ants. Professional termite inspectors know these pests well and can identify subtle designs of infestation. They can reliably identify whether you have a potential termite infestation on your property or not.

You can watch this video to know how professionals inspect and treat termite infestation:

2. Prevention

Even though you can’t see them, termites are surely lurking around and start to grow in numbers in obscure parts of your property. The purpose of regular termite inspections is to prevent infestations. This will allow you to take the necessary steps to eliminate the problem before it gets worse and causes major damage to your property and becomes a health hazard for you and your family.

Keep in mind that termites grow their numbers very quickly. Not to mention that they can eat a pound of wood every day. And since you can’t see the damage they can cause, they’ll continue to eat away all the wood in your home for years. This leaves you a structurally unsafe property without you realizing it.

The only way to prevent this from happening is to stay on top of termite control. Call a professional termite inspector to help you detect early signs of infestation before it’s too late.

Termite inspection

3. Ensure health and safety

Pest infestations in the property pose a serious health and safety risk that many homeowners fail to notice. They may cause detrimental effects on your family’s health. As such, you must conduct a routine inspection to detect and eliminate potential infestations. Termite infestations, for example, can cause structural damage to your property which increases the risk of injuries in your household.

Moreover, workers at termite control companies are well-equipped and experienced in dealing with these kinds of pests. Termite treatments by Pest-Ex and other pest control companies can efficiently eradicate termites without putting yourself or anyone at risk from toxic chemicals used in pest control services.

4. Peace of mind

Scheduling routine termite inspections can also give you peace of mind. Knowing that highly trained and experienced experts are inspecting your home at least twice per year, you’ll never have to worry about termites.

Just ensure that the people that you’re going to hire are licensed, experienced, and well-equipped to avoid inconveniences and disappointments. Reputable companies conduct inspections thoroughly which can help preserve the value of your property.

5. Save time and money

Performing termite inspection on your own can take a lot of time. You have to do your research about signs of termite infestation. After that, you’ll have to inspect all the nooks and crannies in your home to ensure that you don’t miss any termite colony. Now, depending on the size of your property, this may take several hours.

You can’t forget about the costs associated with termite inspections as well. Termite inspections are cost-efficient as compared to dealing with the consequences of having a well-established termite infestation on your property.

If you want to save time and money in the long run, be proactive in preventing pest infestations by scheduling routine inspections.

Final thoughts

As you can see, there are plenty of different reasons why you should invest in regular termite inspections. Ensure that your home is inspected by professionals at least twice a year to keep your property and most importantly, your family safe. After all, termite problems are going to be quite difficult to solve once they get worse because of how expensive they can get. Catching these pests early on is key to saving you from a lot of headaches down the road

Safety Tips For DIY Home Projects

Top 6 Safety Tips For DIY Home Projects

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Top 6 safety tips for DIY home projects

DIY projects are fun and rewarding. They give you a sense of pleasure and achievement and offer you the opportunity to develop new skills, such as fixing a hole in the wall.

However, renovations can be dangerous if you fail to adhere to safety measures. Hence, it’s important to know what you should do and shouldn’t. Read on to learn about the top safety tips for DIY home projects.

1. Research your DIY project

Before embarking on any DIY project, it’s essential to understand how to go about it and the tools required. Study the labels on the tools and the materials you’ll be using and follow the guidelines provided. If you aren’t sure of how to use the tools, research online. For example, midrange clamps are tools you’ll need when working with wood.

2. Put on protective gear

Most accidents that occur during DIY projects result from minor issues, such as failing to wear protective gear. For instance, painting or working with power saws without safety glasses or goggles will put you at risk of blindness. Protective eyewear is necessary to keep dust and flying debris from hurting your eyes. Moreover, you need to wear gloves to protect your hands while working with wood and other hard materials. Gloves keep your hands safe from lacerations and cuts.

Aside from using protective eyewear and gloves, you need to wear proper clothing, such as workwear by Workwearhub. Avoid wearing shorts or going barefoot when doing any project. Wear jeans to protect your legs from broken glass or wood chips that might cause severe injuries. Opt for steel-toe boots if you plan to use dangerous equipment, like a weed wacker or a lawn mower. Put on a long-sleeve or an oversized shirt and an apron to protect your body from flammable liquids, cleaning agents, and caustic materials.

DIY safety tips

3. Know how to use a ladder

If you’re scared of heights, avoid climbing up a roof or doing anything that requires going up. Leave the task to a professional instead.

But if you aren’t scared of heights, make sure you know how to use a ladder safely. Use the right ladder that’s made of a sturdy material, such as metal, wood, or fiberglass. Apply the three-point anchor while working on a ladder: Always have both hands and one foot or both feet and one hand on the ladder.

Here are other tips for proper ladder usage:

  • Lock the A-frame ladder and keep it open.
  • Avoid stepping on the top two rungs.
  • Set up the ladder on a stable, level surface.
  • Don’t work with electrical tools while standing on an aluminum ladder. Since aluminum ladders are good conductors of electricity, you could get electrocuted and fall.
  • Follow the 4 to 1 rule: Position the ladder one foot away from the wall or any vertical surface for every four feet of height where the ladder rests against the surface. That means that when you climb to the roof, the ladder should extend above the edge at least three feet.
  • Don’t put a ladder in front of an open door.

4. Stay alert when working with anything electrical

When working with anything electrical, ensure that the power is switched off or the equipment is unplugged when not in use. The following are some things you should remember:

  • Keep water away from power sources.
  • If you aren’t wearing trainers, stand on a rubber mat while using electrical tools.
  • Always turn off the power before repairing a device or working on a circuit. Let a professional take over if you feel unsure or anxious to fix it yourself.
  • Don’t use tools with disabled guards or frayed cords.

5. Let professionals handle gas repairs

While gas is an efficient power source, it’s hazardous. For instance, you could create a leak unknowingly. The gas will build up in your home and may lead to an explosion that’s set off by static electricity.

So, if you want a gas repair done, contact your power company. Don’t hesitate to leave with your family if you smell gas or notice a gas leak. Seek professional assistance once you’re in a safe place.

6. Invest in fire extinguishers

Before getting to work, have fire extinguishers at hand. It will be practical to have a couple of extinguishers for your home. Buy general purpose A-B-C rated fire extinguishers, which protect you from burning electrical insulation and components, burning liquids like grease, as well as materials that include wood and paper.

You can put one fire extinguisher in the kitchen and the other close to your DIY workbench.

Conclusion

DIY projects are a wonderful opportunity to improve your home. Though they’re exciting to do, they can be dangerous. Thus, you need to take safety precautions, such as wearing protective gear.

Bookkeeping System for tradies

5 Ways A Bookkeeping System Helps Trades In Business

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5 Ways a Bookkeeping System Helps Trades in Business

If you’re in upper management, or at least in the accounting and finance departments, surely, you’ll be aware of what bookkeeping systems are. Before, this system was mostly done manually, with very few automated functions. But nowadays, bookkeeping systems have shifted so as to become even more advanced and computer-based, for all the many benefits that such can bring to a business, like one in the trade profession.

With this kind of technology, bookkeepers and accountants have a lot to learn to use it effectively. And while this shift from manual to automated accounting systems means a significant change, it’s something tradesmen and professionals should consider making in their trades. After all, change is the only thing that’s ever constant, and that change also brings about the need to evolve.

In this article, you’ll come across the five ways that a bookkeeping system can help trades in business.

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Versatile Pergola Design Ideas for Any Outdoor Space

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Versatile pergola design ideas

A pergola is a garden feature that forms a shaded walkway, passage or sitting area, often with retractable screens for added versatility. It differs from eaves or a veranda, in that it is usually a separately constructed feature with open sides.

In terms of home improvement fashion, the pergola has come a long way since it was first used described in the mid seventeenth century. A range of different frames and covering materials are now used, from highly engineered sunproof fabrics to arbour-like trained creepers including grapes, bougainvillea and ivy. Here are a few of our favourites:

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Housekeeping

How to Develop Your Housekeeping Skills

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Spending more time at home? You may need this

A lot of home owners claim they don’t have much in the way of housekeeping skills, and they are probably telling the truth. The problem with such claims, however, is that they are far too often used as an excuse to not do anything around the house anymore.

Whether you like it or not, your home needs to be put in order. So what if you aren’t really any good at cleaning and organisation? Every single skill can be developed over time with practice, and housekeeping skills are no exception.

Housekeeping is very much like our own muscles: we need to work them out to become bigger and stronger. That being said, here are some tips that may just help you develop your housekeeping skills.

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The Problem With Closing Air Vents During the Summer

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Does closing air vents reduce energy consumption?

The summer season is upon Australia, and that means each and every air conditioning system in the country will be working full-time to keep Australians cool for the entire season. Operating air conditioners regularly also means huge energy consumption, which will certainly be reflected in the electricity bill at the end of each month.

As expected, people are trying to find ways to reduce energy costs while keeping cool temperatures inside their homes. One of the more common practices believed to help reduce energy costs is closing air vents.

On the surface, closing air vents during the summer is a sound idea, as it helps divert airflow from underused rooms of the house to key areas of the house, thereby maximising use of the conditioned air. In theory, this should help you reduce energy costs. But does it? Let’s hear from James, our resident air conditioning specialist.

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Plumber

How To Find a Dependable Plumber

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Finding a dependable plumber is a must

Let’s face it: there are a lot of unscrupulous plumbers out there. These plumbers typically work for just a few minutes, then leave you with a gargantuan bill that will make you swear never to hire professional plumbers ever again.

However, to say that all plumbers are like that would be unfair. There are  many professional plumbers that have built reputable businesses and genuinely care about giving you the best experience with them.  We know so, has we meet and worked with  many in the Tradebusters network.

Finding a professional plumbers that ticks the box for skills, licensing, experience, reliability (and even like ability) is a must especially for those major plumbing emergencies you are bound to face in the future.

So what do you look for when it comes to selecting the right plumber for your home? Here are some of our tips for  helping you find a truly dependable “drain surgeon”.

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Custom made kitchen

Why the Kitchen is the Most Important Part of the Home

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Don’t take your kitchen for granted

Every room in a house serves a specific function, which means every single room in a home is important. Some rooms, however, are perceived to be more important than others. Many home owners say that of these rooms, the kitchen is the most important part of the home. Here are some of the reasons why.

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Turn Off Your Water Supply

Don’t Know Where to Turn Off Your Water Supply?

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How to turn off water supply?

It is an unfortunate fact of human nature that many among us only do something about anything when it’s already too late. Let’s take the location of our water shut off valve (or water mains valve) at home for example. As a home owner, do you even know where it is?

Good for you if you do. If you don’t, then you’re one of the countless home owners all over the world who only find out the location of the water mains isolation valve when a plumbing emergency like a burst pipe takes place. It is likely that by the time you locate the water mains shut-off valve, your home will already have suffered a fair amount of water damage due to flooding.

Needless to say, it is extremely important for you to learn where turn off your home’s main water supply before anything like this ever happens. The water shut off valve is your only means of cutting off water supply to your house, especially in plumbing emergency cases. Here are some tips for finding your home’s water mains tap or shut-off valve.

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